2025 Top 100 Prospects: End-of-Season Update

HT: 6’4 WT: 215 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Florida Complex League
ETA: 2028

OFP: 55

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 50
Power: 60
Field: 55
Throw: 60
Run: 60

Scouting Report

Konnor Griffin could be an above-average third baseman or center fielder on an MLB roster. He has the potential to have five above-average to plus tools and provide quality defensive play at a premium position, but the question will be if his talent and tools end up translating against pro-level competition in the coming years. Griffin has a large frame that is mainly filled in; he has a very muscular build with broad shoulders and wide hips; despite being only 18 years old, his body is very mature, with his frame nearly being maxed out already. Griffin will likely grow off of shortstop in the next few years as his body finishes maturing and either shifts over; if he maintains the level of athleticism he has now, he will likely be able to hold down center at an above-average level but if he loses a touch of his explosiveness third will suit him better in the long run; he should be able to hold down the hot corner with his plus arm and average hands. At the plate, Griffin has an open stance, his hands start at ear level, he has a simple load, and he utilizes a slight leg kick and stride to time up pitchers. His swing path is steep with above-average bat speed; Griffin’s approach will need some work as he progresses through pro ball, and his swing can get a bit long at times leading to some swing/miss; it may take him some time to adjust to pro competition but he has tons of raw power that could make him a serious offensive threat if he can refine his hitting abilities and stay short to the ball at the plate, allowing him to harness that power in game. With the potential to be a power-hitting premium position player, Griffin is a very interesting prospect; he’s toolsy, and at only 18 years old, he has quite a bit of time to refine his abilities in the minors, giving him the potential to be a power hitting above average to plus centerfielder or third-base in the future. - Alex Kempton

HT: 5’10 WT: 187 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 55

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 60
Power: 45
Field: 50
Throw: 50
Run: 55

Scouting Report

Kevin McGonigle has the potential to be an above average everyday regular second baseman in the future with his plus hit tool, to fulfill this potential he must continue to put together competitive at bats against advanced pitching and retain his defensive abilities. McGonigle has a medium sized frame with thick, muscular halves and broad shoulders; he is close to being maxed out and has little physical projection remaining. At the plate McGonigle has a slightly open stance, his hands start at ear level, his bat starts flat with a slight rock and he gets deep into his lower half pre-load. McGonigle utilizes a toe tap to time up pitchers and finishes closed, he has a simple load and stays short to the ball; he has solid bat speed and good plate discipline often drawing walks. His swing is level and adaptable, it is designed for contact but he still strikes balls well, his power is mostly gap to gap for now with the occasional HR, but when he connects with balls well he produces above average exit velocities; it’s very possible his power will continue to come along as his body finishes maturing. In the field he has fringy hands, average range, and an average arm; he will likely move off shortstop down the road due to his hands/range. He may be able to make the move to third base depending on how his defense continues to progress but he likely profiles as a second baseman in the long run due to his average arm. McGonigle is a pure hitter, he finds ways to get on base and doesn’t strike out often; he has the potential to be an above average everyday regular second baseman in the future and could even work his way into plus territory if his power continues to come along as he matures. -Alex Kempton

HT: 6-1 WT: 187 H/T: S/R
Highest Level: DSL
ETA: 2028

OFP: 60

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 60
Power: 60
Field: 50
Throw: 60
Run: 55

Scouting Report

There might be no more buzzy name in the prospect streets than Jesus Made. Made has had a meteoric rise to being one of the best prospects in the game, and a lot of it stems from him being already polished as a hitter. He has a smooth swing from either side of the plate, with little discernible difference from either side of the plate. When you watch him, the big thing that stands out is his ability to lift and pull batted balls with authority. His swing is so optimized for someone his age that he shows an excellent feel for getting out in front of pitches on the inner half, but he also has more than enough bat speed to attack breaking pitches on the outer half to spoil them. Made for his age, he has impressive game power that could end up double-plus by the time he gets to the majors. Made’s swing decisions are impeccable, and when you factor in how young he is and how few professional reps he has, he could very well end up being a 70-hitter when he reaches the majors—in the field, Made projects out as a league average defender at a few different positions. He will still play shortstop and should continue working at the six because there are flashes of him being able to make the routine play, and he has more than enough lateral agility to play there. His reads are slightly less refined, but that should get better as he climbs through the minors. He could move to third or even center field very well because he has the foot-speed to play center field with some coaching and reps. There have always been hyped-up DSL prospects, but none have performed this well and hit every statistical and aesthetic benchmark that Made has. The question with Made is how aggressive one can be with projecting on him; he hasn’t seen a state-side pitch in the game and is already a top-10 prospect in the game. - Rhys White 

HT: 5-10 WT: 190 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Low-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 55

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 60
Power: 55
Field: 45
Throw: 50
Run: 50

Scouting Report

JJ Wetherholt projects to have a lengthy big-league career as an above-average offensive second baseman. Wetherholt has a loose, open stance; his hands start at his shoulders and work their way up to head level in his simple load. He has a noticeable leg kick and stride that helps him time up pitchers. Wetherholt consistently produces competitive at-bats that come from his solid approach and good plate discipline, a testament to his advanced pitch recognition ability. He has a level swing that keeps his bat in the zone for a long time and has shown the ability to manipulate his bat path with good bat-to-ball skills, leading to few strikeouts. Wetherholt’s range is limited, and he will most likely not stick at shortstop due to his relatively below-average lateral quickness and average arm. Some of that is likely to be blamed on the hamstring injuries he suffered last year. Despite not being able to stick at shortstop, Wetherholt will undoubtedly have a spot in a big league lineup as a second baseman primarily because of his bat, but his smooth hands and solid instincts will allow him to be effective at the position; he probably won’t be a gold glover but he will get the job done at second and will be a consistent starter thanks to his aforementioned bat. It will be crucial for Wetherholt to maintain his hitting tools as he advances through the minor leagues. He will have to be cautious about protecting his hamstrings throughout the entirety of his career, given his prior injury history with them. Still, if he can do both of these, he will be an above-average big-league second baseman sooner rather than later. - Alex Kempton

HT: 6-4 WT: 190 H/T: R/R
Acquired: 2023 IFA
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 60

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 45
Power: 60
Field: 55
Throw: 60
Run: 60

Scouting Report

Having only turned 18 years old and made it to Double-A in 2024, Sebastian Walcott is the buzziest name in all minor leagues. Sebastian Walcott is a twitched-up athlete with a general smoothness that he brings to the game of baseball. The pride of the Bahamian baseball scene is an easy plus-athlete with easy plus power projection and is a twitched-up athlete. It is so much so that if he grew up in the US, there is a chance we won't see him playing baseball as he is built like a prototypical receiver with long arms and a lean frame. He is lean but has good muscle all over his frame. The Rangers have deployed him at shortstop and third base. He is loose and, at times, reckless at shortstop, and this should be something that gets dialed in as he gets more pro experience. He takes unconventional routes to batted balls hit on the dirt and can sometimes be far too upright in his stance defensively. Again, he is 18 at the time of writing this, and there will be plenty of time to work on this. In the batter's box, Walcott has one of the highest ceilings of any prospect; he has crazy raw power and just might hit enough to tap into his power. His swing decisions are aggressive, and he wants to get out in front of fastballs, but this approach leads to some ugly swing-and-miss. A lot of his pitch recognition issues can be excused away because of his relative lack of experience, but not all of them. He is looking to go up to the plate and swing early and often, and this approach, mixed with some red flags about breaking ball recognition, muddies the water on his overall bat-to-ball skills. The quality of contact when he makes it, though, is exciting, routinely barreling up pitches with ease and with some natural loft in his swing, which, paired with his electric bat speed, allows him to generate pretty crazy raw power. He is also one of the smoothest athletes you will see, with easy plus speed. As he continues to fill out, he may ultimately move off shortstop but stay on the left side of the infield, where his plus arm is an asset. Walcott is one of the more high-risk, high-reward types out there and has the highest upside in baseball. - Rhys White

HT: 6-0 WT: 183 H/T: S/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 60

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 50
Power: 60
Field: 55
Throw: 60
Run: 60

Scouting Report

El Mutante is one of the highest ceiling prospects in all the low minors, and at just 18 years old, LDV has already seen time in Single-A. The Padres are known to be unconventional with their prospects, and LDV skipping over the DSL and AZL a couple of months after signing fits the unconventional manner they like to follow, as they did with Ethan Salas. LDV is one of the most impressive athletes I have seen in the California League. He is an easy plus runner with good lateral agility, and that helps him in the field where he is more twitchy than refined at shortstop, but again, he was only 17 years old. If he grew up stateside, he would be a draft-eligible high school senior and would be the number 1 pick in the upcoming MLB draft. As a switch hitter, there is no discernable difference between his left-handed and right-handed swing and no difference in aesthetics or outcome. LDV makes solid contact, all things considered, and he has shown off some impressive power from both sides of the plate. There is well above-average bat speed and some natural loft in his swing that portends to more power coming, especially as he fills out. There is good strike-zone recognition for someone as young as he is, and there is a semblance of an approach; although he will chase breaking balls away, this can get cleaned up as this is more of a swing-decision issue than a pitch-recognition issue. There are some extreme outcomes for De Vries. He could end up being a 70 this time next year, or he could have some serious prospect fatigue like his organization mate Ethan Salas. If everything clicks, it’s a switch-hitting shortstop who is a legitimate 5-tool prospect. - Rhys White

HT: 6-3 WT: 180 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 60

Risk: High

Hit: 55
Power: 70
Field: 40
Throw: 60
Run: 40

Scouting Report

Basallo is a big, physically imposing player with long levers and some noticeable bulk, especially in his upper body. There's room for him to add more muscle, particularly in his lower half, as he fills out with age. His standout trait is his performance at the plate, where his offensive potential shines. Basallo employs a slight leg kick in his setup and generates impressive rotational force from his hips and lower half, leading to consistent hard contact. He shows the potential to become a 60-grade hitter at maturity, with a knack for barrel manipulation and adjusting his bat path to pitches in all areas of the strike zone. He makes solid swing decisions and occasionally passes up borderline pitches, showing discipline by not chasing out of the zone at concerning rates. Basallo has a well-rounded approach, driving pitches to the opposite field when away while pulling pitches in the zone with more loft in his swing. His ability to hit for both contact and power suggests a future as a middle-of-the-order bat, capable of driving the ball out of any part of the park. Defensively, Basallo currently catches, but he likely won't stick behind the plate in the majors due to his stiff and clunky movements. He lacks the fluidity needed for a big-league backstop. A move to first base is more likely, where his bat would more than carry the position. Given his plus arm strength, he could transition to a corner outfield spot. While not entirely on the level of Yordan Alvarez, Basallo could reach 80-90% of Yordan's offensive production, and at that level, his defensive home will only matter a little. His value will primarily be tied to his bat, and he has the potential to become a middle-of-the-order force. - Rhys White 

HT: 6-0 WT: 205 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 60

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 60
Power: 50
Field: 60
Throw: 55
Run: 70

Scouting Report

The Tigers took a chance on Max Clark third overall, which was met with some skepticism with Wyatt Langford still on the board. Clark has done nothing but outperform expectations since being drafted. An active member of social media, it isn’t hard to see how much work Clark puts into his craft. He is strong for his size, with some projection left. At the plate, he starts with his feet even, knees slightly bent, and hands up by his head. He utilizes a small leg kick load mechanism leading to a smooth, fluid swing. He’s very advanced at the plate for his age, showing excellent patience and zone recognition. Clark isn’t afraid to find himself in two-strike counts, where he can fight off pitches until he finds one he likes. That is showcased by the fact that he rarely chases pitches out of the zone. He has quick hands at the plate and does an excellent job adjusting to offspeed pitches. He does look to pull the ball more often than not, but he has shown the ability to use all fields. He can hit the ball very hard but takes a more line-drive approach. That may suppress his over-the-fence power, though he works the gaps well. Defensively, he takes excellent routes and takes reasonable first steps. He has more than enough speed to cover plenty of ground and pose a threat on the bases. With a boatload of tools, Clark must continue refining them. Clark has a hit-over-power profile right now with power that could wind up above average if he starts to lift the ball more consistently. In the long term, he has every skill necessary to be a successful table-setting center fielder who can get his share of All-Star nods. - Trevor Hooth

HT: 5-11 WT: 185 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: DSL
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 60
Power: 40
Field: 45
Throw: 55
Run: 70

Scouting Report

The Brewers signed Pena for $800,000 as part of what looks to be a loaded 2024 international free-agent class. Despite being vastly overshadowed by Jesus Made, Peña put together a fantastic DSL season, hitting .393/.457/.583 over 44 games. He was the DSL’s leading hitter and placed in the top five in stolen bases. Pena does a tremendous job of putting the bat on the baseball, and his strong contact skills are the foundation for what could be a valuable offensive skillset. He’s an aggressive hitter, but he also makes good swing decisions. He doesn’t walk much but also doesn’t strike out. He puts the bat on the ball and lets his plus-plus speed play. He stole 39 bases and was only caught four times, showing how adept he is as a baserunner. Peña played everywhere on the infield besides first base in 2024, but I do think, despite the versatility he showed in 2024, that he could be an average to slightly above average shortstop long term. Pena will make his stateside debut in 2025 in the Carolina League. That’s a challenging park for power, and Pena doesn’t have much. His lone homer was inside the park, but he uses his wheels and piles up the extra-base hits. Peña showed enough in 2024 that despite not appearing stateside, we still project him as a future everyday infielder. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6-2 WT: 200 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 60

Risk: Moderate

Fastball: 60 - (94-98 mph)
Curveball: 55 - (79-83 mph)
Slider: 60 - (83-88 mph)
Changeup: 55 - (82-85 mph)
Command: 55

Scouting Report

The Pirates have become one of the best organizations at developing arms, and turning Bubba Chandler into a full-time pitcher is a massive win because he has become among the best pitching prospects in the game. Bubba Chandler is one of the more athletic arms on the mound; his fastball explodes out of his hand. There aren't many moving parts to his delivery; he lifts his leg up and drives towards the mound. His has a lower release point, which helps the fastball "rise." His fastball plays well both up and out of the zone and in the zone where he dots the fastball to get whiffs all over. Hitters have a tough time with the fastball, and that sets up the offerings. You could argue that he doesn't utilize his fastball enough, but when you have three other above-average offerings themes, the breaks. The best secondary is a hard gyro slider with good velocity and shape. Right-handed batters especially struggle with it, and then he can mix in a slower, less tight curveball that plays well off the slider and fastball. The changeup is his primary secondary offering against opposite-handed batters, where its fade makes it challenging for left-handers to barrel up. The command can come and go during his starts, but for the most part, he spots all four of his pitches well all over the zone. Chandler could very well break camp with the Pirates, which is akin to what Jared Jones did last year, but Chandler is a much better version of Jared Jones with a similarly high-octane heater and better secondary stuff. Chandler could be the Pirates' number 3 starter and be a nice Rookie of the Year selection. - Rhys White

HT: 6-0 WT: 195 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027 

OFP: 60

Risk: Medium

Hit: 60
Power: 55
Field: 50
Throw: 55
Run: 50

Scouting Report

Possessing some of the best bat to ball skills in the minor leagues, Colt Emerson is an exciting blend of hit and power potential with up the middle skills on the dirt. Armed with a simple lefty swing, Emerson has more twitch in his hands than is typical for a hit over power guy, allowing him to post some intriguing EV numbers at a very young age. The power is yet to show up consistently in games, but the underlying numbers indicate it’s only a matter of time before he truly breaks out. Emerson was one of the younger players in the Arizona Fall League this past season and dominated the competition, showing off extra base power consistently. Emerson probably won’t win any awards at shortstop, however he’s competent enough to stick at the position thanks to some solid lateral movement and a good arm. He’s been able to steal bases at an above average clip since joining the professional ranks, however his top end speed doesn’t jump off the screen in film. It’s probably a hair above average at present, but might trend down if he adds some bulk down the line. An excellent clubhouse leader and diligent worker, Emerson brings a level of lighthearted intensity to a team that’s both invigorating for teammates and refreshing for fans. For a teenager that’s yet to crack High-A for more than a handful of games, Emerson remains a high floor prospect that possesses intriguing amounts of potential and could realistically be a middle of the order run producer at the shortstop position. Likely at least a few years away, he’s certainly a prominent name to follow closely. - Max Ellingsen

HT: 6-7 WT: 215 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 60

Risk: High

Fastball: 70 - (94-99 mph)
Slider: 60 - (82-87 mph)
Curveball: 55 - (78-82 mph)
Change: 55 - (86-91 mph)
Command: 60

Scouting Report

If he was healthy, Painter would be the top pitching prospect in all of the minor leagues, and the fact that he’s still very much in that conversation after missing all of 2023 and 2024 speaks volumes. He made five starts in Double-A as a 19-year-old and will likely make his big league debut at a still very young 22. When healthy, Painter has sat 94-99 and touched 100 with ride and life up in the zone. He’s able to hold that velocity throughout his starts. The slider is the best secondary in his arsenal, sitting more in the mid-80s while averaging nearly a foot of sweep and consistently being landed for strikes. The curveball is more of a 12/6 shape in the high-70s to low-80s with solid break and bite when he’s on. It’s mainly used to steal strikes. Finally, the changeup improved in 2022, with him becoming more confident on the pitch later in the season. It’s a high-80s pitch that touches 91 MPH with serious dive and garners quite a bit of swing and miss down in the zone. The pitch could be a plus later on. He also has excellent command of his entire arsenal, especially his fastball. Thanks to his plus extension, everything plays up, and he repeats his delivery extremely well and pumps strikes. He is the complete package when healthy and one of the few minor league arms with the ceiling of an ace with four above-average or better offerings and plus command. He returned to the mound in 2024 to pitch in the Arizona Fall League and was back to hitting triple digits and showing his excellent stuff and command. Painter is ready for the big leagues, but the primary question is how much he will be able to contribute in 2025 with a likely innings limit. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6-3 WT: 185 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 55

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 60
Power: 50
Field: 40
Throw: 45
Run: 45

Scouting Report 

De Paula has excelled at every level so far despite the fact that he won’t turn 20 until after the 2025 season begins. He stands tall with an open stance with his hands starting near the top of his head. He utilizes a small leg kick, lifting his leg to mid shin height. Purely talking about the movements during the load and swing mirror Yodan Alvarez, though De Paula’s barrel starts a little more upright. He has a lanky build, and already looks like an imposing force in the box. De Paula is patient at the plate and will look to drive pitches in the lower or inner third. The inner third is where he lifts the ball well, resulting in over the fence power. He drives the ball well when he makes contact, which isn’t limited to any field. De Paula is willing to use the entire field and go with the pitch. Defensively his game is not as polished. He can come in on balls well, but sometimes the routes on balls over his head could be improved. His arm is strong, but can be inaccurate. De Paula will be a corner outfielder if he stays on the grass, likely a left fielder. As he continues to age it would not be surprising if he moves to first or becomes mostly a DH. Success of De Paula’s profile will rely on his bat, but with his skills that is a good bet to make. - Trevor Hooth

HT: 6-2 WT: 175 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 55

Risk: High

Hit: 60
Power: 50
Field: 55
Throw: 55
Run: 60

Scouting Report

The Dodgers have the international market on lock, as the kids would say, and Eduardo Quintero is just another in a long line of successful scouting stories in the IFA market for the best-run organization in baseball. Quintero has a well-rounded skillset, as he is a good defender at a premium defensive position; he has a good arm, makes good swing decisions, and should be a plus contact hitter at the end of the day. Quintero has room to dream of more power as his frame has a lot of room to fill out before we would have to worry about him slowing down. He has plus range in the center because of exceptional reads, and with his plus wheels as he takes long strides, he can range to his left and right equally well. A scout told me he is very hitterish in the batter's box. He has quick levers that allow him to get on pitches all over the zone and good pitch and strike-zone recognition. He doesn't have a lot of loft in his swing; for the most part, his swing path ends up being fairly linear, which limits the home run ceiling, but that doesn't mean the Dodgers can't tweak his bat path and unlock more over-the-fence power. Right now, his power plays more gap-to-gap as opposed to fence power. He shows all the traits you want from someone who can sacrifice a half-tick of contact for more power. Quintero is a few years away, but he has all the tools to be a four-and-a-half star player who hits 15-18 homers, however, you can expect a ton of extra-base hits, and ample value will be provided by his glove, and baserunning. - Rhys White

HT: 5-10 WT: 193 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 55

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 70
Field: 45
Throw: 55
Run: 55

Scouting Report

If the Dodgers call about one of your prospects, it may be best not to hang up because they got Zyhir Hope in a 40-man consolidation trade along with Jackson Ferris for Michael Busch. The former UNC commit is a well-built athlete with plenty of muscle all over his body, especially in his lower half, where he is tightly wound. He is a good athlete as currently constructed, but he is bound to slow down, and that hurts him in the field. He is already rough in the outfield and is likely limited to left field because of some rough reads he takes to batted balls and not great routes to batted balls. This will be mitigated in left field, but as a result, there will be more pressure on his bat. Hope is a data darling with an optimized swing and enough contact skills to tap into his tremendous raw power. His swing is geared toward lifting batted balls because he loves to get out in front of fastballs and take them to his pull side. This results in him having some yellow flags about hitting soft stuff away, and this season in High-A will be an interesting test as we will have a better chance of evaluating how he handles softer stuff that breaks away from him. The bat speed is comfortable, and when he makes contact, it is loud. I caught him smashing a ball 455 feet at a game I attended this year. The ceiling with Zyhir Hope is one of the game’s premier power bats, who can do a bit of everything except play center-field. - Rhys White 

HT: 6-4 WT: 200 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 45
Power: 60
Field: 45
Throw: 55
Run: 40

Scouting Report

A knee injury cut the 2024 season short for Josue Briceño, who collected only 176 plate appearances. He was assigned to the Arizona Fall League, where he shined to the tune of being the first-ever AFL triple-crown winner. Fitting that, he shares a hometown in Venezuela with former MLB triple-crown winner Miguel Cabrera. He starts slightly open with a slight bend in his knees and has a leg kick load mechanism. His carrying tool is his big power potential that comes from his big frame. He showed in the AFL that he’ll punish mistakes of any kind. During the 2024 season, he showed a penchant for lifting balls down in the zone. His power plays to all fields well, he can go with the pitch and still have the authority in his contact. He couples that with good strike zone knowledge, allowing him to draw walks. Still, his approach can get fairly aggressive. When that happens, he can struggle to make solid contact because he covers the zone pretty well. He has a good arm behind the plate but isn’t exceedingly athletic, so he probably winds up as a first baseman. That will put even more pressure on the bat to perform. Briceño’s performance in the AFL put a lot of helium around his name, and for good reason. It was incredible. However, realistically, he will need to continue to make good swing decisions that allow him to show off his power. If he winds up at first base, he will need to hit enough for the power to show through. He’s shown off the ability to do that successfully, he’ll look to reiterate it in 2025. - Trevor Hooth

HT: 6-1 WT: 184 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 55
Power: 55
Field: 50
Throw: 60
Run: 50

Scouting Report

Benge was a two-way talent out of high school, but an elbow injury in 2022 caused him to miss the entire season. Oklahoma State unleashed him as a bat during his sophomore campaign, and while he had a prominent role on the mound, it was clear that Benge’s future resided on the plate. A wiry athlete with plenty of projection to his frame, Benge’s swing is a work in progress. There’s considerable noise in the swing, namely a big leg kick and hand movement, though that has not hampered his ability to generate consistent contact and sustain a mature approach. Benge racks up walks and rarely expands the zone, and while he has an affinity for the opposite field at times, he’s shown an all-fields approach at the dish. Benge does have plus raw power in BP, though his shallow point of contact, long swing, and rotational prowess prevent him from tapping fully into it. There is enough bat speed to help him achieve above-average pop, though he’ll need to shorten up to the ball and improve his impact point. As a defender, Benge should be a regular in right field. Benge would have been the centerfielder for the Cowboys if Zach Ehrhard was not on campus, as his route-running and reads are tremendous and he has a plus throwing arm. - Tyler Jennings 

HT: 6-7 WT: 223 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 55

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 70
Field: 45
Throw: 60
Run: 40

Scouting Report

Eldridge was everywhere in 2024, starting his season in Single-A and ending the regular season with a Triple-A cameo before playing in the Arizona Fall League. This was Eldridge’s first taste of full-season ball and also his first full-season exclusively as a hitter. He was a prominent pitching prospect but the Giants convinced him to give up pitching prior to the 2024 season. Despite his frame and being in the upper minors as a teenager, Eldridge showed above-average contact skills and excellent swing decisions. The big exit velocity numbers and ability to lift the ball point to 35+ homer potential and it might even be more than that if in a different park. He doesn’t sell out for power and actually has a swing geared more towards making contact. He will play all of the 2025 season as a 20 year old and seems likely to begin the season in Double-A, where he only played in nine games before moving to Triple-A and getting in eight games. Despite the busy 2024 he was still sent to the Arizona Fall League and the Giants used it as an opportunity for him to improve his defense at first base which is still a relatively new position for him. He has spent some time in right field previously but he’s a poor fit out there, especially in his home park. Eldridge will likely make his big league debut late in 2025 and enter 2026 as their regular first baseman. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6-0 WT: 197 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: NCAA
ETA: 2027

OFP: 45

Risk: High

Fastball: 60 - (92-94)
Curveball: 60 - (78-82)
Slider: 55 - (81-85)
Changeup: 45 - (84-86)
Command: 40

Scouting Report

Jump was first drafted by the Padres out of high school in the later rounds of the 2021 draft but did not sign and instead chose to attend UCLA. He pitched in seven games for the Bruins, making just three starts and totaling only just over 16 innings before he went down with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He had the surgery in 2023 and then transferred to LSU afterward. He pitched well for LSU, and the A's selected him 73rd overall and paid him $2,000,000 to get him into the organization. Jump has a unique delivery and comes at hitters from a ¾ arm slot. He gets down low in his motion and really utilizes his lower half, creating one of the steeper VAAs and giving the appearance of a flat fastball. The fastball gets plenty of whiffs up in the zone and is a plus offering, sitting 92-94 and touching 97. If the command doesn't come along, he certainly has a future in the bullpen with his fastball/curveball mix. The curveball is a high-spin pitch with 1-to-7 break and tunnels well off the heater. He will also throw an above-average slider and a fringy changeup that only gets used against right-handers. Jump has shown better command working in shorter stints, but the A's will continue to utilize him as a starter going forward. His size and injury history are working against him, but the uniqueness of his fastball should allow him to stick as a starter. There's mid-rotation upside here, but I'm taking a half grade away due to command and questions about his ultimate role. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6-3 WT: 210 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 55

Risk: High

Hit: 55
Power: 50
Field: 50
Throw: 60
Run: 45

Scouting Report

Walker Jenkins is a divisive prospect because some people are clinging to his pre-draft scouting reports instead of focusing on what he did in his first full pro season. He's a well-built athlete, though he's likely maxed out physically for his age. Jenkins brings easy plus bat speed and a mostly linear bat path, which allows him to cover pitches all over the zone. While he shows some ability to adjust his bat path, he generally sticks to a linear approach. The main issue—and part of why we're lower on him than others—is that his power hasn't been as present as you'd want for someone billed as a significant power threat. He shows solid power and could become a plus-power hitter if he lifts more batted balls. He's already got a feel for pulling the ball, but his power is held back by that linear path, which limits how often his raw power shows up in games. There's upside here for glass-half-full folks: he's making a ton of quality contact and sprays hard line drives all over the park. If he starts lifting more, we might see that plus raw power translates into game power. In the field, Jenkins is playing center and can hold his own there to an extent, but his range isn't ideal. He makes solid jumps and reads, but most major league teams will have better options for center. With a plus arm, he's more than suited for a corner spot, and right field is likely his long-term defensive home. We have him as a 55 OFP because we believe that power will start to translate into game power; we just don't envision him as a top 5 prospect like some others might at this time, more comfortably a top 25 prospect. - Rhys White 

HT: 6’1” WT: 180 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 55

Risk: High

Fastball: 60 - (92-96 T99 mph)
Curveball: 45 - (75-80 mph)
Slider: 45 - (81-85 mph)
Changeup: 60 - (91-94 mph)
Command: 45

Scouting Report

If you are a fan of outlier release traits, Jonah Tong is your guy. He is a smaller righty who releases the ball from a sub-six-foot release point and an over-the-top arm slot. This allows everything to play up because of the look it provides hitters; left-handers have an even tougher time picking up the ball from his delivery. Tong's stuff is very good; the fastball and changeup are enough to mow through a lineup once or twice. The fastball from that sub-six-foot release point gets upwards of 19 inches of induced vertical break and is a real weapon when spotted up in the zone. He will then sequence his plus changeup after the fastball up, and he can even get by with throwing right-on-right changeups because of its plus horizontal break, also known as fade. Tong throws the fastball up and the changeup down, which helps mitigate his slightly below-average command. Tong's breaking balls leave a bit to be desired. The curveball is nothing more than a "get me over" curveball that he can spot early in counts to "steal" a strike. The slider lags behind as well; it has good velocity but doesn’t generate a lot of whiffs and is seldomly utilized.Tong throws his fastball and changeup seventy-five percent of the time. There is a lot to like here, as a solid, above-average starter as quickly as early in 2026. - Rhys White

HT: 6-5 WT: 210 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 55

Risk: High

Fastball: 60 - (94-95 mph)
Curveball: 60 - (78-83 mph)
Changeup: 55 - (84-86 mph)
Command: 50

Scouting Report

The Marlins went pitcher-heavy at the top of the 2023 draft, taking Noble Meyer in the first round and following it up with the big lefty Thomas White in the Comp round. It’s very early, but White looks like the better arm, with two-plus pitches and the ability to touch 97. White has an easy delivery despite the long arm action. He attacks hitters from a low ¾ arm slot. His fastball sits around 95 with good carry and works best up in the zone. It’s a high-spin offering from a low slot. His primary off-speed pitch is a slurvy breaking ball, and he relies on it for a majority of his whiffs. It has been called a curveball and a slider due to the depth and sweeping action of the pitch. White’s changeup is his third pitch for now, but it also has the potential to be a plus pitch down the line. It has good shape, with late fade. He has done a much better job of throwing strikes. His command has jumped a full grade over the course of the 2024 season, and now he has average command and could improve if he manages to shorten his arm action. White looks like a number two starter, and if the changeup takes a step forward, the ceiling might even be higher. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6-0 WT: 190 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 50
Field: 50
Throw: 45
Run: 55

Scouting Report

Since being drafted in the second round in 2023, Keaschall has hit and hit well at three different stops, ascending into the 50-75 range on global top prospect lists along the way until his season was cut short by TJ surgery down the stretch of his 2024 campaign. Keaschall starts the load in his right-handed swing early, with a high hand set, slight bat tip, and medium-sized leg kick, all characteristics of a swing he has been applying in a much more disciplined fashion since he transitioned to pro ball. Indeed, the appeal in the profile is a well-rounded offensive skill set. Keaschall doesn’t strike out much (17.2% in 2024), walks plenty (13.4% in 2024), and has strong bat-to-ball skills (80.7% Contact% in 2024). Increased patience (38.2% Swing%) compared to his college approach allowed Keaschall to access more offensive impact, with 15 home runs (37 XBH) and a .903 OPS across two MiLB levels, raising the power ceiling on what Keaschall might become when fully formed. Keaschall is a gifted athlete (he wrestled previously), with a strong lower half and quick wrists that allow him to get to solid average power, most going to the pull side. Keaschall combines above-average speed and savvy baserunning ability, going 23-29 in stolen base attempts in 2024. Defensively, there are question marks in his profile. The Twins have tried Keaschall at second base and center field (although he spent much time DHing in 2024 with his arm injury). He has the actions and athleticism to handle both despite a fringy arm. It’s hard to assess his defense given his injury and subsequent surgery, but hammering down a defensive home where he can be solid average will be a factor in weighing future value. Nonetheless, there’s enough to like in an offensive profile with no glaring flaw that cements Keaschall as a back-half industry top-100 prospect heading into 2025, where he should see AAA quickly, health permitting. - Jamie Cameron

HT: 6-0 WT: 199 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 60

Risk: High

Hit: 60
Power: 55
Field: 50
Throw: 45
Run: 60

Scouting Report

Bazzana terrorized opposing pitching across three electric campaigns at Oregon State, where he slashed .360/.497/.660 with 45 home runs. The Australian native wound up being the first player off the board, spearheading an absurd Guardians class that is rich with talent. While it’s a bit unorthodox to take a second baseman at 1.1, Bazzana was ultimately the safest pick that Cleveland could have made. Bazzana’s frame is filled out, but the toolset is robust, especially at the plate. It’s an unorthodox swing with a significant leg kick and some stiffness, but Bazzana’s bat explodes through the zone, and he has some of the best barrel feel amongst any 2024 prospect. Bazzana has strong swing decisions and draws an immense amount of walks; his contact skills are extremely robust. It’s an easy plus-hit tool with compactness and uber-quick hands. Bazzana posted plus exit velocities with metal in college, eclipsing the 110 MPH barrier on multiple occasions, though that will settle out to above-average in the minors. He possesses exceptional bat speed, and he’s added more loft to his swing as his power plays to both sides of the field. With that said, his power plays best to this pull-side. Bazzana is a plus runner with an athletic gait and strong run times. Defensively, Bazzana’s speed gives him suitable range for shortstop, though his arm strength is fringe-average and limits him to second base. He may be blocked in the middle infield, given Cleveland’s major league depth, meaning that he may get moved to the outfield to create a spot for him. His speed would translate well in center field if such a move occurs. - Tyler Jennings 

HT: 6-4 WT: 215 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 45

Risk: High

Fastball: 60 - (92-96 mph)
Cutter: 55 - (85-87 mph)
Slider: 70 - (83-86 mph)
Changeup: 30 - (84-86 mph)
Command: 40

Scouting Report

Nolan McLean is finally where he belongs: as a full-time pitcher. In college and early in his pro career, he was a two-way player, but fortunately, he and the Mets recognized the opportunity to focus solely on pitching. McLean is one of the most exciting arms in the minors, boasting a double-plus slider with exceptional sweep and a plus fastball with great riding life up in the zone. A significant part of his appeal lies in his ability to effectively spam these two pitches to left- and right-handed hitters. He also mixes in a hard cutter after those two pitches have been established in the same plate appearance. While his arsenal has a changeup, scraping that pitch is best. His command of his offerings has notably improved since he transitioned to a full-time pitcher. McLean is a back-end bullpen monster who can rely on his two-plus pitches and mix in the cutter to induce weak contact. However, given the Mets' major league roster, there's no need to rush him into a bullpen role, even if that is his most likely home. - Rhys White 

HT: 6-4 WT: 225 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: NCAA
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Fastball: 55 - (92-96 mph)
Curve: 50 - (77-81 mph)
Slider: 60 - (83-88 mph)
Splitter: 60 - (80-84 mph)
Command: 55

Scouting Report

East Carolina has churned out quite a few pitching prospects in recent years, including Gavin Williams and Carson Whisenhunt, but Yesavage has the chance to be the best of the group. A reliever his first year on campus, Yesavage’s command took a big jump forward in a starting capacity as a sophomore, and it continued as a junior, striking out 145 batters to the tune of a 2.03 ERA. Yesavage’s delivery is relatively stiff, and he works from an over-the-top slot, though he has above-average command of his arsenal and pumps strikes consistently. The higher slot hampers his fastball a bit, though the fastball averages over 20 inches of vertical break and plays well at the top of the zone. As a result, he missed bats at a 27% clip this spring, though that may come down in the minor leagues. However, his secondaries benefit from the high slot, and he attacks the vertical axis of the zone with excellent results. The mid-80s slider is a firm breaker with gyro break, acting like a cutter sometimes, though it missed bats over 55% of the time in 2024 despite its modest shape. The low-80s splitter took a massive jump in 2024 as Yesavage threw it at will with impressive tumble and command. It’s a true plus pitch with incredible results. There’s a low-80s curveball with massive depth in his back pocket, though he has yet to utilize it a ton, and it is projected to be an average offering. There’s a high-floor starter package here with mid-rotation starter upside, thanks to two plus pitches and excellent command. - Tyler Jennings

HT: 6-6 WT: 250 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: NCAA
ETA: 2027

OFP: 45

Risk: High

Fastball: 55 - (91-93 mph)
Curveball: 45 - (75-879 mph)
Slider: 50 - (80-85 mph)
Changeup: 45 - (82-86 mph)
Command: 40

Scouting Report

Tolle brings an uncommon southpaw profile. The hulking left-hander stepped back from pursuing a career as a two-way player and saw his stock vault. Tolle’s defining trait is his elite extension; it elevates the profile of his otherwise average stuff. Tolle’s fastball--sitting around 91-93--plays almost two ticks up on average because of how well he leverages his huge frame down the mound. Tolle also delivers from a low 3/4 slot, creating some deception and boosting his fastball shape. Overall, the pitch is an easy, above-average offering and could be a plus if he can develop more functional arm strength. Tolle’s main secondary is a sweepy slider. It stays on the horizontal plane and is a devastating pitch against lefties, though Tolle has shown confidence running the slider in on righties and nabbing some backdoor strikes. Tolle’s curveball is a work in progress, but the loopy vertical shape gives him the potential for a second average or better breaking ball. The TCU product has dabbled with a changeup, and he effectively kills spin and gets good fade, but I feel that the mid-80s offering is still developing. Tolle has a repeatable delivery and should throw enough strikes to stick in the rotation as he climbs the organizational ladder, but his unique pre-release characteristics from the left side provide a sturdy relief floor. - Tyler Paddor

HT: 5’9” WT: 150 H/T: S/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 45

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 60
Power: 40
Field: 60
Throw: 55
Run: 50

Scouting Report

Some prospects are about their ceiling, and others, like Angel Genao, are about their floor. Think like a Geraldo Perdomo type, or even if you want to scout the same organization, a Brayan Rocchio outcome for Angel Genao. It's not the sexiest profile by any means, but it is one that carries immense value in real-life baseball. He is short to the ball from both sides of the plate; there is no discernible difference between either one of his swings. He has a linear bat path, which, paired with good swing decisions, allows him to attack pitches all over the zone. He has quick hands and ample bat speed to make contact with pitches all over the zone. His approach is advanced for his years, as he attacks pitches middle-middle and spoils off pitches on the periphery of the strike-zone. His biggest issue is that he needs to impact baseballs consistently enough to be a consistent starter. When you are flirting with ten homers in your peak years, you have to be better than an above-average defender at shortstop to be a starter. However, that means that Genao has a high floor as a utility offering, as we value him as a 45. He is an above-average defender at worst at any spot on the infield. His actions at short are good, and he has more than enough lateral range. His arm is average, but given his infield actions, he makes up for that. At third, his arm is a touch stretched, but he will be fine there when needed to give the starting third-baseman a day off the field. Genao will not be a big-time prospect who competes for awards or is hopefully deployed as a consistent starter, but he can be a good bench-piece for his career, spelling any of the infielders, and given his athleticism. He could even get some run in the outfield. He can come in and help as a pinch-hitting option late in games, as he has no issues from either side of the plate. - Rhys White 

HT: 6’1” WT: 170 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Low-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 45
Power: 60
Field: 55
Throw: 55
Run: 55

Scouting Report

Arjun Nimmala has the potential to be a power-hitting SS in the MLB, but it is likely hitting for average will never be a massive part of his game; he could stick at SS with his athleticism/arm, but depending on how his body continues to mature he may shift over to 3B. Nirmala has an athletic build with a frame that is getting close to being completely filled out, but he still has room to go; he moves well, possessing smooth movements and solid lateral quickness. He will likely slow down as his body matures. At the plate, Nimmala’s hands start slightly above his shoulders close to his body and move very little in his simple load; he has no leg kick and a small stride. Nimmala has strong wrists, allowing him to generate above-average bat speed, leading to some serious pop from his bat; when he connects with the ball, he consistently produces hard exit velocities above 100mph. Despite having some serious raw power, Nimmala has to improve his approach at the plate. His plate discipline and strikeouts are an issue for him and will most likely remain one for him throughout his career as he doesn’t have the greatest bat-to-ball skills; it will be crucial for him to improve his plate discipline/approach to put together competitive AB’s more consistently in the future. In the field, Nimmala has good instincts at SS and an above-average arm; he has solid range, and depending on how his body matures/slows down as he ages, he may shift to 3B. Still, his above-average arm and power first bat will allow him to profile well at the position. Nimmala must improve his plate discipline/approach to reduce his strikeout numbers and unlock more of his raw power. It will be vital for him to maintain his athleticism as his body matures. If not, he’ll most likely shift over to 3B; if he can improve his discipline/approach, he can be an above-average power-hitting IF in an MLB lineup. - Alex Kempton

HT: 6’2” WT: 179 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: NCAA
ETA: 2026

OFP: 55

Risk: Moderate

Fastball: 55 - (92-94 T97 mph)
Curveball: 60 - (76-82 mph)
Slider: 55 - (83-87mph)
Changeup: 55 - (82-86 mph)
Command: 50

Scouting Report

The National Champion and presumptive number one pick, until draft day happened, Kade Anderson lands in a great spot for himself as the Mariners are one of the league’s best at developing pitchers. He has a long and wiry frame, with still some slight room to fill out. He releases the ball from a high-three-quarters arm slot but there is a lower release point thanks to some drop and drive in the delivery. This allows everything to play up. The red-shirt sophomore’s fastball is 92-94, will touch 97 and he gets around 19 inches of IVB from a lower release point. It is a tough pitch to square up when thrown at the top of the zone. The command of the fastball is fine, and that may be something the Mariners tinker with this offseason. He has three above-average secondary offerings, the curveball is the headliner here, he generates upwards of 15 inches of vertical drop on it, and it has 11-5 shape. He will mix it in late in counts. He has a mid 80’s slider with more horizontal break giving him a completely different look. The changeup shows good tumble and fade, and could develop into a plus pitch if you project more feel. He could stand to mix the changeup more against right-handed batters. Against opposite handed hitters he likes to go fastball, slider, and changeup, and mix in the curveball late in counts. Against left-handed hitters it is predominantly fastball-slider, but he will mix in the other two secondaries on occasion. Kade Anderson provides the Mariners some nice developmental clay to play around with, he has four above-average pitches, should move quickly, and projects to be a solid mid-rotation starter, with upside for more, especially if he mixes in that curveball more in the pro ranks. - Rhys White

HT: 6-3 WT: 195 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: FCL
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 60
Field: 55
Throw: 60
Run: 50

Scouting Report

Last summer was an interesting time for Rainer. A two-way prospect from Harvard-Westlake, many thought Rainer could end up being an arm with an effortless delivery on the bump and budding stuff. However, Rainer became stronger and faster, allowing the bat to come to life as a senior. He torched opposing pitching with a mature approach and registered 110 MPH exit velocities at NHSI, boosting his stock significantly and winding up with a first-round selection by the Tigers. Rainer began to shorten his swing and move away from an opposite-field approach, lacing baseballs to all fields and showcasing plus raw power in batting practice. The biggest issue with his pull-side approach was corkscrewing himself into the ground, which went away during the spring. Given the projection and strength, Rainer could achieve plus in-game power in due time. He also stays within the zone and doesn’t chase a ton. His body type reminds scouts of Corey Seager and Colson Montgomery, though he has the tools to stick at shortstop. He moves fluidly and has the arm strength across the diamond to stick there, plus there are soft hands and a great internal clock. He’s an average runner underway, as well. Rainer should rise quicker than others his age. - Tyler Jennings 

HT: 6-2 WT: 180 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 60

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 40
Power: 60
Field: 60
Throw: 70
Run: 60

Scouting Report

Carson Williams has an incredible collection of tools, but his hit tool is a genuine concern. He’s a well-built athlete with the modern shortstop frame and room to fill out as he matures. One of the twitchiest athletes in the sport, Williams displays excellent lateral explosiveness, allowing him to reach batted balls and make plays to both his left and right. His defensive acumen at shortstop is impressive—he can make any play you’d want, with plus defensive range that will be valuable for the Rays, at least while he’s still arb-eligible. He also possesses a plus arm with a remarkable touch, consistently making accurate throws from any arm angle and providing valuable support for first base. Williams’ explosiveness translates to the basepaths, too. With his plus first step, some might call him a “jitterbug,” given the current state of the run game, he could easily steal 30 bases a season. His speed also allows him to score from second or go from first to third when needed. However, Williams’ hit tool is alarming—it borders on unplayable. The main issue is his swing, which gets too long and includes a hitch that makes it nearly impossible for him to handle velocity up in the zone. He’s also one of the more passive hitters in the minors, almost appearing disinterested in swinging the bat sometimes. His struggles with reading spin often lead to ugly, Javy Báez-esque swings on breaking balls away. Despite these issues, when he gets a pitch in the narrow zone where he can do damage, he has the loft and bat speed to hit 20-25 home runs, even with a below-average hit tool. Williams is a frustrating prospect. He could become one of the game’s better shortstops on a WAR basis, thanks to his elite defense, but he has little to no floor because of his swing decisions. The Báez comp fits him well—early in his career, he might get by with a below-average hit tool because of his power, glove, and baserunning. If he loses a step athletically as Báez did, the problem is that he could completely crater.- Rhys White 

HT: 6-2 WT: 190 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: MLB
ETA: 2025

OFP: 55

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 45
Power: 55
Field: 60
Throw: 55
Run: 70

Scouting Report

2024 was a lost season for Lawlar, but don’t let it distract you from one of the most attractive profiles in the minors. He needs to put together a consistent string of health and that might be the biggest red flag, but if he does that, his stock will rise to the upper echelons of prospect lists quickly. His hit tool is a work in progress still, but there are plenty of flashes of upside in that tool. He has quick hands and good bat speed, so with more consistent reps I have hope he can improve this quickly. The power is what makes the bat so intriguing, as he shows lots of raw power for a guy at his position. The bat in general has potential in every way, but it’s hard to judge someone with such inconsistent playing time and practically a fully missed season in 2024. How he comes out of the gates in 2025 will say a lot about how close the bat is to contributing in the big leagues. The defense, however, is without a doubt ready and it is a shame the Diamondbacks have him blocked at shortstop. Lawlar has an incredibly fluid body and he covers lots of ground in the dirt. Combine that with an above average arm and he can play anywhere on the dirt at a high level. The speed is double plus, although he might be weary on the bases long term if the injury bug continues to be a problem. The combination of elite defense at a premium position and power potential make him an easy prospect to love, and it’ll be interesting to see how the DBacks plan to fit him into their team in 2025. First, he has to show he can stay healthy for a long stretch and continue to improve with the bat. - Grant Carver

Liam Doyle, LHP
HT: 6’2” WT: 200 H/T: R/L
Highest Level: NCAA
ETA: 2026

OFP: 55

Risk: High

Fastball: 80 - (94-98 T100 mph)
Cutter: 50 - (86-90 mph)
Slider: 50 - (82-87mph)
Changeup: 55 - (82-86 mph)
Command: 45

Scouting Report

The transfer portal has become a great way for players to elevate their stock with teams, and no player is a better example of this than Liam Doyle. He pitched at three different universities during his time in college and ended his collegiate career as a Tennessee Volunteer. During his one season with the Vols, we saw a fiery competitor whose pitch mix can best be described as reliever-ish, but he has just enough command to make it work. He releases his pitches from a 5’9” release height, and he gets decent extension down the mound. The fastball will immediately become one of, if not the best, fastballs in professional baseball. It has a unicorn movement profile; 19 inches of IVB with over 10 inches of horizontal break makes it an absolute weapon. It is not hard to see why he threw the fastball 1000 times this past season for the Tennessee Volunteers. The fastball helps set up what is a mid-80s splitter; it has solid drop and is best when utilized against right-handed hitters who have seen a few fastballs. The cutter is another pitch that plays well off the fastball; it is a bit of a harder offering and provides him a horizontal offering that plays well off the fastball and splitter. He has a slider that can best be described as slurvy. It has some good vertical bite but is nothing more than protection for the fastball and slider. A curveball would play well with his repertoire, or some sort of vertical pitch, regardless of the nomenclature you want to give it. When you are such a north-south pitcher like Liam Doyle, you don’t need to have pinpoint command; just get the fastball up—he does this well—and try to keep the splitter, slider, or cutter away from the heart of the plate. Liam Doyle pitches like a reliever, but has all the raw ingredients and some easy areas to fine-tune that could make him one of the game’s more explosive starters as early as next season. - Rhys White

HT: 6’4” WT: 190 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High School
ETA: 2028

OFP: 60

Risk: High

Fastball: 60 - (93-96 mph)
Change: 70 - (82-85 mph)
Curve: 55 - (77-79 mph)
Slider: 50 - (82-86 mph)
Command: 60

The Pirates selected Seth Hernandez sixth overall in the 2025 draft out of loaded Corona High School. Hernandez established himself as the top arm in the class very early in the draft cycle, and he was viewed as one of the better prep pitching prospects of the last decade, checking all the necessary boxes. He has a simple delivery, operating from an inverted windup with a smooth arm action and distinctive weight transfer as he gets into his back side. His ability to repeat and the smoothness of his mechanics set him apart from most prep arms. The stuff is impressive, sitting in the mid-90s with a fastball that can touch 100. His low 80s changeup is his best secondary pitch, which he can spot in the zone for a called strike or spike for whiffs below the zone. He uses it against same side hitters as well. Hernandez also throws a sharp 12-to-6 curveball with high spin. His upper-70s curveball and mid-80s slider give him four distinct potential above-average offerings. Hernandez ties it all together with an ability to pound the zone. His fastball will occasionally tail arm-side, but this is still an overall impressive package. Hernandez has true ace upside and could be in the Pirates' rotation as soon as 2028 if he can stay healthy. There are no injury concerns at the moment, but high school pitching is the riskiest demographic. On true talent alone, you can make a case for Hernandez to be at the top of the 2025 draft. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6’7” WT: 195 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 40

Risk: Extreme

Fastball: 60 - (96-98 mph)
Curve: 40 - (80-83 mph)
Slider: 55 - (83-85 mph)
Command: 30

Lagrange has spent most of 2024 rehabbing from injury and has only thrown a handful of innings in the year. It's a throwaway year for him for the most part, but the profile remains the same. It's a huge, physical frame with an explosive plus fastball that touches triple digits. If the command were better, it would trend towards double plus. The spin data and other traits on it all draw rave reviews, and the pitch is undoubtedly capable of working in the big leagues. He relies on it a ton, which is good and bad, and it is the only pitch he throws comfortably. The slider is his only main secondary pitch right now, but it flashes above average when it's right. It has the tight cutter-ish movement and gets decent whiffs, although he goes to his fastball for the whiffs just as much. It's a work in progress, especially with the command of it, but it's got the traits to be an above-average breaker and work out of a bullpen. The curveball is barely thrown and doesn't look to be anything more than his change-of-pace pitch right now. He needs that pitch, or a changeup he has used in the past, to develop if he wants to be a starter. On top of that, the command and walk rates are both abysmal right now and need development. He's still only 21 years old, so New York is holding out hope for him as a starter, but the profile screams reliever for me. Lucky for him, he has the two-pitch combo to be a potential high-end reliever, and if he shows signs of command improvement and durability, he could get there quickly. - Grant Carver

HT: 5-8 WT: 215 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 60
Power: 50
Field: 45
Throw: 60
Run: 30

Scouting Report

Ballesteros is one of the more interesting builds for a prospect you will see; he is a slightly taller Alejandro Kirk for a mental image. Ballesteros is an interesting spot because the Cubs don’t seem like they are in any rush to put him as their catcher despite him not being that bad behind the dish. Ballesteros has a simple setup on the plate, with little wasted movement. He does a slight toe tap and explodes towards the ball. He is a hit-over-power hitter who sprays hard-liners all over the field. His swing is relatively optimized for contact, but he can attack pitches all over the zone. There is a feel for back-spinning batted balls that allows him to “outslug his raw power”. He is an average power hitter who gets more of it in the game because his quality of contact is so high. He routinely barrels up batted balls. Behind the dish, he is better than you would think if you had wandered upon social media. He is still a below-average defender behind the dish, but his stock build allows him to get low and block batted balls in the dirt. The receiving part of his game needs some work, but that can be tightened up at the major league level. He possesses a plus arm that helps give him a better shot behind the dish. Ballesteros is a well-below-average athlete, which is fine, given that he is destined to be a catcher. Ballesteros’s bat is so good that the Cubs should have no issues fitting it in their lineup at some point in 2025, even if it is just as a first-baseman or even as a DH. He has a chance to be a hit in the middle of what should be a good Cubs lineup by the end of the season if everything goes right for Moisés Ballesteros. - Rhys White 

HT: 6’1” WT: 180 H/T: S/R
Highest Level: Prep
ETA: 2028

OFP: 55

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 60
Power: 45
Field: 60
Throw: 55
Run: 60

Scouting Report

Eli Willits shocked everyone going at #1 overall in the 2025 draft, but that doesn’t mean the Nationals didn’t get a great player in Willits. Eli will be 18 years old for his whole first season of pro ball, where he will likely see plenty of time in Single-A. Willits is well built for his age, with some projection still in his frame, giving some people hope he could develop into above-average power. Willits is a switch-hitter who shows a more contact-heavy approach from the left side of the plate, while showing a bit more natural juice from the right side. With Willits being so young, a lot can still change, but I would expect Willits to stick as a switch-hitter with 15-20 home run upside if he can generate a bit more impact from the left side. His swing is smooth from both sides, remaining compact and rhythmic regardless of who he’s facing on the mound. Willits could be a future .300 hitter, showing great feel for contact on all pitch types without any glaring weaknesses in his contact abilities. He should project as a high OBP guy as well, showing good strike zone awareness without much chase and drawing his fair share of walks. In the field, Willits looks like a future everyday regular at shortstop, with the potential for him to be a future gold glover. Being so young and polished in the field gives Willits immense upside defensively, with a strong throwing arm and good range up the middle. Eli will be able to steal plenty of bags early in his career, with 20+ steal upside in the major leagues once he makes it there. If we see an uptick in power, Willits could be the next star shortstop. - Nate Rasmussen

HT: 6-2 WT: 188 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 55
Power: 50
Field: 55
Throw: 55
Run: 60

Scouting Report

Sirota has a long athletic frame with a high-waist and projection remaining. Sirota works from a crouched and slightly closed stance. His hands stay quiet and are extremely quick through the zone, creating promising bat speed. With a smaller strike zone--courtesy of his crouched stance--Sirota owns the zone with plus swing decisions and a particularly a great eye for fastball location out of the hand. Sirota will draw an average or better share of walks. Sirota has an inconsistent track record impacting breaking balls, though he generally reads spin well and won’t go down swinging at breaking balls way out of the zone. Sirota’s aggressive hacks limit his ability to consistently contact pitches. His quick hands meet inner half pitches well but Sirota swings and misses at an above average rate in the upper-third and lower-third of the zone. Swinging hard allows Sirota to tap into his average raw power more frequently, though with his fringey feel for the barrel, Sirota puts the ball in the air at a below average rate. With his current swing, Sirota profiles for 15-20 home runs per season. With some projection remaining, Sirota has potential for a grade up power wise and could eventually push for plus raw power with average to above average in-game power. Sirota is an impressive all-around athlete. Sirota posts run times consistently between above average and plus, typically shading towards plus and he uses his legs well in center field where his range is above average. As a center fielder, Sirota should remain at least an average option where his above average arm, further boosting the defensive profile. Sirota carries risk overall because of an abundance of swing and miss and limited present power; he may not hit enough or impact the baseball frequently enough to be a quality MLB option, though his speed and defense give the Northeastern product a high floor with plenty of upside should his offensive profile balance out and/or he develop into a tick more power. - Tyler Paddor

HT: 6-5 WT: 220 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High School
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Fastball: 60 - (93-95 mph)
Slider: 60 - (80-82 mph)
Changeup: 55 - (84-86 mph)
Command: 50

Scouting Report

Even given all of the risks that come with prep right handers, Sloan has a profile that is impossible not to dream on and has been garnering a lot of attention since the last draft cycle. The fastball is a plus pitch and he flashes some triple digit velocity. It’ll be interesting to see where that settles in consistently, but even a mid 90s fastball with the amount of armside movement he has on it would be a plus pitch. The slider is plus with flashes of even more thanks to the sweeping, sharp action on it. Sloan locates this one low in the zone often and it gets a ton of whiffs. The fastball/slider combination is far advanced for a guy his age and he has been showing off this spring. And then you add on an above average changeup with good fade on it as the third pitch. He throws it too hard and straightens it out sometimes, but it’s easy to see a legit third pitch here and he has lots of time to develop it. The command, like many high school arms, is the question mark and it has varied quite a bit in his short career. It’ll be interesting to see how it looks in his first season of pro ball and could make or break the profile. If he comes up firing with good command, the hype on this guy is going to be sky high thanks to an elite arsenal and the youth. There are legit front of the rotation level outcomes here, and if you can look past the risky prep right hander profile, it’s hard not to be all in - Grant Carver

HT: 6’5” WT: 220 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 60
Field: 50
Throw: 55
Run: 55

Scouting Report

Aiva Arquette is one of the more interesting top-of-the-draft-class bats to come out in a while. There is still plenty of physical projection left if he is going to move over to the hot corner. He is a solid defender at shortstop but may have to move over to third base as he adds more muscle to his frame and starts to slow down. Aiva Arquette is looking to get out in front of batted balls. There is a pretty clear tendency for him to get out in front of pitches to take them to his pull side. He has enough plate coverage and shows enough barrel manipulation to poke balls the other way, even with a pretty noticeable uppercut on his swing. Arquette has a lot of rotational strength that allows him to generate plus bat speed, and with some loft in his swing, there is the ability for plus power on contact. He does have a slight tendency to hit balls on the ground, which tends to happen with a lot of lift and pull guys before they start to lift on a more consistent basis. So there is some hope here that the Marlins have ironed out his bat path and made it more consistent, and that would allow him to cut down on the groundballs. He doesn’t strike out at an alarming rate, and he shows a solid understanding of the strike zone, but I do fear that premium velocity up in the zone will cause him some problems, especially with the bat path being steep. He is a good athlete right now and can make all the routine plays at shortstop and has more than good enough of an arm that if he has to move over to third, he profiles well over there. Arquette still has a few levels he could jump. If he levels out the swing without sacrificing any sort of power, there is a middle-of-the-order bat here who plays a premium defensive position. - Rhys White

HT: 5-11 WT: 170 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 55
Power: 45
Field: 55
Throw: 55
Run: 60

Scouting Report

Franklin Arias has the potential to be an average regular to above average regular SS in the MLB thanks to his rangy play in the Infield and ability to consistently put together competitive ABs. To fulfill his full potential, he must improve his approach at the plate to become less passive and retain his athleticism as he finishes filling in his frame. Arias has a medium-sized frame that still has room to be filled in; he’s pretty wiry now but will get stronger as his frame is filled in and his body matures; he is very athletic and moves well, sporting great lateral quickness, allowing him to have above average range at SS and get great jumps on the basepaths, forcing pitchers to think about him as a baserunner. At the plate, Arias has a slightly open stance, his hands start at his shoulder with a bat rock, and they load shallowly; Arias utilizes a noticeable leg kick and stride to time up pitchers, and he has a flat swing path complemented by above average bat speed; he sometimes struggles to get his front foot down and becomes unbalanced but when he does get his foot down he connects with the ball well producing solid exit velocities/hard contact. His bat has some surprising pop for his current size; as he finishes filling in his frame, his Power tool could continue to develop and become a more significant part of his game. Arias has solid plate discipline and tends to pick up spin; while he has shown the ability to manipulate his bat path to get to a variety of pitches in the zone, his plate discipline is often relied on, leading to him becoming overly passive at the plate putting himself in pitcher’s counts and leading to SO’s looking. In the field, Arias has smooth hands and natural instincts; the combination of his athleticism and natural instincts allows him to have above-average range at SS; he has an above-average arm, which, combined with his fielding skills, gives him the ability to play any position in the IF. Arias can potentially be an average regular to above average regular SS in the MLB thanks to his solid range play in the Infield and ability to consistently put together competitive ABs. To fulfill his full potential, he must improve upon his approach at the plate to become less passive and retain his athleticism as he finishes filling in his frame; it will be a massive plus for Arias if he can continue to find Power at the plate as he finishes filling in his frame. - Alex Kempton

HT: 5-8 WT: 175 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 55

Risk: High

Hit: 60
Power: 40
Field: 55
Throw: 50
Run: 70

Scouting Report

Jett Williams could have been a part of the Mets' playoff push had it not been for a right wrist injury that sidelined him for a chunk of the season. Wrist injuries are notorious for sapping power, which was the case for Williams in 2024. Fortunately, power isn't his primary asset. What's particularly exciting about Williams is his transition to center field, a shift that pushes him up the defensive spectrum. While the Mets initially seemed to be grooming him for second base, his double-plus speed and ability to get great routes and jumps should make him a standout in the outfield. Offensively, the wrist injury affected his power output this year, but Williams doesn't profile as a thumper even at full health. His game is built around his speed and ability to slap the ball into gaps, taking advantage of his wheels to cause havoc on the basepaths. His swing is notably flat and linear, enabling him to effectively handle pitches throughout the zone. Williams projects as an ideal, old-school leadoff hitter, a guy who will excel in getting on base, wreaking havoc with his legs, and playing solid defense in center field. While his power might max out at 12-15 homers in his peak years, his speed, defensive versatility, and disciplined approach will more than make up for the lack of pop, making him a valuable piece for the Mets' future. - Rhys White

HT: 6-2 WT: 205 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 50

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 55
Power: 55
Field: 50
Throw: 50
Run: 50

Scouting Report

The Diamondbacks selected Ryan Waldschmidt out of the University of Kentucky with the Prospect Promotion Incentive pick they received after Corbin Carroll won the Rookie of the Year award. He started his college career at Charleston Southern before transferring to the University of Kentucky. He tore his ACL in his left knee while down at the cape but remarkably made it back and absolutely raked. He hit .335/.465/.613 in his draft year but injury concerns dropped him down to the 31st pick. Waldschmidt is a corner outfielder with above-average speed, but he lacks the first step quickness to stick in center for anything longer than a short stint. Offensively Waldschmidt had one of the better hit tools in the college class and it was backed up by good swing decisions and limited chase. He’s a little stiff offensively but he can catch up to velocity and has no issues hitting the ball in the air consistently. He’s a grinder that keeps his head down and plays hard, getting the most out of his tools. Waldschmidt has one of the highest floors in the draft, and he projects as an everyday left fielder, possibly as soon as 2026. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6’2 WT: 22 H/T: S/R
Highest Level: NCAA
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 60
Field: 50
Throw: 70
Run: 50

Scouting Report 

After spending two years as the catalyst of a Stanford lineup that went to Omaha twice, Montgomery ventured closer to home. He attended Texas A&M, putting together a fantastic campaign before a leg injury took him out for the year. As a result, Montgomery did not make his professional debut in 2024, though he should be clear by spring training. Montgomery’s overall approach got better in College Station, and while it’s a power-over-hit profile, Montgomery has solid bat-to-ball skills from the left side and pummels the baseball to all fields, displaying plus power with exit velocities up to 116 MPH and elite barrel feel. He’s a switch-hitter for now, but Montgomery will likely need to be a left-handed bat at some point. The only wart in his swing from the left side is his trouble with change-ups, as he handles velocity and spins well from this side. Montgomery’s bat path is inconsistent as a right-handed hitter, and there are many swing-and-miss concerns. Making the move to ditch the switch-hitting will improve the grade on the hit tool, though for now, we’ll stick with average. Montgomery is a right-fielder at the next level in the field. His route-running can get inconsistent, but his double-plus arm fits the position well with accuracy and pure arm strength. He’s an average runner, though it’ll be worth keeping an eye on this once he returns from injury. Montgomery was a top-ten player in this class and has immense upside. - Tyler Jennings 

HT: 6-1 WT: 205 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 55

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 55
Power: 55
Field: 50
Throw: 60
Run: 50

Scouting Report

From the outset of his pro career, Miller looked the part despite being 19 years old. One year later, there’s room to grow into his frame, but Miller has the type of stature that gives him an immense ceiling: a high-waisted and efficiently built body. Miller’s hands clear the zone with ease and generate plus bat speed, showing an ability to clear the inner and upper portions of the zone. His swing suggests that Miller will be able to minimize strikeouts and end up with a very palatable strikeout rate, given the power projection. For a young player, Miller’s approach is very professional, which has allowed him to rise through the MiLB ranks. Miller hasn’t emerged with consistent game power yet, but there’s easy plus raw power here that he will likely tap into as he comes into his own and begins playing competition in his age range. A couple of years from now, 25 to 30 home runs will be the expectation when he’s given a consistent big-league opportunity. Impressively, Miller has only played shortstop in the pros thus far after being discussed as a third baseman in draft circles. There’s average lateral quickness and overall speed here, which lends Miller average shortstop ability now, but he may ultimately see a tick down in quickness as he physically matures. Even then, there is real potential for Miller to end up an average shortstop, which makes him an even more tantalizing prospect than initially thought. In any event, Miller fits on the left side of the infield, where his plus arm will be fun to watch for years to come. - Tyler Paddor

HT: 5-11 WT: 210 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 60

Risk: High

Hit: 40
Power: 60
Field: 55
Throw: 60
Run: 55

Scouting Report

Rodriguez is one of the most tantalizing prospects in baseball due to his unique combination of on-base ability, close-to top-of-the-scale bat speed, and raw power that offers a chance for him to be a middle-of-the-order bat. It's a thick, muscular frame with shorter levers that help him stay direct to the ball. Rodriguez has a quiet operation in the batter's box underpinned by a shoulder-height handset and a small stride as he swings. Explosive rotational acceleration is the foundation of close-to-the-top-of-the-scale exit velocities (with a max north of 117 mph and a 90th percentile exit velocity of 112.8 mph in a minuscule AAA sample). While Rodriguez's on-base ability is impressive (24.9 BB% in 2024), his approach flirts with the line between patience and passivity. His 31.9% Swing% would be dead last in MLB (although he's been getting more aggressive on pitches over the heart of the plate), and swing-and-miss issues led to a 29.4 K% in 2024. It's fair to question how much Rodriguez will hit at the MLB level. His 27.3 InZoneWhiff% was around 9% higher than average at AAA, albeit in a small sample, and he's shown vulnerability at the top of the strike zone. While he might not look the part, Rodriguez's defense is an underrated asset of his game. His above-average speed, efficient route running, and aptitude for controlling his body at the catch point all stand out, aided by a plus arm. As he ages and thickens, Rodriguez may lose the foot speed to man centerfield effectively, but the skill set should lend itself to a plus right field. Rodriguez remains a unique blend of offensive skills with the potential to be a middle-of-the-order bat if he can navigate contact concerns and hit just enough - Jamie Cameron 

HT: 5-9 WT: 182 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 40
Field: 55
Throw: 50
Run: 60

Scouting Report

Slade Caldwell is now in High-A, a year after being drafted in the first round, which shows how comfortable the Diamondbacks are with moving him up. He has a short but muscular build that wouldn’t look out of place for a running back. He is the age of a college freshman and is playing against High-A competition that is 3-4 years his senior. He has a simple swing with a slight toe-tap, and he explodes toward the ball. His left-handed swing is simple, without a lot of moving parts. He tracks fastballs well and looks to spray them to all fields. There is some slight loft in his batted balls, but he doesn’t consistently (yet) hit them hard enough, and he has a fair share of fly balls that die toward the warning track. He struggles with pitches in on the hands, especially sliders with vertical bite that start at the hands. He shows a good approach outside of that, and with his all-fields approach, he is able to spray batted balls to all fields. There is a chance he becomes an above-average hit tool guy if he cleans up that hole in his swing and improves his swing decisions. In the field, Caldwell can develop into a plus glove in center field; he takes good routes, aided by his plus speed. He has a good enough arm to profile out there. There is an air of TJ Friedl to his game—a smaller-stature outfielder who can really go get it in center, be a good base-runner, and pitch in with 12-18 homers a year. - Rhys White

HT: 6-1 WT: 195 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Complex
ETA: 2028

OFP: 45

Risk: High

Hit: 45
Power: 55
Field: 50
Throw: 55
Run: 45

Scouting Report

Bonemer was a polarizing prospect to evaluate during the 2024 draft cycle. He struggled at some events, including the PDP Tournament in North Carolina, but excelled in more significant events, like PG National and Area Code. This gave Bonemer first-round potential heading into the spring, but he didn’t quite meet the lofty expectations set by those loud summer performances. The White Sox opted to take a shot on him, signing him to an over-slot bonus in the second round. Bonemer’s bat speed is excellent, displaying uber-quick hands and barrel lag through the zone, allowing him to tap into above-average raw juice. While the power isn’t in question, the hit tool is. Bonemer’s swing decisions can get streaky, and he’ll find himself flailing at pitches on the outer half. If Chicago can iron out those inefficiencies and get him to be an average hit tool, it’s a potent offensive profile. Bonemer’s strong frame makes him a likely candidate to move off shortstop, as third base is a possible destination. He has solid motion, range, and agility at the hot corner, plus there’s an above-average arm across the diamond; as an average runner, he will likely regress to a fringy runner with added strength, though he’s mostly maxed out. There’s a bit of Brady House in his overall profile, though he’ll need more seasoning. Expect the White Sox to take it easy with Bonemer over the next couple of years. – Tyler Jennings 

HT: 6’1” WT: 188 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: NCAA
ETA: 2026

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Fastball: 55 - (92-96 T98 mph)
Slider: 60 - (83-87mph)
Changeup: 55 - (83-87 mph)
Command: 45

Scouting Report
The 2025 season didn’t go as Jamie Arnold would have hoped. He went in with a lot of hype because of an offseason video about his changeup development, and with his fastball and slider, there were people, maybe him and his camp included, who were thinking about serious 1.1 money. Well, things didn’t go as planned; he fell on draft day and is now an A’s pitcher. Jamie Arnold has about as unique of an arm slot as you will come across. He has a low three-quarters, almost sidearm delivery, and a 4’9” release height. All of his stuff plays well from this outlier release point. He has three above-average pitches, but the pitch mix will need some work in pro ball. He still has that changeup that had every pitching nerd going crazy, but he threw it shy of 10% of the time. It is a kick-change with some hard dive. He really could stand to bump that usage up.The fastball plays well off the changeup. It is a mid-90s heater for the most part, but it has elite shape. It is rather straight, but it has ride up in the zone. He could stand to develop a sinker to give him another heater option. The slider has some horizontal sweep and is a real pain in the behind for right-handed batters, especially when spotted in on the inner third.Arnold is essentially a two-pitch pitcher as currently constructed, but much like the girl next door that the protagonist ignores, there is something more here with the changeup. He throws a solid amount of strikes and hits the buckets of the zone he needs to, but he does leave the heater over the heart of the plate a touch too much, and that explains the below-average command. There is some prospect fatigue in this profile, but if he throws the changeup more, there is a chance for a solid mid-rotation starter who is death on right-handed batters thanks to his unorthodox release point. - Rhys White

HT: 6-2 WT: 210 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 40
Power: 60
Field: 45
Throw: 60
Run: 30

Scouting Report

The Reds signed Alfredo Duno for $3.1 million out of Venezuela in 2023, and he made his much anticipated stateside debut in 2024, playing in Single-A Daytona until a rib injury ended his season after just 32 games. Twenty-one were spent behind the plate, which was significant as he spent all of 2023 as a designated hitter in the Dominican Summer League. Duno is an impressive specimen, with strength throughout, checking in at a well-built, 6’2” and 210 pounds. His swing is built for power, and Duno has plenty of it. There’s some length to the swing and a slightly concerning amount of in-zone swing and miss, but if he continues to damage and not expand the zone, you can live with it. Reports on his defense are inconclusive, as injuries have limited him to just 21 games behind the plate in two seasons. He moves well enough that his size shouldn’t be an issue, and he does have impressive arm strength. Duno’s ability to handle the zone and not chase while hitting for power is encouraging. It’s rare to put a 30-homer upside on a catcher due to the physical demands of the position, but Duno can be a similar player to Cal Raleigh if he gets enough reps. The lost development time is a little concerning as he’s dealt with some arm and rib injuries, which have limited him so far. The goal for 2025 is likely to start Duno out back in Single-A Daytona and have him catch as much as he can handle. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6-6 WT: 232 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 55

Risk: High

Fastball: 60 - (94-97 mph)
Slider: 55 - (81-85 mph)
Changeup: 55 - (82-86 mph)
Command: 50

Scouting Report

The Nationals love a high-octane arm, and Travis Sykora fits that to a tee. He’s massive at 6’6”, with long arms and disproportionately long legs. The challenge with pitchers his size is that it often takes time to sync up the upper and lower body. His delivery is a bit disjointed right now, but to his credit, Sykora doesn’t let this affect his command. This could signal even better command down the road as he gets his mechanics fully aligned. He releases the ball from a three-quarters arm slot and uses varied timing—like an extended leg kick or a slight side-step—to disrupt hitters’ timing. Sykora’s fastball, which touched triple digits in high school, now comfortably sits at 94-97 mph with good life at the top of the zone, and he’s unafraid to elevate it to generate whiffs. His slider is another weapon, featuring hard vertical bite and consistently inducing swings and misses, though its command lags behind the fastball, likely something that will improve with experience. His split changeup is particularly effective against left-handed batters, offering more tumble than fade and causing hitters to swing over it, primarily due to how well it tunnels off the fastball. The main challenge with his changeup is consistency; while it flashes as a solid, above-average pitch, he occasionally throws below-average ones in outings. Sykora faces the typical risks of a pitcher who hasn’t advanced beyond Single-A, but with his dominance in 2024 across three pitches and developing command, he projects at minimum as a league-average starter, with the potential for more if the slider and split-change continue to improve. - Rhys White 

HT: 6-0 WT: 167 H/T: S/R
Highest Level: DSL
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 55
Power: 50
Field: 50
Throw: 50
Run: 60

Scouting Report

Twitch is the name of the game when it comes to Josuar De Jesus Gonzalez. The young shortstop prospect was the Giants' big expenditure in the 2025 IFA market, and he is looking like the best prospect down in the DSL. He is a smaller athlete with lots of room to fill out; when you watch him, the jersey almost looks two sizes too big for him. He is a great athlete; he is explosive out of the batter's box and explosive when he is playing shortstop. There is just this level of dynamism that he possesses. His swing is relatively simple: a slight toe-tap, and he gets the bat head out in front with plus bat speed. The issue with Josuar De Jesus Gonzalez is that he does have a tendency to hit batted balls on the ground far too much; a swing-plane tweak needs to happen here. He does show enough bat speed, and there is some physical projection left, so you can project average power from him at maturity. He needs to clean some things up at shortstop; his actions are fine, and his range for the position is excellent. He just has some slight timing issues where he speeds up his internal clock when he doesn’t need to. This is an issue that should get ironed out as he climbs up the minor leagues. If not, his athleticism would play well in center field. Josuar De Jesus Gonzalez projects as an above-average contact guy who, if the swing plane takes a slight tweak, could see more power. He is also a raw but athletic shortstop who needs to refine the finer points of playing short. He has a chance to be a league-average player with upside for more. - Rhys White

HT: 6-2 WT: 195 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: High School
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 50
Power: 55
Field: 50
Throw: 50
Run: 60

Scouting Report

Lewis is an incredibly physical player who posted some of the highest bat speeds in the 2024 draft class thanks to lightning-fast hands and immense rotational velocity. The young shortstop has elite exit velocities for his age and projects at least above-average power with reasonable expectations for better as he physically matures. Additionally, Lewis possesses plus run times that border on double plus at present, though I’d expect that to settle in closer to plus as he adds muscle. Lewis cleaned up his swing over the past year and a half. Once loopy and inconsistent, Lewis simplified his setup and now has a nice lefty swing that gets plenty of lofts, though as an older high school draftee coming out of Nebraska, I’d like to see how his mechanics hold up against the more premium competition. Lewis has the tools to stay on the infield; however, his final home isn’t set in stone yet. I believe he’s got a solid shot to stick at short, though others have posited an eventual move to second, third, or even center could be his final landing spot. With Lewis, you dream of the abundance of tools and refined swing playing at the next level. He’ll have to prove he can hit enough to maximize his skill set, but if everything comes together, he’s got the potential to be a special player. - Max Ellingsen

HT: 6-0 WT: 175 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 45
Power: 60
Field: 45
Throw: 55
Run: 40

Scouting Report

Eduardo Tait has the potential to be an everyday MLB C with a powerful bat if he can improve his plate discipline/approach and become a more solid defensive catcher. If he cannot do these things, he will likely be a platoon to bench catcher, given that his power bat can still contribute to an MLB lineup. Tait has a large, thick frame that is maxed out, and he has a very strong lower half; he moves a bit clunky as he’s not very flexible due to his thick frame, but he makes up for his lack of flexibility with the strength he possesses. Behind the plate, Tait has solid hands, frames pitches well, and has an above-average arm that allows him to throw out runners often; he still needs some work on his blocking skills as his lack of flexibility shows a bit on tough pitches, although he very well may improve in this department as he advances through the minor leagues and matures. At the plate, Tait has some serious raw power; when he strikes the ball, he consistently produces above-average exit velocities, although swings/misses have proven to be an issue for him in his time adjusting to Single-A competition. Tait has a relaxed and open stance, starting with his hands at stomach level; he loads his hands up to shoulder level and has a noticeable leg kick/stride; he has solid bat speed, allowing him to generate above-average exit velocities, as previously mentioned. Tait will need to improve his pitch recognition and plate discipline to harness more of his raw power/begin to hit for average more consistently. He must improve defensively to be an everyday C; if he can’t do these things, he’ll likely be a platoon guy and possibly even a bench guy, depending on how consistent his power tool ends up being. -Alex Kempton

HT: 6-0 WT: 190 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 45
Field: 50
Throw: 60
Run: 55

Scouting Report

Culpepper sat in the late first-round range on most industry draft boards throughout the entire draft cycle and fits a Twins draft archetype: a high-character middle infielder with good athleticism and a track record of college production. Culpepper’s swing is one of beautiful simplicity. He’s upright and quiet (with the exception of some bat waggle) and drifts rather than kicks into a swing underpinned by good bat speed and rotational acceleration. Culpepper has a well-rounded skill set at the plate. He doesn’t strike out much (13.4% across two MiLB levels in 2024) and puts up strong bat-to-ball metrics (82.1% Contact%). He’ll punish mistakes, too; Culpepper didn’t swing and miss at a single pitch in the zone in a nine-game debut at Low-A Fort Myers that resulted in a .907 OPS and a quick promotion to High-A Cedar Rapids. There are some orange flags in his profile; despite excellent plate coverage, Culpepper has been exposed by spin, and a 33% chase rate could be problematic as he rises through the ranks of the Twins system. Despite above-average speed, Culpepper hasn’t been much of a base running threat. The arm is plus and certainly enough to stick at shortstop, where his range is aided by explosiveness from an athletic lower half. There’s work to do on his internal clock, but Culpepper should be a lock to stick at shortstop, at least in the short to medium term. The Twins hope he follows the Luke Keaschall development track in 2025. Consistent health and production give him the ceiling of a solid everyday player in a major league infield, though I’d put my money on third base over shortstop. - Jamie Cameron

HT: 6-2 WT: 195 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 55
Power: 55
Field: 50
Throw: 45
Run: 55

Scouting Report

After enduring a handful of injuries in his high school career, including a labrum surgery, Gillen flew up draft boards this past spring with impressive offensive tools. With a mix of physicality and lankiness, Gillen has a projectable frame that can sustain 10-15 pounds of added muscle and help him grow into above-average power. It’s a balanced swing and approach at the dish with a quiet setup and a quick, compact swing. Gillen rarely missed fastballs as a prep and showcased exceptional chase rates; he was keen on hammering line drives to all fields. He has plus raw power and is still learning to tap into it in-game, as he’ll need to start lofting balls. That said, finding a bat with a potential 55-hit, 55-power label on it is like finding a needle in a haystack. Ray's evaluators believe they can help Gillen tap into his full potential, as they have done with Carson Williams and Xavier Isaac. An above-average runner, Gillen’s defensive future will be dictated by his arm strength bouncing back. He has the instincts and defensive chops to handle shortstop, though a fringy arm means he’ll see time in the outfield. The Rays have said they plan on moving him there full-time, as they want to know the speed and range play in center field. - Tyler Jennings 

HT: 6-1 WT: 210 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 45

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 40
Power: 55
Field: 55
Throw: 55
Run: 40

Scouting Report

Mack is a big power-hitting catcher with a well-developed, physical frame. He stands open at the plate with his hands held high and a quick uppercut swing. His power is his calling card offensively, and the question is if he will hit enough to fully tap into it. He had a power breakout in 2024, hitting 24 homers and setting new personal best exit velocity numbers. He found more power because he hit the ball in the air more often and to his pull side. Mack is average behind the plate, with a chance to be better than that with more experience. His hands, arms, mobility, and feel for the game are solid and above-average traits. It’s a well below-average hit tool, but Mack projects as a power-hitting backup catcher who could find his way into a regular role with an improved hit tool. Catchers always take a little longer to develop offensively. His contact rates are close to the league average, and he will take his walks. Most of his issues come from his swing path, but coming off a strong season in the Southern League, there isn’t much incentive to change it.- Matt Thompson

HT: 6-0 WT: 192 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 50

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 60
Power: 55
Field: 40
Throw: 50
Run: 40

Scouting Report

C.J. Kayfus is a Guardians success story. During his time at the University of Miami, he was more of a contact-oriented first baseman at The U. Kayfus is a fully formed ball of clay physically, as there is no additional room to add physicality. He’s a bit on the shorter side for a first baseman, but that’s fine—he’s a good enough defender. He doesn’t boot many batted balls or present himself as a bad target. You don’t notice him in the field, which can be good or bad, depending on how one feels about first-base defense. He occasionally runs out into the outfield and looks solid enough to fake it in left field, but the range isn’t impressive, and he doesn’t possess exceptional reads. Like most corner infielders, the batter’s box is where most of his value will be tied up. Kayfus has such a high floor as an offensive prospect because everything starts with his swing decisions. He is a plus hitter with a good approach and a strong understanding of the strike zone. He chases at well-below-league-average rates while making good swing decisions in the zone. He has more than enough plate coverage to attack pitches away from him, and he has shown an ability to lift and pull, which allows him to access the impressive power that he played down as an amateur. His swing shows the right amount of barrel malleability, enabling him to attack pitches all over the strike zone. The power is impressive, as Kayfus routinely barrels balls over 110 MPH, paired with enough loft to allow that power to play in games. The ceiling with the power is very high—think 30-homer seasons—and he pairs that power with good swing decisions. There’s a chance he takes another step forward, but the Guardians may have already gotten all the juice out of this fruit, so to speak. He projects as a middle-of-the-order bat who is good enough at first or left field that a team like Cleveland will have no problem rolling him out there in his cheap pre-arb years. Then, they might look to move him on when the arbitration bill comes due. - Rhys White 

HT: 6-2 WT: 205 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 55
Power: 50
Field: 60
Throw: 55
Run: 70

Scouting Report

Before his knee injury completely halted his season, Farmelo was well on his way to becoming a top-50 prospect; now, a knee injury has raised some questions, and we shall see how he comes back late in 2025. Before the injury, Jonny Farmelo was a loose and twitched-up athlete that the Mariners saved from going to the University of Virginia. He was one of the rangier defenders in the minors and showed that he had plus range in centerfield, thanks to some heady routes and plus-plus wheels. His arm is also an asset in center field, and if he returns back to full form, there is a chance Farmelo will be a gold glove caliber defender in centerfield because he can get batted balls in the gaps that your average center fielder can not. It's a pretty simple setup in the batter's box, and he is looking to get out in front of batted balls and spray them to all fields. The power was rounding up from his time as a prepster as he was noticeably more muscular as a professional. He projects out to have average power at the end of the day, with the chance for more if Farmelo adds more loft than he showed in 2024. His contact skills are good; he understands the strike zone and lays off borderline pitches. He also is not afraid to go up there and battle off pitches to work his way into advantageous hitter counts. If the power takes another step forward in a year or so, Farmelo will have a chance to be the rare five-tool prospect. - Rhys White

HT: 6’0” WT: 200 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 55
Power: 45
Field: 60
Throw: 50
Run: 70

Nate George was a standout multi-sport athlete at Minooka Community High School and was originally committed to Eastern Illinois University before flipping late to Northwest Florida State College. The Orioles did their due diligence and selected George in the 16th round. The rest of his skills were ahead of the bat when he entered pro ball, but the bat has now caught up very quickly. George shows an excellent feel for the strike zone and excellent contact skills. He had an 80% contact rate during his first taste of full-season ball while also spraying line drives all over the field. He knows how to utilize his plus-plus speed, and by all accounts, he’s a plus defender in centerfield. Offensively, George is quiet in the box, hitting from a crouch with a slight bat waggle, and it's just a simple stride as a trigger. His hands are extremely quick and allow him to create quality contact and lift the ball to his pull side. He’s a threat to run whenever he is on base, and while he likes to swing the bat, he still manages to look for pitches he can drive. Some of the soft contact produced from aggressive swingers can also work in his favor because he can really run. George has been a big win for the Orioles' scouting department so far and projects as a future top-of-the-lineup bat. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6-6 WT: 225 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 45

Risk: High

Fastball: 60 - (94-96 mph)
Curveball: 40 - (76-79 mph)
Slider: 55 - (85-89 mph)
Changeup: 50 - (84-86 mph)
Command: 50

Scouting Report

The Cubs have become a team that has done a solid job of developing arms, and Jaxon Wiggins might be the next in line for them. He had Tommy John during his draft year, which halted any momentum, ultimately leading to him being a second-round selection. We are talking about a physically imposing pitcher on the mound who releases the ball from a high three-quarters arm slot. There is less extension than you think for someone with as long of legs as he has, and that could be added to his delivery at some point. The fastball is a plus heater with good shape and life. It is the rising tide that lifts all boats with his arsenal. The slider is a hard gyro slider with good shape that plays well off the over 20 inches of IVB that Wiggins collects off his fastball. It has a nasty late bite, and when he develops more feel for it, there is a chance it is a second-plus offering for the former Arkansas Razorback. The changeup plays well because he does a good job of killing any loft on the offering, allowing the tumble-and-fade to come through. The curveball he currently deploys is nothing more than a get-me-over curveball that he can utilize early in counts to steal a strike. Wiggins is in his first full year back from Tommy John, and the dream is the command takes a step forward in 2025 as he is fully recovered from Tommy John; if that happens, then he will be more viable as a back-end starter as opposed to a nasty high-leverage relief option. - Rhys White

HT: 6-3 WT: 191 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Complex
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 45
Power: 60
Field: 45
Throw: 55
Run: 55

Scouting Report

He looks the part when I watch him on grainy YouTube videos. Watching Morales, there is so much to like with him. He has a frame you can project upon more power coming, is a good athlete, and hits the ball hard. He smashed 14 homers in 201 plate appearances in the Dominican Summer League. It felt like he was smashing a homer every other game when I would scroll through the DSL box scores. Emil Morales’ power is the calling card for him; he has plenty of strength, and he leverages his strength well, generating plenty of torque when he makes contact; more on that later. He pairs that with a natural loft in his swing. Morales goes through bouts of being too aggressive as a hitter, and this will get exposed as he faces much better pitchers with even average stuff. The Dodgers might be able to get him to become more selective. In the field, he is likely to end up at third base because his actions are a bit choppy at shortstop; he has the lateral agility to stick on the left side of the infield, but he isn’t the most fluid when ranging to his left or his right so a move to third would probably be for the best. However, he is so far away, and things change so quickly, especially with prospects this young. He is an exciting power-over hit prospect who we may get a look at in the second half of the year in Single-A, where his affiliated debut will be a must-watch. - Rhys White

HT: 6-2 WT: 200 H/T: S/R
Highest Level: AAA
ETA: 2025

OFP: 50

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 50
Power: 55
Field: 50
Throw: 60
Run: 45

Scouting Report

Freeland has continually improved ever since he went undrafted in the 2020 draft. A consistent improvement eventually led to a 3rd round selection and now is a potential shortstop to rely on. Offensively, Freeland is a well-rounded threat. He has solid bat to ball skills with a very good understanding of the strike zone that has steadily improved. The switch hitter has great bat speed from both sides of the plate and a knack for finding the barrel. He is better generally from the left side but has improved his contact ability from the right side. He has an approach geared towards spraying the ball to all fields, but also has a good ability to pull the ball in the air and gets to his power in-game. He has a strong upper body which translates to borderline plus raw power. On the basepaths he is a fringe-average runner but his instincts and good first step allow him to steal more bags than his top end speed would suggest. Defensively, Freeland’s range is bolstered by those very instincts. He has great hands and strong footwork that are plenty good enough to stick at shortstop, however he has experience at second and third. The arm is arguably his best tool, it is plus and he has shown an ability to throw from multiple planes. He has room to grow defensively but has a high enough floor to be a utility fielder at the major league level. Freeland’s scouting report cannot end without discussing his intangibles. He has been praised for his work ethic and instincts leading the well-rounded skill set to have a relatively high floor. - Adam Kiel

HT: 6’4” WT: 210 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Prep
ETA: 2029

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 60
Field: 50
Throw: 55
Run: 50

Scouting Report

Ethan Holliday has some of the most present power of any of the prep draftees in 2025, arriving with boom or bust upside to Colorado. The storyline here can’t be written much better, with Holliday being drafted to the team his dad, Matt, spent 6 years with. Holliday has a smooth, effortless swing from the left side, highlighted by a big leg kick and a knack for finding optimal launch angles. Holliday isn’t the same fast-twitch athlete his brother was, with his offensive tools coming primarily from physicality. While Holliday’s frame is mostly filled out, there is room to add a few more pounds to his frame, especially if he is moving off the middle infield. There is present bat speed and impact in Ethan that projects him to be a 25+ home run threat in the MLB, which could be upped into the 30s playing at Coors. The main knock against Holliday currently is some chase and whiff concerns, with Holliday sometimes struggling to recognize offspeed pitches out of the zone, resulting in poor quality of contact at times. While Holliday was drafted as a shortstop, he will almost certainly move to third base, where his size and arm play a bit better. Ethan doesn’t quite have the first step to remain up the middle despite average running times. The biggest story here is whether the Rockies are equipped to develop Holliday to a star level. Without many prior examples in the past few years, there is plenty of risk to be had with one of the best young prospects in baseball. - Nate Rasmussen

HT: 6’6” WT: 235 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 30
Power: 60
Field: 45
Throw: 50
Run: 55

Scouting Report

It’s been a rough season for Jones, and his perceived value is all over the place, depending on who you ask. On the one hand, the raw power is still in plus form. Given the frame and strength in that body, there is no doubt about the power potential, which has always made him such a hyped prospect. On the other hand, the hit tool is poor right now, and it’s trending in the wrong direction in 2024. His Z-Contact% is at 65.6%, he chases outside the zone 36% of the time, and he has struck out 36.7% overall in 2024. There has not been a single sign of improvement for him with the hit tool or plate discipline this year, which is concerning for a 23-year-old in Double-A. It’s holding his power back, too, which has been fine this year but still not nearly to the levels he is capable of. The bat is just a huge question mark, and the fact that it is trending down at his age has hurt his value in the big time. He projects out as an average center fielder, but I would guess he will eventually move to a corner. If he’s in center he probably sticks in the average territory, but if he’s in a corner he bumps up a grade for me. He still runs well on the bases, especially for a guy with his size, and could provide value there. It’s not a frame that screams speed long-term, but he’s an above-average runner with good instincts on the dirt right now. This guy still has the impact upside to hang onto everyday potential, but he is trending the wrong way and has a lot of work to do with the swing if he ever wants to get there. - Grant Carver

HT: 6’4” WT: 220 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Fastball: 60 - (95-98 T100 mph)
Curveball: 40 - (76-79 mph)
Slider: 70 - (86-89 mph)
Changeup: 40 - (86-90 mph)
Command: 45

Scouting Report

The Red Sox grabbed Brandon Clarke out of a JuCo in Florida in the fifth round, and while a recurring blister issue kept him out all of the season, we saw in flashes more than enough to make him a top 100 prospect in our mind. Brandon Clarke is a well-built pitcher, with a prototypical power pitcher's build. He is a bit stiff, and his delivery isn’t the most fluid; it’s a funky, low three-quarters arm slot. There is some deception in the delivery which helps his stuff play up ever so slightly. Clarke’s best pitch is his sweeper which gets plus horizontal break and is a tough pitch from his arm slot. He is not afraid to utilize it to both handedness of batters. The fastball shape is inconsistent, but it has top-of-the-scale velo, getting up to 100, and it plays well with the slider/sweeper that posted a 60% whiff-rate in a brief sample against low minors hitters. The problem for him is what the third pitch looks like. The curveball flashes, but it is a slurvy shape that will at times bleed into the slider. The changeup is firm and lacks consistent movement. Clarke's blister issue is an interesting way to end the season for one of the better pure arms in all of baseball. At the very least, Clarke could be one of the game’s best relievers if he never finds a viable third pitch, but the Red Sox have shown an ability to get that third pitch out of guys like this. - Rhys White

HT: 6-3 WT: 210 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 40
Power: 70
Field: 40
Throw: 70
Run: 40

Scouting Report

Montes is a prospect of extremes, and if it all clicks, we could be talking about one of the more exciting young power bats in the minors. Montes is a physically imposing athlete, and while standing near him, I wondered if we were from the same species. He has good muscle all over his body and looks the part. He has some parts of his game that need some massive refinement. He is an aggressive swinger and struggles with breaking ball recognition. He gets sequenced to death by the most advanced pitchers he saw in 2024. He gets aggressive in and out of the zone. There is some feel for taking walks as he will get a touch more selective late in counts. The contact part of his game is below average, but it can go very far when he makes contact. Even when he is late, he can smash a pitch the other way. The power carries the profile, as he could be a middle-of-the-order bat if he cuts down a touch on the aggressiveness because of the quality of contact; when he makes contact, it is loud. In the outfield, he looks helpless at points, gets mixed up on his routes, and there is a ton of effort, resulting in him looking like he is doing something and giving the illusion he is a good defender. But when you watch him, his footwork is sloppy, and he doesn’t charge in on balls in a corner well. He has a bazooka attached to his arm, which helps cover up some issues, but even the accuracy of his throws can be erratic. He needs to hit his cut-off man more consistently. What if you had two 70s and a bunch of 40s? His game has a high variance, which may indicate his bright peak, but the lows will be really low. Think along the lines of Franmil Reyes if you are a comparison person. - Rhys White

HT: 6-6 WT: 235 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 55

Risk: Moderate

Fastball: 70 - (98-102 mph)
Slider: 70 - (88-94 mph)
Changeup: 45 (90-93 mph)
Command: 50

Scouting Report

There might be no more physically imposing pitcher in the minor leagues than Jarlin Susana. He looks like a next-level athlete on the mound, especially compared to the low-minor hitters he faces. Despite his size, he's surprisingly limber and repeats his delivery much better than last year. His jump in command is impressive, allowing his entire arsenal to play up now that he's less erratic. Susana releases the ball from a standard three-quarters slot, and his fastball is among the best in the minors from a velocity standpoint. Only Ricardo Yean has a faster fastball (which I've seen in person). Though the fastball's shape is a bit dead-zone, the velocity reaching 103 mph makes shape less of a concern. His improved fastball command has elevated his profile, and he's experimenting with the shape, mixing in a two-seamer with arm-side run that complements his changeup, though the shape of the changeup still needs refinement. Velocity-wise, the fastball is elite, but the slider is the true headliner. It's a legitimate swing-and-miss pitch that he can ramp up to the mid-90s if needed. With hard bite, the slider consistently generates whiffs. The changeup is still rounding out and remains an inconsistent offering with variable feel, though he has time to refine or adjust the grip. Jarlin Susana is one of the most exciting raw arms in the minors. With his improved command, he now ranks among the best pitching prospects in baseball. His electric stuff, combined with developing pitchability, makes him an arm with enormous potential. - Rhys White 

HT: 6-2 WT: 175 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Fastball: 60 - (94-96 mph)
Cutter: 50 - (88-91 mph)
Curveball: 55 (78-83 mph)
Changeup 50 (87-90 mph)
Command: 60

Scouting Report

Suarez was yet another lower-level trade acquisition by the Rays. They acquired him from the Marlins in the Xavier Edwards deal in November 2022. Suarez is a well-developed teenage right-hander with a large frame. He's already filled out and well above his listed weight of 175. It's a rhythmic delivery from an over-the-top arm slot. He rocks back and forth slightly before gathering and delivering towards the plate. His fastball sits 94-96 with above-average ride up in the zone. He runs into trouble with the fastball on the lower part of the zone, but when it's up, it will miss bats. His newest offering is his cutter, and it has the potential to be his best pitch. It's 88-91, gets a lot of weak contact, and misses bats at a slightly above-average rate. It's his primary put-away pitch against left-handers. His curveball is his primary put-away pitch against right-handers. It has two plane movements with some late sweep. His changeup often gets classified as a splitter due to the drop, but it's a changeup with inconsistent shape. It will get to average with refinement, but the rest of the arsenal works so well that he may not need to rely on it more than just as a show-me pitch. He has plus command of his entire arsenal, and it all plays up due to plus extension. Suarez is as advanced a 19-year-old pitching prospect as I've seen in quite some time. It's a mid-rotation ceiling here, and there is a chance for more if he can improve the consistency with the fastball and get a secondary to pop. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6-2 WT: 200 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: MLB
ETA: 2024

OFP: 50

Risk: Low

Fastball: 50 - (92-95 mph)
Slider: 55 - (82-85 mph)
Changeup: 55 - (84-87 mph)
Command: 70

Scouting Report

The Reds made Rhett Lowder the second collegiate arm off the board when they selected him seventh overall in the 2023. He would also become the second pitcher from the class to reach the majors following Paul Skenes when he made his big league debut in 2024. Lowder came from the world famous Wake Forest pitching lab and climbed all the way from High-A to MLB, touching every level in between, as he made his big league debut in his first professional season. Lowder has an average fastball that averages 92-94 but will also throw a sinker which gets a ton of groundballs. He has plus-plus command of the fastball and his overall strike throwing is impressive. Lowders ability to sequence and stay out of traditional fastball counts is impressive and he is able to get ahead and let his slider and changeup due the heavy lifting as far as missing bats are concerned. There is no plus pitch here though, no putaway pitch. He’s got an old school approach as he works the edges of the zone and spots all three pitches on the black. He stays out of the dangerous parts of the zone and he’s going to have to continue to do that in Great American Ballpark. Lowder is a big league ready number three starter and while he lacks the ceiling you traditionally see of someone coming off the board at number seven overall, he should still carve out a long and successful career in the middle of his teams’ rotations, health permitting of course. Lowder will be in the mix to break camp with the Reds. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6’3” WT: 175 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Fastball: 70 - (95-99 T101 mph)
Slider: 60 - (90-94mph)
Changeup: 40 - (91-94 mph)
Command: 40

Scouting Report

Esteban Mejia is one of the bigger pop-up arms in recent years because of the high-end velocity he brings to the mound. He has a fast and loose arm, and there is plenty of room for physical projection left on his frame. He has a simple delivery with some deception, sticking his right arm out. While that does create a long arm action, it also creates some deception in the delivery. He has a little drop and drive in his delivery, and as things are currently constructed, he does have issues with an inconsistent release point. This inconsistent release point has caused some command issues to peek through, but this should be a relatively easy thing for the Orioles to fix. He has top-of-the-scale arm speed, and that, paired with his natural strength, allows him to get his fastball up to 101. The fastball plays all over the zone and shows solid shape. There is some arm-side run on the fastball. Mejia will mix in a solid slider that projects out to be a plus pitch, thanks to some vertical drop and the fact that it gets to 94 mph. He utilizes it late in counts to get whiffs; it has 1-7 movement. The changeup is rather firm, as there are a few prospects whose fastball struggles to get to 94. There isn’t a lot of tumble-and-fade, and it lacks ideal velo separation off the high-octane heater. Mejia is still working on the finer points of pitching, but the upside is pretty immense. We haven’t seen an arm like this since Jarlin Susana, and Mejia is significantly less filled out than Susana. There is some pretty immense reliever risk here, but if it all comes together, he could be one of the game's better pitchers thanks to the heater. To get there, Mejia and the Orioles have to get a better third pitch going. - Rhys White

HT: 5-10 WT: 197 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: DSL
ETA: 2029

OFP: 45

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 55
Power: 60
Field: 40
Throw: 40
Run: 30

Scouting Report

Yairo Padilla was the more highly touted DSL player among the people I talked to, but Rodriguez is the better present-day hitter. Rodriguez was born in the Dominican Republic but spent some time stateside in high school before moving back to the Dominican Republic before signing. Rodriguez hit right out of the gate and finished with a .345/.462/.683 slash line with more walks than strikeouts and 25 extra-base hits in 41 games, including ten homers. He ended with a 186 wRC+ and strong exit velocity numbers. He can impact the baseball to all fields but also shows a knack for lifting to the pull side, which is how you get the most out of your power. He’s already advanced physically, with a strong, sturdy frame throughout. He seems likely to move out from behind the plate and to first base, but that hasn’t happened yet. He moves solid enough behind the plate, but the arm strength is the more concerning issue now. Rodriguez was one of the more productive hitters in all of the minor leagues on a per-game basis, and he should make his highly anticipated stateside debut in 2025. This is an exciting bat. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6-0 WT: 210 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 45
Power: 55
Field: 45
Throw: 55
Run: 40

Scouting Report

Catching is one of the Royals system's strong suites, and that is in large part because of Carter Jensen. He has long been a power-oriented prospect, with questions about both the hit tool and defense, but both have shown enough improvement to put him near the top of the system. He will always carry a high swing-and-miss percentage, but the hit tool is not as big of a red flag as it once was. He has a solid, patient approach and is almost too picky up there, running low zone swing rates and impressively low chase numbers. It'll be interesting to see how that plays as he gets higher in the minors, but right now, the approach helps balance out some swing-and-miss concerns. Of course, we all know he has above-average power, and he gets to it plenty, thanks to his quick swing and size. The power plays and could even get in the plus range if he can translate it to games a bit more. Behind the plate, Jensen is still not known for his receiving skills but has drawn praise for improvements. His above-average arm will help him stick behind the plate if he can be close to an average receiver. And if he stays as a catcher, the bat has enough impact potential for him to be a key figure in the future of the Royals. All signs point to him trending in the right direction. - Grant Carvern

HT: 6’4” WT: 200 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 60
Field: 45
Throw: 55
Run: 40

Scouting Report

Florentino has popped onto the scene and is looking like one of the better Pirates prospects. Florentino has plenty of physical projection left in his game, that goes with the hit tool, and physically where you could easily see a good 10-15 pounds of added muscle before he debuts with the Pirates being tacked on. Florentino has a simple setup at the plate, a slight crouch, with a slight bat wiggle pre-pitch. He has a slight leg kick, and he has a noticeable upper-cut motion in his bat path. Anything low in the zone he does a good job of getting the barrel on, as well as pitches on the inner third. He has a noticeable lift and pull approach, as he is looking to get out in front of batted balls, and has enough plate coverage that he can hit pitches away from the zone as long as they are in the lower half of the strike zone. He has a noticeable hole up and away in the strike zone where he struggles with getting to. He is an aggressive swinger, but he shows enough barrel malleability to make contact with both velocity and spin. He posts a 90th percentile EV of 104, which for his age is very good. He also posts well-above-average pull fly ball rates. If he can get that hole in the upper portion of the zone figured out he could become an above-average hitter. In the field, Florentino is being asked to play centerfield but he is stretched too thin. He has good enough instincts there, but he isn’t the athlete you normally want out there. A move to a corner or even first base is in the cards, unless he works on his explosiveness. Florentino projects to be a middle-of-the-order type bat who is able to more than handle himself in a corner, whether that is in the outfield or at first base, although first will put a lot more pressure on the bat.- Rhys White

HT: 6’2” WT: 200 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Prep
ETA: 2029

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 55
Power: 55
Field: 50
Throw: 55
Run: 50

Scouting Report

JoJo Parker quickly became one of Prospects Live’s favorite prep players throughout the 2025 draft process, showing a current balance of tools alongside the potential to be a future star. Parker has a smooth stroke from the left side of the box, starting in an upright and narrow position with a pronounced forward move. He has a flat approach angle with good barrel control and a knack for driving balls hard to his pull side. The swing shows glimpses of plus power, with his current profile being more contact-oriented. I would expect Parker to grow into more power over the next few years as he matures, while remaining an above-average contact bat. There is clear strength within Parker already, continually hitting balls over 100 mph to all fields while still having the potential to add some more weight to his frame. Parker is a good athlete for his size, putting up solid running times throughout the prep circuit despite his physicality. JoJo is a good enough athlete to stick at shortstop, and his movements are sound. He has smooth hands and works in on balls very well. He has a plus arm that gives him a solid fielding foundation. He will be a shortstop for the majority of his time in the minor leagues, with his ultimate home either being there or at third base, depending on his continued development. There is a solid floor with Parker, but the real intrigue is with his upside at the plate in a fun Toronto system. -Nate Rasmussen

HT: 6’0” WT: 160 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Fastball: 55 - (95-99 T101 mph)
Curveball: 55 - (91-94 mph)
Slider: 45 - (90-94mph)
Changeup: 50 - (91-94 mph)
Command: 55

Scouting Report

There might be no buzzier name coming from Arizona than Kendry Chourio. Kendry Chourio has risen all the way from the Dominican Summer League to Single-A in his first professional season. Chourio releases the ball from a three-quarters arm slot. He releases the ball from a lower release point, which allows everything to play up. Chourio’s pitchability is one of the calling cards here; he is seventeen years old and he projects to have at the very worst above-average command. He consistently hits the catcher's glove and shows plus fastball command. The fastball plays up because of his command of the offering; he is able to dot the fastball to all four quadrants of the strike zone. There is some arm-side movement here that helps it play well in the zone. The best breaking ball is a curveball that gets to the high 70s with good 12-6 shape. He throws it late in counts to both handedness of batters. It plays well when he throws it low in the zone, but he has shown a propensity to throw the curveball up to try and get strikeouts looking. The slider is inconsistent, but there is plenty of time to work on it and utilize it against left-handed batters. Chourio is playing around with both a splitter and a more traditional changeup; both flash well, but are inconsistent. Right now Chourio has plus feel for pitching, a good fastball, and a good curveball. Everything is still to be determined, but he is only the age of an incoming high school senior. His rise has been nothing short of amazing, and with that pitchability comes plenty of physical projection. There is a future middle of the rotation starter here if everything clicks. - Rhys White

HT: 6-4 WT: 200 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Fastball: 60 - (95-97 mph)
Slider: 60 - (87-90 mph)
Changeup: 40 - (83-86 mph)
Command: 50

Scouting Report

The Mariners initially found Brody Hopkins out of Winthrop, one of the better D2 programs, and just over a year later, he was flipped to the Rays as part of the return for Randy Arozarena. Hopkins is still relatively fresh as a pitcher, having only focused full-time on the mound for about a year. Thanks to his drop-and-drive mechanics, he releases the ball from a low 5-foot release point and typically uses a three-quarters arm slot. However, he sometimes struggles to maintain his release point, which affects his command. He can get scattershot with his control and tends to overthrow, leading to glove-side misses. His fastball is his primary weapon, and he can tweak its shape depending on the situation. He features a four-seam version with around 15 inches of induced vertical break from his low release point, making it an effective chase pitch in the zone. He also uses a tailing two-seam fastball to left-handed hitters, inducing weak contact, and occasionally throws a cutter, though it’s the least optimal of his fastball variations. Hopkins pairs his fastball with a hard slider that has good horizontal movement. The slider’s axis can be inconsistent, sometimes showing hard downward movement and other times a glove-side sweep. Regardless of its shape, the slider works well off both types of fastballs, and he can get through a lineup twice using just his fastball-slider combo. His changeup, however, is inconsistent, and his feel for it comes and goes. He might benefit from adopting a downward off-speed pitch, like a Vulcan changeup or splitter. At the same time, his command needs refinement, which can be expected since he’s still learning the craft, unlike most prospects who have pitched their whole lives. With a relatively fresh arm and room to project, Hopkins is a solid mid-rotation starter, with the potential for more if his changeup takes a step forward. - Rhys White 

HT: 6’2” WT: 185 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 55
Power: 50
Field: 50
Throw: 55
Run: 50

Scouting Report

Being the son of a former big leaguer must come with plenty of advantages but also some undue pressure. Luckily, George Lombard Jr. is looking like a solid league-average prospect. He’s decently built with some slight room for projection. His swing is relatively simple: there’s some bat-wiggle over his shoulder pre-swing, followed by a slight toe-tap/leg kick hybrid, and he gets the barrel through the zone quickly. On the inner third, he’s shown he can lift and pull, displaying above-average power to the pull side. However, he doesn’t consistently hit balls the other way with much authority and is more focused on hitting gap-to-gap. Lombard is a patient hitter who lays off plenty of pitches but hunts fastballs with which he can do damage. He can attack pitches all over the zone, thanks to his excellent plate coverage. His eye at the plate is more refined than any other part of his offensive game, though his contact skills and power are developing. Defensively, he’s an average shortstop with good lateral quickness and solid infield actions. He’s capable of making every play you’d want from someone manning the 6. His arm is strong enough that if he slightly misreads a ball, he can compensate with good throws from different platforms. Lombard’s power was oversold as a prep hitter, but a 55-grade hitter with 50-grade power who can play an average shortstop—or be above-average at third base—could be a valuable big leaguer. - Rhys White 

HT: 6’2” WT: 190 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: NCAA
ETA: 2026

OFP: 50

Risk: Moderate

Fastball: 55 - (92-96 T98 mph)
Slider: 45 - (83-87mph)
Changeup: 70 - (83-87 mph)
Command: 55

Scouting Report

Bremner came in with similar expectations to Jamie Arnold: pitch well, and you will hear your name at the top of the draft. Except, Bremner was still drafted highly as the Angels capitalized on what was a down year for him, as a lot of things didn't go as planned, and underslotted him. Bremner is a long and lean pitcher with some good mass behind him. He has a high leg-kick, and he explodes towards the plate, releasing the ball from a stock-standard three-quarters delivery. The headliner of the arsenal for Bremner is a double-plus changeup with plus tumble and fade. He generated a whiff 48% of the time he threw it in 2025, and it was an offering he wasn't afraid to mix in to both sides of the plate. He has a preternatural feel for the changeup, and he throws it well over a third of the time. The slider is inconsistent, but it will flash average a few times an outing. "There isn't anything to write home about the slider," is a note I wrote. It's got good shape and velocity, but it doesn't elicit a lot of whiffs; it doesn't intermingle with the fastball or changeup all that well, and he doesn't have great feel for it. The fastball had a tale of two seasons, as it has been reported he gained two inches of induced vertical break in the middle of the season, and if that change sticks, he could fastball-changeup his way through lineups comfortably, and if the breaker takes a step forward, that could unlock a lot. Bremner had a tumultuous season, but he and the Angels are hoping this is the lowest his perceived value is, as he is a ready-made back-end starter type with upside to be a mid-rotation starter if the fastball changes stick and the slider takes a step forward. - Rhys White

HT: 6’1” WT: 185 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Prep
ETA: 2029

OFP: 50

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 45
Power: 45
Field: 70
Throw: 70
Run: 55

Scouting Report

Billy Carlson zigs where many prep prospects zag, showcasing an extreme defense-led profile. Carlson was part of the dynamic Corona High School trio alongside Seth Hernandez and Brady Ebel that all went in the first 32 picks of the 2025 draft. Billy was a standout pitcher and hitter in High School, getting into the upper 90s on the mound and hitting 99 during infield drills at the Perfect Game National Showcase. The offensive profile comes with question marks, as Carlson’s swing still needs some fine-tuning in pro ball. He’s very upright in his stance, with a high leg lift that significantly closes off his body through the loading phase. Billy corkscrews his body at foot strike, giving him some increased power while limiting his barrel movements. At times, Carlson strides out of the box toward home plate, which is something that will be tweaked in pro ball as his current movement patterns need to be toned down for success against high-level arms. Carlson profiles slightly better as a quick-twitch power hitter, but I wouldn’t expect him to add too much size given his stature and athleticism. Carlson is a plus runner with speed that plays up on the field both on the basepaths and defensively, with 20/20 potential as an everyday player if Carlson can tap into more impact with the bat. At shortstop, Carlson has the range to get to nearly every ball, with a knack for making sweet plays in the 6-hole. With his arm talent, Billy can turn almost any groundball into an out, separating him from other minor leaguers immediately as possibly the best future shortstop defender yet to debut. The floor remains safe due to Carlson’s defensive prowess, but the bat has a long way to go for Billy to be a modern star in the Southside of Chicago. - Nate Rasmussen

HT: 6-0 WT: 202 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 45
Power: 60
Field: 55
Throw: 70
Run: 50

Scouting Report

The former consensus #1 prospect before Jac Caglianone came to town, Mitchell had himself an excellent first season of pro ball. There were some concerns from Royals fans about taking a prep catcher with their top pick in the draft, but he has shown off the skills that had the Royals extremely interested in him at 8th overall. On the offensive side, it is obvious that the power is his standout tool. He’s got lightning-quick bat speed, and it’s a beautiful, smooth swing from the lefthanded side of the box. On top of his raw power, Mitchell has an excellent feel for the strike zone, posting walk rates at 17% in Low-A. The weakness for Mitchell at the plate is he strikes out too much. He posted a 30.5% strikeout rate. He possesses some concerns about his hit tool, but he hasn’t posted any horrible swinging strike rates, giving you some hope for the future. Behind the dish, Mitchell has an absolute cannon, as he used to touch 97 mph on the mound as a pitcher. He calls a good game for pitchers on the mound and has the leadership traits you’d want to see from your backstop. His arm and athleticism are good enough, but he could easily handle a corner outfield spot if he doesn’t stick behind the plate. But what we have seen behind the dish so far might not be a concern. The ceiling is sky-high for Mitchell with his plus power and double-plus arm. Going into his age-20 season, he will likely start his season in High-A, where he got a small sample size at the end of 2024. - Jared Perkins

HT: 6-3 WT: 190 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 45
Power: 60
Field: 50
Throw: 60
Run: 50

Scouting Report

Owen Caissie is one of the best young Canadian prospects in the game, and this time last year, there were some whispers about him being a potential platoon bat, but he worked on his pitch recognition against left-handed pitchers and now looks like a viable everyday offering. Caissie’s calling card is his plus power, which he generates because of his raw strength, bat speed, and some natural loft in his swing. He does have some issues with his swing-path and the amount of contact that results from it. There is a large position in the strike zone that Owen Caissie will struggle to make contact with. Caissie does have some aggressive tendencies and is looking to do damage with pitches all over the zone, but he can struggle to get to pitches because of the loft in his swing. He does offset some of his swing-and-miss with an ability to draw a walk at an above-average rate because of decent strike-zone recognition. Caissie can be a 30-homer bat during his peak years, where all the batted-ball variance is going for him. He is your classic corner outfielder in the field with a good arm. His plus arm is a real weapon in the outfield, as his arm strength is both plus, and his throws are accurate. Caissie is one of the higher variance prospects because of some aggressive swing-and-miss issues, but he is on the 40-man and should be up early in the season. - Rhys White

HT: 6’4” WT: 215 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: NCAA
ETA: 2027

OFP: 45

Risk: High

Fastball: 55 - (91-95 T96 mph)
Curveball: 45 - (75-80 mph)
Slider: 50 - (81-86 mph)
Changeup: 50 - (84-88 mph)
Command: 50

Scouting Report

After two seasons at Purdue, Stephen ventured south to Starkville for his junior year. He immediately put himself on the map with an outstanding season for the Bulldogs, striking out 107 batters in 96 innings. Stephen is a physical right-hander with the prototypical pitcher’s body and utilizes a high three-quarters arm slot with arm speed and solid extension down the mound. He primarily used his fastball/slider combination in 2024, though he’s more than that. The heater reached 96 MPH and routinely sat in the 91-95 MPH range, flashing considerable carry upstairs and improved command. Stephen missed a good bit of bats with it, though the number of chases the pitch induced was even more impressive, setting a mark over 30%. He’ll manipulate the shape on his low-to-mid-80s slider, which is set up by his heater, flashing solid gyro shape at times and up to eight inches of sweep on the outer half of the plate. Stephen’s changeup is a solid average offering against lefties, flashing considerable fade in the mid-80s, and he’ll throw an upper-70s curveball with more sweep than depth to steal strikes. He’ll need to work on his sequencing and pitch ability, but given the build, staff, and command, Stephen has the makings of a solid back-end starter when fully developed. - Tyler Jennings

HT: 5-10 WT: 154 H/T: S/R
Highest Level: Complex
ETA: 2028

OFP: 45

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 50
Field: 55
Throw: 50
Run: 50

Scouting Report

One of the breakout prospects for the Giants in 2025, Jhonny Level has done nothing but hit since he made his way over stateside. He is not an overly physical athlete, standing at a modest 5’10”. The switch-hitting middle infield prospect gets to his power by leveraging every bit of his frame and bat speed with some feel for lofting batted balls to his pull side at a young age. Level makes good swing decisions and he doesn’t chase pitches all that often. At times he can run a touch aggressive in zone, but that seems to be more a factor of him wanting to pounce on any strike that complex league pitchers are throwing him. We will see how that aggressiveness plays at the next level, because a 48.4 swing rate at the time of writing this is aggressive, but he is making more than enough contact to make me not worried. He is a good defender at shortstop, with good actions; he is able to range to both his left and right while also showing a good feel for charging in on batted balls. His arm is a touch light for shortstop, but it isn’t a problem yet. His arm may ultimately move him off to second base, where he will be a plus defender at that spot. Level has a chance to level his way up through the minors quickly, and maybe contend for the best Giants prospect in a year if he keeps this up. - Rhys White

HT: 5-11 WT: 215 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2024

OFP: 50

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 50
Power: 55
Field: 60
Throw: 60
Run: 20

Scouting Report

If it hadn’t been for a labrum injury requiring season-ending surgery, we might have seen Jefferson Quero make his major league debut with the Brewers in 2024. Quero is one of the better defensive catchers in the low minors, as he is a polished defensive catcher with an easy plus arm. He blocks balls well, has a great understanding of getting his body in front of batted balls, and really wants to be behind the dish. He communicates well with his pitchers and has gotten rave reviews for how he calls games and how he interacts with his pitchers. Quero is a good receiver with quick wrists and can frame borderline pitches well. Quero is an excellent two-way catcher, as he should be at least a league-average bat. But there is a level swing, with which his raw strength allows him to have above-average power. He likes to get out in front and pull batted balls to tap into his power. There is some aggressiveness with breaking balls in and out of the zone, which is alarming and raises some yellow flags when you watch his 2023 tape. Pitches on the outer third of the zone, he will struggle to get to with his very pull-heavy approach. But he might lift and pull to a 100-110 wRC+ in his best years. Quero has a chance to be a Gabriel Moreno-esque defender for the Brewers while also proving to be a solid league-average bat. The Brewers, having a tandem of Quero and William Contreras, will immediately be one of the best tandems in the sport. - Rhys White

HT: 6’2” WT: 206 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: NCAA
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Fastball: 60 - (95-97 T99 mph)
Cutter: 55 - (86-91 mph)
Curveball: 60 - (78-81 mph)
Slider: 55 - (81-85 mph)
Changeup: 30 - (87-91 mph)
Command: 45

Scouting Report

The Red Sox were not expected to go with a pitcher in the first round of the 2025 draft, but when a top-ten-ish talent slides to fifteenth, you've got to take the player. Witherspoon is a decently built pitcher with solid height and some room to add to his frame. He is a good on-mound athlete who moves well on the mound. He gets decent extension down the mound, but there are a lot of moving parts to his delivery. He is athletic enough that he repeats his delivery well, which mitigates any risk. He drives towards the plate and is looking to throw his fastball up at the letters and have everything play off that. His best pitch was infrequently utilized; it is a curveball that is a real hammer offering, and in pro ball, he should increase its usage from 10%. The fastball has good carry up in the zone, and even with the normal tick down in stuff that goes from being an amateur to being a pro pitcher, and the schedule change that comes with that, Witherspoon should still have a plus heater. The slider is very similar to the curveball in shape, just firmer. There is a cutter here that he plays around with on the outer third of the zone. It interplays well with the fastball and two breakers. He has a changeup that he seldomly utilizes because of how firm it is. In pro ball, maybe the Red Sox will introduce a splitter to complement the arsenal. Witherspoon projects as a good mid-rotation starter who can go north-south with his arsenal and get by with below-average command because he routinely pitches in spots where everything plays well. - Rhys White

HT: 5-11 WT: 200 H/T: S/S
Highest Level: NCAA
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Fastball: 60 - (94-97 mph)
Cutter: 55 - (87-89 mph)
Slider: 50 - (83-86 mph)
Changeup: 50 - (84-86 mph)
Command: 45

Scouting Report

Jurrangelo Cijntje, last year’s 15th overall pick, is a rare switch-pitcher native to the island of Curaçao. A tremendous athlete, Cijntje improved rapidly as a pitcher after a slow start to the college season where he really struggled with command. Though not yet there, his command trending in the right direction leaves me comfortable projecting Cijntje to develop average command in the future, thanks in part to both his premiere athleticism and the track record his organization has with improving pitchers’ strike throwing. From a stuff perspective, Cijntje is incredibly fastball heavy with his arsenal, pumping mid 90’s fastballs late into starts that feature good arm side run and carry through the zone. It’s easily his best pitch and would often overwhelm SEC competition. The secondaries, a changeup and cutter, are both solid pitches in there own right, with the cutter acting more as a tight slider and a changeup that’s shown tumble in the few instances he’s had to throw it. Cijntje does have a “sweepier” mid 80’s slider and used it often earlier in the season, though towards the end of the year he was primarily throwing it in the upper 80’s with more gyro action, hence the “cutter” labeling for now. Whether this is a rework of his slider or a different pitch entirely isn’t totally clear at the moment, however the firmer version got much better results and should be the primary pitch he employs moving forward. Though it sounds as though Cijntje will continue to pitch as a switch-pitcher in some capacity, Cijntje will primarily work as a right hander and only utilizes his left-handed abilities when the opposing batter has extreme splits. His lefty grades are all at least a click lower than his right-handed ones and probably leaves him adjacent to a projected reliever. Still, Cijntje is uniquely positioned to employ his matchup advantage when it best suits him, leaving him as the only player with that advantage in all of baseball. - Max Ellingsen

HT: 6-5 WT: 165 H/T: R/L
Highest Level: High School
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Fastball: 55 - (91-96 mph)
Slider: 60 - (78-83 mph)
Changeup: 50 - (80-84 mph)
Command: 50

Scouting Report

A literal string bean of a human being, Hill was a huge helium name amongst scouts in Texas with an uber-projectable frame and budding stuff from the left side. Hill struck out 155 batters this spring with an uptick in stuff, leading to a significant over-slot deal late on Day 1. There’s a bit of worry about how the body will progress with Hill, but he experienced a growth spurt and began sitting more in the low-90s, reaching back for 96-97 MPH this spring. Hill’s operation can lull opposing hitters to sleep before exploding down the mound with some recoil, though it’s not full of effort and whippy arm speed. The heater has downhill plane from a three-quarters slot and has more running life than vertical carry, though he still missed a bevy of bats with it and threw plenty of strikes. Hill’s slider projects the best out of his arsenal, a future-plus offering with high spin and tons of bite that hitters struggle to pick up. Hill can consistently command the pitch to the back foot of righties from a wide release. Add in a projectable changeup in the low 80s with significant fading life, and there’s a recipe for success moving forward. Adding strength will be key, though he may end up with a frame akin to Triston McKenzie. – Tyler Jennings

HT: 6-0 WT: 245 H/T: S/R
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 45

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 55
Power: 40
Field: 50
Throw: 55
Run: 30

Scouting Report

Bernal is a big, physical catcher who uses his above-average hit tool to make a name for himself. He has an aggressive approach on balls inside the zone and has the bat-to-ball skills to connect while spraying the ball all over the field. The plate discipline is also there, and he does not chase much. A larger-bodied, switch-hitting catcher who is this contact-oriented is not a super common thing, but it makes him an intriguing prospect. The ceiling at the plate is a bit limited due to the lack of game power until now, and even though he is just now approaching 21 years old, you would think he would’ve made strides in that department already. Still, he has a solid floor as a hitter, and a league-average bat at the catcher position would get the job done. Behind the plate, he draws solid reviews, as he should be a good enough receiver to stick there, and he also has an above-average arm that he uses to his benefit. His whole profile relies on him sticking behind the plate, so while he may not be the best defensive backstop, he should be good enough to play there consistently. His size and lack of foot speed will prevent him from bringing value on the bases, but that’s not a value that should be relied upon from a catcher. The combination of approach hit tool, and defense should give Bernal a safer floor as a backup catcher at the minimum. 2025 is a big season for him, and he will get his biggest taste of the upper minors to date, so keep an eye on how he does this upcoming season. - Grant Carver

HT: 6’2” WT: 190 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 45

Risk: High

Fastball: 50 - (91-95 T96 mph)
Slider: 55 - (78-84 mph)
Changeup: 40 - (83-88 mph)
Command: 45

Scouting Report

Kendry Rojas has the potential to be a 4th/5th guy in a rotation to a Low SU arm; to remain an SP, Rojas will have to maintain his velocity and continue to develop the quality of his CH while improving the feel he has for his SL if he cannot do this he still has the potential to be a late-inning RP with his FB and quality SL. Rojas has a medium-sized, lean frame with an athletic build; he has room to add more weight to his long limbs, but he is getting close to being filled out. Rojas has fast, whippy arm action; his delivery is powered mostly by his upper body with an overhand arm slot; he tends to repeat his delivery well but can become somewhat unbalanced at times when he is rattled; other than that, he tends to have good control of his body helping him command his pitch mix well for his age. Rojas’ FB has nice life but is hittable; he can change hitters’ eye levels with the pitch but often attacks hitters by elevating it on them; Rojas is very confident in his FB and has ticked up his velocity on the pitch in recent years, it could be a very quality pitch with the life it already has if his velocity continues to tick up a bit more as his body finishes maturing but for now it’s outlook is probably that of an average FB. His SL has a sweeping movement profile with some nice late, sharp breaks at the plate from its tight spin; the pitch often disrupts hitters; Rojas has a pretty good feel for the pitch but could definitely improve a bit throwing it as he sometimes leaves it up in the zone making it much more hittable when Rojas keeps the pitch low in the zone it produces weak contact/whiffs often. Rojas’ SL is a solid offering, and his out pitch; however, he must find more consistent quality when throwing the pitch to succeed as a SP at the next level. Rojas’ CH can be deceptive when he maintains his arm speed throwing the pitch, but it’s pretty straight for now; it’s crucial for him to command the pitch well as it doesn’t have the greatest life to it as of now. Rojas has the potential to be a 4th/5th guy in a rotation to a Low SU arm; to remain an SP, he will have to maintain his velocity and continue to develop the quality of his CH while improving the feel he has for his SL if he cannot do this he still has the potential to be a late-inning RP with his FB and quality SL, it is likely he’ll end up an RP, but there’s still a chance he could be an SP in the long run depending on how he progresses in the next year or so. - Alex Kempton

HT: 5’11” WT: 194 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 50

Risk: Moderate

Fastball: 55 - (90-94 T95 mph)
Cutter: 55 - (86-90 mph)
Slider: 55 - (81-85 mph)
Changeup: 60 - (79-82 mph)
Command: 55

Scouting Report

The Brewers are a pitching factory of sorts, and Logan Henderson is the latest to come off their conveyor belt. He is a shorter pitcher, listed at 5 '11, with a well-filled-out frame. Henderson stands on the extreme first-base side of the rubber, which helps his stuff play better against left-handed batters. Henderson has some drop and drive to his delivery, which plays well with always being in the stretch. He releases the ball from a lower release point, and that allows his fastball to play well up in the zone. He has two variations of the fastball: a four-seamer with the classic ride up in the zone that is a 60 offering on its own and then a two-seam/sinker variation that is not nearly as good. We have decided to middle the grade for the report. His four-seamer has decent velocity, but because of the release point, it is a tough offering for anyone to lay off up in the zone. He can command the fastball well, and it plays well with his plus changeup. The changeup is a plus offering with good tumble and fade and upwards of 12 MPH off the fastball. The changeup collects whiffs even in the impressive zone, and he and the Brewers are so confident in it that he will use it as his go-to secondary against same-handedness batters. Henderson's other secondary offerings are less refined, with an average cutter that he will use against left-handed batters to get them off the fastball and changeup and a bullet slider that is not really anything special. Henderson, when he is going, has plus command of his arsenal, but it more comfortably plays as above-average from start to start. He can spa the fastball-changeup as a starter in the major leagues, and if that slider takes a step forward, we could be talking about a mid-rotation starter with the Brewers’ track record of optimizing arms. - Rhys White 

HT: 6’3” WT: 200 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: Prep
ETA: 2029

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 55
Power: 60
Field: 50
Throw: 55
Run: 45

Scouting Report

Gavin Fien possesses immense upside with the bat and immediately slots in as one of the best prospects in the Rangers system. Fien is a strong 6’3 with room to add more size, like most other prep prospects. The separator with Fien is the highs of his previous performances, torching competition in the 2024 summer circuit, making lots of high-quality contact without much chase or whiff. Fien has a low effort swing from a high approach angle, allowing him to drive the ball very far in the air when he catches barrel. The swing is slightly high-maintenance, but with his good contact and power metrics, there is no cause for concern mechanically. He has shown the ability to hit the ball at 110+ mph in BP with a wood bat, one of the top marks for prep hitters in this class. His premier bat speed will continue to carry him moving forward, with a fairly safe hit tool making Fien an offensive juggernaut already. Gavin is an average runner right now, without much prowess on the basepaths and not much of an expectation to develop more speed. Fien might get a shot at shortstop early in his minor league career, but his long-term home will likely be at third base with an above-average arm and good range. There is a chance that Fien could end up in right field as well with his good arm, but the expectation remains that he’ll be on the left side of the infield. With all of Fien’s current production and upside, he is one of the more exciting young hitting prospects in baseball.

HT: 6’3” WT: 210 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Fastball: 55 - (92-96 T99 mph)
Curveball: 40 - (75-80 mph)
Slider: 55 - (81-85 mph)
Changeup: 40 - (91-94 mph)
Command: 45

Scouting Report

The Blue Jays have become one of the better pitching organizations in baseball, and Johnny King is one of the better upside gambles in the Blue Jays organization. He releases the ball from a high three-quarters arm slot. King plays around with his pitch mix, introducing a few different pitches throughout the year. The main pitches for him are the fastball (more of a sinker) and a curveball that he can mix and match against both handedness of batters. For King to take the next step, he needs to work on a viable third pitch, and that would do a lot for him. Right now, he is mostly sinker and curveball to right-handed batters, and he just has a sampler platter of pitches he throws at left-handed batters. The sinker generates around 12 inches of horizontal break from a five-and-a-half-foot release height. The curveball tunnels well and gets both good horizontal and vertical movement. The slider and changeup lag behind, but he is working on getting a third pitch; maybe from his slot, it is a splitter. But the fastball and curveball combo are both comfortably above-average pitches at the major league level when he gets there. There is room for projection here. The upside here is that of a mid-rotation starter, with a chance for more if the third pitch takes a step forward, not to mention if the command takes a jump, or the raw stuff takes a jump as he is only a freshly turned nineteen years old. - Rhys White

HT: 6-2 WT: 185 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2026

OFP: 45

Risk: High

Fastball: 55 - (92-94 mph)
Slider: 55 - (80-84 mph)
Changeup: 50 - (83-85 mph)
Command: 55

Scouting Report

Ritchie is coming off Tommy John surgery and is back on the mound. He's an excellent on-mound athlete who repeats his delivery well. He releases the ball from a three-quarters arm slot with a simple setup. He consistently repeats his delivery and projects to have above-average command during his peak years. He has a fastball with good shape and solid velocity. Ritchie's fastball plays up at the top of the zone because of his release point, making it a perfect chase pitch late in the count. It pairs well with his changeup, which he primarily utilizes against left-handed hitters due to its good vertical drop. There are some inconsistencies with the changeup, but for the most part, it has that fading-away action from left-handed hitters. He could stand to utilize it more against right-handed batters. He uses his above-average slider to attack both left and right-handed batters. He loves to spot it on the outer third of the zone to right-handed batters and let its horizontal movement take it out of the zone to elicit swings and misses. Against left-handed batters, he will use it to front-door them to try and get a looking strike because of the slight bit of vertical movement he generates on it. Ritchie shows a better feel for his slider than his fastball at times. Ritchie projects as a back-of-the-rotation arm who can effectively utilize his three pitches to navigate a lineup twice and, if he's rolling, a third time through. He also has a chance to be an excellent back-of-the-bullpen arm, where he can just let the three pitches fly and come in high-leverage situations. - Rhys White 

HT: 6-5 WT: 188 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025

OFP: 55

Risk: Moderate

Fastball: 60 - (94-95 mph)
Slider: 55 - (83-85 mph)
Curveball: 45 - (76-78 mph)
Changeup: 60 - (80-81 mph)
Command: 60

Scouting Report

Mathews may have raised his profile more than any other pitcher in minor league baseball in 2024 as he surged from Single-A to Triple-A, making 26 starts and posting a cumulative 2.76 ERA with 202 total strikeouts in 143 ⅓ innings. Because of that performance, Mathews was the 2024 Prospects Live Minor League Pitcher of the Year. The former Stanford Cardinal has a tall, lean frame, and he attacks hitters from a low ¾ arm slot from a drop-and-drive setup. He’s added some velocity in pro ball and also around 20 pounds of muscle to the frame. He now sits 94-95 with above-average carry, making the fastball a plus pitch. His changeup is a plus, offering tunnels off of the fastball, which he uses in and out of the zone for strikes and whiffs. His slider is also an above-average pitch, albeit with inconsistent shape. He has a starter’s arsenal and made significant command improvements last year while displaying durability and the ability to work deep into games consistently. Mathews checks all the boxes and gets enough whiffs to headline a rotation potentially. He’s in a position to make his debut in 2025 but will start the season in Triple-A. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6’6” WT: 225 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: MLB
ETA: 2025

OFP: 50

Risk: Moderate

Fastball: 55 - (93-98)
Cutter: 55 - (89-92 mph)
Curveball: 45 - (81-84 mph)
Sweeper: 50 - (87-89 mph)
Command: 55

Scouting Report

The Yankees selected Schlittler in the 7th round of the 2022 draft out of Northeastern, and he has climbed all the way to the Bronx in 2025 after beginning the season in Double-A. Schlittler started 2025 strong, giving Double-A hitters a tough time. He’s throwing harder this year, sitting at 96-97, a couple of ticks higher than the previous season. The delivery is better, more in sync, and showing better timing despite its overall length. Schlittler’s 6’6” frame helps his stuff play up, even though the delivery features below-average extension, it still gets on hitters. He throws a cutter/slider hybrid as his primary secondary pitch, almost operating as a tight slider to put hitters away, but it comes in around 90-91. It has excellent late horizontal life like a cutter but will also have some two-plane depth making it blend together with his traditional sweeper at times, which essentially is almost the same pitch but subtracts velocity and adds some vertical drop. His curveball is a 12-to-6 version that he throws hard, and he will use it to put away left-handed hitters while just getting mixed in against right-handers. Schlittler projects as a current backend starter but the ceiling here is that of a mid-rotation arm due to the movement profile and his ability to throw strikes. Schlitter has locked himself into the Yankees rotation barring health and has a promising future. - Matt Thompson

HT: 6-1 WT: 182 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 55

Risk: Extreme

Fastball: 60 - (96-98 mph)
Slider: 55 - (84-86 mph)
Splitter: 55 - (88-90 mph)
Command: 60

Scouting Report

As pitchers and catchers reported news came out that Rosario would require elbow surgery that will keep him out for the entire 2025 season. The team did not fully commit to calling it Tommy John, but said it’s likely that. Rosario has a smooth motion and throws from a standard 3/4 arm slot. It appears he works from the right side of the mound, which adds another layer of uncomfortableness with same-handed hitters. He works primarily with a fastball, curveball, and changeup. His fastball sat in the upper-90’s prior to the injury. It plays well in the upper third, but he liked to move it all around the zone. His mid-80’s slider has plenty of depth to it. There is a short breaking version that he front doors righties with, or he can make it run out of the zone with more of a slurvy shape. His splitter gets good downward action. What helps these pitches play so well was not only the movement they have, but also the way Rosario can attack the different parts of the zone with each of them. Command was the biggest question to Rosario, but he walked less than four percent of batters during the season, while striking out nearly 37 percent of them. This elbow injury complicates things, but he had the look of a mid rotation ceiling, if not higher. If the command gains and three above average or better pitches hold following elbow surgery, then he should have no problem reaching that ceiling. - Trevor Hooth

HT: 6-6 WT: 205 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: Single-A
ETA: 2027

OFP: 45

Risk: High

Fastball: 55 - (93-96 mph)
Slider: 55 - (83-86 mph)
Splitter: 50 - (86-88 mph)
Command: 40

Scouting Report

The Nationals acquired Alex Clemmey in the trade that sent Lane Thomas to the Cleveland Guardians. Alex Clemmey is a long and lean pitching prospect who comes at you with a lot of arms and legs, with long limbs. These long limbs affect his command, as he currently struggles to get everything synced up. Fortunately, the Nationals have recently shown that they can work on getting taller pitchers that are more in sync with their delivery. Clemmey releases the ball from a three-quarters arm slot and has an unconventional setup pre-pitch. He angles his right foot at an extreme 45-degree angle, which allows him to hide the ball for a touch longer and enables his arsenal to play up, especially against right-handed batters. His fastball is a solid mid-90s offering that has topped out at 98, with good life. He does get erratic with it, causing issues in the form of long innings and inefficient pitch counts. This lack of fastball command does drag down his profile because he features a good mid-80s slider with some drop and horizontal movement. He also mixes in a good changeup, which shows good tumble and fade despite his lack of command. He is not afraid to use either of these two secondary pitches against any batter late in counts. The problem is that he doesn’t have a lot of efficient innings under his belt. This lack of command makes a bullpen future for him much likelier than a role as a starter unless the Nationals can get everything moving in the right direction. - Rhys White 

HT: 6’0” WT: 190 H/T: L/R
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2028

OFP: 50

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 60
Field: 45
Throw: 50
Run: 45

Scouting Report

The Brewers' player development setup runs like a machine at this point. The Brewers drafted Adamczewski in the fifteenth round of the 2023 draft, and he has quickly become one of the organization's better prospects. He has a simple setup at the plate, with no wasted movement; it’s a slight toe-tap, and he gets the bat on the ball. He has special contact skills, which, when paired with plus swing decisions, gives him a high floor as a hitter. He rarely chases pitches out of the zone, and he pairs that with well-below-average whiff rates. He does swing a decent amount, but he just makes so much contact that there is nothing to worry about in that department. He has average raw power in the tank, but that plays down in his game power because of his decision to have a more linear bat path. There is a pull-heavy approach here, and with a tweak to his bat path, you could see where the average raw game power might come into play. He does need to hit for more power to avoid being a contact-first second baseman, as he is not a great defender nor overly athletic that you could see him moving over to a different position. He is not much of a baserunner and projects out to be a below-average runner at maturity. At second, he is fine; he makes all the requisite plays you want at the keystone. The best way to describe Adamczewski is "hitterish." - Rhys White