Welcome back to Diamond Diplomas, a weekly rundown of all the players knocking on the door to the major leagues. Whether you compete in the deepest of dynasty leagues, or simply want to win the office redraft title, Prospects Live has you covered. For an overview of the tier system used to prioritize players in this series, take a look at the first article in the series here:

Diamond Diplomas 5/6/25
Lucas Morel (@theprospectprof) delivers a rundown of all the players getting their caps and gowns ready for graduation to the major leagues. Class is in session, time to find out who you need to add to your roster or watch list this week.
Prospects LiveLucas Morel

Before the main course, we begin with an appetizer: Take a look at this past week’s “Report Card” (all statistics courtesy of TJStats, Fangraphs and Milb.com, and updated as of the conclusion of play on May 25):

Report Card:

Called Up:

  • Marcelo Mayer, SS (BOS): In the wake of Alex Bregman’s quad injury, the second member of Boston’s ‘Big Three’ prospects got a much-anticipated promotion. Despite struggling in his debut game (0-4 with three strikeouts), Mayer recorded his first major league hit in Sunday’s matinee against Baltimore. With regular playing time expected for him across multiple infield roles, he ought to be rostered in all formats.
  • Robert Hassell III, OF (WAS): The Nationals turned to ‘Bobby Barrels’ this week to fill in for the injured Dylan Crews. The former Padres first-rounder, who came over as part of the Juan Soto trade in 2022, tallied just two hits in his first four games with the big league club. With both Crews and Jacob Young out for now, Hassell should get plenty of at-bats for the next few weeks, but he is more of a ‘wait and see’ type for redraft.
  • Daylen Lile, OF (WAS): Joining Hassell in Washington this week, Lile will also have the chance to prove himself given the Nationals’ current health crisis. Two singles in two games is underwhelming, but he brings a solid on-base percentage and some speed to the table for fantasy managers in deeper dynasty leagues. He also flashed some leather to close out the win on Saturday.
  • Caden Dana, P (LAA): Dana had a disappointing promotion experience from a fantasy perspective. Not only did he appear in long relief instead of starting, but he also gave up three runs and walked four batters. His subsequent demotion back to Triple-A makes sense and provides an opportunity for him to get his groove back as a starter, but the Angels’ decision to utilize Dana out of the bullpen might hint at their long-term plan for him.
  • Forrest Whitley, P (HOU): Once a vaunted potential ace, Whitley has refashioned himself as a versatile relief option after a series of injury-hampered seasons. A knee ailment put him on the injured list twice this season already, but the 6’ 7” right-hander has finally worked his way back to health and a spot in the Astros bullpen. His first appearance went poorly (three earned runs, four walks), and he holds significantly less fantasy relevance as a reliever, but still keep an eye on him in case he carves out a high-leverage role.

Locked In:

  • Jac Caglianone, 1B/OF (KC): “Lumber” Jac had yet another explosive week, to no one’s surprise. In his first week with Triple-A Omaha, Caglianone homered in four consecutive games, including a double-dinger day on Sunday, taking his season total to 14. Though he could benefit from continued refinement to his approach and swing decisions, the former Florida Gator will be hitting balls into the fountains at Kauffman Stadium in a matter of weeks if not days.
  • Kyle Teel, C (CWS): Teel reminded everyone of his potential at the plate this past week, hitting .500 with three home runs. Playing time at the big league level is the only thing keeping him in Charlotte for now. 
  • Justin Crawford, OF (PHI): Crawford did everything but hit the ball over the fence this week, notching ten hits and stealing two bases. He is a true table-setter offensively and will look to swipe 30+ bags annually once he makes it to The Show, albeit with negligible pop.
  • Cam Devanney, SS (KC): Amazingly, Caglianone was not the only Omaha Storm Chaser to go yard in four straight games this week. Like his teammate, the 28-year-old Devanney also did so in consecutive games, raising his OPS this season to a sterling (and visually satisfying) mark of 1.000. Though blocked by none other than Bobby Witt Jr. at the major league level, Devanney has seen some reps at both second and third base this season and could be in line for a promotion soon.
  • Chase Burns, P (CIN): The pitching ‘Luigi’ to Caglianone’s ‘Mario,’ Burns is making minor league hitters look like Little Leaguers on a weekly basis. He punched out ten (!) batters over five innings of work on Sunday, conceding just one run. He looks ready for his next challenge with Triple-A Louisville or even the Reds.
  • Nolan McLean, P (NYM): Bouncing back from a tough start last week in which he allowed two home runs and walked six, McLean looked as lethal as ever this past week. He struck out six Rochester batters in six innings, only allowing two unearned runs. Prospect growth is rarely linear, but McLean sure does give that impression.
  • Luis Morales, P (ATH): Morales looked flat-out brilliant in his Triple-A debut this week following a promotion on May 20. He threw six innings of no-hit baseball, walking just one and striking out seven. Continued excellence from the 22-year-old could see him join the big league rotation in short order. Keep reading for a more in-depth look at Morales later on.

Dropped Off:

  • Dylan Beavers, OF (BAL): Despite hitting .303 thus far this season and making a compelling case for a call-up, Beavers will have to wait a while longer to reach Camden. During pregame warmups this week, he collided with the outfield wall, suffering a shoulder injury severe enough to warrant a stay on the injured list. Expect him to be back in promotion contention when he is fully healthy.
  • Payton Eeles, 2B (MIN): Eeles soared through the minor leagues last season, going from Single-A to Triple-A by mashing twelve home runs and swiping 41 bags. A knee injury kept him sidelined to start 2025, and while he has looked decent in his handful of rehab appearances, they have all come with Single-A Fort Myers. Eeles will be back on the Diamond Diplomas list once closer to the majors; his return to form might take longer than anticipated.
  • Hagen Smith, P (CWS): With the news this week that Smith had experienced some recent elbow soreness, his major league debut will likely not come in 2025. Even though the team confirmed his imaging came back clean, and Smith’s upside is as enticing as ever; the White Sox will slow-play last year’s fifth-overall pick as he acclimates to a big league starter’s workload.
  • Connor Noland, P (CHC): Noland started strong, with a 1.69 ERA after his first three starts of the season, but has since fallen off the pace. His latest outing only lasted two and 2/3 innings, and he gave up three home runs. SP5-potential remains, but he needs some time to right the ship.