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.
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:
The school year may be winding down, but the baseball season is in full swing: Take a look at this past week’s “Report Card” (all statistics courtesy of TJStats, Fangraphs and MiLB.com, updated as of the conclusion of play on June 1):
Report Card:
Called Up:
Jac Caglianone, 1B/OF (KC): After demolishing 15 home runs in 50 games with minor league affiliates, Caglianone will make his MLB debut for Kansas City this week. This is the most exciting prospect call-up since Paul Skenes last summer, and Caglianone should be rostered everywhere.
Cole Young, 2B/SS (SEA): Though he has only gone one-for-seven in his first couple of big league games, Young delivered a walk-off RBI groundout in extra innings on Saturday to cap off his debut with the Mariners. Last week’s “One to Watch” in this article series, Young should get a decently long leash to settle in with Seattle.
Shay Whitcomb, SS/3B (HOU): Whitcomb struck out in his first major league at-bat of 2025 on Saturday and did not get a chance to step to the plate on Sunday. He seems set for a bench or rotational role, which hurts his potential for redraft relevance.
Mick Abel, P (PHI): After conceding just one run (unearned) across four and ⅔ innings with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Abel will reportedly rejoin the Phillies in the next few days to make his second big league start. He dazzled in his debut against the Pirates in mid-May and should be in streaming consideration this week, even if this ends up being just a spot start.
Locked In:
Harry Ford, C (SEA): Still just 22 years old, Ford has leveled up at the dish in 2025. His .325 average and .921 OPS are outstanding, and the two round-trippers he hit this week point to some burgeoning power in his profile; after tallying just seven home runs last year, he already has six under his belt in 2025. Cal Raleigh’s incredible performance this season is the only thing keeping Ford in Triple-A. Still, the Mariners may decide to promote him anyway and use the pair similarly to how the Dodgers handle Will Smith and Dalton Rushing.
Ryan Ritter, SS (COL): The hottest hitter in the minor leagues, Ritter followed up one four-home-run week with another, bringing his season total up to 16. More on him later, but expect to see Ritter’s name on a Rockies uniform before too long.
Jonathan Long, 1B (CHC): Perhaps the most underrated prospect in the Cubs organization, Long went yard three times this week, and his 2025 slash line now sits at an amazing .344/.419/.561. Should the big league club need a bat soon, he just might beat out Moises Ballesteros.
Ryan Ward, OF (LAD): Ward put up a monstrous line on Thursday, crushing three home runs and driving in six. He would add another homer on Friday, and his season OPS is now a robust .995.
Bubba Chandler, P (PIT): The Pirates top prospect threw five shutout innings this past week, striking out eight and walking just one batter. Pittsburgh’s front office seems to be in no hurry to call up Chandler, with the team firmly in a rebuilding phase, but he looks as ready as ever.
Michael McGreevy, P (STL): McGreevy brought his season ERA in the minors down to a solid 3.02 this week with a six-inning start in which he allowed one run and struck out nine. He remains the next man up for when St. Louis requires reinforcements on the mound.
Dropped Off:
Dominic Fletcher, OF (CWS): A hot April (.929 OPS) has given way to a much chillier May (.703 OPS) for the former Arkansas outfielder. Corey Julks has been outperforming him of late for Triple-A Charlotte, so it looks like Fletcher is still a ways away from rejoining the White Sox.
Caden Dana, P (LAA): 2025 has not been kind to Dana. He was hit hard in both of his major league appearances for the Angels so far, and he wore one for Triple-A Salt Lake this week, conceding six earned runs via eight hits and five walks. It is not quite a lost year for Dana yet, but he looks far from big league ready.
Carlos Rodriguez, P (MIL): Forearm discomfort is often a sign of a more ominous arm-related injury, so the Brewers placing Rodriguez on the IL after getting imaging done does not bode well. Hopefully, it is just a minor issue that rest alone can resolve, but he did not look his usual best on Thursday before getting pulled after two and 1/3 innings. He falls off the Diamond Diplomas list for now.
Moving right along, here are this week’s Diamond Diplomas hitters:
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As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
A Giants fan living in San Diego, been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and dynasty since 2021. Started the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast in June 2023 and joined Prospects Live in March of 2024.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
