Brett Squires Stats & Scouting Report

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Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 40/Very High

Track Record: Brown broke into the Oklahoma State starting lineup as a freshman, impressing the coaching staff enough to earn a full-time role entering 2022. After a strong .323/.388/.436 season as a sophomore, he slumped to .273/.360/.469 as a junior. The Nationals selected Brown in the fifth round.

Scouting Report: Brown’s calling card has been his defense at shortstop which has earned plus grades as an amateur. At the plate Brown’s game is predicated on his ability to make contact consistently and put the ball in play. Brown has a below-average approach but rarely misses when he swings at strikes. His power is below-average but he’s shown fringe-average exit velocities hinting at some more power to come. Brown is an average runner, but isn’t terribly limited by range in the field where his glove projects as plus. Brown has an above-average throwing arm that plays on the left side of the infield.

The Future: Brown is a future utility infielder with below-average offensive projection.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Field: 60 | Arm: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 40/Very High

Track Record: The Nationals selected Alvarez in the 12th round of the 2021 draft after the lefty had a breakout campaign as the member of Cal Poly’s weekend rotation. In his first full season in 2022, Alvarez struggled across both Low-A and High-A, pitching to a 5.00 ERA. However, his 2023 season was reminiscent of his senior season. He led the Nationals’ system with a 2.99 ERA and 129.1 innings while finishing second with 116 strikeouts. It was the first time since 2019 that a qualifying Nationals pitcher recorded a sub-3.00 ERA in a full-season minor league.

Scouting Report: Alvarez uses a funky lefthanded motion to deliver his 91 mph four-seam fastball. The pitch has below-average velocity but some slight cutting action to evade barrels. His two-seamer has some late sink and some armside life. Alvarez has a polished look and good feel for his arsenal, which includes an average curveball and a changeup that could develop into an average pitch. However, he is very much a “what you see is what you get” pitcher who does not project to develop more athleticism.

The Future: Alvarez was not added to the Nationals’ 40-man roster and went unselected in the Rule 5 draft. The lack of velocity is the biggest question mark in his game. If he can add some strength and velo, the Nationals could have a depth lefthander capable of long relief or spot starts.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 45 | Curveball: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: White was one of the youngest players in the 2021 draft when the Nationals selected him in the fifth round. He impressed in the Florida Complex League that year and hit 11 homers in 92 games in 2022 as an 18-year-old with Low-A Fredericksburg. With plenty of outfield depth ahead of White, the Nationals moved him to first base in 2023 with the hope he could move quickly. Instead, he took a major step backward. White hit .170/.227/.279 and stuck out more than 36% of the time with High-A Wilmington. He was placed on the development list and missed the last three weeks of the season.

Scouting Report: At his best, White is a powerful switch-hitter. Evaluators rarely saw him at his best in 2023. White still showed a decent ability to parse through balls and strikes, but he posted a miss rate of nearly 40%. He was frequently beaten by premium velocity in the zone, and opposing scouts noticed that his swing had gotten longer. White was a solid runner as an amateur but added weight to his lower half and could continue to slow down as he fills out. He will need to continue to develop at first base.

The Future: White’s contact woes were alarming, especially considering his profile. He’ll need to put the ball in play more to work toward his ceiling as a slugging first baseman.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Baker grew up around baseball as the son of future Hall of Fame manager Dusty Baker. The Nationals drafted Darren out of high school in the 27th round in 2017 while his father Dusty was their manager, but he opted to attend college. Washington again selected Baker in the 10th round of the 2021 draft out of California. Baker has been a solid producer in pro ball and reached Triple-A Rochester in 2023, hitting .273/.338/.340 with 19 steals in 99 games.

Scouting Report: Baker sprays the ball all over the field and has strong contact ability thanks to great barrel accuracy. He’s tough to beat in the strike zone, whiffing on pitches in the zone roughly 10% of the time in 2023. The tradeoff is that Baker is very dependent on those balls in play dropping for hits. He rarely makes very strong contact and doesn’t project for much more power, hitting just six homers over three minor league seasons. Baker is an above-average runner. He primarily plays second base, where his below-average arm fits best, but he did play left field for the first time as a professional in 2023.

The Future: Baker is on the cusp of the big leagues, but he’s likely limited to a reserve role given his general lack of power.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 55 | Field: 45 | Arm: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Cruz set a Nationals international bonus record when he signed for $3.9 million in January 2021. The glove-first shortstop showed promise during his first full season in 2022 in the Florida Complex League and briefly reached Low-A Fredericksburg at the end of the season. He returned to Low-A to start 2023, hoping to take another step forward at the plate. But Cruz hit .190/.266/.251 in 90 games.

Scouting Report: Cruz’s glovework was renowned as a 16-year-old prospect in the Dominican Republic, to the point where clips of him taking infield during showcases were well-trafficked on social media even before he signed. Defense remains Cruz’s calling card as a professional. He has a plus throwing arm and Gold Glove-caliber potential. The Nationals knew Cruz’s hitting would need to improve--and that it may take time--but so far it’s been a slow burn. He has quick hands at the plate and natural bat-to-ball skills, but his lack of strength leads to minimal impact and he also needs to dial in his approach.

The Future: Cruz still has the potential to be one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball, but his offensive game remains very raw.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 30 | Run: 55 | Field: 65 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: De La Rosa signed with the Nationals for $300,000 when the 2018 international signing period opened. He impressed the organization initially but struggled during his first full-season campaign in 2021. De La Rosa broke out in 2022, hitting .280/.358/.436 in 101 games while reaching High-A Wilmington before a hamate bone injury ended his season. He never quite found his footing 2023, striking out 129 times in 93 games with Wilmington, and an August injury again ended his season early. After the season, the Nationals removed De La Rosa from the 40-man roster.

Scouting Report: De La Rosa impressed the Nationals in 2022 with his work ethic and resilience after a slow start to his career. He added 15 pounds of muscle entering 2023, but the added strength took a toll on his athleticism. His power output took a noticeable dip and he managed just 25 extra-base hits. He struck out more in 2023 and whiffed nearly 39% of the time, showing an inconsistent approach and feel to hit. De La Rosa’s average exit velocity and 90th percentile EV were on par with some of the better power hitters in the system, but he needs to get to it more frequently. De La Rosa was once an above-average runner, but the additional mass seemed to impact his speed and range defensively as well.

The Future: The Nationals hope De La Rosa can return to form after a frustrating season. The organization has added outfield depth ahead of him, but De La Rosa has the upside of a fourth outfielder if he can make better contact.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: The Cubs signed Made out of the Dominican Republic for $1.5 million in 2019 and he debuted at 18 years old two years later with Low-A Myrtle Beach. He has yet to play his way to the upper levels of the minors. Made hit .241/.328/.355 in 70 games with High-A South Bend before Chicago dealt him to the Nationals in the Jeimer Candelario trade at the 2023 deadline. Made hit just .137 in 22 games with High-A Wilmington.

Scouting Report: Made showed signs of more power and patience in 2022, but it didn’t translate as frequently a year later in a difficult Midwest League hitting environment. He isn’t especially toolsy, but the ingredients are there for a solid hitter. Made’s sound swing and barrel control allow him to make a considerable amount of contact on pitches in the zone. He has yet to tap into much power, especially when he gets overaggressive and expands the zone. Made’s defense is ahead of his bat. He’s a nearly double-plus defender at shortstop with a strong throwing arm. The Nationals believe he’ll stick there, especially as his actions improve with more repetitions.

The Future: Made’s defensive skills provide a solid foundation, but the clock is ticking on his bat to make up ground.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Field: 65 | Arm: 70
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: A physical 6-foot-3 hitter, Feliz joined Dominican outfielder Victor Hurtado as the two key prospects the Nationals added at the start of the 2024 international signing period.

Scouting Report: Feliz has a llarge frame with considerable strength projection for big righthanded power. Scouts highest on Feliz were drawn to him for his offensive approach and ability to hit in games, though he is an aggressive hitter with some length to his swing. Feliz has grown to the point where his days at shortstop are likely limited, with a move to third base probably coming soon.

The Future: After getting acclimated at the team’s academy in the Dominican Republic this spring, Feliz should make his official debut in the Dominican Summer League.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Henry has struggled to stay healthy since the Nationals selected him out of Louisiana State in the second round of the 2020 draft. He missed three months with elbow soreness in 2021 and had season-ending thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in August 2022. Henry returned to the mound in May 2023 but was limited to just 33.1 innings in 14 outings and has thrown just 112 innings in his career.

Scouting Report: Henry has a three-pitch mix, but the whole may end up being greater than the sum of the parts. Henry primarily relies on a mid-90s two-seam fastball that doesn’t miss a ton of bats but is effective in manufacturing outs. He backs the fastball with a pair of offspeed pitches that could each be above-average. His slicing slider the better of the two and could play even better as he gets further from surgery. Henry rounds out the mix with a changeup that looked to be roughly above-average but got more consistent as the year progressed. He also throws a below-average cutter and has roughly average control.

The Future: Simply returning to the mound from TOS was a massive step in Henry’s development. He could soon be knocking on the door of the big leagues, though his injury history and competitive mindset may ultimately land him in a multi-inning relief role.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Cutter: 40 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: The Athletics drafted Millas in the seventh round of the 2019 draft, but a UCL injury in his throwing elbow and a blood-clotting issue, plus the coronavirus shutdown, delayed his pro debut to 2021. The Nationals acquired Millas that season in a deal that sent Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison to Oakland. He made a strong impression in the 2022 Arizona Fall League and then hit .291 in 83 games in the upper levels in 2023, earning a big league callup at the end of the year.

Scouting Report: Millas’ offensive game took a step forward in 2023. He showed strong bat-to-ball skills, feel for the barrel and strike-zone awareness. Millas rarely missed on pitches in the strike zone, posting one of the better in-zone whiff rates of any Nationals minor leaguer in 2023. He also walked nearly as often as he struck out in the upper minors. His offense is limited by below-average power and he’s never hit more than seven homers in a season. He’s a good athlete--Millas clocked an 80th percentile sprint speed in his brief MLB debut--and threw out 28% of basestealers in the upper minors. Millas has average defensive skills but can make mistakes when he gets too overeager, and he also needs to work on his pitch framing.

The Future: Millas profiles as a solid backup catcher option and could be in line for a big league role out of spring training, depending on the health of Riley Adams and Israel Pineda.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Very High

Track Record: As a rising junior, Brzykcy was named the Cape Cod League reliever of the year. He tried to use that momentum throughout his senior season at Virginia Tech, but he struggled in seven appearances before the pandemic shutdown in 2020. He signed with the Nationals as a nondrafted free agent for $20,000. Brzykcy broke out in 2022, jumping three levels and ending the year in Triple-A. He pitched to a 8-2 record with 14 saves, owning just a 1.76 ERA in 51 appearances out of the bullpen. The righthander was well on his way to earning a spot in the 2023 Nationals’ bullpen before having Tommy John surgery in April. He missed the entire season.

Scouting Report: Brzykcy’s go-to pitch is an explosive fastball with excellent carry. The pitch sits 95-98 mph and is effective at getting hitters out. Prior to the injury, the righthander released the ball at a higher angle, which allowed him to attack the top of the zone. Rounding out his arsenal is an above-average curveball and a split-changeup that has some sink to it. Brzykcy isn’t afraid to use his secondary pitches and has the makeup of a big league reliever.

The Future: Brzykcy is expected to return during the 2024 campaign. The Nationals view him as a key member of their future bullpen and shielded him from Rule 5 eligibility by adding him to the 40-man roster in November. As long as he can return to form after his injury, expect to see him in Washington soon.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Pinckney enjoyed a career year for Alabama in 2023, hitting .338/.442/.645 with 18 homers in the Southeastern Conference despite a 32% miss rate. The Nationals signed him to a below-slot $500,000 bonus in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. He split time between both Class A affiliates and ended the season with a brief cameo for Double-A Harrisburg, hitting .321/.415/.457 in 41 games overall.

Scouting Report: Pinckney’s above-average bat speed translates to hard-hit balls--that is, when he makes contact. He has faced swing-and-miss concerns against all pitches, especially breaking balls, dating back to his amateur days. His chase, in-zone whiff and overall miss rates were far more manageable in his limited pro debut, but it’s something that will need consistent maintenance. Pinckney will also need to improve his pitch recognition, especially against upper-level pitchers. He showed overall improvements each year offensively at Alabama. Pinckney is a good runner and likes to steal bases. He stole 11 bases on 14 attempts during his pro debut. He has an above-average arm that should play at any spot in the outfield. He played all three positions upon turning pro but mostly settled into right field.

The Future: The Nationals have a ton of organizational outfield depth, but Pinckney could move relatively quickly after already reaching the upper minors to end 2023.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium

Track Record: During an excellent career at Collins Hill High in suburban Atlanta, Nunez was considered the best high school defender in his class. The Marlins drafted him 46th overall in 2019 and signed him for an over-slot $2.2 million. He has gradually progressed through the professional ranks and in 2023 had a quality first full season at Double-A Pensacola. The athletic Nunez slashed .225/.341/.286 and set a new career high with five home runs while also swiping 52 bases. He also represented the Marlins in the Futures Game and won its MVP award. The Marlins left him off their 40-man roster and the Nationals swooped in to select him in the 2023 Rule 5 draft.

Scouting Report: Nunez is small in stature at 5-foot-9 but has plus bat-to-ball skills and an outstanding feel for the strike zone. The switch-hitter has a simple setup with low, loose hands and a compact, direct swing. Nunez has looser, whippier hands from the left side, which is also where he produces most of his power. He is a hit-over-power profile with strong feel for the barrel and all-fields approach. Nunez has strong on-base skills with a career .359 OBP in the Marlins’ pitcher-friendly home parks. He walked nearly 15% of the time at Double-A in 2023 and is a tough at-bat for opposing pitchers. Nunez’s calling card is his outstanding defense. He is a double-plus defender at shortstop with a nearly double-plus arm. He is comfortable throwing from any arm slot and does an excellent job coming in on the baseball and moving laterally. He is a double-plus runner who has been successful on 84% of his stolen base attempts.

The Future: Nunez will hit for little power, but his defense, speed and overall approach will allow him to impact the game. He will serve as a utility infielder if he makes the team as a Rule 5 pick.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 70 | Field: 70 | Arm: 70
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: A Cubs eighth-round pick in 2019, Herz quickly impressed in his first full season coming out of the lost 2020. He led all Cubs minor leaguers in with 272 strikeouts during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The issue? He also led all Cubs farmhands with 114 walks over that same time frame. Herz struggled in Double-A to start 2023, and the Cubs traded him to the Nationals for third baseman Jeimer Candelario at the trade deadline. Herz pitched well in eight games for the Nationals’ Double-A Harrisburg affiliate and earned an all-star nod in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Herz’s fastball is deceptive, which helped him rack up a third straight season of more than 130 strikeouts. Hitters note that Herz’s fastball jumps on them much quicker than perceived despite its 91-94 mph velocity. However, his bread-and-butter is his changeup. The nearly double-plus pitch sits 80-84 mph and is easily the best in the Nationals’ system. Herz rounds out his repertoire with an average, tight, vertical curveball in the upper 70s. Herz struggles with control, owning a walk rate near 14%--when league average is closer to 9.5%.

The Future: The Nationals were enthused by Herz’s performance in the AFL. Because of the lack of lefthanded starting pitching depth, the Nationals want to develop Herz as a starter. If his control does not dramatically improve, a move to the bullpen is likely. He could be a candidate to help Washington as a reliever sooner rather than later.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 65 | Control: 35
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Sykora ranked as the No. 36 player in the 2023 draft class and owned the hardest-thrown fastball in the class by a high school pitcher. The Nationals managed to land Sykora No. 71 overall and signed him to a $2.6 million bonus, more than double the slot value at that pick, to pry him from a Texas commitment. He did not make his professional debut in 2023.

Scouting Report: At 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Sykora is an athletic mover on the mound. His electric fastball sits in the upper 90s and has touched triple digits. His fastball, just based on velocity alone, seems to overwhelm hitters, though it is not always consistent. Sykora’s secondaries both need significant development, but his mid-80s slider and mid-80s split-changeup have both flashed average or better at points. His slider doesn’t have elite spin or movement, but the sheer velocity allows the pitch to generate swings and misses. The Nationals--under their old player development staff--said the righty will likely scrap his split-changeup and move toward a more traditional changeup. Sykora’s biggest challenge will be working on control and learning to be more precise with his power.

The Future: Sykora, who turns 20 in late April, is ready for his pro debut. He has a long road of development ahead, but also a rather high ceiling. He will likely begin the season at the Florida Complex League and could earn a promotion to Low-A in relatively short order.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Bennett’s development path is eerily similar to fellow Nationals pitching prospect Cade Cavalli. Both are Tulsa natives who went on to pitch for Oklahoma. Bennett again followed Cavalli into the Nationals farm system when the organization selected him in the second round of the 2022 draft. Bennett had a successful pro debut in 2023, owning a 3.14 ERA across the Nationals’ two Class A affiliates. Unfortunately for the Nationals, the similarities between the two Oklahoma pitchers continued when Bennett was shut down in August and had Tommy John surgery in mid September.

Scouting Report: Bennett primarily attacks hitters with his fastball, which he threw more than 60% of the time in 2023. He relies on a low-90s two-seamer that has nearly 14 inches of horizontal break and projects as an above-average pitch. He became more comfortable deploying and commanding his secondaries throughout the season. Bennett’s go-to secondary is a plus changeup that he consistently throws for strikes and is effective against both righties and lefties. He rounds out his arsenal with an average slider that lacks consistency. Bennett’s command improved throughout the 2023 season, though he has a slight head whack in his delivery that he needs to iron out. Despite his considerable frame, Bennett struggled to hold his velocity deeper into outings.

The Future: The southpaw is sidelined for the entirety of the 2024 campaign. Bennett projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter, barring any setbacks with his recovery.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Nationals made Hurtado their top signing of their 2024 international class when the signing period opened on January 15, banking on his high-end strength projection and offensive upside for a $2.7 million bonus.

Scouting Report: Hurtado immediately draws attention for his long, lean 6-foot-3 frame. Scouts highest on Hurtado have praised both his hitting ability and power. He has a long wingspan with a sound, easy swing for his size, generating loft with good extension and leverage to drive the ball well from left-center field over to his pull side. He flashes over-the-fence power now and should grow into plus raw power with a chance for more given the way he’s trending physically. Hurtado is athletic for his size and should slot into a corner outfield spot.

The Future: Hurtado immediately becomes one of the highest upside prospects in the lower levels of the Nationals’ system. He will make his pro debut in 2024, most likely in the Dominican Summer League.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Field: 40 | Arm: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Lile signed an over-slot $1.75 million bonus in the second round of the 2021 draft. His pro debut at the Florida Complex League left much to be desired and he missed the 2022 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Lile redeemed himself in 2023, slashing .291/.381/.510 at Low-A Fredericksburg to earn a promotion to High-A Wilmington in mid July. He continued to impress in his first healthy season.

Scouting Report: Known as a pure hitter in high school, Lile lived up to that billing in 2023. He has a clean, simple swing and an innate ability to adjust pitch-to-pitch during an at-bat. Lile’s adjustability allows him to get to pitches in all four quadrants of the strike zone. The question is whether he’ll make enough impact when he connects. He posted a below-average .123 isolated slugging percentage in 40 games at High-A, and opposing scouts wonder if he’ll ever develop more than below-average game power. He’s a plus runner who split time between center and left field in Wilmington, but his defensive skills and arm may be best suited for left field, which would put even more pressure on his power to develop.

The Future: Lile played in 106 games in 2023, and the Nationals hope increased durability continues in 2024. He could elevate his stock quickly if he starts to tap into more power.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Washington drafted Green fifth overall in 2022, signing one of the most dynamic prospects scouts had seen in years for the slot value of $6.5 million. He put up a .939 OPS in the Florida Complex League during his pro debut but also struck out 40% of the time. Green regressed in nearly every offensive category in 2023 at Low-A Fredericksburg, but few players make such authoritative contact when they do connect. The Nationals don’t view Green’s 2023 as a step backward, but they acknowledge that in order for him to reach his potential, he needs to make better swing decisions and put more balls in play.

Scouting Report: Green’s athleticism speaks loudly, and he has plus-plus raw power and has shown the ability to hit to all fields. Swing-and-miss is the major concern with his game after he struck out nearly 42% of the time in 2023 and whiffed at nearly 38% of pitches in the zone. Green is aggressive at the plate, so when he makes contact, it is loud. He hit a ball as hard as 117 mph, while his 90th percentile exit velocity of 110 mph was one of the very best in the minors. Green’s swing does not look natural yet, but the Nationals are working on smoothing out his bat path. He has flashed elite speed and could stick in center field. His strong arm would play in right field if he gets pushed out of center by superior defenders.

The Future: Green is a physical player with loud tools but is still very raw at the plate. He hits the ball harder than anyone, but he needs to do it more frequently. If he is successful in fine-tuning his swing in the seasons ahead, he has impact potential. Green’s development may be the toughest challenge facing Nationals player development.

Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Despite being eligible to be signed as an international free agent in 2021, Susana waited a year and signed with the Padres on Jan. 15, 2022. After just eight appearances in the Arizona Complex League, the hulking power pitcher was a key piece in San Diego’s trade for Juan Soto. The Padres sent Susana and four other young players to the Nationals to acquire Soto at the 2022 trade deadline. Washington promoted Susana to Low-A Fredericksburg after acquiring him, and he touched 103 mph that August. Susana spent the entire 2023 season with Fredericksburg, where he pitched to a 5.14 ERA over 17 starts. While he impressed from a power standpoint, Susana still needs to work to find consistency.

Scouting Report: Susana is a flame-throwing righthander, with lots of power coming from his 6-foot-6 235-pound frame. His fastball sits 98-99 mph and has touched 103 more than once. The pitch generates strikes, but more control would go a long way in making this a no-doubt strikeout pitch. Also in Susana’s arsenal is a high-80s power slider that projects to be nearly as effective as his fastball. He also throws a changeup that sits 89-91 mph, which is up nearly 2 mph since last season. Susana’s changeup has touched 96 mph, however the pitch lacks the control it needs as velocity is added. He is working on improving his curveball, but that is the weakest of his pitches. While Susana is still working as a starter, a move to the bullpen is likely.

The Future: Susana has proven that he has rare power behind his pitches. However, he will need to dial in on his command to have any hope to start. He has multiple plus pitches in his arsenal and could develop into a first-division closer.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium

Track Record: Parker signed with the Nationals as a fifth-round pick in 2020. He broke out in 2022, posting a 2.88 ERA and a near 27% strikeout rate at High-A Wilmington. Parker did not create the same amount of buzz in his first taste of the upper minors in 2023. He spent most of the season with Double-A Harrisburg, where he pitched to a 4.20 ERA. He joined the Triple-A Rochester for three starts at the end of the year and gave up 12 runs in 10.1 innings.

Scouting Report: Parker has intriguing fastball characteristics. The lefthander throws a 92-93 mph four-seam fastball from a high slot that has roughly 20 inches of induced vertical break and cutting action. He pairs it with two distinct breaking balls. His downer low-80s curveball is his best secondary and was a major focus last offseason. He also throws a tight low-80s slider that batters missed roughly a third of the time. Parker has searched for a consistent feel on both a changeup and slider. He misses a lot of bats but also needs to tighten his control after he walked 11% of batters in Double-A.

The Future: The organization still believes Parker has the upside of a No. 5 starter. However, if he is unable to rein in his walk rate, a move to the bullpen is likely.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Splitter: 50 | Control: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium

Track Record: The Nationals felt Lipscomb flashed enough in his senior season at Tennessee to warrant a full-slot $758,900 bonus in the third round of the 2022 draft. He made a good first impression in 23 games with Low-A in 2022. He opened the 2023 season with High-A Wilmington and hit .251/.311/.387 in 49 games before being promoted to Double-A, where he hit .284/.310/.438 line in 80 games.

Scouting Report: Lipscomb is a versatile infielder who has shown some feel to hit, though it’s unclear exactly where he ultimately ends up defensively. He has a relaxed setup in the box, stands at the plate with good posture and swings with conviction. His longer, flatter bat path leaves the barrel in the zone a touch longer than average. He showed good adjustability in 2023 upon arriving in the upper minors. There’s work to be done with his approach. Lipscomb is an aggressive hitter who chased out of the zone frequently and walked just 27 times in 129 games. Lipscomb is an athletic defender with a slightly above-average arm who played every infield position. The Nationals believe he’s good enough to slot in at any of them.

The Future: If Lipscomb can work more walks and tap into a bit more power, the Nationals believe he can be a multi-positional semi-regular. He could reach the majors at some point in 2024, though Washington’s projected future infield mix includes Brady House at third base and CJ Abrams at shortstop and possibly Luis Garcia at second base.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme

Track Record: The Nationals signed Vaquero with the highest signing bonus--$4.925 million--in the international signing period which opened on Jan. 15, 2021. Despite signing at 17 years old, Vaquero was regarded by the organization as having talent and maturity well beyond his years. He began his pro career in the Dominican Summer League in 2022 and made his U.S. debut in 2023 in the Florida Complex League, where he hit .279/.410/.393 with one home run and 15 stolen bases in 23 attempts. His walk rate bordered on 16% and ranked 14th in the FCL among qualified hitters. The Nationals promoted him to Low-A Fredericksburg on Aug. 22. He hit consistently throughout the season but struggled to find power.

Scouting Report: Vaquero settled in this season and was less aggressive at that plate, which was a reputation he had in Cuba. He has a solid approach, with a big leg kick and open upright stance that requires him to be on time or he risks putting the ball right into the dirt. Vaquero is a natural lefthanded hitter who taught himself to hit from the right side before signing with the Nationals. His swing from the right side looks natural and sometimes better than his natural one. Vaquero has a lean, athletic frame and double-plus speed and plus arm strength. He covers a lot of ground in center field and looks more comfortable there than in either corner. Vaquero will need to put on muscle and tap into the power potential to unlock his high ceiling.

The Future: Though he is years away from seeing the big leagues, Vaquero has impressed the Nationals with his development. He will start the season at Low-A and should benefit from additional strength and conditioning.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 70 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Very High

Track Record: The Padres signed Hassell for a below-slot $4.3 million with the eighth overall pick in 2020. He reached High-A in his 2021 pro debut and began 2022 at that level. At that year’s trade deadline, he was one of the key pieces--along with CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, James Wood and Jarlin Susana--the Padres sent to the Nationals for Juan Soto. Hassell finished that year with Double-A Harrisburg and joined the Nationals’ contingent at the Arizona Fall League, but he broke the hamate bone in his right hand after just two games. He spent the beginning of 2023 rehabbing before making his season debut at Double-A in May. Hassell again struggled at the plate and again was assigned to the AFL, where the Nationals hope he taps into some power and regains a feel at the plate.

Scouting Report: Hassell was dubbed one of the best pure hitters in his draft class. He has a contact-based approach, but he adjusted his bat path at the end of the 2022 season and it has caused some issues. Some evaluators believe that the lefthanded-hitting Hassell could project for fringe-average power, but he has yet to tap into it in games. He finds a way to get on base and has above-average speed, which makes him a basestealing threat. His above-average arm combined with that speed gives him the ability to play any outfield position. Unless his bat takes a step forward, Hassell may slide into more of a fourth outfielder type of role.

The Future: Hassell did not reach Washington in September, as many expected before the season. The lack of offensive production raises concern, but the Nationals hope it was due to a longer recovery from the wrist injury rather than something mechanical.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: The Nationals drafted Rutledge 17th overall in 2019, but his progression has been anything but smooth. He reached Low-A in his first pro summer before spending time at the alternate training site in 2020. In 2021, Rutledge dealt with a shoulder injury that sidelined him for a month, and when he returned he posted a 7.68 ERA in 36.1 innings. He responded with a breakout 2022 campaign in which he started 20 games and helped lead Low-A Fredericksburg to the Carolina League semifinals. The 2023 season was another step in the right direction for Rutledge, who pitched to a 3.71 ERA in 23 starts at Double-A and Triple-A before making his MLB debut on Sept. 13.

Scouting Report: At 6-foot-8, Rutledge is an imposing figure on the mound. Both his four-seam and two-seam fastballs touch the upper 90s but sit closer to 95 mph. He gets good ride on his four-seamer up, but his command results in more of an above-average pitch. Rutledge’s low-80s slider is his go-to secondary pitch and generates the most swing-and-miss. He throws an average changeup that sits in the upper 80s but has touched 91 mph. One of the biggest changes Rutledge made to his approach was that he lengthened the arm action in his delivery. The automated ball-strike system and its tight strike zone at Triple-A elevated Rutledge’s walk rate to 13%. It was about half that in MLB.

The Future: Rutledge has shown that he is willing to work and improve. The Nationals have been very impressed with how he has handled injuries and struggles throughout his career. He projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter and can impact the Nationals starting in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Very High

Track Record: Morales ranked No. 77 in the 2020 draft class but made it to Miami out of high school. As a freshman, he stepped into the Hurricanes’ lineup and added pop at the plate and a steady arm at third base. His sophomore season was more of the same. He led the team in doubles, home runs, slugging and RBIs. Morales played for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in 2022 and led Team USA in most offensive numbers. This power and production led to the Nationals to draft him 40th overall in 2023 and sign him for an above-slot $2.6 million. Morales appeared in 42 games in his pro debut, mostly at Low-A and High-A, but when the Class A seasons finished, he moved to Double-A Harrisburg for the final four games.

Scouting Report: Morales, who also goes by “Yoyo,” already has strength on his 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame. He inherits some of his athleticism from father Andy, who defected from Cuba and spent 2001 and 2002 as a minor leaguer with Yankees and Red Sox. Morales’ swing generates a ton of damage on contact with an average exit velocity of nearly 91 mph during his pro debut. He has a longer swing and locks out his front arm, which could be adding to some of his swing-and-miss issues. Defensively, Morales has flashed solid tools, but he struggles to throw on the run. He is an average runner, which is surprising given his athleticism. If he added even more strength, it is likely that he will slow even more. A move to first base could be in Morales’ future.

The Future: Morales has good bat-to-ball skills for a power hitter but could use more repetition to make more contact. He will likely start the season with Double-A and focus on defensive reps before he advances.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Very High

Track Record: The Nationals drafted Cavalli 22nd overall in the five-round 2020 draft. Making his pro debut in 2021, he led the minor leagues with 175 strikeouts. He spent the first five months of 2022 at Triple-A Rochester and made his MLB debut on Aug. 26. He struck out six in 4.1 innings but was shut down after that lone start with right shoulder inflammation. Cavalli returned in 2023 ready to earn a spot in the Opening Day rotation, but during his third spring training appearance he left the game after feeling something behind his elbow. An MRI showed a Grade 3 sprain of his UCL and required Tommy John surgery. Cavalli missed the entire 2023 season.

Scouting Report: Cavalli’s fastball is one of the best in the Nationals’ system. His four-seamer tops out at 99-100 mph but sits closer to 96. His go-to breaking pitch is a mid-80s curveball that has a harsh downward break. His above-average slider adds to his repertoire, but he relies much more on the curve to get outs. Cavalli’s changeup has been a work in progress. The Nationals wanted him to refine the pitch before making his MLB debut, and he saw improvements, especially when facing lefthanded hitters. Cavalli struggled with command for most of 2022, though he was trending in the right direction before the injury.

The Future: Washington believes that Cavalli is a future piece of its rotation and expects him to play a large role during the back half of the 2024 season. He has no definitive return date, but the organization is targeting June, about 15 months after surgery. Cavalli checked off an important milestone when he played catch in September 2023.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 65 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Track Record: House was one of four premium high school shortstops at the top of the 2021 draft class, alongside Jordan Lawlar, Marcelo Mayer and Kahlil Watson. The Nationals drafted House 11th overall and signed him for $5 million, which was about 10% over slot. In his pro debut he displayed his double-plus power at the Florida Complex League, but his 2022 followup was compromised with a back injury and he was shut down in early June. The lack of power led to questions about his future projections. Those questions subsided when House hit .312/.365/.497 in 2023 and reached Double-A Harrisburg on July 18.

Scouting Report: Easy plus raw power and loud offensive tools are House’s calling card. He hit a ball as hard as 113 mph in 2023 and averaged 91 overall. He makes a lot of hard contact at productive angles. House has shown ability to hit to all fields and has improved at hitting velocity--something he struggled with since his debut. But he chases pitches off the plate frequently and swings and misses enough to introduce hittability questions. House needs to work on patience at the plate and drawing walks, but he no longer faces questions about impact potential that arose after his flat 2022 season. The Nationals moved House from shortstop to third base, where his range is a better fit and his plus arm plays well. House stayed off the injured list in 2023 but appeared in just 88 games as the Nationals tightly managed his workload.

The Future: The further he gets from his back injury, the more House looks like the player the Nationals drafted. He should be Washington’s answer at third base but won’t see the major leagues for another full season. He should start the year at Double-A and reach Triple-A by the end of 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 65/High

Track Record: Despite being a highly touted prospect out of Lake Mary (Fla.) High, Crews decided to withdraw his name from the 2020 draft and instead took his talents to Baton Rouge. During his time with Louisiana State, he became one of the top players in college baseball. In 2021, Crews set an LSU freshman record with 18 home runs. The next year, he was named a Golden Spikes semifinalist before ultimately winning the award a year later. He was named Southeastern Conference player of the year in both 2022 and 2023. As a junior, he put up massive offensive numbers, hitting .426/.567/.713 with 18 home runs, 16 doubles, a 13.4% strikeout rate and a 20.6% walk rate. Crews was integral to LSU winning its first College World Series championship since 2009 and its seventh overall. He made history with teammate Paul Skenes, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Pirates, as the first pair of teammates selected with the first two picks of the draft. The Nationals took Crews second overall and signed him for $9 million, which is the second-highest bonus in draft history. After a brief appearance in the Florida Complex League, he was promoted to Low-A Fredericksburg for 14 games, proving more than capable at the plate. Crews ended the season playing 20 games for Double-A Harrisburg. While he hit just .208 in the Eastern League, Crews finished his pro debut with a .292/.377/.467 line that included five home runs in 35 games.

Scouting Report: Crews ranked as the top prospect for the 2023 draft because of his well-rounded game that included plus hitting and on-base ability with power to match. While he is not physically imposing at 6 feet, 205 pounds, Crews boasts proven, above-average tools across the board. He has also shown the ability to make adjustments at the plate. Crews faced some swing-and-miss concerns before the draft, and he showed slightly elevated in-zone miss in his pro debut. He balances that by rarely going outside the zone and has strong plate discipline. Crews knows when to take his pitches and when he can be aggressive--hammering velocity when given the chance. Crews is a plus runner who projects to stick in center field. He is a solid defender and good route-runner. He has good instincts and makes routine plays look easy. Due to the depth in the Nationals system, Crews could face a move to an outfield corner, where his plus arm profiles.

The Future: The Nationals believe that Crews could be their next homegrown franchise position player, joining the ranks of Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto before him. He has perennial all-star upside potential and has already proven himself on a large stage. He has a chance to reach Washington sometime during the 2024 season and should be a mainstay in the lineup for years to come. n

Scouting Grades Hit: 65 | Power: 65 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 65/High

Track Record: Wood’s large stature made him easy to spot on the summer circuit, but that physicality made him one of the most impressive players in the 2021 draft class. The Padres selected him 62nd overall in the second round and went over slot to sign him for $2.6 million. Wood got off to a hot start in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in 2021 and continued the success during his first full season with Low-A Lake Elsinore. The Nationals acquired Wood, along with four other young talents, at the 2022 trade deadline in a blockbuster trade for Juan Soto. In 2023, Wood split time between High-A Wilmington and Double-A Harrisburg, where he continued to showcase his power with 26 home runs. He earned a Futures Game nod before finishing strong with an .881 OPS and 10 homers in August and September.

Scouting Report: There is no doubting Wood’s plus-plus raw power. He crushes the ball to all fields and does a good job resisting pitches off the plate. Power hitters tend to have higher strikeout rates, which is the case with Wood at nearly 32%. He has more difficulty seeing spin well and will need to adjust. Wood adjusted his batting stance to keep his arms closer to his body to have a shorter swing he can manipulate better. He has a chance to stick in center field and is an above-average runner, but he will likely move to a corner as his body matures. His above-average arm will play there. Wood has above-average speed and was successful on 18 of 21 stolen base attempts in 2023.

The Future: Wood will add a massive power bat to the Nationals’ lineup for many years to come. If he can lower his strikeout rate, he has the upside to hit 30-35 home runs. Nationals fans should start getting looks at Wood in Washington in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 65 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Signed out of Venezuela in January of 2021 for $360,000, Aponte has slowly progressed throught the lower levels of the Blue Jays system. He spent back to back seasons in the Florida Complex League before seeing a promotion to Low-A before the end of 2023. Aponte began the 2024 season returning to Low-A Dunedin.

Scouting Report: It’s taken a few years for Aponte’s approach to round into form as he’s began to show a well rounded set of plate skills. Aponte has fringe-average bat-to-ball skills with above-average swing decisions, that limit some of his natural swing and miss. His plus bat speed allows him to generate above-average power for his age and level with a 90th percentile exit velocity of 102.8 mph. Aponte has shown strong barrel control as well generating optimal angles at the point of contact, playing up his power. He’s an average runner with good instincts in centerfield, but he’s likely to move to a corner where his above-average throwing arm should play.

The Future: Aponte’s upside is that of an everyday corner outfielder, but he’ll need to continue to progress at the plate to get there.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: After three solid seasons at Kansas State and a strong showing on the Cape Cod League in 2022, the Blue Jays drafted Goodwin in the seventh round of the 2023 draft. He debuted with Dunedin before seeing a handful of games with Vancouver at the end of the season. Goodwin returned to High-A Vancouver to begin 2024.

Scouting Report: Goodwin is a sum-of-his-parts player with fringe-average bat-to-ball skills and approach. While Goodwin has only average raw power he gets the most out of his contact with good angles allowing him to consistently elevate his best contact. He’s shown the ability to consistently get to his pull side on his best contact. A fringe-average runner, Goodwin has fringe-average range at shortstop but his instincts and actions are strong. Goodwin has an above-average arm that will allow him to move around the infield should he move off of shortstop long term.

The Future: Goodwin projects as a bat first utility infielder that can handle the left side of the infield.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Toman was a celebrated South Carolina prep hitter from a well-known baseball family when the Blue Jays drafted him in the supplemental second round in 2022. He signed for an above-slot $2 million and debuted following the draft in the Florida Complex League. Toman spent his first full professional season with Low-A Dunedin, hitting .208/.320/.313 with five home runs in 114 games.

Scouting Report: Toman was once viewed as an advanced switch-hitter with developing power, but his hit tool has taken a sizable step backward as a professional. His lefthanded swing has long been ahead of his righthanded swing. Toman struggled throughout the season with all pitch types but was particularly exposed by breaking balls. He did show an average approach at the plate, doing a solid job of discerning balls from strikes. Toman’s raw power showed as just fringe-average and his lack of barrel control limited impact on his best-struck drives. Toman is currently an average runner who should slow down. He played predominantly third base in 2023, seeing some time at shortstop as well. Toman is an average defender at third with an above-average arm.

The Future: Toman will need to recapture his hitting ability from his amateur days in order to fulfill his second-division regular ceiling.

Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Shaw was a draft find for the Blue Jays in their own backyard. He was a well-known Canadian amateur who attended high school in the United States before moving back to Canada. The Blue Jays drafted Shaw in the 12th round in 2023, signing him for an above-slot bonus of $282,500. He debuted in the Florida Complex League playing in nine games.

Scouting Report: Shaw is a hit-over-everything second baseman with an advanced knowledge of the strike zone and excellent barrel control. His carrying tool is hitting, with a swing designed for a high rate of line drives and balls to the gaps. He is rarely fooled and shows the ability to spit on breaking stuff on the black. Shaw should hit for high averages while running near equal strikeout and walk totals. His power is below-average and his best-struck balls come in the form of line drives. Due to his build, he’s unlikely to push below-average power totals. He’s an average runner whose stride is limited by his diminutive frame. He shows average fielding skills at second base and a fringe-average arm.

The Future: Shaw is a young, bat-first second baseman with outlier contact and approach for his age and experience.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: The Blue Jays drafted Juenger in the sixth round in 2021 out of Missouri State. He pitched mostly relief in college, but Toronto pushed him to Double-A New Hampshire to open 2022 and he worked primarily as a starter. After a late-season promotion to Triple-A Buffalo, Juenger returned to Triple-A to begin 2023. He spent the entire season with the Bisons working as a reliever.

Scouting Report: An undersized righthander whose arsenal plays up due to his unique release traits, Juenger mixes three pitches in a four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and touches 95-96, with an outlier approach angle. Juenger’s most-thrown secondary is a changeup that he throws to both lefthanded and righthanded hitters, but it is nearly one-to-one with his fastball versus lefties. Juenger’s changeup sits 83-85 mph with heavy fade. His slider is his primary secondary against righties and has undergone shape changes in the last year. It’s now an upper-80s cutter-like slider. Juenger’s command is below-average. He often leaves his fastball and slider in parts of the strike zone that result in trouble.

The Future: Juenger is a potential low-leverage reliever capable of going multiple innings, with a chance to debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Fluharty spent three seasons in Liberty’s bullpen, steadily improving with each season. He made the third most appearances in the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2022 and was drafted by the Blue Jays in the fifth round that year. Fluharty debuted with High-A Vancouver post-draft and made 10 appearances. He returned to Vancouver to begin 2023 and earned a promotion to Double-A New Hampshire on May 23. Fluharty make 36 appearances for the Fisher Cats, recording four saves.

Scouting Report: Fluharty did not start a game in college and is locked into a relief role in pro ball. He mixes three pitches. Fluharty’s primary pitch is a nasty mid-80s sweeper with ride and on average a foot of sweep. He shows excellent command of the pitch and drives a high rate of swings-and-misses. Fluharty’s second pitch is a cutter at 89-91 mph that functions like a fastball. With good command of the pitch, he misses bats in and out of the zone. He throws a four-seam fastball that sits 90-92 mph, but it’s a clear third pitch. Fluharty is a funky relief prospect with good command of his arsenal.

The Future: Fluharty is a slider-first reliever who could handle middle-inning relief or situational usage.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 30 | Slider: 60 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: As a senior at Carlsbad High in New Mexico, Perry won a state title as a two-way standout serving the role of ace pitcher and starting shortstop. Ranked as the top player in the state, he slipped under the draft radar and the Blue Jays selected him in the 12th round in 2022. They signed him for $200,000. Perry debuted in the Florida Complex League in 2023.

Scouting Report: Perry is a projectable young righthander with a feel for spin. He mixes four pitches: a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. His four-seam fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 95 with heavy bore. Perry’s slider is his most-used secondary. It sits 81-83 mph with cut. He uses his curveball at a similar rate to his slider, Perry’s curveball sits 79-81 mph with two-plane break and heavier sweep than his slider. Perry is still developing feel for his changeup, and it was infrequently thrown in 2023. Perry shows fringe-average command of his secondaries.

The Future: Perry is a young projectable pitcher with starter traits and an opportunity to develop into a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 30 | Control: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Brock spent four years in Ohio State’s bullpen, impressing in consecutive summers in the Cape Cod League. The Blue Jays drafted Brock in the sixth round in 2022 and signed him for a below-slot bonus of $72,500. He debuted with Low-A Dunedin and earned a promotion to High-A Vancouver after one appearance. Brock returned to Vancouver to begin 2023. He earned promotion to Double-A New Hampshire in late May and made 32 appearances for the Fisher Cats.

Scouting Report: Brock is a high-powered reliever with a bulldog attitude on the mound. He mixes two pitches primarily in his four-seam fastball and slider. Brock’s fastball sits 95-97 mph and will touch 100. The pitch features pedestrian movement and release traits and doesn’t miss many bats. Brock’s slider is his primary pitch and it drives excellent results, with high whiff rates in and out of the zone and poor-quality contact against. Brock’s slider sits 88-90 mph with tight gyro shape, and he shows the ability to command it. Brock shows fringe-average command of his powerful two-pitch mix.

The Future: Brock is a two-pitch reliever with power stuff and the ability to move quickly.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Control: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: A shoulder injury sustained while playing high school football forced Watts-Brown to redshirt at Long Beach State in 2021. He returned fully healthy in 2022 and broke out, earning second-team Freshman All-America honors. Watts-Brown transferred to Oklahoma State for 2023. Over 15 starts with the Cowboys, he struggled with his command, walking 48 batters in 84.1 innings and finishing the season with a 5.03 ERA. Despite his poor performance, teams still liked his projectable frame and pitch mix. The Blue Jays drafted Watts-Brown in the third round and signed him for an above-slot bonus of $1 million.

Scouting Report: Watts-Brown has a prototypical tall picther’s frame, with a smooth rhythmic operation on the mound and a high three-quarters slot. He mixes four pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and an infrequently used changeup. Watts-Brown’s fastball sits 90-93 mph with above-average ride and run, but the pitch lacks velocity and deception and rarely misses bats. His slider is the crown jewel of his arsenal. It’s a mid-80s gyro slider with late bite, and it’s equally effective against righthanded and lefthanded hitters. Watts-Brown mixes a curveball as his third pitch. It sits 80-82 mph with depth. He rarely throws his changeup, a mid-80s offspeed pitch he pockets in most starts. Watts-Brown has below-average command at present but could evolve to fringe-average with time and pro instruction.

The Future: A projectable righthander with command concerns, Watts-Brown could develop into a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 30 | Control: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium

Track Record: A standout two-way player in high school, Danner was drafted and developed as catcher over his first few professional seasons. He committed to pitching prior to the 2020 pandemic and has climbed the rungs of the Blue Jays system in the three years since. Danner spent a majority of 2023 with Triple-A Buffalo before earning his first big league callup. Danner pitched one inning for the Blue Jays before injuring his oblique and spending the final six weeks on the injured list. He has a long history of injuries and missed time.

Scouting Report: Danner is a flame-throwing reliever with major question marks about his durability. He mixes a trio of pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider and curveball. Danner’s fastball sits 96-97 mph and touches 98-99 with good ride and armside run. It’s not a bat-misser, but sets up his slider well. Danner’s slider is his primary secondary. It sits 87-88 mph with heavy cut. The slider is Danner’s best pitch and it misses bats in and out of the strike zone. He throws an upper-70s curveball with heavy two-plane break but struggles to land it. Danner’s command is average overall, and he throws strikes with his fastball and slider.

The Future: Danner is a one-inning reliever with the stuff to cut it as a high-leverage arm.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 60 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium

Track Record: Horwitz has been one of the Blue Jays’ most productive minor leaguers over the last three seasons. After hitting .290/.390/.453 in 2022 across Double-A and Triple-A, Horwitz was added to Toronto’s 40-man roster. He returned to Triple-A Buffalo to begin 2023 and earned his first big league callup on June 16. He played in three games before being optioned back to Buffalo. Horwitz returned to Toronto in early September and appeared in 12 games. Horwitz, the grandson of Mets media relations director Jay Horwitz, was a member of Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Scouting Report: Horwitz is a classic bat-first prospect, with major league-caliber hitting skills but a lack of defensive value. He is an above-average contact hitter with advanced approach and on-base skills. He has good adjustability in his barrel and hits a variety of pitch types. Horwitz possesses average raw power, but his lack of elevation on contact limits his home run production. Horwitz is a 30-grade runner who is station-to-station on the bases. He’s below-average at first base and has an average arm.

The Future: Horwitz is a ready-made bench bat with a chance to be a second-division regular.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Santos signed for $150,000 in 2019 and has impressed over the course of his young professional career. After a standout season at Low-A Dunedin in 2022, Santos saw a late-season promotion to High-A Vancouver. He returned to Vancouver to begin 2023 and pitched well over a dozen starts before he was shut down with an elbow strain. While with Vancouver, Santos struck out 27.2% of batters while holding opposing hitters to a .173 average.

Scouting Report: Santos is an undersized righthander with a low arm slot and a three-pitch mix. He mixes a low-90s two-seam fastball with heavy armside run that generates weak contact. Santos’ most-used secondary--and best pitch--is his sweeper slider in the low 80s with 16 to 18 inches of horizontal break. He generates high rates of swings-and-misses in and out of the zone with his slider. It is an effective chase pitch. Santos’ mid-80s changeup shows nearly reverse movement of his sweeper, running heavily off the plate with tumble. While Santos has three pitches with good shape and average or better projection, his lack of command and strike-throwing limit his upside and potential role.

The Future: Santos has the tools to start, but his undersized frame and lack of command will likely push him to a relief role long term.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Rojas represented Venezuela first at the U-12 World Cup in 2019 in Taiwan, then again in 2022 in Venezuela at the U-15 World Cup Americas Qualifier. He signed with the Blue Jays for $998,000 at the beginning of the 2024 international signing window.

Scouting Report: Rojas has a medium frame that’s strong for his age, without a ton of physical projection but already making hard contact with good swing path and bat-to-ball skills. His high baseball IQ is an asset behind the plate, where he projects to stick with good catch-and-throw skills and a solid-average arm.

The Future: One of the top catchers in the class, Rojas should debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: A highly touted prep player out of the state of Oklahoma, Bohrofen ranked 141st in the 2020 draft class. He honored his commitment to Oklahoma, lasting one season with the Sooners before transferring to Arkansas. He spent two seasons with the Razorbacks. After a down year in 2022, Bohrofen roared back in 2023 by hitting .318/.436/.612 with 16 home runs. The Blue Jays drafted him in the sixth round and signed him to a near-slot bonus of $302,000. In his pro debut, Bohrofen played in 17 games with Low-A Dunedin hitting .307/.442/.677 with six home runs.

Scouting Report: A powerful lefthanded hitter with a smooth swing, Bohrofen is a power-over-hit prospect with solid on-base skills. He is an excellent fastball hitter and does most of his damage there. He struggles against good spin, but his strong swing decisions limit some of his exposure. Bohrofen has strong on-base skills to go along with above-average game power. He makes consistent hard contact at positive angles and shows the ability to drive the ball to his pull side. Bohrofen is a fringe-average runner now who likely slows down. He has enough range to handle an outfield corner with an average throwing arm.

The Future: Bohrofen fits the profile of the modern slugger. How much contact he makes as he moves up will dictate whether or not he reaches everyday regular status.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Barriera went 5-0 with a 2.27 ERA in eight starts as a senior for American Heritage High in South Florida before deciding to sit out the remainder of the 2022 season to prepare for the draft. The Blue Jays selected him with the 23rd pick and signed him for just under $3.6 million. He made his pro debut in May 2023 after dealing with a shoulder issue in spring training. Barriera made four starts before heading to the injured list with an elbow sprain. He returned in mid July, then made three starts before biceps soreness returned him to the IL.

Scouting Report: Since his time as an amateur, Barriera has added mass at the expense of his athleticism. He returned looking noticeably larger than his listed 180 pounds. The added strength didn’t translate to conditioning, and Barriera dealt with a trio of injuries. His fastball sits 92-94 mph with heavy cut, and he showed the ability to command his fastball at an average level to set up his slider. His slider is a plus bordering on double-plus sweeper that sits 82-84 mph with nearly a foot of horizontal break on average. He generated a high rates of swings-and-misses against the pitch and flashed the ability to dominate with the pitch in the zone. He showed a mid-to-high-80s changeup with parachuting drop. He threw his changeup just 14 times across all of his appearances. He also flashed a curveball with two-plane break in the upper 70s but it was thrown only a few times this season. His command of his slider and fastball are average, and that pair of pitches accounts for a majority of his usage.

The Future: Barriera is a risky prospect with a wide range of outcomes. He will need to improve his conditioning, add velocity and develop a third pitch to stay in the rotation. Otherwise he has the signature pitch to make it as a high-leverage reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Born in Venezuela, Palmegiani immigrated to British Columbia as a youth and grew up in Canada rooting for the Blue Jays. He was twice drafted by Toronto, first out of high school in the 35th round in 2018 and again in the 14th round in 2021. He got an opportunity to represent Canada in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and carried that momentum into the minor league season. Palmegiani has quickly ascended through the Blue Jays system, reaching Triple-A Buffalo by the end of 2023. Following the season he participated in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Palmegiani is a bat-driven infielder with a balance of skills. He’s a fringe-average contact hitter, adept at doing damage to pitches located middle-in. His stiff swing path lacks adjustability, and he can be beaten by good spin. Where Palmegiani excels is his approach. He rarely expands the zone and shows a good, balanced approach. His raw power is above-average and he gets to it in games. He shows the ability to backspin balls to his pull side with consistency. Palmegiani is a below-average runner and not a basestealing threat.vHe’s below-average at third base and shows particular difficulty going back on shallow fly balls. His arm is average but lacks accuracy. Palmegiani might move to first base.

The Future: Palmegiani is the type of bat-first prospect the Blue Jays have had success with. He has a second-division regular upside.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Perez signed in January 2022 as an under-the-radar target. He grew up in a remote area of Nicaragua and was not considered a notable signing. Perez debuted in the Dominican Summer League in 2022, making 12 starts and showcasing advanced command. He made 10 starts in the Florida Complex League in 2023 and impressed over 49.2 innings. The most memorable moment of Perez’s season came on Aug. 7 when he tossed seven no-hit innings to combine with two relievers to complete a no-hitter.

Scouting Report: A tall, projectable righthander, Perez has made his name early on the quality of his command. He mixes three pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. Perez’s fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 94 at peak with ride and run. He shows good command for the pitch and consistently lands it in the zone. His most frequently thrown secondary is a low-80s gyro slider with some cut. He shows tremendous feel for the pitch. Perez’s changeup sits 82-83 mph with nice tumble and fade, and he commands it. His control and command are above-average and he projects to remain a starter long term.

The Future: Perez is a talented strike-thrower with a projectable mix and body who should grow into a back-end starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Dallas spent his freshman season at Panola (Texas) JC, before transferring to Tennessee. He enjoyed success over two seasons with the Volunteers, striking out 143 batters and walking just 26 in 124.1 innings. Dallas was selected by the Blue Jays in the fourth round of the 2021 draft but didn’t debut until the following spring. He spent all of his 2022 season at High-A Vancouver and returned there to begin 2023, but his improved physique and stuff saw him earn promotion to Double-A New Hampshire after five starts.

Scouting Report: Dallas mixes a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball, cutter and a changeup. His primary pitch is his mid-80s slider, which sees heavier usage than his fastball. Dallas’ slider is a true sweeper that sits 84-85 mph with 13-14 inches of horizontal break, and he shows easy plus command of the pitch. His fastball sits 92-94 mph with average ride and cut. Dallas generates lots of bad contact against his fastball but does not generate many whiffs. He mixes a curveball at 81-82 mph with two-plane break and a cutter sitting 89-91 mph. Dallas’ firm upper-80s changeup is thrown just a few times a game and isn’t a major part of his repertoire. He shows average command of his pitch mix, with a knack for consistently landing his slider in the zone.

The Future: Dallas is an undersized starter with a shot at a back-of-the-rotation role.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 30 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: After coming out of the bullpen for two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette, Cooke made the jump to the rotation in his third season. He went 7-3 with a 2.03 ERA with 90 strikeouts and 37 walks in 79.2 innings as a starter in 2021, prompting the Blue Jays to draft him in the 10th round and sign him for $141,900. After breaking camp with Low-A Dunedin in 2022, Cooke worked as a multi-innings piggyback starter. He was promoted to High-A Vancouver on Aug. 2 and has been exclusively a reliever since. He broke camp with Vancouver in 2023 and made nine appearances before he was promoted to Double-A New Hampshire. He spent a majority of his season at Double-A before earning a late-August promotion to Buffalo.

Scouting Report: One of the best athletes in the Blue Jays organization, Cooke saw a giant leap in stuff in 2023. He mixes three pitches, all of which can flash above-average. He has a unique ability to ride a fastball, spin a breaking ball and turn over a changeup. Cooke’s fastball sits 95-96 mph and touches 97-98 at peak, with ride, run and a difficult angle for hitters to get on plane. He spins his sweeper slider at 2,800-3,000 rpm with nearly a foot and a half of sweep on average. His slider sits 83-85 mph. He shows average command of his fastball and slider and fringe-average command of his changeup. His offspeed is infrequently used but shows heavy tumble and fade when he lands it. Overall, Cooke shows high-leverage stuff and intensity.

The Future: Cooke is a high-powered reliever who has refined his arsenal with a potential high-leverage relief future. His 40.6% strikeout rate ranked third among minor league relievers with at least 30 appearances in 2023 and he is in line to make his major league debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: A native of Slovakia, Macko was introduced to baseball in grade school and learned to pitch by watching YouTube videos of MLB pitchers. His family moved to Ireland and then Canada, where Macko entered more formal baseball training and blossomed into a legitimate draft prospect. The Mariners drafted Macko in the seventh round in 2019. Macko was traded to the Blue Jays for Teoscar Hernandez after the 2022 season. He spent all of 2023 in his native Canada, making 20 starts for High-A Vancouver. Macko was added to the 40-man roster following the season.

Scouting Report: Macko is an undersized lefthander with a deep repertoire of pitches. He mixes five different pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider, curveball, changeup and cutter. Macko’s fastball sits 93-95 mph with heavy ride and run, and the pitch is commanded well to both sides of the plate. He mixes two different breaking balls in a slider sitting 82-84 mph with moderate sweep and an upper-70s curveball with a big two-plane break. Macko’s mid-80s changeup has good shape and is effective when he lands it, but he struggles to get in the strike zone. Macko’s cutter sits 87-88 mph and was used sparingly. Overall, Macko shows above-average command of his three primary pitches.

The Future: Macko has multiple average or better pitches and improving command of his arsenal, giving him a chance as a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Cutter: 30 | Control: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Bonilla garnered the largest bonus in franchise history for an international amateur when he signed for $4.1 million. His was the fourth-highest bonus for any international signee in 2023. Highly regarded for his combination of hitting ability and present power, Bonilla debuted in the Dominican Summer League and hit .307/.407/.429 in 50 games. Bonilla is likely to make his U.S. debut in 2024 in the Florida Complex League.

Scouting Report: Bonilla was touted as one of the most advanced hitters in the 2023 international class. He shows present strength and feel to hit with a good balance of aggression and patience. Bonilla is still learning to hit spin and can be beaten by good breaking balls in the zone. He shows good adjustability in his hands, but his lower half and upper halves can often get out of sync, leading to some inconsistent swings. Bonilla has above-average raw power, and showed it in games with a max exit velocity of 108 mph. His ability to hit the ball at good angles and elevate to his pull side portends well for future power gains. Bonilla is an average runner, likely to slow down as he grows into his body. With potential for diminishing speed, he is likely to move off center field to a corner, where he could grow into an average fielder. Bonilla’s arm is above-average and will play in all three outfield spots.

The Future: Bonilla is an exciting young outfielder with potential for an above-average hit and power combination.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Maroudis was a two-way standout for Florida high school powerhouse Cavalry Christian who started at shortstop on days he didn’t pitch. He ranked as the 82nd overall prospect for the the 2023 draft and was viewed as one of the top high school talents in the state of Florida. The Blue Jays selected Maroudis in the fourth round and signed him for $1.5 million, their second-highest bonus in the class. He did not pitch following the draft.

Scouting Report: Maroudis is an athletic righthander with a tall, projectable build. He delivers the ball from a low three-quarters arm slot with some violence in his delivery at release, including a head whack and wicked recoil. Maroudis’ stuff steadily grew over his time in high school. He mixes four pitches: a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. His fastball sits 90-93 mph and touches 96 with above-average ride and good plane. Maroudis’ primary secondary is a low-80s changeup with good velocity and vertical separation off his fastball. Maroudis mixes two breaking balls in a low-80s slider and a curveball in the mid 70s. The slider is a newer addition to his repertoire but has overtaken the curveball in effectiveness. Maroudis shows average command of his secondaries.

The Future: Maroudis is an exciting high school righthander with starter traits and the makings of an average or better three-pitch mix.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Roden maintained freshman eligibility into his third season at Creighton after redshirting in 2019 and seeing just three games of action during the shortened 2020 season. He spurned draft interest following his 2021 freshman campaign in order to complete his physics degree. The Blue Jays drafted Roden in the third round in 2022 and signed him for an under-slot $497,500. Assigned to High-A Vancouver in 2023, he hit his way to Double-A New Hampshire on July 19 and batted .310/.421/.460 in 46 games at the higher level.

Scouting Report: Roden has always shown elite bat-to-ball skills and approach. He has a stockier build with broad shoulders but is a better athlete than he appears. Roden has an unusual setup and swing, as he sets up with his hands high above his head in a similar fashion to Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel. This is an alteration from Roden’s setup during college, when his bat rested on his shoulder in a deep crouch. Roden is now more upright and his front leg drift has been replaced by a more traditional leg kick. Despite the unusual setup and mechanics, Roden is able to control his barrel with high accuracy, rarely swinging and missing. He shows fringe-average game power, but it’s not a matter of hard contact. It’s a lack of lift in his bat path. Most of Roden’s hardest-hit balls in play are line drives. He’s an average runner underway, which allows him to play an average to perhaps a touch better defense in the corner outfield. Roden has an above-average arm that plays well in the corners.

The Future: Roden has a hit tool-driven profile with limited power upside due to his unusual swing and setup. He can be a solid second-division regular with the ability to play an outfield corner and provide high batting averages and on-base ability.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Kasevich spent three seasons at Oregon earning all-Pacific-12 Conference honors as a junior. The Blue Jays drafted Kasevich in the second round in 2022. He debuted after the draft with Low-A Dunedin, hitting .262/.344/.336 across 25 games. Kasevich was assigned to High-A Vancouver out of spring training 2023 and stayed there all season.

Scouting Report: A highly skilled and polished player, Kasevich has made his bones on the strength of his plate skills. He is rarely fooled and his linear, contact-focused approach yields high rates of balls in play. He’s adept at hitting velocity and spin but rarely with impact. Kasevich shows an advanced approach and keeps a tidy zone. He has the profile to hit for a high average against more advanced pitching but likely with very little impact. Kasevich’s raw power is below-average with very little high-end power and flatter angles in his best contact. A fringe-average runner, Kasevich is a smart baserunner but not a major basestealing threat. He is a skilled infielder with strong hands, actions and instincts in the field. He saw a majority of his time at shortstop but likely lacks the range and arm strength to plate there everyday.

The Future: Kasevich fits as a utility infielder with quality bat-to-ball skills, approach and the ability to handle multiple positions.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 30 | Run: 45 | Field: 55 | Arm: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Jimenez was considered one of the top players to come out of Panama in the last decade when he signed for $825,000 in 2017. He endured two injury-shortened seasons in 2021 and 2022, missing time with shoulder and hand injuries. Jimenez began 2023 with Double-A New Hampshire, making 76 starts for the Fisher Cats primarily at shortstop and hitting .287/.372/.436 with a 15.9% strikeout rate. He earned a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo in late August.

Scouting Report: Jimenez does not wow with loud tools or flashy play, but he’s an instinctual, disciplined ballplayer. He employs a simple swing with a direct path and average bat speed. He shows an ability to adjust his hands and make a high rate of contact. Jimenez rarely swings and misses in the strike zone and shows advanced swing decisions. He’s patient but not passive, regularly attacking strikes. Jimenez shows sneaky power, but it’s mostly in the form of line drives. He began to show the ability to pull the ball in the air without forcing it, hinting at untapped power. His underlying exit velocity data is above-average for his age, with a 88.5 mph average and a 90th percentile EV of 104.2. He’s a fringe-average runner capable of clocking an average run time on a hustle play down the line. He’s not a basestealing threat but has a quick first step and good infield instincts. He shows an average arm at shortstop, but his quick release and good internal clock allow him to make a majority of plays. Jimenez may end up at second base due to the limitations of his arm.

The Future: Jimenez is a solid all-around player who will likely break-in as a utilityman but should develop into a second-division regular over time.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Rojas signed for $215,000 out of Cuba in October 2020 and debuted the following summer in the Florida Complex League. He began 2022 at Low-A Dunedin making eight appearances before a lat injury put him on the injured list for a large chunk of the season. Rojas returned to Dunedin in 2023 and made 15 starts as part of 20 total appearances. He pitched 84 innings in total. Rojas ranked among the Florida State League leaders in several categories as he finished the season with a 3.75 ERA, a 23.4% strikeout rate and a 9.4% walk rate as a 20-year-old.

Scouting Report: Rojas has a whippy arm action with good arm speed and delivers the ball from a low three-quarters slot. He mixes a trio of pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. Rojas’ fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 94-95 at peak with above-average ride and cut. He commands the pitch at a fringe-average level, with intermittent bouts of wildness. Rojas’ primary secondary pitch is a mid-80s slider with some cut that he shows advanced feel to throw. It generated whiffs in and out of the zone in 2023. His changeup is a mid-to-high-80s pitch without heavy tumble or fade. Still, it was an effective chase pitch in 2023 and drove whiffs out of the zone. Rojas can frequently get out of sync mechanically, spinning off his plant foot at release. As he refines his mechanics, he should find greater consistency with his strike-throwing. Rojas has a projectable arsenal of pitches with command that should improve with time.

The Future: Rojas is a projectable lefthander who projects as a No. 4 starter. He is ready for an assignment to High-A Vancouver in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Drafted in 2018, Barger spent most of 2019 on the restricted list before emerging with added power from the 2020 pandemic shutdown. He had a strong season in 2021 with Low-A Dunedin before breaking out in 2022 by hitting .308/.378/.555 across three levels and reaching Triple-A. Barger returned to Buffalo in 2023 and struggled initially before an April 28 trip to the injured list with elbow pain. After an examination found no structural damage, Barger returned to Buffalo on June 21 and hit .254/.358/.424 over the final 68 games. He showed improved plate discipline upon his return via rates of 19% strikeouts and nearly 14% walks.

Scouting Report: After showing a more aggressive approach and more in-game power in 2021 and 2022, Barger showed more patience in 2023 and a toned-down launch angle. This in turn produced a more consistent bat path, and he showed improvements in contact, in-zone contact and swing decisions. Barger traded some fly balls for line drives and ground balls, but he closed some of the holes in his swing. While he hit for less power in 2023, his underlying exit velocity data improved across the board, with his average exit velocity jumping more than 3 mph and his 90th percentile EV increasing by 2 mph to 106 mph. Barger is a fringe-average runner and not a threat to steal bases. In the field, he is unlikely to stick at shortstop full time, and he saw time in right field and at third base and second base in 2023. He has a plus arm that could work at a variety of positions, but it’s a matter of cleaning up some of his actions and footwork.

The Future: Barger is a versatile lefthanded hitter who has improved his hit tool while learning to play right field. He is a super-utility type with above-average hitting ability.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Nimmala became the highest drafted first-generation Indian player when the Blue Jays selected him with the 20th overall pick in 2023. They signed him for $3 million, or about 80% of slot value for the pick. As a youth, Nimmala played primarily cricket before converting to the baseball diamond. During his senior season at Strawberry Crest High outside Tampa, Nimmala was selected Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Florida and won the Wade Boggs Award as the best player in Hillsborough County. Nimmala made his pro debut in August in the Florida Complex League, playing in nine games and walking 14 times with eight strikeouts.

Scouting Report: Nimmala is a young, projectable infielder with plenty of tools to still develop. He has an average build that projects to add strength in the coming years. He shows at least average bat-to-ball skills with a simple righthanded swing that has a steeper path optimized for power. After often expanding the zone at a high rate as an amateur, Nimmala showed a more refined approach in his brief pro debut. He has natural loft in his swing that allows him to make his best contact in the air consistently. Nimmala possesses plus bat speed and his body should continue to get stronger in the coming years. He’s an average runner, but his quick footwork allows him to cover ground at shortstop, where his hands and actions are above-average. His above-average arm strength should be the final ingredient that allows him to stick at shortstop.

The Future: Nimmala has plenty of tools and showed more refinement at the plate in his brief pro time. He projects as a power-hitting shortstop with above-average defensive ability who, if he develops, could hold down the position in Toronto for an extended spell.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Track Record: Martinez signed out of the Dominican Republic for $3.51 million in 2018. He skipped the Dominican Summer League and made his pro debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2019, hitting .275/.352/.549 in 40 games as a 17-year-old. Martinez moved quickly following the pandemic-lost 2020 season, seeing both levels of Class A in 2021 and spending all of 2022 at Double-A New Hampshire. After an uneven showing as a 20-year-old at Double-A, Martinez returned to the level in 2023. After a slow start, he hit .268/.390/.557 from May 1 through the end of the first half. He was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo on July 18 and spent the winter with Licey of the Dominican League.

Scouting Report: Martinez entered 2023 trending toward a power-over-everything hitter with major questions around his bat-to-ball skills and swing decisions. Instead, he showed a more refined and patient approach without sacrificing his aggressiveness. Martinez showed a willingness to make pitchers work and in turn saw better pitches in the zone. He made the most of those opportunities as his simple, powerful swing easily backspins his best contact to his pull side. Martinez has always had strong hands and the ability to get to plus power in games. His improvements in approach and contact have allowed him to project to get to his power against more advanced pitchers. Martinez is a fringe-average runner who will turn in an average run time on occasion. He’s not rangy afield but shows the ability to play multiple infield positions. He has focused on shortstop and third base in pro ball, but his best long-term position is likely second base, where he has enough range and his plus arm would be an asset.

The Future: Martinez is a bat-first second baseman with the ability to hit 30-plus home runs at peak.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 60/High

Track Record: Teams likely regret passing on Tiedemann out of Lakewood (Calif.) High in the five-round 2020 draft. In pro ball, the lefthander has quickly developed one of the highest ceilings among pitching prospects. Tiedemann showed progress at Golden West (Calif.) JC in 2021, prompting the Blue Jays to draft him in the third round and sign him for a below-slot $644,800. He debuted with Low-A Dunedin in 2022, showing a jump in velocity and stuff across his arsenal. On the back of his elite stuff and strong performance, he climbed to Double-A that August. Tiedemann entered 2023 spring training with an opportunity to pitch his way to Toronto. He instead was shut down with left shoulder soreness and got a late start to his season. After four dominant but truncated Double-A starts, Tiedemann returned to the injured list with a left biceps sprain on May 5. He did not return to Double-A New Hampshire until Aug. 11. He made seven appearances there and one for Triple-A Buffalo before finishing with four starts in the Arizona Fall League, where he was league pitcher of the year. More critically, Tiedemann exceeded 70 pitches and five innings three times in the AFL, something he had not done since July 1, 2022.

Scouting Report: Tiedemann is a tall, strong-bodied lefthander with the build prototypical of workhorse starters. Despite his physical appearance, his health and durability have been major question marks. When healthy, Tiedemann has an outlier combination of velocity, movement and deception, delivering the ball from a low three-quarters slot. His fastball sits 94-97 mph and touches 98 mph. He generates below-average ride but heavy armside run that plays up due to his low slot and ability to hide the ball. While Tiedemann’s best pitch historically has been his changeup, that pitch backed up in 2023 as concerns about the difference in release height and arm slot compared with his fastball became a larger issue. His changeup features heavy tumble and fade as he kills lift and generates a heavy dose of armside run. His slider became his primary secondary in 2023. It’s a low-80s pitch with sweep and ride. Tiedemann shows an uncanny ability to manipulate his slider and land it in the zone. The pitch generated whiffs at a rate of 39% in-zone in 2023 as well as a 49% rate of called-plus-swinging strikes. As the Blue Jays continue to refine Tiedemann’s arsenal it should continue to improve, giving him three plus or better pitches, including one secondary pitch to neutralize hitters of either handedness. Tiedemann’s command can come and go, but it’s reasonable to think a large chunk of the season was impacted by injury.

The Future: No one questions that Tiedemann has the tools and attributes to develop into a No. 2 or 3 starter. It’s only a matter of whether his body will cooperate. A strong season at Triple-A in 2024 will land him in Toronto. n

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Acker came to Texas from Oakland in a 2021 deal that also netted the Rangers Jonah Heim and Khris Davis. He’s dealt with injuries in the past few years, including Tommy John surgery in 2021 and biceps inflammation in 2023. Now, healthy, his arrow is pointing up.

Scouting Report: Acker opened 2024 as a starter at Double-A and the results have been outstanding. He made changes in 2023 to alter the grip on his changeup and stay closed longer in delivery and is seeing strong results so far. He boasts a four-pitch mix led by a four-seamer that sits around 94 mph and has big-time induced vertical break. His changeup is his most frequently used offspeed pitch, followed by a curveball and the very occasional cutter.

The Future: Acker’s improvements have given opposing scouts the belief that he has a chance to stick in a rotation, albeit with some reliever risk still present.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 50.
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Montalvo was the Rangers’ final pick in the 2021 draft. He’s a native Puerto Rican who went to high school in Florida and was committed to Eastern Florida State JC before Texas signed him for $125,000. He advanced a level per year and spent all of 2023 in Low-A Down East, where he struck out 107 hitters in 95.1 innings. He’s a converted shortstop who in 2023 was in just his second year as a pitcher.

Scouting Report: Montalvo works with a three-pitch mix fronted by a low-90s four-seam fastball with above-average spin and horizontal movement as well as a low vertical approach angle that amplifies the pitch. He backs the fastball with a low-80s slider with high spin and a decent amount of sweep that projects to be below-average. His changeup, thrown in the mid 80s, is a potential plus pitch with decent fade and drop away from lefthanders at its best. His delivery is inconsistent, which is understandable considering how raw he is on the mound. If he can repeat more often, he could get to average control.

The Future: Montalvo will advance to High-A Hickory in 2023, when he’ll work to develop his slider and streamline his delivery to the point that he can be a No. 5 starter. If not, he might fit as a bulk reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 40 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Bratt was born in Canada but moved to Georgia during the pandemic in order to get more exposure to scouts. He was drafted in the fifth round in 2021 and has advanced a level a year in his first two full pro seasons. He started a game against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and was roughed up by a lineup chock full of all-stars. He missed roughly half the season with a lat injury and made up for lost time in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: As an amateur, a great deal of Bratt’s value came from his remaining projection. Two years later, he still needs to add strength to bring his stuff up a few ticks. His arsenal was reconstructed during the season, and the lefty now works with a mix of four-seamer, splitter and sweeping slider. His fastball velocity is well below-average at 88-91 mph but might play up a tick due to a low release height that creates tough angles when the pitch is located at the top of the zone. Neither of his offspeeds is a knockout, though scouts were encouraged by Bratt’s ability to move his mix around the zone.

The Future: Bratt has solid pitchability, but he needs to get stronger. If he does he could be a No. 5 starter or a bulk reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 40 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Scarborough was a helium prospect in the 2023 draft cycle thanks to a projectable frame and a fastball that ticked up a few notches from the previous season, when he didn’t pitch at many of the highest profile summer showcase events. The Rangers, who have struck gold with low-profile signings of late, believed in Scarborough’s athleticism and remaining growth and drafted him in the sixth round. His $515,000 signing bonus was the second-highest in the round.

Scouting Report: Scarborough is long, lanky and has the potential to pack much more muscle onto his frame. Currently, his fastball sits between 89-91 and is paired with a high-spin downer curveball in the low 70s. Normally, that’s not the kind of mix that jumps off the page. Scarborough’s nearly 7 feet of extension and low release height each help the pitch play up, and should amplify his mix as he fills out his body. He needs to add a third pitch and improve his control and command.

The Future: Scarborough is a long-term play, who, if he reaches his ceiling, will stand as another in the line of the Rangers’ successful spelunking expeditions from the amateur ranks.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Control: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Hales spent three seasons at Santa Clara. He was a near-exclusive reliever in his freshman and junior years but made 12 starts in his sophomore season. The Rangers liked his power mix, popped him in the fourth round and signed him for $565,000. He reached Low-A Down East in his pro debut and made a cameo during High-A Hickory’s postseason run.

Scouting Report: Hales is a surefire reliever as a pro but could move quite quickly in that role. He works with a two-pitch mix of a mid-90s fastball and mid-80s slider. The fastball touched 100 mph as an amateur and has above-average life through the zone while occasionally showing sink and tail toward the bottom. The slider appears like a hybrid between a true slider and a cutter and should help him induce both whiffs and weak contact. Hales has a chiseled build at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds that has earned him the nickname Superman. His funky delivery, which features a low slot and an abbreviated arm stroke in the back, adds deception.

The Future: Hales’ powerful mix should overwhelm hitters at the lowest levels of the minor leagues. If he can sharpen his command, he could reach the big leagues quickly and fit into a late-inning role.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Control: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: The Rangers cleaned up in the five-round 2020 draft, then put the icing on the cake in the undrafted free agent market. Stephan was one of a host of intriguing talents the Rangers added to their system post draft, and he experienced a bit of a breakthrough in 2023, when he reached Double-A for the first time. Stephan suffered a back injury at midseason and did not pitch after July 4. He was limited to just 66.1 innings all season.

Scouting Report: Stephan was able to dominate the lower levels with the help of a nasty slider that he threw nearly half the time. He used it to hitters of both hands and in any count, and could throw it for both called strikes and chases. He throws both two- and four-seam fastballs, each of which average around 92 mph. He uses the two-seamer more frequently, and it pairs nicely with his slider to give him an east-west approach that allows him to induce plenty of grounders. He also has a changeup that needs further development and a cutter that he introduced this season to help combat a weakness against lefthanded hitters. His next steps involve learning to pitch more off his fastball and to be more unpredictable in general. He throws plenty of strikes and should have at least above-average command at peak.

The Future: Stephan finished the year healthy in Arizona. He needs to vary his arsenal and get one of his offspeed pitches to take steps forward to reach his ceiling in the back of a rotation.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 40 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Cutter: 40 | Control: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Santos was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2019 and has slowly wound his way through the lowest levels of the minor leagues. He’s shown interesting stuff in the past but has jumped a tick in 2024.

Scouting Report: The key to Santos’ breakout this season is an improved slider that still needs improvement but could get to average one day with continued reps and consistency. He changed the grip on the pitch this season and now throws a gyro version.

The Future: Santos has been dominant early in 2024 in a return to High-A Hickory. If his slider continues to take strides and plays at the upper levels, he could be a back-end starter someday.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 60.
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Rosario pitched three seasons at Miami with middling or worse results, including ERAs north of 7.00 in his final two years. He mixed in a brief, dominant stint in the Cape Cod League as well, and the Rangers took a flier on him in the fifth round in 2023 and signed him for $437,900.

Scouting Report: Despite a checkered career at Miami, the Rangers were intrigued by what Rosario’s pitch mix might look like with a few tweaks. Specifically, they want him to establish his mid-90s sinker down in the zone early before moving up the ladder with the four-seamer for whiffs. He buttresses the fastball with a slurvy slider between 81-85 mph with Frisbee action and a split-grip changeup that was shelved during his time at Miami. To stick as a starter, he’ll need to improve his control and command as well. He walked 9.8% of hitters over his career at Miami, including an 11.8% rate during his draft year.

The Future: Rosario will likely begin his career as a starter at Low-A Down East. If he shifts to the bullpen, he could quickly through the system and fit in the bullpen in short order.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 40 | Control: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Hicks’ road to pro ball was long and winding. The Canadian-born backstop spent the first two years of this college career at Mineral State (Mo.) JC before transferring to Arkansas State for his junior and senior seasons. The Rangers took him in the ninth round of the 2021 draft and signed him for $30,000. Since then, he’s done nothing but hit. He reached Double-A in 2023, then posted a standout stint in the Arizona Fall League that included the league’s first six-hit game since 2009.

Scouting Report: Hicks’ road to the big leagues will come through the batter’s box, where the lefty hitter has shown outstanding bat-to-ball skills that included above-average rates of whiff and chase. Now, he needs to put some more impact behind his contact. His average and 90th percentile exit velocities were well below-average and he homered just four times while playing home games at two hitter-friendly atmospheres. Defensively, Hicks is a hard worker who will have to continue those efforts to get to even below-average. His arm strength grades as a 40 but plays down because of slow transfers and footwork. He got some time at first base as well. He’d be an adequate defender there but a move would put immense pressure on his bat to develop the power to profile at the position.

The Future: Hicks will spend his 2024 season at the upper levels of the minor leagues. If he can get stronger and produce more power, he could be a backup catcher whose value would come through his offense.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Morrobel earned the highest bonus in Texas’ 2021 international class and showed signs of promise early in his pro career, which was spent at the lowest levels of the minor leagues. The outfielder was part of an extremely young pack of prospects assigned to Low-A Down East. He took his lumps during the season but missed roughly half the year with injuries to his hamstring and shoulder, the latter of which required season-ending surgery.

Scouting Report: Morrobel showed the best control of the strike zone among the young prospects at Low-A, but he did not show nearly enough impact and homered just once in 128 at-bats. The Rangers are heartened by his solid swing mechanics and excellent decisions, but he doesn’t have high-end bat speed and absolutely has to start putting bigger charges into balls. That’s especially true if he moves to a corner-outfield spot, which some scouts believe will be a necessity as he matures and adds strength. Evaluators see an average defender in right field because of above-average arm strength. He’s an average runner.

The Future: Morrobel was healthy enough to see action at Texas’ fall instructional league camp and should return to Low-A Down East in 2024. It is imperative that he adds strength and power to help him profile in an outfield corner. Otherwise, he fits more as a backup.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Rangers have not been shy about hunting for upside in the draft, and Tiger is one of their latest projects. The righthander spent three seasons at Butler (KS) JC, where he caught the eye of area scout Dustin Smith, whose intrigue was piqued further by Tiger’s short stint in the Cape Cod League in 2022. In his draft season, Tiger whiffed 121 hitters against just 29 walks in 84.2 innings. Texas took Tiger in the seventh round in 2023 and sent him for a quick stint in the Arizona Complex League before he moved to Low-A for the playoffs, where he struck out six hitters over three hitless frames.

Scouting Report: Tiger works mostly with three pitches: a mid-90s fastball, a hard-diving slider in the high-80s and a splitter that serves as his changeup. The righthander used to throw a circle changeup but the Rangers believed his delivery--with its overhand stroke--was better suited for a splitter. The fastball played up in relief and touched 100 mph in the playoffs. He’s also utilized a low-90s cutter that grades out as fringe-average. Tiger is an above-average mover on the mound and has the arm action and delivery to give him the upside of a starter if he can add the requisite polish. He has fringe-average control.

The Future: Tiger is likely to spend 2024 at the Class A levels, where he will work toward a ceiling in the rotation with the fallback option of a weapon out of the bullpen.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Figuereo signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2021 and put himself on the map a year later with a scorching performance in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League that included nine home runs. He was part of a very young group that moved to Low-A and took their lumps all season.

Scouting Report: Catch him on the right day, and you can clearly see Figuereo’s ceiling. He’s a muscularly gifted player with more than enough raw power to profile at third base. He needs to do a better job recognizing and laying off spin so he can actually get pitches he can drive. His chase and whiff numbers are high, and he needs to tone down his aggression so he can take a few more walks. He’s also vexed by lefthanders, who held him to just a .493 OPS in 2023. Figuereo will make highlight-reel plays that allow him to show off a nearly double-plus arm, but he has to get more consistent on routine plays. He needs to improve the finer points, including footwork and transfers. He’s a well below-average runner.

The Future: Figuereo will likely return to Low-A in 2024 and will have to show significant improvement to reach his ceiling.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 40 | Arm: 65
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Morel signed with Texas in 2023 for a bonus of $97,500 on the strength of an intriguing but raw tool set. He spent his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League, where he led the league with 17 doubles, eight triples, 32 extra-base hits and 116 total bases. The XBH total was the most in the league since 2019, when Luis Matos had 33.

Scouting Report: Morel’s game is centered around his offense, which has the potential to profile at right field if he makes some improvements. Chiefly, he must make better swing decisions. He didn’t strike out at an extreme rate--just 24.5%--but his miss rates both in and out of the zone were a touch high for the level. If he improves in those areas, he’ll be able to access his plus power as he moves up the ladder. There’s work to be done on defense, where Morel must clean up his routes and jumps to remain in right field. He’s a fringy runner right now, and if he slows down he might have to move to first base.

The Future: Morel will advance stateside in 2024 and has the ceiling of a classic everyday right fielder.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

May Update: Corniell has missed the season while dealing with right elbow inflammation.

Track Record: Corniell was signed by Seattle in 2019 for $330,000, the highest bonus awarded by the Mariners in that year’s signing class. He never threw a pitch in a Seattle uniform. Instead, the Rangers acquired him--along with infielder Andres Mesa--following the 2020 season as the return for reliever Rafael Montero. He’s moved slowly through the system but broke through in 2023, when he reached High-A for the first time and struck out 119 hitters, second-most in the system.

Scouting Report: As Corniell has matriculated through the minors, his repertoire has undergone a metamorphosis. His four-seam fastball, which sits around 94 mph, worked in concert with a sweepy, potentially plus slider around 84 mph to give righthanded hitters fits. Lefthanders, however, fared much better. To remedy that issue, Corniell introduced a cutter to steal strikes early in counts and give hitters another option to consider. He was also encouraged to throw his mid-80s changeup more often to give himself a putaway pitch against lefties. The strike, chase and miss rates on the changeup were all plus in 2023. Corniell also throws a two-seam fastball, which comes in a few ticks slower than his four-seamer. Scouts reported a bit of inconsistency in Corniell’s slider shape, which may stem from not getting on top of the pitch regularly. The Rangers were also impressed by Corniell’s improved maturity, and rewarded him with the organization’s pitcher of the year award.

The Future: Corniell was added to the 40-man roster and will reach Double-A for the first time in 2024. He has the upside of a back-end starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

May Update: Vargas missed a few weeks after getting hit in the wrist by a pitch in the first full season of the year. He should be back early in May.

Track Record: Vargas was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2022 for a small bonus. His career is in its early stages, but he’s already proved a shrewd signing. The versatile infielder stood out in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, where his 11 home runs tied for the league lead, and his 27 extra-base hits and 112 total bases stood alone atop the circuit.

Scouting Report: Vargas has a well-rounded skill set without a standout tool on defense or in the batter’s box. He’s a tightly packed athlete who can put plenty of thump behind the ball but will need to improve his approach in order to do so more often. His chase and miss rates were not good, but his 103.9 mph 90th percentile exit velocity stood out among his peers. If he can better recognize and lay off spin, his knack for barreling balls will show up more frequently. Vargas improved his walk rate year over year but the Rangers would like to see that figure improve. He mostly split his defensive reps between shortstop and second base but got seven starts at third base as well. He could be an average defender at second but has enough arm strength to fill in on the left side from time to time. He’s an above-average runner who can get to plus underway.

The Future: Vargas made a one-game cameo with Low-A Down East, and he’ll return to the level in 2024. He has the ceiling of a utilityman who gets regular playing time around the diamond.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Ortiz went to high school at the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico and then played one season at Florida Southwestern State JC, where he hit .349 with nine home runs. He signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2021 draft and in 2023 hit 33 home runs, which was tied for fourth in the minors.

Scouting Report: Ortiz’s first two seasons as a pro were fairly nondescript. His career turned when he was diagnosed with astigmatism and got corrective lenses. Once he was able to see the ball, he began hitting it hard and often. He made loud contact all year long, and his average (90 mph) and 90th percentile (106.1) exit velocities were some of the best in the system. He also simplified his mechanics to turn a leg lift into a toe-tap. Now, Ortiz must do better against premium velocity. He whiffed more than 35% against fastballs thrown 95 mph or harder, and was particularly susceptible when they were thrown up in the zone. Ortiz has seen some time in the outfield, but first base and DH are his likely homes. He’s a below-average defender and a well below-average runner, so all of his value is going to have to come when he’s in the batter’s box.

The Future: Ortiz will move to Double-A in 2024, when he’ll try to improve against hard fastballs in order to let his strength and power play to their fullest. He could be an everyday first baseman on a second-division club.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Field: 40 | Arm: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Teodo is a strong-armed righthander who signed for a five-figure bonus and spent his first pro season as a reliever in the Arizona Complex League. He moved into a starter’s role in 2022, and has been part of the rotation at both Class A levels over the past two seasons. Teodo missed time in 2023 with a forearm injury, then made up the innings with a dominant stint in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: The story of Teodo’s season can be told in two parts. In the beginning, his four-seam fastball played way down from its upper-90s velocity and was ineffective at missing bats. Once Teodo switched to a two-seamer, his season swung. Teodo made the switch on July 16, and from that point on he struck out 57 and walked just 18 over the season’s final 37.2 innings. He was even more overpowering in the AFL, where he allowed three hits and struck out 18 hitters over 11 frames. Teodo backs the fastball with a nasty curveball in the mid 80s whose break and velocity makes it appear like a slider. The pitch’s shape is inconsistent, and the Rangers have worked with him to improve in that area. When he threw the four-seamer, he would often alter his tempo in an effort to coax the ball into the strike zone. By changing to the two-seamer, Teodo could aim down the middle and allow the combination of movement and velocity to bedevil hitters. He is not likely to have better than below-average control and command.

The Future: Teodo might get a few more cracks at starting, but he’s a near-certain reliever. If it all clicks, he could be a force at the back of the bullpen.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Control: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: As if their haul in the 2020 draft weren’t enough, the Rangers also cleaned up on undrafted free agents. One of their biggest coups was Curry, a tall righthander from a New York high school. Curry got a cameo at Low-A in 2022, then returned to the level in 2023 for most of the season. He was one of six Rangers prospects to strike out more than 100 hitters last season.

Scouting Report: Curry’s size and age made him an upside play, and in 2023 he began to scratch the surface of that potential by becoming more in sync with his upper and lower halves. His stuff is plenty good, too. Curry works primarily with two pitches: A low-90s fastball and a low-80s slider. The former has excellent shape, with roughly 18 inches of induced vertical break and a spin rate around 2,400 rpm. The slider is a slicing, downer breaking ball that got Low-A hitters to swing and miss at a rate of 46%. He mixes in a cutter around 89 mph and a changeup in the mid 80s that scouts believe could have average potential once he begins throwing it more often. Curry could get to average control as he gains further coordination and strength, and evaluators noted that his fastball command winnowed at the upper end of its velocity.

The Future: Curry ended the season at High-A Hickory and will return there in 2024. His upside lies in his projection, and the top of his ceiling could see him slot in toward the back of a rotation.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: After a breakout season at Oregon that saw him produce a 1.124 OPS and establish himself as one of the best lefthanded bats on the board, Zavala was selected in the second round of the 2021 draft. A medical issue complicated things, but he eventually signed for a bonus of $830,000. Just five games into his stint in the 2022 Arizona Fall League, he suffered an injury that required the implantation of a surgical brace. He didn’t make his 2023 debut until May 27, and then struggled to get off the ground all year long.

Scouting Report: At his best, Zavala’s bat is his calling card. He was not at his best in 2023. Scouts outside the organization noted a player who didn’t have the same burst as in past years despite solid bat speed and bat-to-ball skills. The Rangers believe the surgery affected Zavala’s bat angle, which was lower than before and led to him consistently being under fastballs and lower exit velocities and hard-hit rates than when he was at his best. He is an extremely selective hitter who swung just 37.5% of the time in 2023 but did a good job finding the barrel when he cut it loose. Now he needs to regain the thump he lost before the surgery. The results from the team’s fall instructional camp seemed to point in the right direction. As a corner outfielder with secondary tools that are only average across the board, the pressure is on Zavala’s bat to return to its prior levels.

The Future: Zavala might return to Double-A in 2024 to get a clean slate at a level where he struggled mightily in 2023. If he can rebound, he has the ceiling of an average left fielder on a second division club.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Santana is not only the top player in the Rangers’ class, he’s one of the biggest up-arrow prospects overall. He was signed for $1.3 million as part of the group Texas added in the most recent international class, which opened Jan. 15, 2024.

Scouting Report: Santana is strong and lithe with enough athleticism and should stick in center field. At the plate, he has quick hands, puts together mature at-bats, recognizes spin well and has a strong record of in-game performance. He can shoot balls to the opposite-field gap and pull them over the fence as well with a swing that appears nearly effortless. He has plus speed.

The Future: Santana will begin his career in the DSL, but the Rangers in past years have shown a willingness to move players aggressively if their performance warrants such a move.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Gutierrez was the jewel of Texas’ 2022 international signing class, signing for $1.97 million on Jan. 15. He’s been pushed aggressively over his two pro seasons, moving stateside in his first year and opening 2023 as the youngest position player in the Low-A Carolina League. Unsurprisingly, Gutierrez struggled against older competition. He also dealt with a pair of injuries, including a sprained wrist and a fractured finger toward the end of the year.

Scouting Report: Gutierrez is still extremely young--he’ll play all of 2024 as a 19-year-old--so he has plenty of leash remaining, but there’s little question his stock is down. In his first year outside a complex league setting, Gutierrez was a free-swinger who did a good job making contact on pitches in the zone but strayed outside it too often. His chase rate of 41% was well below-average, even considering his level. He also needs to get the ball in the air much more often. To do so, the Rangers would like him to adjust his bat path to turn some of his grounders into line drives. Gutierrez’s raw power shows up in batting practice but produced just 16 extra-base hits in 76 Low-A games. Gutierrez is an excellent center fielder, with long, gliding strides that help him track down balls with ease no matter whether they were hit behind him or from side to side. He’s still young enough that his body could take him into a corner, where there would be even more pressure on his bat to take big strides forward. Gutierrez’s instincts in center field mask the fact that he is an average runner, which shows up in times to first base.

The Future: Scouts inside and outside the organization still believe in Gutierrez, though they acknowledge that the road to his ceiling has not gotten shorter. If everything clicks, he can be a center fielder with a well-rounded skill set. He’ll return to Low-A in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 60 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme

May Update: Porter was sent to the Rangers’ Arizona complex to work on fixing his control and stuff issues. In the early going he was struggling to throw strikes and his velocity backed up as his delivery is out of whack.

Track Record: In 2022, the Rangers forfeited their second- and third-round picks as a penalty for signing World Series cornerstones Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. They took Kumar Rocker with their first-round choice, signed him for an under-slot deal and used the savings to sign Porter, one of the highest-upside high school arms in the class. Porter’s bonus was $3.7 million, the fourth-round record by a wide margin. The righthander spent all of his first full season in 2023 at Low-A Down East, which advanced to the Carolina League finals.

Scouting Report: Porter’s bread and butter is his changeup, a filthy pitch that is a true plus offering. His changeup sits in the low 80s and features late, hard drop and is thrown with enough velocity separation and conviction to get swings and misses from both lefthanded and righthanded batters. His changeup complements a four-seam fastball that also grades out as a future plus. It sits around 94 mph and earns high marks for its nearly 2,500 rpm spin rate and a nearly 30% whiff rate. The question all year long was whether Porter could find a suitable breaking ball, and late in the year he found one. After scrapping a curveball, he opted for a sweeping slider in the low 80s that featured more than 15 inches of horizontal break. The next step is improving his control, which was poor all season long and resulted in a 14% walk rate and an overall strike rate of just 57%. Scouts suggested that part of the reason for the control issues was because his delivery, while repeatable, was too uptempo and would leave him fatigued after a few innings. He pitched five innings just twice all season.

The Future: Porter will advance to High-A in 2024, when he’ll work on continuing to sharpen his breaking ball and throwing more strikes. If he can check those boxes, he has midrotation upside.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

May Update: Leiter started strong at Triple-A Round Rock and earned his first big league callup. To reach his full potential, he’ll still have to make further tweaks to the way he uses and command his fastball.

Track Record: Leiter’s collegiate career was limited to just a season and change thanks to the pandemic and sophomore eligibility. Nonetheless, the Rangers selected Leiter--the son and nephew of big leaguers Al and Mark Leiter--second overall. After resting him post-draft, the Rangers assigned Leiter to Double-A to begin his pro career. He’s spent two rocky seasons at the level, where he’s struggled with command and control and made several alterations to his delivery and pitch mix.

Scouting Report: Leiter made two stints on the development list in 2023. Part of the reason for those assignments was to change the way he used his lower half in his delivery. Specifically, the Rangers wanted him to keep his heel in connection with the rubber longer. They also simplified other aspects of his mechanics in an effort to help him throw more strikes and improve a walk rate that has been 10% or higher for the entirety of his career. Further improvements to the delivery were a target of his offseason work. Leiter works with a four-pitch mix, starting with a mid-90s fastball with high spin and promising life through the zone. If he can throw more strikes, it could be a plus offering. None of his offspeed pitches grade as better than average, and even his best pitch, his slider, went through a major overhaul. The pitch, which comes in around 86 mph, needs to show sharper break because the current version acts more like a cutter. If he can add some break, it has the power to get to average. Leiter’s changeup and curveball are fringe-average, and his control will have to take a big step forward to get to below-average.

The Future: After two seasons spent tinkering, Leiter needs to show something in 2024. If he does, he might have a chance to fit in the back of a rotation. If not, he might have a future as a setup man.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Rocker’s winding journey to pro ball is well documented. A standout Georgia prep, he raised his profile in three years at Vanderbilt, winning Freshman of the Year in 2019 and tying Commodores co-ace Jack Leiter for the national lead with 179 strikeouts in 2021. Rocker was drafted by the Mets 10th overall in 2021 but went unsigned after medical issues popped up. He pitched in the independent Frontier League in 2022, then was taken by Texas with the No. 3 overall pick and signed to an under-slot deal of $5.2 million. His first pro work came in the Arizona Fall League, where he struck out 18 but walked 12 over 14 innings over six short starts. He looked sharp at High-A Hickory to open 2023 but had Tommy John surgery on May 16.

Scouting Report: Before the injury, Rocker was outstanding. His fastball sat in the mid 90s and his slider was at times a wipeout pitch that got swings and misses both in and out of the zone. He continued to throw his fringy, high-80s changeup, but it was a clear fourth piece of his arsenal. Rocker’s biggest change in pro ball was the addition of a two-seam fastball, added to give him more of a weapon against righthanders. The pitch sat around 95 mph and got swings and misses at a 27% clip, much higher than the 16% induced by his four-seamer. Rocker’s control was much better in the South Atlantic League than in the AFL, but scouts who saw him early would like to see better command. His delivery also showed more repeatability than in the AFL, especially when it came to finding a consistent arm slot.

The Future: There have been no setbacks in Rocker’s rehab, and he should be ready to go at some point during the 2024 season. If he can show the same kind of stuff he did at Hickory, he could fit in the middle of the rotation with the fall back of a nasty late-inning reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

May Update: Cauley was placed on the injured list on April 14 with turf toe in his left foot.

Track Record: Cauley has baseball bloodlines thanks to a father who played in the minor leagues with the White Sox. He was the Rangers’ first prep choice in 2021, after the team had already drafted Jack Leiter (Vanderbilt) and Aaron Zavala (Oregon) with its first two picks. Cauley’s $1 million bonus was the second-highest the Rangers handed out that season. He has moved deliberately through the system, including significant time at Low-A in each of the past two seasons. He reached High-A in 2023, then closed with six weeks in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Cauley is one of the twitchier athletes in the system, but he also has plenty of refinement to go before he can make the most of those gifts. The biggest action item on Cauley’s list involves cutting down his swing-and-miss and making better swing decisions. He hits the ball plenty hard, with average and 90th percentile exit velocities of 89 and 102 mph--but his whiff rates were concerning. His in-zone miss rate of 25.8% was a particularly red flag. The Rangers hope adding strength will lead to a more consistent bat path, something outside scouts noticed was an issue as well. When Cauley does connect, there’s plenty of thump behind the ball. His 34 extra-base hits--including 12 home runs--exceeded his career total by 10. Cauley ranks as the system’s best infield defender. He’s a graceful shortstop with a strong arm that should get to plus once he gets stronger and can get the most on his throws without having to put everything he’s got behind them. He’s a blazing runner whose speed borders on double-plus.

The Future: Cauley will make his upper-level debut in 2024, when his efforts to improve his bat-to-ball skills and swing decisions will meet their toughest test. If he passes, he can get to an everyday shortstop with bottom-of-the-order offensive skills.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 45 | Run: 65 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Harris was drafted by the Athletics out of junior college in 2019, then dealt to the Rangers in 2020 as part of a two-player package that sent Mike Minor to Oakland. In 2021, Harris made that deal look like a heist by hitting .327/.401/.542 with 20 home runs and winning the organization’s minor league player of the year award. He earned a berth in the 2022 Futures Game and collected two hits and a stolen base. A sprained left wrist in August ended his season. Harris split 2023 between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, finishing as one of eight minor leaguers with 20 or more doubles, 80 or more walks and 40 or more stolen bases.

Scouting Report: Harris’ season flipped when he was promoted to Triple-A. Part of that was because the automated ball-strike system plays into hitters’ hands at the top of the zone, which is an area of weakness for Harris. Opposing hitters noticed that Harris was having trouble keeping his upper and lower halves connected during his swing. To remedy this, he began starting his stride earlier, which helped. He also cleaned up some of the excess movement in his swing to help get a cleaner, more efficient path to the ball. Harris’ exit velocities were subpar in 2023, and the Rangers would like him to work on putting on more weight to get more oomph behind the ball. Harris has gotten experience in left field but he’s likely going to wind up at first base, where he’ll compete with Justin Foscue for a potential roster spot. Despite 41 stolen bases, Harris is more of a skilled baserunner than he is a true burner. His speed is roughly average.

The Future: Harris will return to Triple-A in 2024 to try to continue his strong finish from 2023. If he can show more power, he’ll have a shot to make his big league debut.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Low

Track Record: Like many Rangers pitching prospects of a certain vintage, White has had a checkered injury history. He did not pitch post-draft in 2018, then missed the 2019 season with Tommy John surgery before the pandemic wiped out the 2020 season. A broken hand limited White to 35.1 innings in 2021, and he lost two months to arm fatigue in 2022. In 2023, he pitched a career-high 112.2 innings, including four over two big league starts.

Scouting Report: Despite reaching the big leagues, White’s stuff took a severe dip in quality. That was particularly true of his four-seam fastball, which dropped nearly 2 mph in velocity as well as a corresponding loss of vertical break. Those two factors led to his whiff rate on four-seamers nearly being cut in half, from 33% in 2022 to 17% in 2023. White’s downgraded fastball can be explained in part by even more health issues. He dealt with nagging injuries to his hip and shoulder throughout the season and struggled to get down the mound with any sort of authority. The Rangers would also like to see White improve his nutrition. The biggest change to White’s arsenal involved his slider, which was switched to a sweeper shape during the season in an effort to induce more swings and misses against righthanders. His above-average curveball is the best in a system that trends heavily toward sliders, and he rounds out his mix with an average changeup and a fringy cutter. White’s control was solid at Double-A but suffered at Triple-A, where the automated ball-strike system punishes pitchers who attack north to south.

The Future: White will look for a reset in 2024, when he’ll have a chance to make the Opening Day roster but will likely head back to Triple-A. The Rangers system overall is thin on pitching, so he should have plenty of chances to return to Texas.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium

May Update: Foscue made his big league debut on April 5 but strained an oblique muscle a few days later and is currently on the 60-day injured list.

Track Record: Foscue was the Rangers’ first-round pick in the five-round 2020 draft, part of a treasure trove of talent that also included postseason star Evan Carter as well as righthander Tekoah Roby and shortstop Thomas Saggese, who were used in tandem to acquire lefthander Jordan Montgomery from the Cardinals for the playoffs. All season long at Triple-A, Foscue showed a combination of selectivity and bat-to-ball skills that led to more walks (85) than strikeouts (70). After beginning his career as a second baseman, Foscue has begun to transition to the corners. In 2023, he made 35 starts at third base and nine more at first base.

Scouting Report: Wherever he lands on the diamond, Foscue’s value will come from what he does at the plate. When he swings, he usually makes contact. His rate of miss (17.8%) and in-zone miss (8.9%) were both excellent, but his impact was just average. To improve, Foscue will need to add some more loft to his bat path, which was an area of focus at Texas’ postseason instructional camp. If he can make that change successfully, some of the 62 doubles he’s amassed over the past two seasons might leave the park. Defensively, Foscue does not have the range, mobility or arm strength to stick up the middle or at third base. He’s also blocked by Josh Jung, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. That leaves first base, where he might serve as an effective platoon partner for Nathaniel Lowe. Foscue is a well below-average runner as well.

The Future: After two seasons at the upper levels, Foscue will get a chance in spring training to win a spot on Texas’ crowded roster. If he hits enough in spring training, he could earn a job spelling Lowe against lefthanders while also serving as the DH on other days.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 40 | Arm: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 60/Extreme

Track Record: Walcott signed two months before he turned 17, earned a bonus north of $3 million and immediately showed a wealth of high-end tools. Walcott speaks more English than Spanish, which was part of the reason the Rangers promoted him out of the Dominican Summer League after just six games. It’s also why he skipped Low-A after playing 35 games in the Arizona Complex League. At High-A Hickory, Walcott could be around English speakers like Cam Cauley instead of the group of mostly Spanish-speaking prospects clustered at Low-A Down East.

Scouting Report: After moving stateside to the ACL, Walcott immediately put on a show. The 17-year-old swatted a home run in his first game and finished with seven, tied for fifth in the Rookie-level league. Walcott is twitchy with huge bat speed that helps him generate nearly elite raw power that translates into games. To get to that ceiling, he’ll need to greatly reduce his whiffs. He struggled overall to handle offspeed pitches, right-on-right sliders in particular. The end result was a strikeout rate of 29.7% across all three of his stops and a rate of 32.4% in the ACL. Walcott also showed a tendency to let the his frustration compound and occasionally threw helmets and bats after strikeouts, leading to removal from games. He has a chance to remain at shortstop, but if he gets too big he might have to move to third base or the outfield. Walcott has the plus arm to handle third base, and his bat would certainly profile at the position. His athleticism and above-average speed would play well in an outfield corner.

The Future: Whether Walcott starts at Low-A or High-A, he has a chance to blossom into a perennial all-star. Better plate discipline is the first step toward reaching that ceiling.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 70/High

Track Record: Langford went undrafted out of Trenton (Fla.) High, then spent his sophomore and junior seasons at Florida building himself into one of the best players in the country. He spent the summer after his sophomore season with USA Baseball’s College National Team. In 2023 he helped propel the Gators to College World Series finals. The Rangers drafted Langford fourth overall and signed him to an over-slot deal of $8 million, then watched as he had the loudest pro debut of any 2023 draftee, hitting .360/.480/.677 in 44 games and reaching Triple-A.

Scouting Report: Pound for pound, Langford is one of the best prospects in the sport. He was unchallenged at any of his minor league stops and was the only player on the Rangers’ postseason taxi squad who was not part of the 40-man roster. The righthanded hitter has a simple, powerful swing that keeps the barrel in the zone long enough to hit for a high average and with enough strength and loft to eventually achieve double-plus power. Langford also makes stellar swing decisions. He doesn’t chase often, and he rarely misses pitches in the zone. He should be an offensive force in Texas in short order. Defensively, Langford has a bit more work to do. He needs to improve his reads, routes and jumps in order to grade near average on an outfield corner. His fringe-average arm makes him fit best in left field, where his bat would certainly profile. He is a plus runner.

The Future: Langford finished the season on the precipice of the big leagues. In 2024, he should make the final leap. He has the skills and the pedigree to be a cornerstone in the Rangers’ lineup.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 70 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: A two-way player at San Jacinto (Texas) JC, Auer was the Ray’s breakout prospect in 2022. His 2023 season was the opposite. Auer seemed lost at the plate from the first day of the season until almost the last. He hit .074 in May for Double-A Montgomery with a 43% strikeout rate, and only by hitting .295 in September did he drag his batting average back above .200.

Scouting Report: Auer may not be as good as he looked in 2022, but he’s also not as bad as he appeared to be in 2023. The Rays were encouraged with how he just kept grinding and refused to get too discouraged, which explains why he was never demoted. But he also never found a swing he was comfortable with. Auer started the year in a closed setup and ended up open. He kept trying different places to start his hands. Nothing seemed to work. His lower half seemed disconnected from his hands, he was pull-happy, too rotational in his swing and chased way too many sliders off the plate. Auer will get to reset for 2024, but he’ll need to show that he’s more than a bottom-of-the-order hitter who can ambush a mistake. Defensively, Auer is a big league-ready, plus-plus center fielder with a plus-plus arm. His defensive acumen is why he remains an intriguing prospect, and his plus-plus speed makes him one of the organization’s best basestealers as well.

The Future: Auer faces a pivotal year. Another year like 2023 in a return to Montgomery would leave him as a fringy prospect despite three plus or plus-plus tools on his scouting report. But if he can just make modest improvements offensively, his speed and glove will give him a shot at a big league role.

Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Field: 65 | Arm: 70
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: A closer at Oklahoma State, the Rays wanted to see if Martin could convert to starting. So far, he’s taken to the new role, showing more consistency and control than expected coming out of college.

Scouting Report: Martin’s velocity has ticked down a notch as a starter, which isn’t all that surprising. He now sits at 92-93 mph and touches 96, where he used to sit more around 95-96 as a closer. But he’s become a more versatile pitcher who can mix in an effective mid-80s slider, a bigger and slower curveball and a low-80s changeup. His plus control has been a revelation, as he fills the strike zone and gets ahead of hitters.

The Future: Martin could eventually slide back into the bullpen, depending on how his career develops, but he’s shown everything the Rays could ask for so far as a starter. He’s a strike-thrower with solid stuff who profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter or multi-inning reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Kinney looks to have put a significant shoulder injury behind him. He missed the entire 2022 season and had to play a good bit of first base in 2023, but now he’s back playing second and third base and hitting, like he always has when he’s been healthy.

Scouting Report: Kinney is a pure hitter who makes solid swing decisions. He sprays line drives and should hit for average, get on base and produce fringe-average power. He’ll need to hit, as his defense is limited by his range and below-average foot speed. His fringe-average arm is best at second base.

The Future: There’s nothing exceptional on Kinney’s scouting report, but he’s a well-rounded player who is the type the Rays often seem to get the most out of.

Scouting Grades Hitting: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Baker was Texas Tech’s shortstop for part of his freshman year, but while the Red Raiders loved his bat, they quickly realized he was better in the outfield. Baker spent most of two seasons in Class A before reaching Double-A Montgomery at the end of the 2023 season.

Scouting Report: If Colton Ledbetter can be described as a well-rounded outfielder with potentially five average tools, Baker’s profile is similar, but with a little less pop and a lot more strikeouts. Baker’s 14 home runs in 2023 were a surprise—he had hit 15 in the previous four years combined. His power is almost entirely pull-side shots that just clear the left field fence, and he’s more of a line-drive and groundball hitter. Baker is a capable, fringe-average hitter, but there are worries that more advanced pitchers will make his solid 22% strikeout rate climb. He’s average in center field and above-average in the corners with an average arm. As a basestealer, Baker is exceptional. He has swiped 76 of 85 in his pro career.

The Future: If Baker can keep this up, he could end up as a well-rounded fourth outfielder. He can play all three outfield spots, he steals bases in bunches and hits well enough to pinch-hit. It would just be an easier path for him if he hit lefthanded rather than righthanded.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: In 2022, the Rays had a pair of high-ceiling shortstop/third base prospects at their Port Charlotte, Fla., complex. It wasn’t hard to find evaluators who thought Vasquez was the better prospect than teammate Junior Caminero. Caminero found another gear in 2023, rocketing from High-A Bowling Green to the major leagues, while Vasquez struggled at High-A Bowling Green. But while he no longer compares to Caminero, Vasquez is still young enough to forge his own path to Tampa Bay.

Scouting Report: Vasquez still has the tools and potential to be an everyday regular, but he’ll need to take a significant step forward. He has excellent bat speed, plus raw power and the potential to be an above-average third baseman. Otherwise, he remains a step behind. Vasquez’s swing can get too long at times, and he has a hitch, which disrupts his timing. He has exceptional raw power but struggles to hit the ball in the air enough for it to play in games. Vasquez has moved to third base, but could still end up at second, where his long limbs and plus arm might be a better fit.

The Future: Vasquez spent his winter in the Dominican League to get more seasoning. He faces a crucial year as he heads to Double-A Mongtomery. A bounce-back season would make a case for a spot on the 40-man roster, but he needs to make more consistent quality contact and lift the ball more frequently.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: It’s fair to wonder whether a player like Peoples would ever be drafted in the current minor league structure. It’s not only because he was drafted in a round that no longer exists—the 22nd—but because he was drafted at a time when the Rays had Appalachian and New York-Penn league affiliates. Prior to 2021, the Rays would expect raw prospects like Peoples to spend two or three years climbing the ladder before reaching full-season ball. Instead, he spent two years in Rookie complex ball and spent all of this his fifth pro season at High-A Bowling Green.

Scouting Report: The Rays loved to move high school pitchers at a slow pace under the old minor league system, and Peoples may be one of the Rays’ last pitchers to follow the old development plan. Five years into his pro career, he’s only just starting to display the glimmers of what the Rays saw back in 2019. He has a plus 93-95 mph fastball and an average 85-87 mph changeup that could some day get to above-average. He has now improved his long fringy slider into a more powerful 87-89 mph pitch with modest downward bite. He has fringe-average control and should get to average in time.

The Future: Peoples is a starter for now, but most likely he develops into a reliever who can work up and down in the zone with his fastball and changeup. The Rays didn’t need to protect him from the Rule 5 draft because they rightfully believed no one would consider taking a pitcher so far away. In 2024, he and the Rays hope that will be a more difficult decision.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium

Track Record: The Rays constantly churn their big league and minor league rosters, looking to figure out how to add talent in blockbuster trades, but just as much on less-noticed moves. Lopez was acquired by the Rays from the Giants for Joe McCarthy in 2019. He missed all of 2022 because of Tommy John surgery, but he sped from Double-A to the majors in 2023.

Scouting Report: An ideal outcome for Lopez is for him to become the Rays’ next Ryan Yarbrough. He’s a bulk-innings pitcher who may do better when a team can pick the spot for which 12-15 outs he’s set to get by following an opener. Lopez is not a fun at-bat for hitters because he has a deceptive delivery, excellent extension and he makes it hard for lefties to pick him up thanks to a low three-quarters arm slot. Nothing Lopez throws is sexy. He’s a sinker/slider lefty with below-average 89-91 mph velocity who lives at the very edges of the strike zone. He wants to get in just off the plate with his below-average fastball to lefties, and then get them to chase the slider out of the zone. Similarly, he nibbles on the outer edge against righthanded hitters with his fastball and slider, but will sneak a changeup down in the zone as well. If Lopez is in the top half of the strike zone, he’s missed his spot.

The Future: Lopez’s success relies on guile and command and he has a low margin of error. But he’s making it work, and should ride the Durham-Tampa Bay shuttle in 2024 as a multi-inning reliever/spot starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 40 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: When Misner was at Missouri, he was a toolsy outfield prospect who showed the potential to be a power-speed center fielder, but there were concerns about whether he would hit enough to let his tools play. Five seasons later—and following a November 2021 trade to Tampa Bay—he remains toolsy, but his 186 strikeouts in 2023 were third-most in the minors.

Scouting Report: Misner is a plus defender at all three outfield spots with a plus arm. He’s also a plus runner who should be good for 20 steals a year. And he set a career high with 21 home runs for Triple-A Durham in 2023, showing power and the ability to draw walks, though sometimes his passivity leads to three and four-pitch strikeouts. The Rays have tried to help Misner string together better at-bats against lefties, but he remains largely helpless against them. He hit .140 against same-siders in 2023 while striking out 46% of the time. He’s actually competent against righthanders, hitting .252/.387/.520 with 42 extra-base hits. He’s a bottom-of-the-scale hitter if asked to play every day but could produce better numbers in a more limited role.

The Future: Misner’s chances of hitting lefties well enough to be a regular are fading, and the fact that no team picked him in the 2023 Rule 5 draft is a clear indication that no other team is willing to make him a big leaguer just yet. But his defense, speed and power could make him a platoon outfielder, as long as he’s yanked anytime a lefty steps onto the mound.

Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Pineda signed with the Rays for $1.75 million, the top bonus among the 23 players the team signed on Jan. 15.

Scouting Report: Pineda is an outfielder whose bat should carry him up the minor league ladder. He’s a compact, well-built righthanded hitter with above-average bat speed and pull-side power. He has a chance to be a polished hitter with power. He’s an average runner who should play all three outfield spots early in his pro career, with some scouts giving him a chance to stick in center field, while others think he’s most likely a corner outfielder in the upper levels.

The Future: Pineda has a lot of promising attributes and should be one of the better hitters in the Dominican Summer League this summer.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Morgan will be a hero in Baton Rouge for the rest of his life. His play against Wake Forest was the signature highlight of Louisiana State’s 2023 national championship run. In an eighth-inning scoreless tie with a runner on third base, Morgan charged a bunt, fielded it cleanly and short-arm flipped it home to keep the game scoreless, setting up Tommy White’s extra-inning heroics. Morgan was named to the College World Series all-tournament team. The Rays picked him in the third round a couple of weeks later. His 2023 pro debut ended because of a minor arm injury, but he should be fine for 2024.

Scouting Report: It’s odd to start a scouting report on a first baseman by talking about his defense, but Morgan isn’t a typical first baseman. He plays the position like a shortstop, with excellent range, quick reactions and soft hands. There have been sporadic attempts to try to see what he can do in the outfield, but he’s a below-average defender out there despite his plus-plus defense at first. Offensively, Morgan is a line-drive hitter who aims to hit for average and hit doubles. James Loney’s offensive approach and impact is an optimistic ceiling, but Morgan has shown hints of more power in batting practice.

The Future: The Rays emphasize defense more than most organizations, which is good news for Morgan, who has a light bat for a first baseman, but the Rays’ love for gloves could help a plus-plus defender find a way to a useful MLB role.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Field: 70 | Arm: 40

Draft Prospects

School: Louisville. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.6

The younger brother of Angels lefthander Reid Detmers, Parker chose to follow in his brother’s footsteps and attend the University of Louisville. Detmers has a physical build with strength through his frame. He has a short, quick arm stroke and attacks from a three-quarters slot. Detmers’ fastball sits 90-93 and tops out at 94 with some hop through the zone. His mid-70s curveball has a lot more depth than sharpness, but it has a chance to develop into a quality secondary pitch. Detmers has also turned over a few above-average mid-80s changeups that have flashed late tumbling life. He could be pitching on weekends for Louisville as soon as next season.
School: LSU. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.9

Milam was not an Opening Day starter for the Tigers, but he quickly forced his way into the lineup. The switch-hitting second baseman has a similar setup on both sides of the plate, with a fairly short swing and some quickness in his hands. However, his barrel tip is more pronounced from the right side and he does noticeably more damage from the left side. While he’s hitting sub-.200 as a righthanded hitter, Milam is hitting .347 as a lefthanded hitter with six extra-base hits. There is both miss and chase to his game, mostly against spin, but Milam feasts on fastballs to the tune of a .343 average and 92% contact rate. He is an above-average, borderline plus defender on the dirt with quick feet, smooth hands and silky actions. Milam is comfortable attacking the baseball and can make strong, accurate throws from multiple slots. He has held his own at shortstop this spring when he’s played there, but his overall defensive skill set is best suited for second base.
School: Oregon. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.6

Twist has pitched his way into a fairly prominent role in his first year at Oregon. The athletic lefthander moves well on the mound and attacks opposing hitters from a near over-the-top slot with arm speed. Twist’s fastball sits in the low 90s, but it jumps out of his hand and gets on opposing hitters quickly with life through the zone. His gyro slider generates swings and misses down in the zone, while his changeup is a viable third offering that is a nice change of pace from his heater. Twist is a fringy strike-thrower, but there is nothing but time to iron that out. He will most likely make the leap next year into the Ducks’ weekend rotation.
School: Stanford. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.4

Keenan is yet another big-time freshman arm for the Cardinal. He has struggled in a limited sample size (6.2 IP), but there is still reason to be excited about the 6-foot-1 righthander. Strikes have been a bugaboo for Keenan, and his control has been well below average to this point. He has raised his arm slot a bit since arriving on campus, and his fastball has been up to just 92. Keenan’s slurvey slider has been the source of most of his swings and misses, and it has the chance to develop into a plus offering. There is appealing projection and upside, but there is also a lot to iron out.
School: Grand Canyon. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.8

Mattison has been the best arm for the Antelopes this year and has pitched his way to a 2.57 ERA with 49 strikeouts to just 11 walks across 36 innings. He has cemented himself as a weekend starter and recently fired the school’s first no-hitter in 49 years. Mattison relies heavily on his changeup—a pitch he throws 56% of the time—and for good reason. It is a plus-plus pitch due to both the separation it gets off his fastball—nearly 14 mph—and its movement profile. Mattison throws it with conviction and will use it against both left and righthanded hitters. It seemingly falls off a cliff as it crosses home plate, which leads to plenty of swing-and-miss. Mattison could signal the pitch is coming and hitters still wouldn’t be able to touch it, that’s how good it is. He pitches in the low 90s with his fastball, and it will sometimes flash run to the arm side. Mattison throws his breaking ball sparingly and it would be nice to see it turn into a viable third pitch. He has a high-effort delivery with a long arm stroke, plenty of arm speed and a little bit of a head whack. Mattison embodies what it’s like to be in "attack mode" to a tee. His mound presence is outstanding and he pitches with a huge chip on his shoulder. Mattison has top-three round upside in 2026.
School: Vanderbilt. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.7

When it comes to sheer strength and physicality, it is hard to match Braden Holcomb. The 6-foot-4, 257-pound Adonis would not look out of place on an NFL team, and he boasts big-time bat speed to go along with tremendous raw power. However, it has been a struggle so far this season and he has struggled to consistently put the ball in play. There are swing-and-miss and pitch recognition issues in Holcomb’s game, and he is very much a power-over-hit profile. He has no shortage of arm strength in the infield, though it is up in the air as to where he will end up long term defensively. This summer on the Cape for him will be productive, as he figures to log both at-bats and reps on the dirt on a fairly regular basis.
School: Wake Forest. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.6

Leffew has been used both as a midweek starter and out of the bullpen this season for the Demon Deacons, where he has dealt with the usual freshman year growing pains. He has a thick lower half with some effort in his delivery and attacks from a low–three quarter slot. Leffew’s fastball has been up to 96, a pitch he supplements with an average changeup and a slurvey curveball that has the potential to be above average. His command has escaped him at times, but Leffew has intriguing upside and could eventually be a rotation arm for the Demon Deacons.
School: Texas A&M. Drafted: Brewers ’23 (19)

Age At Draft: 21.8

Morton has not been used in the biggest spots this season, but he has flashed an impressive fastball-slider combination. His fastball has been up to 98 and sits in the mid 90s, but he has not yet shown that he can miss bats with it, which will be something to monitor. However, his sharp mid-80s slider looks like an eventual plus pitch and it has flashed both sweep and depth. I think Morton is still a ways away from making the jump into the Aggies’ weekend rotation, but there is no shortage of upside. He moves well on the mound and has plenty of arm speed, but he will need to refine his fastball shape and throw strikes more consistently to maximize his ceiling.
School: Stanford. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.7

Lim has been a bright spot in what has otherwise been a down year for the Cardinal. The polished southpaw has worked a 3.28 ERA with 46 strikeouts to just 11 walks across 35.2 innings. He lacks a premium heater, but both his changeup and slider are borderline plus pitches—especially his slider, which flashes long, sweeping action with some downward life. Lim locates all of his offerings well and has shown that he is consistently able to stay off the barrel of opposing hitters.
School: San Diego State. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.6

Turner is off to an explosive start this season for the Aztecs and has cemented himself as a middle-of-the-order bat. His approach is a bit crude, but Turner punishes fastballs to the tune of a 92% contact rate. He has an explosive swing with plus hand speed and impact to the pull side. Turner has the arm strength to stick at third base, but his actions and hands both need to improve if he wants to avoid a position change.
School: Wake Forest. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.3

This season has been a bit of a mixed bag so far for Morningstar, but he has thrown well recently after a slow start. The physical 6-foot-4 righthander has a high-effort delivery, in which he has a long arm stroke and attacks from a three-quarters slot. His fastball has been up to 96 and is at its best when located in the top half of the zone. Morningstar’s slider has gotten better since Opening Day and it now looks like a true sweeper, as at times it will flash plenty of lateral movement. His high-80s changeup could be an eventual weapon, and this year he has turned over a few good ones that have shown late fade to the arm side. Morningstar seems destined to pitch in the Demon Deacons’ rotation next year, and it will be intirguing to follow how he develops.
School: Mississippi. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.0

Smithwick was arguably the Rebels’ best hitter during the fall, but that success has not translated to the spring. He is off to a slow start and has struggled to make contact against secondary pitches. However, he has deployed a fairly sound approach and does not get too jumpy outside the strike zone. Smithwick’s calling card is his defensive ability. He moves well laterally, consistently corrals balls in the dirt, and has a strong, accurate throwing arm. Smithwick has a quick transfer and his throws carry through the base. The lack of production with the bat to this point is not overly concerning, but it certainly is something to monitor going forward.
School: Oregon State. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.5

Segura earned a spot in Oregon State’s weekend rotation coming out of fall ball, and he has performed well in the role to the tune of a 3.50 ERA with 34 strikeouts to just seven walks across 36 innings. The 6-foot-2 righty has an up-tempo, drop-and-drive delivery and attacks hitters from a near-sidearm slot. He has plus control of his fastball that sits in the low 90s and has been up to 94, but it gets on hitters quick. Segura’s high-70s-to-low-80s slider has flashed plus with tons of sweep, while his changeup has also proven itself as a valuable weapon. An above-average strike-thrower, Segura will continue to pitch on weekends for the Beavers and figures to start professionally.
School: Missouri State. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.3

Bogenpohl is a 6-foot-5, 230-pound mountain of a man with plenty of strength and physicality throughout his frame. His swing is fairly direct and compact for someone his size, and he boasts above-average bat speed with plus power—especially to the pull side. Bogenpohl’s approach is also impressive. He struggles at times to make contact, but he rarely expands the zone and his swing decisions are advanced. Bogenpohl has gotten time at all three outfield positions this spring, where he has an above-average arm. He is a mid-major prospect to keep a very close eye on going forward and could play his way a lot higher than this initial ranking.
School: N.C. State. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.5

Dudan has been one of head coach Elliott Avent’s go-to weapons in relief this year, and for good reason. After lighting the world on fire during the fall, Dudan has had a solid spring. He’s a two-pitch guy right now and will sometimes struggle with command, but the stuff is undeniable. Dudan’s fastball has been up to 99 and sits in the mid-90s, but his high spin, mid-80s slider is a plus offering that flashes plenty of sweep. His control will need to improve and he will need to add a third pitch should he want to convince teams of his ability to start at the next level, but there is more than enough time to do both. Dudan has tantalizing upside and projects to have an even more prominent role next season.
School: Indiana. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.8

The crowned jewel of Indiana’s 2023 recruiting class, playing time has been a bit hard to come by for Wiggins in year one due to how much depth the Hoosiers boast in their outfield. However, he has made the most of his at-bats. On top of his .346 average, four of Wiggins’ nine hits have gone for extra bases and he has more walks (nine) than strikeouts (seven). He has a strong, athletic build and is an imposing presence in the batter’s box. Wiggins has plenty of bat speed and does a nice job of hitting against a firm front side. He has flashed plus raw power as well as the ability to drive the baseball with authority to the opposite field. Wiggins seldom expands the strike zone, and so far this spring has demonstrated an advanced approach. He projects to be an everyday member of Indiana’s lineup come next season and could be in line for a breakout sophomore campaign.
School: UC Santa Barbara. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.1

Flora has the potential to be the next great arm out of Santa Barbara. The long, lean righthander has an up-tempo delivery and fetaures in his arsenal a potentially plus fastball that has been up to 97 with run and ride through the zone, a low-80s sweeper that has also flashed plus and a mid-80s changeup that has shown plenty of fade with some tumble. Flora’s feel for all three, especially his seondaries, is inconsistent and his command will need to improve, but I think all three are 60-grade offerings when all is said and done. His stuff will only tick up as he continues to fill out physically and he could be in line to be a weekend starter as soon as next season.
School: Kansas. Drafted: D-backs ’23 (20)

Age At Draft: 21.4

A 20th-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in last year’s draft, Voegele earned the Friday starter job coming out of fall practice. He so far has pitched his way to a sub-2.00 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 38 innings. Voegele’s fastball has been up to 94, though he does not get a ton of whiffs with the pitch. He throws two distinct breaking balls, and while neither is a plus pitch, they both have been plenty useful so far. His high-70s curveball has big-time depth, while his slider—which he uses a lot more—will flash two-plane break. Voegele uses minimal effort in his delivery and he should grow into more velocity with time.
School: Dallas Baptist. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.1

The son of Yankee legend Andy Pettitte, Luke has gotten his own career off to a strong start. Pitching in DBU’s weekend rotation, the younger Pettitte has flashed above-average command and features a true four-pitch mix. His fastball will not blow you away from a velocity standpoint, but he knows how to maximize its traits. Pettitte’s heater has been up to 94, but it plays up when elevated thanks to its riding life. He throws two distinct breaking balls, and his mid-70s curveball has huge depth with some bite, while his low-80s slider—especially against righthanded hitters—will take on a sweepier look. Pettitte’s mid-80s changeup has flashed above average, though it is a pitch he is still gaining a feel for. He is a safe bet to start at the next level and should be a full-time weekend starter for the Patriots come 2025.
School: Clemson. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.8

Knaak has been a steady presence in the top-five Tigers’ rotation this year, pitching his way to a 3.76 ERA with 48 strikeouts across 38.1 innings. He has a physical lower half that he utilizes well in his powerful delivery, in which really drives down the mound. Knaak’s fastball—a pitch he has plus control of—has been up to 95, but his high-70s changeup is his best offering. It gets almost 14 mph of separation off his heater and flashes big-time late tumbling life. It is a true swing-and-miss pitch that so far has a miss rate north of 50%. Knaak rounds out his arsenal with a low-80s curveball—that he also has an advanced feel for—that routinely flashes big depth and sharp, downward teeth. When all is said and done, you could be looking at an arm—who on top of being a polished strike-thrower—has three plus pitches in his arsenal.
School: Arkansas. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.4

Another prized member of Arkansas’ loaded 2023 class, Helfrick has seen actions in 10 games this spring. He has struggled at times at the plate, but has also shown ultra-impressive flashes. Helfrick has a strong swing with a high leg kick and noticeable load, but he has thunderous bat speed and uses his lower half well. His overall hit tool needs refining, but he has flashed plus power to the pull side. Helfrick moves well laterally behind the dish and is a good athlete with an above-average arm and quick transfers, though his receiving could use some work. He is in line to be the Hogs’ everyday catcher come 2025.
School: Arkansas. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.4

Dietz did not make his college debut until late March since he was out with an injury, so not a whole lot has changed. The imposing lefthander has a loose, clean arm action and attacks from a high–three quarter slot. He has good direction and works well down the mound. Dietz features a fastball, slider and changeup with his low-80s slider being the best of the three with plus potential. The slider is most effective against lefthanded hitters with two-plane break and ample horizontal movement. Dietz’s above-average pitchability also enables him to land the pitch for strikes against righthanded hitters, though at times it takes on a bit of a loopier look. He will be handled with caution for the rest of this season, but expect Dietz to have a prominent role on the Razorbacks’ pitching staff both next year and beyond.
School: Virginia Tech. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.5

Renfrow is a rare freshman Friday starter, and he has been excellent in the role to this point. Armed with a fastball that has been up to 96 with ride up in the zone, a mid-80s changeup that flashes late fade and a bit of tumble and an effective slider, Renfrow has been in attack mode from the get-go. There is no shortage of arm speed with the freshman righthander and he also boasts above-average control. Renfrow might lack a true plus—or putaway—pitch right now, but both his slider and changeup will flash. Going forward, he projects to be one of the better starting pitchers in the ACC.
School: Louisville. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.1

Rose was the headliner of an impressive Cardinal recruiting class and—like some of the other players on here—was not in the starting nine come Opening Day. However, he has since played his way into an everyday role. Rose has an intriguiing set of tools, as on top of his above-average barrel skills and present impact he is also a plus runner. He has a quiet and simple swing with big-time hand speed, and has already shown the ability to be able to handle premium velocity. Rose recently has gotten some run in the outfield, and while his actions are a work in progress, his speed and athleticism translate.
School: South Carolina. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.4

Pitzer has emerged as one of South Carolina’s most talented arms, regardless of class. The athletic righthander has an up-tempo delivery with plus arm speed and relies heavily on his fastball and slider. His heater sits in the low 90s and tops out at 94, but it plays up when elevated. It jumps out of his hand and flashes carry through the zone. Pitzer has an advanced feel for his sharp, high-70s slurvey slider. It is an above-average pitch, and one with which he is able to generate swing-and-miss. Pitzer’s mid-80s changeup doesn’t get a ton of separation off his fastball and flashes a touch of late tumble, but Pitzer maintains his arm speed and throws it with conviction. A polished strike-thrower with a budding third offering, Pitzer figures to pitch in the South Carolina rotation full time starting in 2025.
School: Virginia. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.2

There was never much doubt that Becker would end up at Virginia, but his start has exceeded the expectations of most. The freshman infielder is slashing .346/.433/.455 with six doubles and 14 RBIs. Becker has a hitterish look in the box with some bat speed and an advanced feel to hit. He continues to grow into more power, and while he is yet to hit a home run, Becker this season has flashed the ability to drive the baseball from gap to gap. There’s a chance his power ends up as above average. He has solid actions with an average arm at third base, but his long-term home on the dirt could be at second.
School: North Carolina. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 20.2

Still only 17 years old, DeCaro has more than held his own in the Tar Heels’ rotation. Through the first month and change of the season, the 6-foot-5 righthander has pitched his way to a 3.63 ERA with 31 strikeouts to 17 walks across 34.2 innings. DeCaro has a slender, high-waisted build and attacks hitters from a low–three quarter slot with above-average arm speed. He features a true four-pitch mix that includes a fastball—which has been up to 95—that flashes run and ride through the zone, two distinct breaking balls and a changeup. Both his low-to-mid-80s slider and high-70s curveball flash above average, and each could eventually grade out as a 55. DeCaro’s slider will flash tight sweeping action at times, while his curveball will flash two-plane break with some bite. While he doesn’t throw his mid-80s changeup a lot, it has the look of a potential plus pitch and could be a real weapon against lefthanded hitters. It has late tumbling life with a bit of fade to the arm side. DeCaro seems like an arm who could be sitting in the mid-to-upper-90s before long and he is a slam-dunk starter professionally. Expect him to be one of the headliners of North Carolina’s rotation both in 2025 and beyond.
School: LSU. Drafted: Rangers ’23 (16)

Age At Draft: 21.5

A 16th-round pick in last year’s draft, Brown has gotten opportunities to contribute in his first season in purple and gold. Brown has a quiet setup in the box with a simple swing and plenty of bat speed. He has a knack for finding the barrel and consistently moves the baseball. Brown is also a plus runner with plus arm strength in the outfield. He will be a mainstay in the LSU lineup for the next two years and has day one upside.
School: Coastal Carolina. Drafted: Blue Jays ’23 (18)

Age At Draft: 21.3

There was significant draft chatter last spring in the Northeast surrounding Flukey, but he ultimately made it to campus. The high-waisted, 6-foot-6 righthander’s bread-and-butter is his mid-90s fastball that has been up to 97. It’s a pitch that Flukey throws over 60% of the time and it has elite carry through the zone, consistently getting over the barrel of opposing hitters. Flukey pairs his thunderous heater with a mid-70s curveball that takes on almost a true 12-to-6 shape with depth and some downward bite. It generates its fair share of whiffs and has plus potential. Flukey rounds out his thunderous arsenal with a low-80s cutter that he throws sparingly and almost exclusively to lefthanded hitters. His upside is tantalizing and he almost certainly will spend the next two seasons in the Chanticleers’ weekend rotation.
School: TCU. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.0

In what has been a topsy-turvy 2024 for the Horned Frogs, Brunson has been a bright spot. The 6-foot-3 outfielder has established himself as an everyday member of the lineup and has posted a .308/.405/.451 slash line with seven extra-base hits. Brunson uses his lower half well and takes a direct path to contact, while boasting a sound approach with a plus feel for the barrel. He has above-average power to the pull side, and his hit tool could eventually grade out as plus. Brunson is a solid athlete who moves well in the outfield, and is able to cover ground to either gap. He has an above-average arm, and while I’m not yet sold on him being able to stick there in professional baseball, Brunson has fared well at the position to this point.
School: N.C. State. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.7

Sosa could join the likes of Patrick Bailey, Jacob Cozart and Andrew Knizner as the next potentially great catcher to come out of Raleigh. He has a prototypical catcher’s build at 6-foot-1 and 207 pounds, and while the back of his baseball card might not show it, I’m optimistic on what his hit tool might eventually look like. Sosa so far has struggled to hit spin, but his approach and swing decisions are both advanced. He has quick hands and a direct path to contact with some power to the pull side. Sosa receives well and has an above-average arm, but his transfers can sometimes get a little long. I would like to see his feet get quicker and overall actions behind the plate get more crisp. There is plenty of time for both to happen and he will be a fun player to watch develop.
School: LSU. Drafted: Cardinals ’23 (20)

Age At Draft: 21.5

Johnson was talked about last year as a potential day one draft choice, but he ultimately decided to honor his committment to LSU. He has pitched somewhat sparingly this year and has gone through his fair share of growing pains—like all freshmen do—but he has flashed an explosive fastball up to 96 from a low slot as well as a high-70s/low-80s sweeping slider with plenty of sharp lateral movement and some bite. Johnson’s control has been below average, though, and he has thrown strikes at less than a 50% clip. At the end of the day, though, you are looking at a physical 6-foot-5 lefthander with two plus pitches. There is certainly plenty of reliever risk, but just as much upside. Johnson will continue to get opportunities to prove himself going forward, and figures to gain polish as he logs more innings.
School: North Carolina. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.9

Gallaher wasn’t an Opening Day starter, but he has since hit his way into an everyday role. The lean infielder has a simple setup in the box with an aggressive approach and is not afraid to jump on the first pitch. Gallaher has present bat speed and does a nice job of extending through the baseball. He drives his back hip well and has shown the ability to impact the baseball to all fields, though much of his power has come to the pull side. Gallaher is an average defender, but you’re buying the offensive upside here.
School: Texas. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.6

Gasparino is one of the toolsiest players in the class. On top of his premium body, he has plus power, runs well and has an above-average arm. I think his long-term defensive home is in right field, but he moves well enough to play a solid center field in college. At the plate—while he has plenty of power—Gasparino has the tendency to expand the strike zone and his pure hit tool and contact ability in general will need to drastically improve in order for him to maximize his immense upside. If it all clicks, he has a chance to be one of the first college players off the board.
School: Arkansas. Drafted: Reds ’23 (20)

Age At Draft: 21.8

Lauded for his high-end stuff and advanced strike-throwing ability, Gaeckle has shown off both in the first half of the 2024 season. A bulldog on the mound, Gaeckle is perpetually in attack mode and overpowers hitters with his fastball that tops out at 98. He has big-time arm speed and also features a hammer curveball that has eclipsed 3,000 RPMs, while flashing huge depth and downward bite. To round out his arsenal, Gaeckle throws a sharp power slider that has the makings of a potential plus pitch. He seems destined to make the jump into the rotation next year, where he will get the chance to sell teams on his ability to start.
School: California. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.7

Moutzouridis was a bit of a sleeper name in last year’s draft cycle, and although he got some late buzz, he made it to campus and earned the starting shortstop job from the get-go. He has a wiry build at 6-foot and 175 pounds and has shown off an advanced feel for the barrel and a sound approach. Moutzouridis will need to continue to add impact, which should come naturally as he continues to fill out, but he has already posted numerous triple-digit exit velocities while flashing some power to the pull side. Moutzouridis is a plus defender at shortstop who has fantastic actions, great hands and a borderline plus arm. He is a slow heart beat type of player who does not let the game speed up on him. A slam dunk to stick at shortstop, Moutzouridis could end up being one of the first college players off the board should he continue to hit.
School: Stanford. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.1

A highly regarded prep arm, Volchko—like the vast majority of Stanford commits—was viewed as an incredibly tough sign coming out of high school. Getting him to campus was a huge win for the Stanford coaching staff, and he has shown flashes of his immense upside in the early going. From a stuff standpoint, Volchko is arguably the top arm in the class. His fastball sits in the upper-90s and has been up to 99 with life through the zone, and he pairs it with a sharp power slider with two-plane break that flashes plus. There is a lot to like about Volchko, but there are certainly areas in which he’ll need to improve. For starters, his command and control will need to take a drastic step forward. It can get extremely scattered at times, which has been a hindrance. He’ll also need to add a third pitch, or at the very least show one. Right now, he is exclusively fastball-slider. Volchko’s ceiling is the highest of any arm in the class and he has the chance to take his game to the next level in the not-so-distant future.
School: Arkansas. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.2

Even with Arkansas boasting a middle infield duo of Wehiwa Aloy and Peyton Stovall, Souza has still been able to play his way into the lineup on a somewhat consistent basis. There is plenty to like with the true freshman, but especially his frame and explosive operation in the batter’s box. A lot needs refining, though, including both his approach and contact ability against pitches other than fastballs. Souza uses his lower half well and has plenty of bat speed, while flashing the ability to drive the baseball into the opposite field gap. I think the power will eventually grade out as a 55, but plus to the pull side. In the field, he will likely be relegated to second base with Wehiwa Aloy back again in 2025, but he is on track to get an opportunity at shortstop by the time his draft year rolls around.
School: Vanderbilt. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.7

Kozeal arrived on campus with the reputation of being one of the more polished freshman hitters in his class, and so far he has lived up to the billing. He successfully carved out an everyday role for himself and has gotten off to a strong start. Kozeal has a short, direct swing with above-average bat speed that is tailored toward spraying all parts of the field with line drives. It is definitely a hit-over-power profile, though Kozeal has some thump packed into his physical frame and is far from a slash-and-dash hitter. He is consistently on the barrel and routinely turns in quality at-bats. A former high school quarterback, Kozeal is an excellent athlete who is a steady defender at second base. His baseball sense is extremely advanced, a quality that he shows game in and game out.
School: Florida. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.1

Peterson was one of the most high-profile arms to make it to campus and it’s been an up-and down season for the 6-foot-5 righthander. While the back of his baseball card is rather modest, there is still plenty to like with Peterson. His fastball—which is at its best when elevated—has been up to 98 with carry through the zone, and two breaking balls in a slider and a curveball. Their shapes will blend together at times, but his curveball has more depth and downward tilt, whereas the slider is shorter and at times will flash tight, sweeping action. Peterson has been hit around at time this spring and his control will need to take a step forward, but he has professional starter written all over him.
School: Texas State. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.7

He’s been a bit banged up recently, but Farber has excelled in year one. He has a plus-plus approach with elite-level bat-to-ball skills. The sparkplug switch-hitter is hitting .359/.500/.526 with eight extra-base hits and 19 walks to just four strikeouts across 22 games. Farber has a direct, compact swing with plus bat speed to go along with an excellent feel for the barrel—especially from the left side, which is where he has more thump. He is still getting acclimated to the outfield and his routes will need to get more crisp, but there is a chance he could stick in center field. Farber’s arm is average, but he is a good athlete who runs reasonably well. At this point, he is far and away the most impressive mid-major prospect in the class.
School: Texas Tech. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.7

Pompey has done a little bit of everything this season for the Red Raiders. He has cemented himself as an everyday member of their deep lineup and is hitting .354/.438/.583 with 12 extra-base hits, 31 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Pompey has also started every game at either shortstop or second base, where he has held his own. He has a big-league body at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds with big-time bat speed and above-average thump to the pull side. Like a lot of hitters in the class at this point, his hit tool will need to gain polish as time goes on. Pompey has the arm strength to stick on the left side of the infield, and he could eventually make the move over to third base.
School: Duke. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.1

Johnson has shined on both sides of the baseball for the Blue Devils, posting a .333/.360/.542 slash line along with a 1.06 ERA. Johnson has a strong righthanded swing in the box with plus hand speed, though his contact ability will need to drastically improve. The verdict is still out on whether he’ll hit or pitch long term, but right now I like him more as a pitcher. On the bump, Johnson’s fastball will sit 92-94 and touch 96. He supplements his heater with a high-70s slider and a mid-80s changeup. His changeup is nearly 10 mph off his fastball and has flashed above-average, while his slider has also garnered its fair share of whiffs. The best two-way player in the class, Johnson will be a big-time name to follow closely.
School: Vanderbilt. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.8

The top college pitcher in the class, McElvain has been deployed this year both as a midweek starter and reliever. He has a workhorse frame at 6-foot-4 and 241 pounds and features a mid-90s fastball that has been up to 96, a high-80s changeup and a high-70s-to-low-80s slider. McElvain attacks from a three-quarters slot and has a somewhat abbreviated arm stroke with present arm speed. Both his fastball and slider profile as swing-and-miss pitches, while his changeup is most likely to develop into a viable third pitch. However, his command can get erratic at times, which is something to monitor going forward. With the impending departure of the entire Vanderbilt rotation, McElvain will almost certainly be thrust into a weekend starter spot come 2025.
School: Texas A&M. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.5

There was plenty of draft buzz surrounding Grahovac last spring, but he remained strong in his committment to the Aggies. The physical third baseman has thrived during his time in College Station so far and has emerged as a top-third-of-the-order bat for Texas A&M’s potent offense. Grahovac is as strong as an ox, and he has a powerful swing with plenty of wrist and forearm strength. He rotates well, hits against a firm front side and is consistently able to generate high-quality impact to all fields. Spin and secondary offerings in general are a little bit of a bugaboo, and it is a power-over-hit profile. Grahovac has the arm strength for third, but he is a fringy athlete with somewhat stiff hands. He certainly will have the chance to progress at the position, but I do wonder about where he will end up long term.
School: Miami. Drafted: Pirates ’23 (17)

Age At Draft: 21.2

At 6-foot-3 and 237 pounds, Cuvet is as physically imposing a hitter as you’ll find in the 2026 college class. His thunderous raw power has long been his calling card, and he has had no issue getting to it in games. Cuvet does not sell out at all to get to it, and he has comfortably plus raw power to all fields. While his near-.400 average is nothing to scoff at, there is room for improvement in regards to his pitch-recognition skills and bat-to-ball ability—mainly as it pertains to secondary offerings. This summer will be a big test in that regard, as he is slated to play in the Cape Cod League. Cuvet has no shortage of arm strength over at the hot corner, but his actions can get a little clunky and he may eventually need to move off of the position.
School: UCLA. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.3

One of the most highly touted freshmen to make it to campus, Cholowsky is off to a solid start for the Bruins. He has held his own in the box, where he has quick hands, an above-average feel for the barrel and a sound approach, but where Cholowsky really dazzles is in the field. A comfortably plus defender, Cholowsky has silky smooth actions with soft, quick hands and a strong arm. He is comfortable attacking the baseball and has a knack for making a big play. There is zero doubt he will stick at shortstop in professional baseball. His offensive profile will eventually need to take that next step for him to live up to his top five—or higher—ceiling, but there is plenty of time for it to do so.
School: Alabama. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.7

Lebron has taken Tuscaloosa by storm in year one. He earned the starting shortstop job coming out of fall pracitce and has been one of the Crimson Tide’s most productive hitters. Lebron has an athletic operation in the box with present bat speed, and while he has already shown flashes of being able to impact the baseball, there is likely more in the tank as he continues to fill out physically. His pitch recognition skills and ability to hit spin will both need to improve, but that should come wtith time. Lebron has smooth actions on the dirt, flashing range both up the middle and to the glove side with a good internal clock and plus arm.
School: Duke. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.7

After an impressive fall, Gracia played his way into the Opening Day lineup. He has hit the ground running, and so far is hitting .337/.472/.612 with seven home runs, 34 RBIs and more walks (22) than strikeouts (20). He has a pro-level body at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds with a loud set of offensive tools. Gracia has a plus feel for the barrel to go along with plus power to the pull side and a professional approach. His hands explode through the strike zone and while the majority of his power prowess has come to the pullside, he has shown the ability to drive the baseball with authority to all fields. Gracia has above-average arm strength and figures to stick in right field professionally.
School: Georgia Tech. Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.6

Burress has been the most impressive freshman in the country to this point to the tune of a .370/.477/.890 slash line with 23 extra-base hits—including 14 home runs—and 37 RBIs. Burress has a thunderous set of tools packed into his physical 5-foot-9 frame. He has big-time bat speed with plus power to boot, as well as an advanced feel for the barrel and sound pitch recognition skills. Burress seldom expands the zone and his ability to cover all parts of the plate with power is mighty impressive. In the field, he is a high-level athlete whose instincts, plus running ability and plus arm translate well to center field. He eventually could make the move to right field where his overall defensive skill set would hold up.
School: Pleasant Grove HS, Texarkana, Tex. Committed: Arkansas
Age At Draft: 18.6
Browning has a strong, compact build with a mature tool set. He has a short, balanced swing and drives the ball deep into the gaps with a chance for more of those doubles to start landing over the fence in the coming years. He’s a plus runner with a strong arm, playing shortstop now but possibly moving around the infield or going to the outfield in pro ball to take advantage of his speed.
School: Georgia Premier Academy, Statesboro, Ga. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 19.4
Cope is 6-foot-8, 230 pounds, so he stands out as soon as he walks on the field. He typically operates in the mid-to-upper 80s, touching 91 mph, giving hitters an uncomfortable at-bat with long arms and legs flying at them in his funky mechanics. He’s on the older side of the 2026 class but there should be more velocity in the tank once he streamlines his delivery to become more mechanically efficient with his direction to the plate. Cope has pitched well in tournaments pitching off his fastball and backing it up with a deceptive changeup that’s advanced for his age and ahead of his curveball.
School: American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla. Committed: Virginia
Age At Draft: 18.9
Krasner has a good blend of quality stuff and projection. His fastball has good armside run and has ticked up to reach the low-90s with the room to fill out his 6-foot-3 frame and gain more velocity. He pitches from a sound delivery and misses bats with a sharp curveball that has tight rotation. Krasner’s curveball is his best secondary pitch, but he has feel for a changeup as well that he shows confidence using with two strikes or early in the count.
School: Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.1
One of the premier athletes in the 2026 class, Washington is already a plus runner whose speed could climb another grade given that he’s one of the younger players for 2026. There are things he’s still ironing out to polish his swing, but he doesn’t swing and miss at high rate and has gap power with the speed to make an impact on the bases. Washington shines in center field, where he has a quick first step, good range and tracks balls well with the ability to make highlight grabs and the potential to be a plus defender.
School: Episcopal HS, Bellaire, Tex. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.9
A physical righthanded hitter, Young has outstanding bat speed and power that stacks up among the best in the country for 2026. He showed off that power in August 2023 at the Area Code Games underclass event when he homered and drove another base hit for a 105 mph exit velocity when he was 15. There’s length to his swing and a pull-oriented approach that leads to his power coming with a higher swing-and-miss rate, but he has a chance for 70 raw power on the 20-80 scouting scale in his prime. Young has played shortstop but would likely slide over to third base or perhaps right field in pro ball, with an above-average arm that could tick up more.
School: Richmond Hill HS, Queens, N.Y. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.1
Young for the class with a loose, fast arm from the left side, Ortiz touched 89 mph in 2023 and this spring has started to reach the low-90s. Ortiz pitches with a low-effort operation and has the look of a pitcher who should be throwing in the mid-90s or better by the time the 2026 draft nears. His athleticism should help him throw more consistent strikes over time, with feel for both a slider that has good spin and lateral break and his changeup as well.
School: Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 19.3
One of the most polished hitters on the west coast, Weinstein has a calm, quiet swing from the left side. It’s a compact stroke with a flat path, staying on plane for a long time with the ability to manipulate the barrel, leading to a high contact rate. It’s a hit-over-power offensive game, lacing line drives around the field with gap power. Weinstein is an offensive-minded infielder whose feet work well on defense, with his speed and arm strength likely fitting best at second base in pro ball.
School: Lincoln HS, Tallahassee, Fla. Committed: Clemson
Age At Draft: 19.0
The MVP of the Perfect Game WWBA Sophomore World Championship last fall, Cannady has an advanced offensive skill set for his age. He loads with a leg kick that he shortens up with two strikes, taking a compact, under control swing with good balance. He trusts his hands and uses them well at the plate with some of the better bat-to-ball skills in the class. He’s a high-contact hitter able to drive the ball deep into the gaps with more over-the-fence damage that should come with strength gains.
School: Anderson HS, Austin, Tex. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 17.9
Young for the class (he will be just 17 on draft day) with a slender frame, Comeau has a lot of attributes to like and could take a huge step forward once he packs on more size. He has a nice lefthanded swing that’s fluid and adjustable with good rhythm. He makes contact at a high clip and generates impressive bat speed for a hitter just scratching the surface of his strength potential, with hard contact now and a chance to grow into significantly more power once he fills out. A below-average runner, Comeau should get a chance to stay at shortstop, where his feet work well and he has a strong arm that should also tick up, though he might eventually outgrow the position and slide to third base. He’s a two-way player whose ultra projectable frame is also appealing on the mound, where he’s pitching in the high-80s with the upside for a lot more velocity to come.
School: TNXL Academy, Ocoee, Fla. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.3
Hanes spent 2023 pitching as a member of the 2027 class, but at the end of the year reclassified to become a 2026 graduate. He stands out for his projectable 6-foot-3 frame, with a long arm swing in the back to throw a fastball that reaches 90 mph with more to come. He shows feel to spin a slider, the pitch in his arsenal that shows the most swing-and-miss potential at the moment, with his slider ahead of his changeup.
School: Stoneman Douglas HS, Parkland, Fla. Committed: Florida
Age At Draft: 18.9
Laurel has a pair of standout tools with his power and arm strength. He has a strong, well-proportioned 6-foot frame and generates big bat speed. It’s a pull approach and he’s able to drive the ball with some of the best impact in the class without having to sell out with his swing to generate that power, which has led to good game performance. He’s a corner outfielder with a plus arm that fits in right field.
School: Harvard-Westlake HS, Los Angeles, Calif. Committed: Stanford
Age At Draft: 18.4
A two-time member of the USA Baseball 15U National Team, both in 2023 and the 2022 team that won a gold medal at the U-15 World Cup. Tronstein has some of the better bat-to-ball skills in the class. He has a deep hand load with a tendency to bar his arm in his swing, but he has excellent hand-eye coordination to produce a high contact rate that has translated against some of the top pitchers in the class. He keeps his head locked in, tracks pitches well and has gap power from his medium frame. He’s a smart, instinctive player who has experience at shortstop but primarily plays center field. Tronstein is a good athlete who’s already a plus runner and could still get faster, breaking well off the bat in center field with a quick first step and good routes.
School: Lausanne Collegiate HS, Memphis, Tenn. Committed: Mississippi
Age At Draft: 19.4
From Olive Branch, Mississippi and attending high school just across the border in Memphis, Tennessee, Doty has a strong, compact frame and packs a punch behind his quick, direct swing. It’s a simple righthanded stroke, generating high-end bat speed with a concise move to work inside the ball, allowing him to consistently perform at a high level in games. An offensive-minded infielder with a tick above-average speed and an average arm, Doty turns 19 in February of his draft year, putting him on the older end of the 2026 class.
School: Abington Heights HS, Summit, Pa. Committed: Auburn
Age At Draft: 18.6
An athletic pitcher with a strong fastball, Bradley has sound mechanics, compact arm action and repeats his delivery well to pound the strike zone. He has been up to 92 mph, with room to fill out his broad-shouldered build and reach the mid-90s. Bradley has been able to carve through lineups with an extremely fastball-heavy approach. When he does throw an offspeed pitch, he has a low-80s slider that has solid action at times and shows feel for a changeup that should become a bigger part of his arsenal as he moves up.
School: Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, Fla. Committed: Florida
Age At Draft: 18.9
At 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Wheeler has a tall, projectable frame with more room to pack on weight and add to a fastball that has touched 92 mph. The pitch has good carry, enabling him to miss bats up in the zone. He has thrown a slider and curveball with innate feel for spin, with a chance to get more consistent swing-and-miss with his breaking stuff with more refinement.
School: Etowah HS, Woodstock, Ga. Committed: Georgia
Age At Draft: 18.8
Sharman is coming off a dominant 2023 campaign thanks to his ability to throw strikes and befuddle hitters with an excellent fastball/changeup combination. He’s a 6-foot-3 righthander with good control of a heavy, tailing fastball that touches 92 mph. It’s a good fastball for his age, but what separates Sharman is his elite changeup that stacks up among the best in the country. It’s a Bugs Bunny changeup that parachutes at the plate, peeling off his fastball with 10 mph of separation, late dive and fade. It’s flashing plus now with a chance to get even better. Sharman leans heavily on his changeup and commands it well, with his breaking ball a third pitch that will need more development, but his fastball, changeup and control have enabled him to carve through lineups.
School: Harrison HS, Kennesaw, Ga. Committed: Georgia Tech
Age At Draft: 19.6
White has some of the best upside among any lefthander in the 2026 class. He’s on the older end of the class but has huge physical upside in his 6-foot-3 frame with a high waist, long arms and a fastball that touches 92 mph. It’s an explosive, high-spin fastball with good carry, with the look of a future mid-to-upper 90s pitch once he fills out given his arm speed and high-end strength projection. White has the stuff to miss bats at a high clip with his fastball and curveball. It’s a hard curveball with tight rotation, sharp break and power in the upper-70s to low-80s. White has a changeup as well but hasn’t needed to use it much yet. The biggest key for White’s development will be learning to synchronize his long limbs more consistently in his delivery to be able to repeat his release point and throw more strikes, but the combination of size and stuff from the left side will make him a priority arm to follow leading into the 2026 draft.
School: Mooresville (Ind.) HS Committed: Alabama
Age At Draft: 19.5
Devaughan is on the older end of the class, but he has a young 6-foot-4 frame with significant physical projection remaining that should allow him to add to a fastball that is already up to 94 mph with downhill angle from his high three-quarters slot. He attacks hitters up in the zone with his fastball and can change eye levels with his big-breaking curveball, a mid-to-upper 70s pitch with sharp bite and good depth that should continue to miss bats as he moves up. He will sprinkle in an occasional low-80s changeup, but it’s a nascent pitch for him. Increasing his strike percentage would help Devaughan take another leap forward, with a sound delivery that should allow him to do so.
School: O.D. Wyatt HS, Fort Worth, Tex. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.0
Jorvorskie Lane Sr. played three seasons in the NFL as a fullback for the Dolphins and Buccaneers after his time at Texas A&M, when he set the school record with 49 career rushing touchdowns. His son, Jorvoskie Lane Jr., is standing out for his athleticism on the baseball field. Lane has explosive hands, generating excellent bat speed to fire the barrel through the zone. Lane is young for the class but between his bat speed and strength already stands out for his ability to drive the ball with impact when he connects in what will likely be a power-over-hit profile. Lane is already a tick above-average runner and should end up plus, giving him a chance for a power/speed combination if he plays the outfield, though he has experience behind the plate as well.
School: Etowah HS, Woodstock, Ga. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.6
Cole had a monster tournament at Perfect Game’s WWBA 15U National Championship during the 2023 summer when he went 13-for-25 (.520) with four home runs in 10 games. Cole has a mix of power and speed, whistling the barrel through the zone with good bat speed. There is some swing-and-miss, but when he’s locked in and on time, he can drive the ball with impact and could grow into plus raw power. Cole has experience both in the infield and outfield but has been a primary center fielder, with the athleticism and plus speed that should allow him to handle the position.
School: Oakdale (Calif.) HS Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.7
Schutte has a strong, physical build for his age that yields power stuff. He has a strong lower half and a delivery with some effort at times to produce a fastball that has touched 93 mph and should take another leap forward soon. Schutte throws a curveball and slider with tight spin on both pitches, particularly his curveball that has the sharp break to miss bats. His changeup flashes good horizontal run at times, though he has mostly leaned on his fastball and breaking stuff so far. He’s a solid strike-thrower for his age already building a good track record of performance in games.
School: St. Mary’s HS, Stockton, Calif. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 19.1
With a strong, physically mature build for his age, Hardcastle has a starter look with one of the better three-pitch mixes in the 2026 class. He attacks hitters up in the zone with a fastball up to 92 mph and should have a few extra ticks of velocity on the way. Hardcastle’s ability to manipulate a pair of secondary pitches stands out. His mid-to-upper 70s curveball spins in the 2,600-2,800 rpm range with sharp bite and good depth to miss bats. His changeup has good action and is another swing-and-miss pitch, one that he sells well with 10 mph of separation off his fastball while maintaining his arm speed to catch hitters out front.
School: Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, Fla. Committed: Florida State
Age At Draft: 19.2
Harris has some of the best stuff in the 2026 class. It’s not just his fastball, though with the ability to reach 93 mph, he’s one of the hardest throwers in the class and should be in the mid-90s soon. With an aggressive, high-energy delivery, Harris throws strikes and can miss bats with multiple secondary pitches. His go-to out pitch is his curveball, which he throws with power and tight rotation to snap off with sharp break. It’s a big bat-missing pitch for him now with a chance to develop into a plus pitch. Harris primarily works off his fastball and breaking stuff, but he shows advanced feel for a changeup with heavy life and comes in 10 mph off his fastball, with that pitch likely to become a bigger part of his arsenal with more reps.
School: Spring Hill (Kan.) HS Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.8
An athletic two-way player, Neal has promise both as a pitcher and a position player, with his progress on the mound particularly intriguing. He has a smooth, athletic operation as a pitcher and a fastball that has touched 94 mph from a crossfire delivery. With his arm speed and lots of space left to fill out his lean 6-foot-3 frame, there should be another velocity jump coming to what’s already a big fastball for his age. He gets a good amount of swing-and-miss on his slider, which should benefit from extra power that should come as he gets stronger. Neal’s body control and hand-eye coordination are evident on the mound and at the plate. While he does step in the bucket at times, he has a knack for putting the bat to the ball, resulting in a high contact rate and the ability to drive the ball for extra-base damage when everything is synced up. He’s a fluid mover at shortstop with a plus arm that could tick up another grade.
School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. Committed: LSU
Age At Draft: 18.8
Loew has some of the best power upside in the 2026 class. He has quick hands, rotates powerfully and generates high-end bat speed for his age. He drives the ball with impact already, showing the ability to go deep from right-center over to his pull side. It does come with an aggressive approach and swing-and-miss tendencies he will need to cut down on, but the potential is there for Loew to end up with plus or better raw power. Loew has the arm for the left side of the infield and could move around the dirt in pro ball.
School: Glynn Academy HS, Brunswick, Ga. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.4
Roberson is a quick-twitch athlete with some of the better bat-to-ball skills in the class. He has a fluid lefthanded swing and an accurate barrel, spreading line drives around the field with gap power. Roberson has a good sense of the strike zone for his age and is a plus runner, making him a potential high on-base tablesetter. He’s also an advanced defender in center field, where he has a quick first step and good range to go with an above-average arm.
School: Mill Valley HS, Shawnee, Kan. Committed: Nebraska
Age At Draft: 19.0
Peterson has power tools that stick out. He has a strong, physically mature build for 16 at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds. As a hitter, he has a short lefthanded swing, staying inside the ball to use the whole field with big raw power for his age. He has split time between third base and the outfield, with experience behind the plate as well. Peterson has an above-average arm that’s his best defensive asset and has improved his quickness to become an average runner. Peterson has promise at the plate, though his uptick as a pitcher could be just as as intriguing. His fastball touches 94 mph, he throws strikes at a high clip and he has a sharp slider that reaches the low-80s with tight bite and rotation to give him a bat-missing weapon.
School: William Amos Hough HS, Cornelius, N.C. Committed: Clemson
Age At Draft: 19.1
Matthews put together a strong offensive campaign over the past year and has promising tools. He sets up from the left side of the plate with an open stance, then loads with a big hanging leg kick, with his front knee getting above his hip at times. It’s a big move to the ball that he might ultimately condense against more advanced pitching, but he’s able to generate above-average bat speed and has performed at a high level in games, flashing home run power now with the space to fill out his 6-foot-3 frame and eventually develop above-average raw power. Matthews is an above-average runner with a strong arm too that should fit well in right field.
School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. Committed: Stanford
Age At Draft: 18.7
Outfielder Dean Moss is one of the premier players in the 2025 class. Now his younger brother, Dillon, is establishing himself as one of the top catchers to watch for 2026, finishing a strong 2023 campaign with a big showing at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, including a home run at 15 as one of the youngest players there. Even with his lean frame, Moss is able to generate the torque in his swing to snap the barrel through the zone and drive the ball with impressive impact. He’s an aggressive hitter who is flashing over-the-fence juice and should have more of his doubles turn into home runs as he packs on more strength. Moss is an agile catcher who folds up well behind the plate and is an advanced receiver with what projects to be at least an average arm.
School: Lutheran South Academy, Houston, Tex. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.3
Walker’s father, Ramon, is a former Houston Texans safety, and Jaylen generated buzz with a big summer at the plate in 2023. He has good size, athleticism and feel for the barrel, with quick hands to drive the ball for deep doubles that should turn into more home runs as he layers on more strength. Walker has a strong arm as well that should become at least an above-average tool and fit in right field in pro ball.
School: Allen (Tex.) HS Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 19.1
Hart has a huge 6-foot-6, 200-pound frame with the look of a potential power arm from the left side. Hart is tall but sinks down into his legs and releases the ball from a low three-quarters slot, firing a fastball that has touched 93 mph and should be in the mid-90s soon. While many young pitchers with Hart’s long limbs struggle with control, Hart has been a solid-strike thrower who stands out for his pitchability. He has shown feel for a slider that spins at 2,300-2,500 rpm and has good lateral sweep when its at its best to miss bats against both lefties and righties. Hart has a changeup but has mostly operated off a fastball/slider attack.
School: Ottuma (Iowa) HS Committed: Iowa
Age At Draft: 18.0
Long is filled with traits scouts love to see in a pitcher his age. He’s young for the class with a loose, whippy arm stroke and throws a lot of strikes with a fastball up to 92 mph, generating good armside run from his low three-quarters slot. He’s a good strike-thrower for his age, and between his arm speed and room to add weight on to his slender 6-foot-1 frame, there should be mid-90s or better velocity coming soon. It’s a starter look with a slider that has good tilt at its best and an advanced changeup for his age with late diving action at the plate.
School: Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS Committed: Texas
Age At Draft: 19.2
A gold medalist for the USA 15U National Team at the U-15 World Cup in 2022, Murrietta is polished behind the plate with a chance to develop into a plus defensive catcher. He’s a talented receiver with great hands, framing pitches well to steal strikes. He’s loose, flexible, and blocks well, while his strong arm helps him control the running game with pop times under 1.9 seconds on his best throws. Murrietta doesn’t have huge physical upside, but he has performed at a high level offensively. He has quiet hands in a simple, compact swing with good balance and bat-to-ball skills, making a lot of contact with doubles power.
School: Cathedral Prep HS, Erie, Penn. Committed: Wake Forest
Age At Draft: 19.5
Costello turns 19 in January of his draft year, so while he’s on the older end for the class, his talent on both sides of the ball make him one of the top 2026 catchers in the country. A gold medal winner at the U-15 World Cup in 2022, Costello shows flashes of above-average raw power and doesn’t need to sell out his swing to generate that pop, helping him tap into that power in games. He has a simple, compact swing with good sequence, keeping his hands quiet and generating stretch with his lower half before rotating powerfully. His barrel explodes through the zone with above-average bat speed to drive the ball in the air consistently from the middle of the field over to his pull side and a chance to develop into a 20-plus home run threat. Costello projects to stick behind the plate. He has a solid-average arm with quick footwork and a swift transfer on his throws, enabling him to regularly record pop times under 2.0 seconds with his best bolts cutting under 1.9 seconds.
School: Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit HS Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.5
Andersen already has good stuff for his age with projection indicators pointing up. He has a sound delivery, fast arm speed and the ball comes out of his hand with ease, reaching 92 mph. His wiry 6-foot-3 frame has a ton of space left to fill out, with the look of a potential mid-to-upper 90s fastball in his future. Anderson has good pitchability for his age and attacks pitchers up in the zone with the riding life on his fastball to miss bats when he elevates. He leans on his curveball heavily, reaching the upper-70s with good feel to spin and miss bats. Anderson hasn’t needed to use his changeup much yet, but he has flashed feel for that pitch as well.
School: Glenbrook North HS, Northbrook, Ill. Committed: Illinois
Age At Draft: 18.8
One of the top hitters in the midwest, Bass has a smooth, rhythmic swing from the right side. He loads his swing with a leg kick and keeps his barrel through the hitting zone for a long time, showing a knack for squaring up breaking stuff. An offensive-minded infielder with experience in outfield as well, Bass produces hard line drives with gap power that should grow as he fills out his wiry frame.
School: Archbishop Moeller HS, Cincinnati, Ohio Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.4
Ponatoski is the quarterback for one of the top programs in the country at Archbishop Moeller HS in Ohio, where he broke the school’s single-season record for passing yards as a sophomore in 2023. He had a huge summer in 2023, showing off a mix of hitting ability, tools and athleticism. He’s a lefthanded hitter who doesn’t swing and miss much, with some length to his swing at times but good hand-eye coordination and strike-zone judgment that leads to high OBPs. He has good bat speed, makes hard contact and has the physical projection to grow into more power. He has experience playing all over the infield, is adept at charging the slow roller and has an above-average arm that could jump another grade as the draft gets closer.
School: Tomball (Tex.) HS Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 19.2
Sampson has generated a lot of attention for his ability to pitch, but his upside could be even more exciting as a hitter after a huge offensive showing on the travel circuit. Sampson has a strong 6-foot-3 frame with a sound, low-effort lefthanded swing. He loads with a leg kick, stays balanced and under control, taking a tight turn of the barrel with good sequence and bat path. He doesn’t chase or whiff much, consistently barreling balls in the air to all fields and occasional over-the-fence power, with the strength projection for more of his doubles to turn into home runs. Sampson is an offensive-minded player who has played third base, the outfield and some at first base. He has the arm strength to handle third base if he’s able to bring along his defense at that position, with a corner outfield spot another potential landing spot in pro ball. Sampson is also a promising prospect as a pitcher. He’s a prolific strike-thrower, hammering the zone with a fastball that touches 90 mph and consistently landing his mid-70s slider for strikes as well, with pitchability well beyond his years.
School: The Colony (Tex.) HS Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 19.3
An athletic righthander, Rangel has electric stuff that should only get better as the 2026 draft approaches. He has a lean 6-foot-1 frame with excellent arm speed to run his fastball up to 94 mph. The pitch already plays up because it has good riding life up in the zone and he gets good extension out front, and there should be another uptick in velocity for what’s already a high-end fastball for his age. What makes Rangel dangerous is his ability to snap off a hammer curveball at 78-81 mph that frequently eclipses 3,200 rpm, top-end spin for any age. The attributes are there for his curveball to be a plus or better pitch that should miss a ton of bats.
School: Faith Lutheran HS, Las Vegas, Nev. Committed: Miami
Age At Draft: 18.6
With smooth, easy actions in the batter’s box and in the field, Shepard is one of the most polished players in the 2026 class. He’s one of the most difficult players in the country to strike out, using a quick, compact lefthanded swing with good hand-eye coordination and plate coverage to make contact at a high clip with all pitch types. He goes with where the ball is pitched, using an adjustable swing to fire line drives to all fields with gap power and get on base at a high clip. He’s a clean, fundamentally sound defender at shortstop, where he has good footwork, hands and instincts, though some scouts think he could flip over to second base as he gets closer to the big leagues. Shepard has experience at catcher too, but his game projects well as a middle infielder.
School: Jackson Prep HS, Flowood, Miss. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.0
Roberts is a high school teammate of potential 2024 first-round pick Konnor Griffin, so scouts will have lots of looks at him this spring. He’s one of the youngest players in the class, but he stands out for his size (6-foot-5, 205 pounds), dynamic athleticism and tools. Roberts generates a lot of torque with his swing, and between his bat speed and physical upside, he should grow into at least plus raw power. He’s an above-average runner with long strides and a chance to stick in center field, though if he goes to right field, he already has a plus arm that could end up a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. Roberts is primarily a position player but offers significant upside on the mound as well. He touched 93 mph last summer shortly before turning 15, hit 94 mph early this spring and has the look of a potential 100 mph arm, showing feel for a changeup with good sink and separation off his fastball along with a curveball.
School: First Presbyterian Day HS, Macon, Ga. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.4
Johnson offers significant upside with his talent at the plate and in the field. Hitting from an open stance and loading with a leg kick and a pull-heavy approach, Johnson has excellent bat speed, high-level strength projection and already drives the ball with authority. He typically stays within the strike zone, doesn’t swing and miss much and has a chance to grow into plus raw power. A tick above-average runner, Johnson has a chance to stick at shortstop depending on his physical development, though some scouts think he could outgrow the position and slide to third base as he gets closer to the big leagues. He’s an athletic defender with quick reactions off the bat and good body coordination. He’s adept on both ends of the double play, charges in well on the slow roller and has the arm strength for the left side of the infield.
School: Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) HS Committed: Oklahoma
Age At Draft: 18.6
Former Angels outfielder Reggie Willits is the associate head coach at Oklahoma, where his son Eli is committed, and Eli’s offensive polish stands out for his age. At the 2023 Area Code Games underclass event, which featured many of the top 2025 prospects in the country, Willits had an outstanding showing at the plate. He’s a switch-hitter with a short, tight swing from both sides, a simple approach with good bat control. Willits makes consistent contact with all pitch types, spreading line drives around the field with gap power that should tick up as he gets stronger. He reads hops well and has a good internal clock at shortstop.
School: Gulliver Prep HS, Miami, Fla. Committed: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.8
While scouts were following 2023 shortstop George Lombard Jr. before he became a first-round pick of the Yankees, they also got plenty of looks at his teammate and younger brother Jacob. The son of Tigers bench coach George Lombard, Jacob’s baseball upbringing is evident with his instincts and fundamentally sound game. Lombard gets himself into a good hitting position using a short, simple swing. He has good balance, which helps him stay back to use the whole field and use his quick hands to drive the ball with gap power that should turn into more over-the-fence juice as he layers more strength on to his lean, athletic frame. Lombard has a good chance to stick at shortstop, where he reads hops well, plays under control and has good hands with a quick transfer.
School: De La Salle HS, Concord, Calif. Committed: Stanford
Age At Draft: 18.8
Spangler has a tall, lean build with high-end strength projection and an accurate barrel from the left side. He’s a long-limbed hitter who is able to make contact at a high clip. He already makes hard contact for his age, and with his bat speed and physical upside, there’s projection for a lot more home run damage to come, giving him one of the top potential hit/power combinations in the class. At his size, he’s a shortstop for now, though he could end up outgrowing the position and fit at third base in pro ball.
School: Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, Fla. Committed: Florida
Age At Draft: 18.5
Harris has immense offensive upside. He has a powerful swing from the right side, generating torque with good rhythm and balance as he rotates explosively to unleash excellent bat speed. That results in some of the best raw power in the class, and given the strength potential remaining in his well-proportioned 6-foot-2 frame, he should grow into at least plus power. He has performed at a high level in games and has the athleticism that gives him a chance to remain in center field, though the biggest draw is a potential middle-of-the-order bat.
School: Cathedral Catholic HS, San Diego, Calif. Committed: Stanford
Age At Draft: 19.2
A gold medal winner at the U-15 World Cup in 2022, Harrington has the mix of explosive athleticism, hitting skills and ability to play a premium position that could push him high up draft boards in 2026. A triplet whose brother Hunter is a center fielder also committed to Stanford, Harrington has a high-waist, well-proportioned build with significant strength projection remaining. He’s a long-limbed hitter with a lot of bat speed. His swing can get disconnected at times, but he has consistently performed at a high level, making hard contact to all fields with a chance to grow into bigger power once he fills out. He’s a plus runner with long strides who could be a big stolen base threat. A high-energy, bouncy athlete, Harrington’s quick-twitch actions stand out at shortstop, where he’s a potential plus defender. He has a nose for the ball, reacting well off the bat with a quick first step, excellent body control and a knack for making highlight reel plays from all angles. He already has a strong arm and it could tick up even more as he fills out.
School: Argyle HS, Flower Mound, Tex. Committed: TCU
Age At Draft: 18.4
Emerson isn’t just the best 2026 high school prospect; he has a case as the country’s top high school prospect in any class, with an exciting, well-rounded blend of tools, athleticism, skills and upside at a premium position. A two-time member of the USA 15U National Team, including a gold medal finish at the U-15 World Cup in 2022, Emerson has a calm, relaxed presence in the box with minimal wasted movement in his efficient lefthanded swing. It’s a quick, compact stroke with clean path through the zone, staying balanced to track pitches well with innate timing and feel for the barrel. He rarely swings and misses, squaring up good fastballs or offspeed stuff throughout the strike zone. While a lot of young hitters get pull-happy, Emerson is able to let the ball travel deep and drive it the opposite way or turn it depending where the ball is pitched. He’s a patient hitter who doesn’t expand the zone much, making him a high on-base threat. It’s a hit-over-power offensive game with a lot of doubles that should turn into more home runs given his age and strength potential left in his lean 6-foot-1 frame. Emerson’s hitting skills are advanced beyond his years, but he also defends his position well at shortstop. He’s a plus runner, a good athlete and moves his feet well at shortstop with good body control, soft hands and a strong arm. When a prospect of Emerson’s caliber comes along in international free agency, he’s the type of player teams are willing to pay nearly all of their bonus pool allotment to sign.

Minor League Top Prospects

EL managers came to have the same feelings about Larish that scouts have had since his college days at Arizona State. Once considered a potentially elite hitter, he has adopted an approach and sells out for home runs. It makes his profile more that of a second-division regular than as a championship-caliber starter. "He's abandoned using the whole field and has very little two-strike approach," one scout said. "He was just trying to jerk balls, but he showed pretty big power, and it's from the left side." His upright stance turns off some, because it precludes him from covering the outer third of the plate and produces serious holes in his swing. The things he can do make Larish a prospect. He's patient, ranking second in the league and sixth in the minors with 87 walks, and he waits out pitchers until he gets a pitch he can drive. His strength and leveraged swing produce well above-average power, as he led the EL with 28 homers and 101 RBIs. He's also an accomplished defender around the bag at first base.
As they did with lefty John Danks in 2006, the Rangers bumped Hurley to Triple-A just three years after drafting him in the first round out of high school. Texas felt comfortable moving Hurley quickly, given his even temperament and willingness to take instruction. He pitched very well for Oklahoma before getting hammered in his final two starts, when he allowed six of his 13 Triple-A homers. With a repertoire headed by a 91-95 mph fastball and an above-average slider with late depth, Hurley is all about power. Those two pitches will play up--and his strikeouts will increase--as he gains more command. He needs to improve his changeup and do a better job of working down in the strike zone.
Because of his stuff, frame and profile, Reyes gets compared Horacio Ramirez, who likewise signed with the Braves out of a southern California high school. Reyes made 14 starts at Mississippi before spending three months in the majors when injuries beset Atlanta's pitching staff. He struggled but did win two of his last three starts and posted a 3.10 ERA in September. Reyes doesn't have a true put-away pitch, but he has five weapons at his disposal, headlined by a fastball that ranges from 88-94 mph. He can add and subtract from his fastball, and also throws a cutter in the high 80s. His solid-average slider is his best secondary pitch, which he complements with a usable changeup and curve. He's erratic with his command at times, and Reyes has lapses when a series of mistakes leads to big innings. He profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter. "He's a guy for me," the second scout said. "He can speed up and slow down bats, and he has enough effective wildness and enough stuff to get away with some of his inconsistency."
Saunders is one of the best athletes in the Mariners system, but his stock took a hit when he batted .240/.329/.345 in his full-season debut in low Class A last year. He flashed his five-tool potential on a much more consistent basis in the Cal League, and he played well in Double-A in August. He's still growing into his 6-foot-4 frame and has good loft in his swing, which could make him a 20-homer hitter on an annual basis. He has plus speed that makes him a basestealing threat and a plus defender in center or right field. A Canadian who had NHL potential in hockey and also played basketball, lacrosse and soccer, he lacks true baseball instincts but has shown a better sense for the game with each of his promotions.
Paulino hadn't played above Class A coming into the season, but he made his major league debut in Houston in September, earning wins in his last two starts. He has the body and the stuff to pitch at the top of a rotation, with a fastball that touches 100 mph and sits at 95-99 mph. Paulino has four legitimate pitches, using both a slider and a curveball as well as a changeup. His curveball is probably the best of his complementary pitches, but none of them stand out. To establish himself in the big league rotation, Paulino will have to improve his command and become more confident with his fastball. His velocity allows him to dominate, but if hitters hit his heater early in games, he tends to shy away from it.
Ely overmatched Pioneer League hitters in his pro debut by consistently by consistently throwing strikes and using his 91-93 mph fastball to set them up for a plus changeup that ranks as his best pitch. His curveball was a solid pitch for him at Miami (Ohio) this spring, though it received mixed reviews from those who saw him this summer. Ely has a deceptive delivery that he repeats well and keeps hitters off balance, but he's also a max-effort pitcher with a head jerk. There are some concerns about how his ability to avoid injuries with his mechanics, but he has no history of arm problems in the past. He's extremely competitive on the mound.
An exceptional athlete, Brown was recruited by Miami as a wide receiver but he chose instead to sign as a 20th-round pick in 2006. The ball jumps off his bat, though his swing can get long and has some holes that can be exploited. His wiry-strong build evokes Darryl Strawberry, and he can hit the ball a long way when he connects. A long strider with above-average speed, Brown plays a shallow center field. He occasionally takes some bad routes, but he's athletic enough to compensate and has a strong arm. "He's got a ton of tools," Hudson Valley manager Matt Quatraro said. "His body, if it fills out, he could be a monster. His swing's long at times, but when he gets on top of the ball, he's got some juice."
Fabian has added 30 pounds since signing out of the Dominican in 2003, and his 6-foot-3 frame still has plenty of projection remaining. He has yet to reach full-season ball in five years as a pro and is far from a finished product, but his loose arm is loaded with potential. Fabian's fastball sits at 91 mph and he was up to 96 in the first game of the NWL finals, when he pitched into the eighth inning and earned the win against Salem-Keizer. He's aggressive and attacks hitters, though his command is below-average. He'll occasionally break off a filthy downer curveball that could become a legitimate putaway offering. His changeup is below-average, though it too could develop into a weapon.
The Yankees signed Heredia out of the Dominican Republic last year. He didn't pitch in the Dominican Summer League in 2006 and made his pro debut in the States this summer. Not big but wiry strong, Heredia pumps out fastballs from 91-93 mph, touching some 94s along the way. He has a loose, easy delivery and adds and subtracts from his fastball, which he commands to all four quadrants of the strike zone. His slurvy breaking ball needs to get tighter, though it shows flashes of being a plus pitch with solid downward rotation. "He just reminds me of Pedro Martinez when I was with the Dodgers in '93," Reed said. "You see the frame and wonder where it all comes from. This guy is the same way." His changeup is still a work in progress, as he's refining his arm action and grip to command it more consistently. Heredia morphed into a two-pitch pitcher at times, and he'll have to gain more confidence in his changeup if he's going to profile as a starter.
Ottavino's approach is simple yet effective. He relies on a 92-93 mph fastball featuring good armside run and a tight slider, as the fastball rides in on righthanders while the slider runs away from them. His command isn't very polished, but he gets enough movement that he can simply aim for the middle of the plate and relying on the run on his fastball and the tilt on his slider to hit the corners. Ottavino got FSL hitters to chase his slider out of the zone, though there's some concern as to whether he can throw it consistently for strikes if more advanced players lay off of it. He also throws a below-average changeup and curveball, and he might wind up in the bullpen down the road.
James flew under the radar last season despite going 6-2, 1.36 in Lexington. His fringy fastball didn't excite scouts then, but they believe in him more now that his velocity increased this year. His heater sat at 89-92 and he can sink and tail it to either side of the plate, making him a groundball machine. James' slider is an average pitch with plus potential. He has toyed with different grips on his changeup but hasn't found consistent command of it yet. "He could be unhittable at times here and all he'd throw were sinkers," Sarbaugh said. "He'd flash you the breaking ball, he'd flash the changeup, but he was pretty much all sinkers."
AZL managers found Culberson, a surprise supplemental first-round pick in June, far from conventional but nonetheless to their liking. He rebounded from a terrible start to help drive the Giants into the championship game, leading the team with 19 stolen bases (in 20 tries) and batting .354 in August. Culverson showed pull power, savvy baserunning skills and above-average bat speed, and he made progress on learning when to be aggressive and when to be smart. Culberson hit 16 homers as a high school senior, but homers aren't likely to be a significant part of his game as he moves up the ladder. The unconventional part comes with his glove. Culberson has excellent arm strength despite an unusual, almost sidearm release point, and as he learns to trust his arm, he'll improve his fringe-average range by playing deeper and learning better positioning. His aggressive nature led to mistakes, but he worked hard with roving instructor Fred Stanley and showed enough aptitude (one error in his last 12 games in the AZL) to keep playing shortstop in instructional league.
Romero finished third in the league in batting (.316) and homers (nine). He's a gap-to-gap hitter who can drive the ball hard the other way, and he should have even more power as he gets stronger and turns on more pitches. Defensively, Romero has limited range at third base but he does have soft hands, arm strength and a quick release. He sometimes overthrows, but he's fairly steady and led Appy League third baseman with a .929 fielding percentage. His biggest need is to find an even keel, as he gets down on himself and lets his emotions affect his play. "He's got it in him," Elizabethton manager Ray Smith said. "He's a tools guy and he can hit it as far as anybody. He's got it in him, but we need to get it out of him."
After hitting just three homers in Rookie ball last year, Francisco won the MWL home run crown with 25, including 10 in the final month. In a league full of young power hitters, scouts and managers thought Francisco had the most raw pop of any of them. "He swings the bat with a lot of authority," Great Lakes manager Lance Parrish said. "He has a lot of potential and it's not too far in the future. He'll be leading every league he's in in home runs and he'll be an all-star." Francisco offers incredible pull power from the left side, though he needs to tone down his aggression and tighten his strike zone after fanning 161 times and walking only 23 in 135 games. He has a long swing and tends to chase balls in the dirt, but he's also just 20. He has enough arm and mobility to stay at third base, though he'll have to watch his weight to do so.
Like Votto, Lind came into the season with high expectations after winning the Double-A Eastern League's MVP award and hitting .367 in 60 September big league at-bats in 2006. He started 2007 with Syracuse, earning an early callup when Reed Johnson had back surgery. American League pitchers were ready for Lind this time and he struggled to make adjustments, hitting .230/.274/.383 before a July demotion. Lind regained his confidence and his stroke in the IL, and he fared better (.273/.298/.473) after a September callup. He's balanced at the plate and stays inside the ball well, using his classic lefthanded swing to drive the ball from line to line. "His hands somewhat work independently from his body," Syracuse manager Doug Davis said. "He's got such good hand-eye coordination that it's very easy for him to put the barrel of the bat on ball. That's my biggest thing. He's a natural hitter who can not only put the ball in play, but drive it." Lind missed two weeks in early August when he strained a muscle in his neck after violently banging his head on the ground while making a diving attempt for a catch. A similar play in 2006 caused a concussion. He remains a work in progress in the outfield, where below-average speed and just playable range and throwing mechanics limit him to left field.
After serving as a catcher when he wasn't injured during his first two pro seasons, Snyder moved to first base this year and looked more comfortable. He had his best offensive season to date, rebounding nicely from the dislocated right shoulder and rotator-cuff surgery that limited him to 72 games in 2006. Snyder showed improved plate discipline and continued to display a smooth swing from the right side. He consistently gets his hands in a good hitting position. The question, however, is whether he'll drive in enough runs to be an impact player at the major league level, because the move to first base puts a greater emphasis on his bat. Snyder, who showed soft hands and good athleticism at his new position, also took groundballs at third base. "He adapted well defensively and has become a quality first baseman," Kendall said. "He also made adjustments with the bat, particularly with his pitch selection. Last year, he didn't have a plan when he stepped in the box. While he'll still wave at breaking balls, he has improved in working the count and using the whole field."
The highlight of Lofgren's season was going home to San Francisco for the Futures Game--he's from famed Serra High in nearby San Mateo--but the regular season held some struggles for him. His athletic ability, competitiveness and aptitude still make him one of the minors' more intriguing lefties, but he has work to do. Lofgren pitches off his average-to-plus fastball, running it up to 93-94 mph at times. His curveball, slider and changeup all flash above-average potential as well. He started throwing his changeup two years ago and it's now his best secondary pitch, allowing him to be more effective against righthanders (.739 OPS against) than lefties (.815 OPS). Lofgren didn't attack Double-A hitters like he needed to, getting into trouble by nibbling when he got ahead or by struggling to throw his secondary pitches for strikes early in counts. One scout said Lofgren needs to learn pitchability and expects his athletic ability to help him do that with another year in the minors.
Patton spent the first half of the season in Double-A and required just eight Triple-A starts before he was thrust into Houston's rotation in August. The Astros turned to him not because he had blown away PCL batters, but because he shows exceptional poise for a young pitcher. After three effective appearances in Houston, he was shut down with shoulder soreness, which cut short his two previous seasons as well. With command of three pitches and a strong pickoff move, Patton has the ingredients to be a solid No. 3 starter. He locates his 88-92 mph fastball to both sides of the plate and has confidence in his hard curveball. Patton has made the greatest strides with his changeup, which fades down and away from righthanders.
Just before Scherzer would have re-entered the 2006 draft, the Diamondbacks coughed up a four-year major league contract worth $4.3 million in guaranteed money to sign the 11th overall pick from 2005. Nicknamed "Max-a-million" by his teammates, he made three starts in high Class A before arriving in Mobile in late June. Scherzer's most attractive attribute is a sinking fastball that tops out near 95 mph. His mechanics need some work, as his release point is inconsistent and there's some effort to his delivery, but he does achieve good extension out front and his arm strength is obvious. Scherzer has a two-seamer he can run up to 90 mph, an 80-84 mph slider and a changeup, all of which have potential to be solid-average to plus offerings. But Scherzer's arsenal is inconsistent, and his overall command is below average. That leads some scouts to project he'll wind up in the bullpen, where he can focus on his fastball and slider. "It's an outstanding arm who needs polish and has some max effort to it, which impacts his ability to command the baseball," a fourth scout said. "The stuff is there, it's just a matter of if he can make that next step and command it."
Statia has the tools to play shortstop in the majors now. He's an athletic defender with above-average range to both sides, plus arm strength and good instincts. He's a savvy basestealer as well, swiping 29 bags in 37 tries despite just average speed. While his defense is big league-ready, his bat is nowhere close. Until he adds some strength to his lanky frame, he'll be vulnerable to good fastballs. He has little power, and while he makes consistent contact, he doesn't draw many walks.
Rodriguez doesn't offer one overwhelming tool, but his overall package and strong baseball instincts should make him an effective big leaguer. His offensive numbers dipped from 2006, when he led the minors with 291 total bases, but he was still selected as the league's all-star shortstop. Power is probably Rodriguez' best tool, as he shows the ability to drive the ball to all fields and could hit 20-25 homers per year in the majors. Some observers think he would be better served shortening his swing and being more of a doubles hitter, however. Though he has a good swing and balance at the plate, he led the league with 132 whiffs, in part because of poor strike-zone recognition. Rodriguez has been a shortstop so far in his career and shows good defensive actions, but his below-average speed and big frame, as well as organization depth, could push him to second base or the outfield. He'll probably end up as a utility player.
Fish finished in a three-way tie for the league lead with 77 strikeouts in 72 innings and fanned 13 in eight innings in his lone playoff outing. His funky delivery creates deception and confuses hitters, making his 88-93 mph fastball seem quicker than it really is. He has good secondary pitches, though he needs to be more consistent with his curveball, which rates as solid-average when he throws it for strikes. Fish still needs to improve his command and must keep his weight under control.
Welker had an up-and-down spring as a weekend starter for Arkansas after transferring from Seminole State (Okla.) JC, but the Pirates drafted him in the second round based on his arm strength and projectable 6-foot-7 frame. He had a strong pro debut before the Pirates shut him down because of elbow soreness. Welker pitches at 92-93 mph and touches 95-96 with his lively fastball, and he might throw even harder as he matures. He pitches off his fastball, working it in and out, and mixes in a slurvy breaking ball that has potential but needs some tightening. His changeup is usable but also needs some refinement. Welker has a strong, durable frame and pitches on a good downward plane. He could be a starter in the big leagues if he can polish his secondary offerings. "One thing that sticks out the most to me is his competitiveness and his presence," State College manager Turner Ward said. "To me, he's definitely a big leaguer. He's got the stamina, the body, just the package of a starting pitcher."
Canham's makeup and offensive prowess were a big part of Oregon State's back-to-back College World Series titles. The day he reported to Eugene, he introduced himself to manager Greg Riddoch and promptly asked to take the opposing hitters' chart home with him to prepare for the next night's game. Canham injured a testicle in mid-July and missed two weeks. After he returned to the lineup, his solid-average bat speed and raw power weren't as evident, but he's a confident hitter with a good approach from the left side of the plate. He has a tendency to drift during his swing, which creates some length. Canham's defensive skills are subpar, but he's a good athlete with plenty of agility and aptitude to work his way into becoming an adequate catcher. He has solid-average arm strength with a fair release that would be aided by better footwork, and he threw out 31 percent of basestealers in the NWL. He's an average runner.
The tallest pitcher in the GCL at 6-foot-10, Moviel also has stuff to back up his height advantage. He consistently threw 92-93 mph and touched 95 with his fastball. He draws comparisons to Yankees first-round pick Andrew Brackman because both are huge Ohio natives who committed to North Carolina State (Brackman played for the Wolfpack but Moviel turned pro). Though Brackman is three years older, Moviel may be more polished. Scouts raved about his ability to not only repeat his delivery, but his secondary pitches as well. He'll pitch inside with his fastball with no fear, and his 82-83 mph hammer curveball really keeps opposing hitters at bay. Moviel also has a workable changeup, though it lags behind his other two offerings. There are concerns about his long arm action, but he's athletic and fields his position well for a big man.
With Outman, it's all about control. He struggles at times to control his fastball, which explains why ranked among the minor league leaders with 77 walks in 159 innings. At times he struggles to control his emotions, which explains why he overthrows and is prone to big innings and bad outings. But there's also a lot to like about the lefty, who led the league with a 2.45 ERA and earned a promotion to Double-A. Outman's fastball sits at 92-94 mph and he pairs it with an 84-87 mph slider. He's working on a changeup that still has a ways to go. A good athlete, Outman has reworked his mechanics and developed a more conventional delivery since turning pro. He also has added some deception, as he now hides the ball much longer, and his fastball has picked up some life. One manager who saw him in low Class A in 2006 said has made significant strides since last year
A second-round pick in 2006, Perez made his full-season debut with the Avalanche. He was up an down for much of the season, but he showed two quality pitches throughout. His fastball has excellent late life and sits at 91-93 mph, while his 84-mph slider was his out pitch for much of the year. Perez' changeup improved as the season wore on, though he still doesn't have quite the arm action he needs to make it as effective as it could be. He repeats his delivery well, though some scouts expressed concern with the way he wraps his wrist in the back of his delivery
Carvajal had to repeat the league after a hand injury curtailed his season last year. He needed the experience because he had gotten just 75 at-bats since signing for $350,000 in late 2005 out of the Dominican Republic. He's still raw, particularly in terms of pitch recognition and plate discipline, but he also has some of the best bat speed in the Padres system and enough athletic ability to play well in a short trial in center field. According to AZL Padres manager Tony Muser, the former Royals skipper, Carvajal profiles best as a left fielder with good defense and enough power for the position. "He has a lot of upside because he can do a lot of things," Muser said. "He can run, he's got a plus arm, he's got raw power. A lot of times with young players like him, it can take longer getting on their feet, and he lost time, but now he's making progress."
If Van Mil makes it all the way up, he'll be the tallest pitcher in major league history at 7-foot-1. By the time he follows through, he's practically standing on home plate. His velocity is closer to Chris Young's than Randy Johnson's, however. Van Mil's fastball settles in around 91 mph and tops out at 95. His height gives him a downward plane that's tough on hitters. He's athletic and agile for his size. A product of the Netherlands, Van Mil lacks pitching instincts and profiles more as a reliever than as a starter. He's working on a slider that has some tilt, but he sometimes slows down his arm when he throws it. He also lacks control.Van Mil came down with elbow soreness, which sidelined him for three weeks in August.
Like Poveda, Whittleman was much improved and still young for the league in his second stint at Clinton. After batting .227/.313/.343 as a 19-year-old in 2006, he boosted those numbers to .271/.382/.476 before an August callup to high Class A. He also added a Futures Game homer off the Mets' Deolis Guerra. Whittleman had a quieter approach and better balance at the plate this season, and he didn't chase as many pitches. With his swing, strength and grasp of the strike zone, he has a chance to hit .280 with 15-20 homers annually in the majors. He doesn't profile as well at third base as Bell, but he has a better stroke and puts more effort into his defense. Playing third base is still a struggle for Whittleman, who has the arm strength but lacks sure hands and quick feet. He made 29 errors in 85 games, and his .880 percentage was worse than his 2006 mark of .891. He tailed off in July, batting just .154/.264/.179 as most observers thought he got frustrated because he wasn't promoted earlier.
Jones posted the second-highest slugging percentage (.507) in the Southern League and didn't miss a beat after earning a late-July promotion to Richmond, where he helped the Braves win the IL wild card. With a confident, quiet setup and a sweet lefty swing, he projects to be an above-average major league hitter. He makes adjustments and stays inside the ball well, taking what pitchers give him. Jones has 20-homer potential, which is about average for a corner outfielder, and he rarely turned on pitches in the IL, prompting some to question his assertiveness as a potential middle-of-the-order hitter. An average runner, he gets down the line well because of his clean swing mechanics. But with below-average hands and defensive instincts and a slow release on throws, he's a left fielder all the way.
Hanson went just 2-6 in 14 starts at Rome, but his record fails to tell the true story. He used solid command of four pitches along with a willingness to throw inside to post a 2.59 ERA and limit hitters to a .194 average. Six-foot-6 and 210 pounds, Hanson has impressive mound presence and delivers the ball on an intimidating downhill plane. His fastball sits in the low 90s and he commands it well. Add in the tight spin on his curveball and improving depth on his changeup, and he's on the fast track in the Braves system. "He has good arm strength and I really like his breaking ball," Asheville pitching coach Bryan Harvey said. "He has a real good idea out there on the mound."
Kendrick never had pitched above Class A prior to 2007, but he entered the postseason as the Phillies' Game Two starter, and his 3.87 ERA ranked second among their starters. He got started down that path in the EL, as he harnessed his command and stopped trying to pitch up in the strike zone with his fastball and down with his slider. The athletic Kendrick repeats his delivery, pumps his two-seam sinker to the bottom of the zone and spots his harder, low-90s four-seamer down and away. He also has a hard slider that's more of a groundball pitch than a strikeout offering. His changeup plays up because he locates it well. "He realized strikeouts are over-rated," Reading manager P.J. Forbes said. "He's pitching at the knees and when he misses, he misses down. He made hitters hit his pitch, because his command was that good. To give up just three home runs, playing in our ballpark, that's all about executing your pitches, and he did."
One of the few Mariners prospects who has been allowed to develop more or less at his own pace, Balentien showed improvement across the board in his first taste of Triple-A. Most strikingly, he slashed his strikeout rate from one every 3.2 at-bats in 2006 to one every 4.5 for Tacoma. Though Balentien still will wildly chase pitches out of the zone, he did show increased selectivity in the first half, especially with regard to breaking balls off the plate. He has immense raw power to all fields and hit his first big league homer in September off Fausto Carmona. Balentien also has average speed and good baserunning instincts. He's an average defender with a plus arm in right field. He frequently has come under scrutiny for his lackadaisical play and though he still has lapses, he showed more focus and maturity in 2007.
After a dominant season in 2006, Meloan spent the first half of 2007 as Jacksonville's closer before climbing to Triple-A and the majors. Managers rated him the league's best reliever and he has the makings of a valuable late-inning man in the big leagues. Meloan has two speeds--hard and harder--and a tenacious attitude. He works primarily off an 89-94 mph fastball and a mid-80s slider that has touched 89. He also has feel for a curveball and changeup, but his slider and above-average command are his ticket. Meloan attacks both sides of the plate and pitches ahead in the count. His delivery is rigid and lacks fluidity, but he has shown resilience since arm soreness arose shortly after he was drafted in 2005.
If Young reaches the majors, his speed will be what gets him there. After leading the minors with 87 steals in 2006, he ranked second this year with 73. He became more efficient swiping bases, succeeding on 80 percent of his attempts, up from 74 percent a year ago. "He's a legitimate big league basestealer," Subero said. "He could go up on speed alone." Young uses his speed to get on base via bunts, though he still needs to improve his strike-zone judgment to be a tablesetter at the top of the order. He upgraded his total package by improving his defense at second base, showing better range and footwork.
Duran was an afterthought in the Texas system coming into 2007, but he stung the ball all season and ranked among the TL leaders in most offensive categories. He also represented the Rangers on the World team in the Futures Game. Scouts and managers see Duran as an offensive second baseman whose overall approach to hitting isn't as polished as Antonelli's, but he offers more power. Duran isn't big but has a strong body and a quick bat, with the ability to put a charge in the ball. Most managers regarded Duran as a solid second baseman. He's good around the bag and should be able to make the routine plays, with average range and an average arm. His speed is fringe-average.
Ambriz had shoulder surgery in 2004, then returned to star as a two-way player for UCLA the last two seasons. The Diamondbacks drafted him solely as a pitcher, and in his first pro summer he excelled as a swingman and earned the save in the clinching game of the Pioneer League playoffs. Arizona wants Ambriz to pitch off his fastball, and when he worked in shorter outings than he did as a college starter, his heater sat at 91-93 mph and touched 95. He also did a better job of keeping the ball down in the strike zone than he did at UCLA, with his mid-80s splitter resulting in a lot of groundballs. Ambriz also tightened his curveball. His curve and his changeup are still inconsistent, and he'll need to further develop them to succeed when he becomes a full-time starter next season.
While he's a college pitcher, Wagner isn't the average college product. A former North Dakota State player, he saw his draft stock fall in 2005 due to a left kneecap injury that altered his mechanics and sapped his velocity. Healthy again, he and Aberdeen's Luis Lebron were the NY-P's dominant relievers. Wagner had the league's best fastball, sitting at 95-97 mph in just about every outing. He was content to blow fastballs by hitters, and his above-average control of the pitch means he can throw it for strikes to all four quadrants of the strike zone. However, Wagner lacks a second pitch. He has tried both a curveball and a slider, showing little feel for spinning a breaking ball. He had more success late in the summer when he started throwing a splitter, but he lacked confidence in the pitch. It looked better in the bullpen than in games.
Cowart took the NWL by storm in his pro debut after the Giants drafted him in the 35th round as a Kansas State senior. He didn't allow an earned run in his first four starts and 21 innings, then reeled off an even longer stretch of five starts and 28 innings without yielding an earned run. On his way to winning NWL pitcher of the year honors, Cowart won his first 10 professional decisions before losing in his final regular-season outing. Cowart, who led the league with 10 wins and a 1.08 ERA, has impeccable control of underwhelming stuff, walking just eight batters in 83 innings. He also does a great job keeping the ball on the ground. The key to his success was the deception he creates with his funky submarine arm angle. He also has a very advanced feel for pitching, working both halves of the plate and leaving nothing above the knees. He has plenty of poise on the mound and fields his position well. But Cowart works in the 80-83 mph range with his fastball, topping out at 85, and he lacks a plus pitch. He also uses a slurvy breaking ball and a changeup. Cowart's future is in the bullpen, and his best-case scenario is that he can become a right-on-right specialist in the big leagues. Scouts are skeptical he'll be able to get hitters out at higher levels.
A star tailback who rushed for 2,183 yards as an Illinois high school senior and could have played college football, Benson committed to baseball after the Twins made him a second-round pick in June. He offered one of the better combinations of power and speed in the GCL. He also has the range and enough arm to play center field. Besides his physical tools, Benson has a knack for making adjustments and playing with a football mentality. He can get too aggressive at times and will have to tone down his approach at the plate and on the bases. He had the mental toughness to handle a jump to low Class A after injuries riddled the Twins' Beloit affiliate.
A guy who hit .224 in a return trip to low Class A doesn't seem like a prime candidate for the FSL Top 20. But Golson improved after a promotion to Clearwater and his ceiling remains high, even if he remains raw. "He's got all the tools," Legg said. Golson is a standout center fielder with plus range and arm strength, though his routes to the ball could use improvement. He's a plus-plus runner who's still learning how to pick his spots to steal. And he shows above-average power potential at the plate. Golson's only problem is a big one. He has yet to show the ability to make consistent contact, as evidenced by his .233 batting average and 160 strikeouts between two Class A stops this year. He doesn't recognize pitches well and he pulls off the ball too much. But he also has quick hands and a quick bat, which lead some to believe he'll figure it out. "He's young," Warner said. "He'll chase here and there, but if you make a mistake, it's a different sound coming off of his bat."
A revelation offensive and defensively in his 2005 pro debut, Lowrie suffered a high ankle sprain in May, missed a month and didn't find any rhythm at the plate until August. When he finally go healthy, he hit .325 with two of his three homers in the final month. While there are questions about Lowrie remaining at short because he lacks range and eye-popping arm strength, several scouts compared him to Jeff Blauser and Kevin Elster and gave him a chance to stay there. "He's kind of like David Eckstein with a lot better tools," an AL scout said. "You sit there and say to yourself, 'That guy's an everyday shortstop.' He makes the plays, nothing necessarily real flashy, but he's going to get it done."
The Padres won the league in part because of the ability of Durango and Hunter to get on base and the knack Carrasco and league RBI champ Ranyor Contreras had for driving them in. San Diego officials rave about Carrasco's raw power, though some managers questioned his defense and listed age of 19, preferring Contreras. A year younger and more physical, Carrasco earns the nod here for two big power tools. Besides his pop, he also has a plus throwing arm, as well as the range and hands to become an average defensive third baseman. "He's a legitimate switch-hitter, and when he got into one, it went a long way," one manager said. "He needs to improve his pitch recognition and he's pretty mature physically, but he has outstanding power."
Though Severino was repeating the league and is significantly older than the other pitchers on this list, his stuff stood out. He had arguably the best fastball in the league, a 92-93 mph heater that explodes on hitters and enabled him to lead the league with 90 strikeouts in 68 innings. Three times he struck out 10 or more batters in a start. At 5-foot-11 and 150 pounds, Severino doesn't resemble a power pitcher, but he attacks hitters and his stuff certainly plays that way. His quick arm action also makes his slider tough to hit, though the pitch is a work in progress. Severino has average command of a changeup he throws to keep hitters from sitting on his fastball. His inconsistent mechanics sometimes lead to lapses in control.
The league MVP, Baisley did it all. He led the MWL in runs (86) and RBIs (110, the second-highest total in the minors) and also was the circuit's best defensive third baseman. Baisley is a very good situational hitter who doesn't try to do too much. He has a balanced stance, sound swing and pitch-recognition skills, enabling him to drive balls from gap to gap. He moves better than most 6-foot-3, 210-pounders, showing range to both sides, and has a solid arm. The biggest knock against him was his age: 23, ancient for low Class A. The Athletics are also high on fellow third baseman Myron Leslie (Baisley's former South Florida teammate), who was ensconced in high Class A, so they left Baisley at Kane County. "It's an absolute crime that kid played there for the entire season," a second AL scout said.
Denorfia continued to do what he's always done--hit for average, get on base and play good defense--as he spent the season shuttling between the majors and the minors. He saw more time with the Reds after the mid-July trade of Austin Kearns, but Denorfia didn't hit enough to avoid a demotion. His future is probably as a fourth outfielder. Denorfia is a manager's delight because he's an overachiever who plays with passion. He has no one exceptional tool, but he's a disciplined, line-drive hitter who can take the ball up the middle or to the opposite field. He's probably no more than a 15-home run hitter in the majors. "He puts the ball in play and he's a good two-strike hitter," Cliburn said. "We played one series where we couldn't get him out. We'd pitch him away and he'd go the other way. Pitch him in and he'd drive it into the gap." Denorfia has average range in center field and enough arm to play in right. Above-average speed may be Denorfia's strongest tool, and he succeeded in 15 of 16 steal attempts.
Outman doesn't have the feel for pitching that his teammate Maloney does, but he throws significantly harder. He also put together one of the most dominant months any minor league pitcher had this year when he went 5-0, 0.28 in August. He won 13 of his final 15 decisions. A wiry 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Outman often catches hitters off guard with his 90-94 mph fastball. His 80-84 mph slider also has the potential to be a plus pitch. He throws a curveball as well, but the consensus is that he'd be better off scrapping it and sticking solely with his slider. The key to Outman's future will be his changeup, which is still fringy. If it doesn't improve, his fastball-slider combo alone should make him an effective reliever.
Olson climbed to Double-A in his first full pro season and displayed durability, consistency and solid-average stuff. If he improves his command and changeup, he could become a No. 3 or 4 starter. His fastball sits near 90 mph, and Olson has crafted a two-seamer that's slower but helps his cause against righthanders. His well above-average curveball is sharp with late, hard break and tight rotation. It's especially tough on lefties. He mixes his pitches well and moves them around, but he works deep in the count too often and tries to be too fine. His curve alone guarantees that he should become at least a dependable left-on-left reliever.
Guzman has yet to duplicate his breakout 2004 season, and the Dodgers finally decided to use him in a deadline deal for Julio Lugo in July. His days as a shortstop have come to an end, and is future now appears to be in the outfield or first base, with third base also a possibility. Guzman still stands out from a physical standpoint, as he's a 6-foot-6, 250-pounder loaded with athleticism. He still needs to tighten his strike zone and add more defensive polish at his new positions, but he has tape-measure power, above-average arm strength and solid speed. "I like his size and power potential," DeFrancesco said. "The length of his swing has to be shortened, though, in order to survive in the big leagues. I see him as a first baseman. He'd be a nice big target over there with above-average athleticism for the position."
Broadway started his season as strong as anyone in league, going 3-1, 1.74 in April. But then his delivery fell out of whack for two months, and hitters feasted on fastballs left up in the strike zone. He eventually fixed his mechanics and got back on track. The best pitch in Broadway's arsenal is a plus-plus spike curveball, which he commands to any part of the plate and will throw in any count. His average 89-90 mph fastball lacks consistent life and flattens out late in games. He seldom used a changeup in college and needs to increase arm speed to make it an effective third pitch. "He's polished and he's a fast-track guy," a NL scout said. "Whether he's fast-tracked as a pen guy or a starter depends on that changeup. It shows flashes, but sometimes it's very easy for hitters to pick up what's coming."
A former high school valedictorian, Headley stands out most for his headsy approach to the game. Multiple managers commented on how much they enjoyed talking to him while they coached third base and he played the field. Headley does everything fairly well but nothing exceptionally well. His biggest asset is his plate discipline and pitch recognition. A switch-hitter, he's much more effective as a lefty, though his swing is tailored more to hit line drives than home runs from both sides. Power is the biggest question mark, because he lacks physical projection and scouts doubt he'll have enough pop for third base. He's a solid defender at the hot corner, with soft hands, a fairly strong, very accurate arm and adequate range. He does a good job charging bunts and makes all the routine plays. One scout compared Headley to Greg Norton, and he could end up as a solid player off the bench.
Balentien drew comparisons to Manny Ramirez from league managers, both for his hitting potential and for his sometimes mystifying on-field behavior. Some managers called him a hot dog. He's one of the most intriguing power hitters in the minors--and represented the Mariners in the Futures Game in July--but his performance this season didn't match his potential. He has all the tools to be a middle-of-the-lineup force, including light-tower power. "My God, he can hit the ball a long way," Clark said. He has strength in his body and in his swing, with power from gap to gap, but his swing is big and he has not shown an ability to cut it down based on the count. He also struggled with breaking stuff, though he did show a willingness to hit the ball the other way this year. Balentien has a strong arm and runs well, though he's not a burner, and he played both right and center field for San Antonio. His long-term fit is in right, though. His attention sometimes wavered, and he led TL outfielders with 11 errors.
A preseason appendectomy nearly derailed Hynick's junior season at Birmingham-Southern, but he rebounded to post a 2.59 ERA this spring. The Rockies pounced on him in the eighth round, confident they could help crispen his secondary stuff behind his 90-93 mph fastball. He quickly bought into instruction and went on to capture the league's pitcher of the year award. Hynick has an unorthodox arm action, but it works for him and hasn't hampered his ability to fill the strike zone. He made a lot of progress with a splitter that one coach said was the league's best pitch. He still has more work to do with his curveball and changeup.
Pino was the best young Latin middle infielder in the league, though Aberdeen's Pedro Florimon received notice for his outstanding shortstop defense. Pino has more offensive upside and polish than Florimon, and his athletic ability stood out in a league dominated by college players. Pino ranked third in the league batting race, relying on a quick bat, contact-oriented approach and excellent hand-eye coordination. He fits best as a No. 2 hitter, though he needs to improve his bunting as well as his willingness to draw walks. He's an above-average runner and was caught just twice in 20 attempts. Pino's arm strength limits him to second base, but he has enough to be efficient at turning the double play.
A native of Montana, where there's no high school baseball, the 6-foot-9 Mickolio played only basketball until the summer before his senior year of high school, when he began playing American Legion ball. He showed enough promise in his first year at Eastern Utah JC in 2003 that the Cardinals drafted him in the 35th round, and he made even more progress after transferring to Utah Valley State. With his enormous size, Mickolio was an imposing bullpen arm for Everett this summer. His height allows him to pitch on a downward angle and induce plenty of groundballs, as evidenced by his 49-18 ground-fly ratio. He works in the low 90s with a heavy fastball that has plenty of life and touches 94 mph. Mickolio also flashes a decent slider now and then, though he still has plenty of work to do on it and his changeup. His slider lacks tight rotation and doesn't miss many bats, and he needs to do a better job commanding his stuff within the strike zone. But considering how far Mickolio has come in his short pitching career, it's not a huge stretch to project him as a major league reliever.
Another piece of the Abreu trade, Monasterios remained in the GCL with Sanchez, with both players moving across town from Tampa to Clearwater. As with most young pitchers, his best pitch is his fastball. He usually throws in the low 90s but was clocked as high as 96 mph. Monasterios pounds the strike zone and walked just six batters in 45 innings. He flashes a plus breaking ball, but it flattens out when he gets around the pitch in his delivery. He has shown some feel for a changeup, though it remains a distant third option for now.
Patterson never has wowed scouts, even when he was winning the Cape Cod League batting title or hitting 50 homers during his college career at Louisiana State. But he continues to hit, and he impressed FSL managers with his heady approach at the plate. He led the league with a .520 slugging percentage after topping the short-season New York-Penn League with a .595 mark in his pro debut a year ago. Patterson has quick hands and power to all fields. He hits breaking balls well, but there's some concern that he still has too much of an aluminum-bat swing, with his weight too far forward at contact, leaving him vulnerable to being busted inside. Though he has average speed and an average arm, Patterson was able to handle center field with few problems. He still profiles better on a corner, however.
Before he moved up to Double-A and made way for Lillibridge, Bixler was one of the most exciting players in the league. As with Lillibridge, speed is Bixler's best tool, though he's not quite as fast. A spray hitter with gap power, Bixler learned to work counts more effectively this season. He's surehanded, but his range and arm are average at best and may be better suited for second base. "His bat is really going to have to carry him because he's not going to be a shortstop in the big leagues," a NL scout said. "He has some instincts there, but not enough to get to balls he should get to. He's Tony Graffanino for me."
After signing for $150,000, Madrigal spent his first five seasons in pro ball as an outfielder. However, his above-average raw power didn't translate to games well enough because of his inability to recognize breaking balls. After getting off to a tough start in his third straight assignment to low Class A Cedar Rapids, Madrigal assented when the Angels asked him to move to the mound in late May. As a pitcher, Madrigal showed the same raw arm strength he had as an outfielder. His fastball touched 98 mph and he regularly sat at 94 mph when he maintained his mechanics. His slider also showed signs of being a reliable second pitch. Still just 22, he could move quickly if he continues to show aptitude in his new role. "What impressed me was the poise he showed for being new to pitching," Angels manager Ever Magallanes said. "He had pretty good mound presence for his level of experience."
After finishing second in the Missouri Valley Conference batting race with a .382 average, Ashley figured to tear up the Appy League--and he did by hitting .333 and leading the league with a .440 on-base percentage. The oldest player on this list, he made quick transition to wood bats and made hard contact to all fields. He's physically mature but still may have room for growth in the power department. While he is highly athletic for a catcher, Ashley still needs work behind the plate. In instructional league, the Devil Rays plan to address his mechanical flaws in terms of his setup, receiving and blocking. He does have good hands, shows a plus arm at times and threw out 52 percent of basestealers in his pro debut.
While Kelly is steady, Ciriaco is spectacular but also erratic. Though he had one of the MWL's strongest infield arms and was one of its fastest players, he stole just 19 bases in 27 attempts and led the minors with 45 errors. "He has God-given talent," Joyce said. "He might have the best arm strength in the league. It's right there with (2004 No. 1 overall pick) Matt Bush, and he's more accurate and gets to more balls than Bush." Still learning to apply that talent, Ciriaco plays out of control at the plate and in the field. He chases pitches out of the strike zone, gets his feet tangled up on defense and commits mental as well as physical mistakes. But he has the hand-eye coordination to hit, and the physical skills to excel in all aspects of the game if he slows himself down.
Haeger topped the IL with 14 wins and finished among the league leaders in nearly every category: 3.07 ERA (fourth), 170 innings (fourth), 130 strikeouts (fourth) and 78 walks (second). With uncanny command of a knuckleball for such a young pitcher, Haeger projects as an innings-eating No. 5 starter. Though Haeger still walked a lot of batters, he has improved the command of his lively knuckler to the point where he can go to either corner with the pitch. He can change speeds on the knuckler--ranging from 65-75 mph--depending on the effect it's having on batters. Some IL batters thought his knuckleball was the best they'd ever seen, and he reminded one scout of Tom Candiotti for the action he got on the pitch. When he falls behind, Haeger can go to a straight 84-86 mph fastball, a pitch that's easier to locate. It's strictly a get-me-over offering, which is problematic on days when his knuckler doesn't cooperate.
Until Will Inman qualified for the ERA title in his last start of the season, Matt Maloney was in line to capture the SAL pitching triple crown. He settled for leading the league in victories (16), innings (169) and strikeouts (180) while winning the league's pitch-of-the-year award. He's a classic soft-tossing lefty who relies on command and guile. His fastball sits at 85-87 mph and he compliments it with a slider, changeup and curveball. He locates all of his pitches well and his fastball the best, making it his go-to offering. With his advanced feel, he should move fast, but his lack of velocity will give him far less room for error as he advances. The 6-foot-4 Maloney has a tendency to stay upright in the finish to his delivery, causing him to leave the ball up in the zone, which could be a problem at higher levels.
Things really fell apart for Liz shortly after he was called up from high Class A in July. He overpowered hitters in the Carolina League but his below-average command doomed him in the EL. He left his stuff over the plate and fell behind in the count too often. Liz has a lightning-fast arm that generates 97-mph heat, but he struggles to repeat his delivery and release point. His curveball is inconsistent, as is his changeup. At times, both show the potential to be plus pitches. His upside is significant, and 2006 was just his second season in America, so with time Liz could develop into a starter in the mold of Orioles righty Daniel Cabrera. At worst, he moves to the bullpen and could become a closer.
Volquez entered the season rated as the Rangers' No. 1 prospect, based on his mid-90s fastball and well above-average changeup. He used those pitches to finish fourth in the PCL in strikeouts (130 in 121 innings) and fifth in ERA (3.21) while limiting Triple-A hitters to a .203 average. "His arm strength is outstanding," Sacramento manager Tony DeFrancesco said. "He was 94, 95 with his fastball against us. His slider was hard and he had a decent changeup. He just needs command. Right now, it's not there." Volquez, who ranked third in the PCL with 72 walks, had even more trouble locating his stuff in the majors. He has a 1-10, 9.20 record with Texas--the worst ERA in major league history for a pitcher who has made 10 starts. With the Rangers, he consistently has fallen behind hitters, gotten crushed when he has found the plate and failed to show a reliable breaking ball.
Sonnanstine's stuff isn't as good as Niemann's or Talbot's, but unlike them, he played a role in Montgomery's success all season long. He reeled off nine straight victories in June and July, and he led the minors with four complete games--all shutouts. Durable and resilient, he topped the SL in wins (15) and innings (186, which ranked second in the minors). Sonnanstine's plus-plus control and plus command are more notable than the quality of his pitches. His best offering is his changeup, as he worked hard with Biscuits pitching coach Xavier Hernandez to perfect his grip and arm action. He also throws an 89-92 mph fastball and a slurvy breaking ball, keeping hitters off balance by varying his arm angle and changing speeds. "This guy might be too smart for the game," an AL scout said. "He's confident, mixes his pitches well and always seems to have a plan."
Ramos wore down in his 2005 pro debut after pitching 126 innings at Long Beach State that spring, but he entered this season refreshed and it showed. He went 7-4, 2.93 over the season's first four months before fatigue set in once again, and he went 0-4, 8.27 in August. When he's at his best like he was in the first half, Ramos has very good command of a four-pitch mix. He has a solid-average fastball that sits at 88-91 mph and jumps up to 92-93 when he needs it, and he uses an average curveball and average slider. His best pitch is a plus changeup that's effective against righthanders. Ramos doesn't rack up many strikeouts, but works to all corners of the zone to keep hitters off balance. He left too many pitches up late in the season when his arm was tired. He has an easy, compact delivery and a physical 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame that should prove more durable as he gets acclimated to a pro workload.
You're excused if you had never heard of Evans before this year. No one else had, either. He spent 3½ seasons in obscurity in the Cardinals organization, and he returned to high Class A for the third time to open 2006. He hit 15 home runs in 60 games there to earn a promotion to Springfield, and then he was traded to the Angels in the July for Jeff Weaver, which kept him in the Texas League at Arkansas. He finished the season with a combined 33 home runs, 37 stolen bases and a .942 on-base plus slugging percentage. Evans always had been regarded as a hard worker with an intriguing combination of power and speed. This season he developed a more relaxed, consistent approach at the plate that kept him from getting himself out by chasing pitches and going into prolonged slumps. Evans played exclusively in right field while in Springfield, but he played mostly in center for Arkansas. While he has the speed to play center on occasion, his strong arm and power profile perfectly in right.
Chapman spent his third straight season in Rookie ball, but he showed enough this year to earn a late-season promotion to low Class A. PL observers liked his lefthanded bat, as he has good pitch recognition and uses the entire field. He should have at least doubles power as he advances, and he adjusted well after early-season struggles against southpaws. He's just an average runner, but has good instincts and can steal a base. He plays too shallow in center field, as balls get over his head and he doesn't always have enough speed to track them down.
The proverbial crafy lefty, Salamida's success was too much for league observers to ignore. After dropping his first start despite not giving up any earned runs, he won his final 10 decisions in the regular season before losing to Kontos in the league championship game. Salamida led the NY-P in wins (10) and ERA (1.06). A two-way player at Division II SUNY Oneonta, Salamida has average size, average stuff and well above-average control, as well as a knack for pitching and moxie. His fastball sat in the upper 80s and touched 90, and he threw his changeup (his best secondary pitch) and slider for strikes with maddening regularity. He's the kind of pitcher who will have to prove himself at every level, but so far, so good. "Most guys in the league were one-pitch guys," Greer said. "This was a four-pitch guy who could throw breaking balls for strikes in fastball counts, then freeze a hitter with an 0-2 fastball. He was impressive."
A year after being drafted in the fifth round out of high school and spending a summer in the Arizona League, Deal handled the jump to the Northwest League well and emerged as Vancouver's top starter. He struck out just 35 in 76 innings of work, but he doesn't ever figure to be a strikeout pitcher. He's a sinkerballer who posted a 106-80 ground-fly ratio and allowed just three homers in 76 innings. Deal has a tall, skinny frame with plenty of room to fill out, so he could increase the velocity on his 87-89 mph fastball that touches 91-92. It's a heavy pitch with good sink and life, and he commands it well most of the time. "He's very aggressive and he comes right at you," Gainer said. "Everyone knew he had that sinker and it didn't matter. He just got ground ball after ground ball." Deal also has a slider and changeup that can be average at times. He has cleaned up his arm action quite a bit since high school, and he now does a good job of repeating his fluid, easy delivery.
The Yankees used McAllister in a relief role piggybacking with Betances, and they were a tough duo to beat. The son of Diamondbacks crosschecker Steve McAllister, Zach pitches with the savvy of someone who grew up around the game. McAllister has added six inches and 60 pounds over the last two years, and he saw his heavy sinker climb to 90-92 this spring before gaining another tick of velocity during the summer. His secondary stuff is fringy, though he has shown feel for a slider that could be a plus pitch if learns to control it more effectively. Like Betances, McAllister pitched better as the summer went on. "He has a good, sinking fastball. It's a power sinker. It's his No. 1 pitch," Martin said. "He got lots of ground balls, and I could see him throwing harder as he matures."
In a league dominated by pitching, Casilla was one of the few middle infielders who stood out. Acquired from the Angels in the offseason for J.C. Romero, Casilla started the season in Fort Myers and finished it in Minnesota. At the plate, Casilla takes advantage of his plus-plus speed by employing a running, slashing swing. He profiles as a leadoff hitter. He controls the strike zone and makes pitchers work, and once he reaches base, he's always a threat to steal. He has a knack for getting good jumps and reading pitchers. His weakness at the plate is his utter lack of power. Casilla played both second base and shortstop with the Miracle, and he's more polished at short right now. He has above-average range and arm strength. He's still figuring out his footwork and double-play pivot at second base. "He's very intelligent," Boles said. "You tell him to do something one time, he puts it into the game that night. He makes adjustments very quickly."
Part of the talented Salem rotation, Reineke earned the win in the California-Carolina League all-star game. He has an intimidating presence on the mound, using his 6-foot-6 frame to unleash 93-94 mph fastballs on an extreme downward plane. He also throws a plus slider, with late sweeping life Reineke was more free and easy in his delivery this season, showing better overall balance and staying on a direct line toward home plate. He still lacks much feel for his changeup, part of the reason he was moved to the bullpen following a promotion to Double-A. It has good diving action at times but he has yet to find a comfortable grip or consistency with it.
Peguero teamed with Avila to give the Mariners a 1-2 punch unrivaled in the league. They tied with teammate Wellington Dotel for the home run lead with seven, and Peguero's .649 slugging percentage easily topped the AZL. He didn't fare as well after a promotion to short-season Everett, however, where his inexperience with breaking balls and somewhat long swing were exposed. Peguero has a big, projectable frame at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds and moves well for a big man, though he figures to slow down as he fills out. He showed more ability and willingness to use the whole field than Avila did, but he doesn't have quite as much raw power. Peguero's outfield arm is another plus tool.
The fact that Chavez, at age 17 and in his first year as a pro, bypassed the VSL for Pulaski suggests how highly the Blue Jays regard him. While he held his own in the Appalachian League, he's all projection at this point. Chavez has done well to adapt to a new culture and will continue to gain strength, though he is already physical at 6-foot-3 and 200 lbs. His swing has come a long way in a year, but he's still prone to chasing pitches out of the zone and is too pull-conscious. He'll be a corner outfielder because he doesn't have the instincts or range for center field, though he has average speed and arm strength.
Kelly succeeded 2004 first-round pick Trevor Plouffe as Beloit's shortstop, and MWL observers liked Kelly more. A 2005 second-rounder, Kelly has better physical tools and is a superior hitter. He kept getting better as the year wore on until a torn meniscus in his left knee ended his season in late July. Kelly is more advanced than most teenage hitters. He has a solid approach, recognizes breaking balls, uses the whole field and has a plan with two strikes. He didn't show much power this summer but will have some pop once he adds some strength and experience. He'll hit enough to be a regular, though at what position is uncertain. Kelly has fringe-average speed, which cuts down on his range, but his positioning and cannon arm--he was clocked at 94-95 mph as a high school pitcher--allow him to make plays. "I always judge a shortstop by if he has to use his arm or not," Beloit manager Jeff Smith said. "His glove is so good and he's always in position, so he never has to use it. And he has one of the best arms in the league, too."
Pedroia is the classic example of a player who plays above his tools. Opposing mangers described him as a pesky hitter and a tough out, but had reservations about his lack of power and range. Pedroia got results in Triple-A, though, batting .305 (fifth in the IL) with 30 doubles and nearly twice as many walks (48) as strikeouts (27). Pedroia makes up for below-average speed and raw power by maximizing his selectivity as a hitter and by using the whole field. He showed an aptitude for taking the breaking ball the other way, and he has the hand-eye coordination to make consistent contact while using a big swing. "Pitchers will always challenge Pedroia, and he will prove them wrong," a scout said. "He will put the ball in play. He'll use the first-base and third-base line. He's a kid you love to have on your club." Pedroia was a shortstop at Arizona State and spent the majority of his time there for Pawtucket, but he doesn't have the range to be a regular there in the majors. He spent a lot of time at second base, and his sure hands and strong arm play better at the keystone.
The fourth Greensboro starter on this list, Thompson ranks just behind Volstad in terms of polish but his stuff has the least upside among the group. Like Volstad, Thompson has above-average command of three pitches. His fastball sits consistently at 88 mph with natural tailing action, and he'll occasionally crack 90. His 80-81 mph slider is his best secondary offering. He also has a change with a late downward break that he uses as an out pitch against righthanders, and he'll flash a slow curveball to set up his slider. Because of his lack of velocity, command will continue to be paramount for Thompson. His fastball was clocked as high as 92 mph in high school, so there's also the chance he could get back to that point.
Part of the Jim Thome trade with the White Sox, Gonzalez had a productive first full season in the Phillies system. He showed durability by logging a career-high 155 innings as a 20-year-old and finished second in the league with 166 strikeouts. Gonzalez has a repeatable delivery and quick arm, but he's just 5-foot-11, which hinders to create good plane on his fastball. It sits at 87-91 mph and touches 93, but it lacks life and gets pounded when he leaves it up in the zone. He surrendered 24 home runs, tied for the most in the EL. Gonzalez possesses a well above-average downer curveball that remains his go-to offering. His changeup is a reliable third pitch. Without a plus fastball and fringy command--he led the league with 81 walks--he might move to the bullpen in the big leagues.
Easily the best catcher ever developed by the Rockies, Iannetta continued to shine at the plate following a promotion to Colorado Springs in late June. He controls the strike zone very well, waiting out pitchers until they give him a pitch he can hammer. He calls a good game and has an average arm, and while throwing out basestealers has been an issue at times, he erased 31 percent in Triple-A. "He really gives you quality at-bats for a catcher," Runnells said. "In fact, he led our organization in quality at-bats. Defensively, he's a sponge for knowledge and he tries so hard to improve. He's a humble kid and a guy who is going to be a frontline catcher for years to come."
Signed as a third baseman out of the Dominican Republic for $600,000 in 1998, Salas was converted to the mound midway through 2004 after hitting .264/.296/.361 over six seasons. He hasn't looked back, putting up ridiculous numbers in the SL this season and adding a Futures Game appearance to his resume. He didn't allow an earned run in 35 innings with the Biscuits and reached the majors in September. Salas has equally ridiculous stuff, starting with a fastball that sits at 93-96 mph, topping out at 98. While the velocity is plus-plus, so is the movement. One scout described his heater as "the best 95-mph slider I've ever seen," as it has sharp, cutting action away from righthanders. Salas also throws an actual 86-87 mph slider that has more pronounced depth and life, and it can be equally as devastating. As good as those two pitches are, he's still learning how to attack hitters. His mechanics dissolve at times, as he flies open with his front shoulder and his arm gets too far away from his body.
Deduno continued to be an enigma, finishing second in the Cal League to teammate Morales with 167 strikeouts, but also leading the minors with 34 wild pitches and finishing fourth in the minors with 92 walks. Clearly, command is his bugaboo, but when he's on, he's nasty. His best pitch is a sometimes plus-plus power curveball, and he also showed an above-average 92-94 mph fastball with so much movement that his catchers would sometimes struggle to catch it cleanly. "That breaking ball is devastating, but I don't know what to think of this guy," a National League scout said. "The breaking ball is unhittable when he commands it, but after two or three innings, he couldn't find the release point. He was lights out for three innings both times I saw him, then was an absolute thrower." Right now, Deduno is essentially a two-pitch guy who profiles as a potential dominant reliver if he can harness his stuff. He has a little feel for his changeup, but it has a long way to go if he's to remain a starter.
McBeth continued one of the most intriguing turnaround stories in the minors this season, reaching Triple-A in his first full season as a pitcher. Drafted by the Athletics as an outfielder in 2001, he turned to pitching in 2005 after a career .233 average kept him from getting out of Class A. On the mound, he has shown not only the stuff but also the makeup to be a successful reliever. He throws a fastball that tops out at 94-96 mph, and he backs it up with a slider that's particularly tough on righthanders. A's pitching instructor Ron Romanick also taught him a changeup that has become a put-away pitch because he does such a good job of maintaining his arm speed. He has also worked on a two-seam fastball that could become an out pitch if he can learn to control it. McBeth challenges hitters. He needs to refine his command, but he should be no worse than a setup man and has the raw stuff to close games if he continues to make strides.
The Rockies grew tired of Strop's struggles with the bat, and after he hit .212/.277/.299 in four seasons as an infielder, they decided a career change was in order. They moved him to the mound this year, and he immediately took to pitching. He dominated the Pioneer League in 11 appearances and continued to impress after a promotion to low Class A. As with many converted position players, arm strength is Strop's forte. He threw 93-95 mph in spring training and has good control of his fastball, though he leans too heavily on the pitch. He also has a low-80s slider but must stay on top of it more often so it doesn't flatten out, making him vulnerable to home runs. "I'd try to start him next year to add some pitchability to his plus stuff," Kotchman said. "If not, you know you have a solid reliever."
Hilligoss' track record says he'll hit. He batted .404 and .386 in his final two seasons at Purdue, .309 with wood bats in the Central Illinois Collegiate League in 2005, and .292 in his pro debut to finish 10th in the NY-P batting race. One scout who saw Hilligoss as an amateur compared his swing, offensive potential and overall game to Frank Catalanotto. As with Catalanotto, Hilligoss' forté is getting the barrel of the bat to the ball consistently, driving balls to the gaps and driving pitchers crazy with an advanced two-strike approach. He also hangs in well against lefthanders and hit .397 against them this summer. The Catalanotto comparisons extend to Hilligoss' defense as well. Though he profiles best as an infielder, he doesn't have the hands or range to stick in the middle of the diamond. He's a better fit at third base, but he doesn't project to hit for the power wanted there or on an outfield corner. Hilligoss will have to hit for a high average to be a factor--and he has done that at every level so far.
Bailey's workload at Wagner this spring was limited as he recovered from May 2005 Tommy John surgery, but the Athletics saw enough power stuff to draft him in the sixth round. He was very impressive in his pro debut despite his 2-5 record, and he would have ranked second in the NWL in ERA if he hadn't fallen three innings shy of qualifying. With a big, physical frame that invites comparisons to Joe Blanton, Bailey could develop into a workhorse as he gets further away from his surgery. His heavy sinker bores in on righthanders at 91-93 mph and touches 94-95. He also has a solid-average 11-to-5 curveball with good rotation and depth, and a developing changeup that could become an average pitch if he learns to command it more consistently. Bailey has an aggressive approach but remains more of a thrower than a pitcher. He struggles to repeat his arm path and delivery, which has a lot of moving parts, making it difficult for him to command the strike zone and execute his pitches. He sometimes gets distracted and tries to pitch too quickly with speedsters on the basepaths.
Myers figured to complement a banner 2006 recruiting class at Southern California until he accepted a $250,000 bonus as a fourth-round pick in June. That he signed was somewhat surprising, but even more so was his performance in his debut. Considered toolsy but extremely raw, he made significant strides in his swing and approach and tied for third in the GCL in batting. Myers' swing gets long but he showed above-average bat speed at times. He needs to improve his plate discipline and work counts more efficiently. He's wiry strong, and though he rarely showed power in games, he could hit 12-15 home runs annually. His well above-average speed is his best tool. Myers played all three outfield positions in the GCL and has the range to stay in center field. His reads and routes are raw, while his arm strength is average.
There's a lot not to like about Jose Mijares. Start with his 3.57 ERA as a reliever, which doesn't stand out. Take a look at his 5-foot-10, 220-pound body, which screams Rich Garces. Scouts have questioned his makeup and mound demeanor as well. But when he rears back and throws, it's hard to not get excited. When he was locked in, Mijares featured a 94-95 mph fastball and a filthy 77-78 mph slider that both ranked among the best in the league. He only showed that plus stuff in limited stretches, however. At other times, his velocity would dip to the low 90s and his command would fall apart. Part of the problem is that Mijares hasn't worked hard enough to stay in shape, which hampers his ability to repeat his delivery. He also has a below-average changeup that hasn't improved much because he rarely uses it when working out of the bullpen. He's a long ways from the majors, but the wait could be worth it.
For a player in just his second season at shortstop after playing center field for much of his college career, Lillibridge is very advanced with the glove. He has outstanding range and first-step quickness, with soft hands and an above-average arm that allows him to make plays from deep in the hole. With well above-average speed, Lillibridge profiles more as a tablesetter than a run producer. He incorporates very little of his lower half in his longish swing, with a pronounced drift in his hands and his feet spread wide apart. He made some adjustments to shorten his stroke, and his plate discipline was exceptional during his first full season. Energetic and driven, Lillibridge was one of the most consistent players in the league. He drew rave reviews from managers for his grind-it-out style.
While Van Stratten isn't a pure speedster like Royals outfield mates Robinson or Jarrod Dyson, he's quick, has plenty of tools and looks like a steal from the 10th round of the 2006 draft. He set a national junior college record with 14 triples this spring at St. Louis CC-Meramec, and hit seven more to rank second in the AZL. His mix of gap power and speed mix impressed managers. Van Stratten showed the ability to drop a bunt or to sting the ball to both gaps. His best tools are his bat, with a short swing and outstanding pitch recognition considering his experience, and his above-average throwing arm. His gritty, all-out approach also earned him praise.
Ramirez made a strong U.S. debut, finishing among the Appy League leaders in average (.314), hits (72), doubles (20) and triples (five) after spending three years in the Rookie-level Venezuelan Summer League. He has surprising pop for a 6-foot, 149-pounder, though he's more of a spray hitter now who takes the ball where it's pitched. He should add strength as he fills out. Ramirez spent most of the year at shortstop but also saw time at second base. He may profile better at second because while he has good range to his left, he has below-average range toward the shortstop hole. His footwork also needs improvement and he lacks the arm strength of a true shortstop. He's an average runner.
When he was at his very best, Morlan ranked with the top pitchers in the league. One scout said Morlan turned in one of the three best performances he saw all year, along with Adenhart and Cueto. Cedar Rapids manager Bobby Magallanes said Morlan touched 97 mph in the ninth inning of an 11-strikeout complete game. He began the season in the bullpen, and that may be his long-term destination. His fastball usually sits in the low 90s but he's still seeking a consistent second pitch. He owns a mid-80s slider that shows flashes of bite and a developing changeup. Morlan has a quick arm and a smooth delivery that he repeats easily. He tends to drop his elbow, which causes his pitches to flatten out and arrive higher in the strike zone. He missed most of July with a sore shoulder but returned to pitch 22 scoreless innings over his final four starts.
Bourn played for four teams this summer, ranging from Double-A Reading to the Phillies to Team USA, with perhaps his finest moment coming when he connected for two home runs in a victory against Cuba in the Olympic qualifying tournament. He spent just six weeks with Scranton, but made the most of his well above-average speed by stealing 15 bases in 16 tries and hitting seven triples, good for fourth in the league. Bourn has shown improvement with each promotion and he plays up to his strengths. He runs extremely well and is a smart baserunner capable of reading pitchers and using his raw speed. He has a good batting eye and projects as a solid-average major league hitter. He's also a plus defensive center fielder with a slightly above-average, accurate arm. His power is strictly gap-to-gap and is below average, but he can surprise opponents, as he did by taking Cuban flamethrower Pedro Luis Lazo deep. The Phillies want him to concentrate on hitting the ball in the air less and cutting down on his strikeouts, a byproduct of working deep counts.
Like Cain, Campbell built on a 2005 MVP award in Rookie ball (the Appalachian League in his case) with a strong 2006 campaign. A student of the game who kept a notebook on the pitchers in the league, he applied that knowledge by leading the league with 22 homer. Campbell is an aggressive hitter who swings early in the count and rarely misses when pitchers make mistakes. He has ample pull power, but his open stance often leads to him flying open on the front side of his swing, making it hard to drive pitches to the opposite field. Though his speed is average at best, Campbell has good instincts and is an excellent baserunner with a knack for stealing bases when the opportunity arises. He's solid at third base but has a slow first step to his right.
After a sensational first half in high Class A, Jurrjens moved up to the EL and continued to impress Tigers brass. He has thrown harder more consistently and shown more feel for pitching than Detroit anticipated when it signed him out of Curacao three years ago. Jurrjens' fastball ranges from 87-92 mph and touches 95, and he can spot it to both sides of the plate. His slider is below average, making his performance even more impressive considering he did it primarily off fastball command and a plus changeup. Jurrjens has a clean, simple delivery. Some scouts envision him moving to the bullpen, but if he develops a usable breaking ball, he could fill a role as a back-of-the-rotation starter in the big leagues.
Montero had a breakthrough season in 2005 and proved it was no fluke this year. He makes consistently hard contact with a short stroke and did a better job of using the entire field this season. He also does a fine job behind the plate, showing an average arm with a quick release to go with strong blocking and game-calling ability. "He really improved the second time we saw him," Brundage said. "He made some adjustments, especially on the offspeed stuff. He's a very aggressive hitter. But the thing I like most about him his is presence behind the plate, especially for such a young guy in this league. He has a good arm and seemed to call a good game."
With older brother Corey traded to the Orioles last offseason, there will be no Patterson brothers reunion in Chicago. But Eric is getting close to ready for Wrigley Field, recovering from a second-half slump to bat .358 following a mid-August promotion to Triple-A. Patterson's best tool is his speed, which rates as a 65-70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He also has surprising power for his size, though he sometimes gets caught up too much in trying to hit homers. He has made strides in shortening his swing for a more gap-to-gap approach. Patterson's speed aids his range at second-base, though his first-step quickness and body control are a bit disappointing. His footwork around the bag is questionable, though he does have soft hands.
Perez is a cerebral player, as one might expect from the highest-drafted player ever (seventh round, 2004) out of Columbia University. He learned how to switch-hit in the offseason, and while he struggled from the left side early in the year, he soon began hitting line drives and finished with a .303 average against righthanders. He's a dynamic player who led the minors with 123 runs scored. "He's a game-changer. You don't want to see him up in the ninth inning up by one or in a tie game, because he'll bunt, he'll slap one to left or hit it in the gap, and you're just praying you'll get the ball in fast enough before he gets to third," Steverson said. "He's just irritating. He roams the outfield like there are just floating pop-ups up there all day. I know for a fact he's taken 15 hits away from us." Perez has outstanding range in the outfield thanks to his plus-plus speed, though he's still working on his defensive instincts. He has a playable, if not strong, outfield arm. Perez has plenty of things to refine in his game--he strikes out too much for a top-of-the-order hitter, and he was thrown out in 16 of his 49 steal attempts--but he offers an intriguing leadoff package and enough strength at the plate to make him more than a one-dimensional Punch-and-Judy hitter.

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Best Tools List

Rated Best Defensive SS in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Control in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Reliever in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Baserunner in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Infield Arm in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 1B in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Batting Prospect in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 3B in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Power Prospect in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Fastball in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Most Exciting Player in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Power Prospect in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Fastball in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive SS in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Reliever in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 1B in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Infield Arm in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 3B in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Control in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Baserunner in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Batting Prospect in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Most Exciting Player in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Carolina League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Control in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 1B in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 3B in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive SS in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Reliever in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Fastball in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Most Exciting Player in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Baserunner in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Infield Arm in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Power Prospect in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Batting Prospect in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the Midwest League in 2006
Rated Best Infield Arm in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 1B in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Power Prospect in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Control in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive SS in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Outfield Arm in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Baserunner in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Reliever in the International League in 2006
Rated Most Exciting Player in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 3B in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Fastball in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 2B in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Batting Prospect in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the International League in 2006
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the International League in 2006
Rated Best Batting Prospect in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Infield Arm in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 3B in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 1B in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Power Prospect in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive SS in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Most Exciting Player in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Control in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 2B in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Baserunner in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Outfield Arm in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Fastball in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Reliever in the South Atlantic League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Eastern League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Eastern League in 2006
Rated Best Baserunner in the Eastern League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Eastern League in 2006
Rated Best Reliever in the Eastern League in 2006

Career Transactions

CF Pedro Pineda assigned to Stockton Ports from ACL Athletics.
Milwaukee Brewers recalled RHP Bradley Blalock from Biloxi Shuckers.
San Diego Padres recalled RHP Logan Gillaspie from El Paso Chihuahuas.
OF Juan Machado assigned to FCL Pirates from DSL Pirates Gold.
Richmond Flying Squirrels sent SS Christian Koss on a rehab assignment to ACL Giants.
Bradenton Marauders sent CF Enmanuel Terrero on a rehab assignment to FCL Pirates.
St. Paul Saints sent SS Brooks Lee on a rehab assignment to FCL Twins.
RHP Chandler Champlain assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
C Chris Lopez assigned to FCL Cardinals from DSL Cardinals.
LHP Rafelin Nivar assigned to FCL Yankees from Tampa Tarpons.
Lakeland Flying Tigers sent C Sergio Tapia on a rehab assignment to FCL Tigers.
New York Yankees selected the contract of LHP Clayton Andrews from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
C Jefferson Valladares assigned to ACL Dodgers from Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels sent OF Walker Jenkins on a rehab assignment to FCL Twins.
RHP Jeremy Lee assigned to Cedar Rapids Kernels from Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
SS Rayne Doncon assigned to Cedar Rapids Kernels from Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
RHP Kade Morris assigned to Brooklyn Cyclones from St. Lucie Mets.
SS Mateo Gil assigned to Brooklyn Cyclones from Binghamton Rumble Ponies.
OF Omar De Los Santos assigned to Binghamton Rumble Ponies from Brooklyn Cyclones.
TWP Nolan McLean assigned to Binghamton Rumble Ponies from Brooklyn Cyclones.
Vancouver Canadians sent 1B Peyton Williams on a rehab assignment to FCL Blue Jays.
Atlanta Braves recalled RHP Darius Vines from Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves recalled RHP Daysbel Hernández from Gwinnett Stripers.
Jersey Shore BlueClaws sent RHP Jonh Henriquez on a rehab assignment to FCL Phillies.
Wilmington Blue Rocks sent RHP Seth Shuman on a rehab assignment to FCL Nationals.
St. Louis Cardinals selected the contract of RHP Ryan Loutos from Memphis Redbirds.
Milwaukee Brewers optioned CF Chris Roller to Nashville Sounds.
New York Yankees optioned SS Oswald Peraza to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Atlanta Braves optioned RHP Bryce Elder to Gwinnett Stripers.
Tampa Bay Rays sent LHP Jeffrey Springs on a rehab assignment to FCL Rays.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned RHP Manuel Rodríguez to Durham Bulls.
St. Louis Cardinals optioned RHP Chris Roycroft to Memphis Redbirds.
Seattle Mariners optioned SS Leo Rivas to Tacoma Rainiers.
Washington Nationals sent RHP Cade Cavalli on a rehab assignment to FCL Nationals.
Erie SeaWolves sent 2B Luis Santana on a rehab assignment to West Michigan Whitecaps.
FCL Blue Jays activated OF Railin Tejada from the 7-day injured list.
FCL Blue Jays activated OF David Guzman from the 7-day injured list.
West Michigan Whitecaps activated LHP Gabriel Sequeira from the 7-day injured list.
Asheville Tourists placed RHP Andrew Taylor on the 60-day injured list.
RHP Layne Henderson assigned to Asheville Tourists.
Greensboro Grasshoppers transferred 1B Josiah Sightler to the Development List.
FCL Yankees activated OF Brando Mayea from the 7-day injured list.
RHP Andrew Huffman assigned to FCL Twins.
Carolina Mudcats placed SS Kay-Lan Nicasia on the 7-day injured list.
Milwaukee Brewers designated RHP Thyago Vieira for assignment.
Milwaukee Brewers activated RHP Bradley Blalock.
Milwaukee Brewers activated OF Joey Wiemer from the 10-day injured list.
New York Yankees designated RHP Colby White for assignment.
New York Yankees activated SS Oswald Peraza from the 10-day injured list.
Chicago White Sox activated RHP Dominic Leone from the 15-day injured list.
Chicago White Sox designated RHP Brad Keller for assignment.
St. Louis Cardinals activated RHP Ryan Loutos.
St. Louis Cardinals designated 1B Alfonso Rivas III for assignment.
Seattle Mariners activated SS J.P. Crawford from the 10-day injured list.
Tampa Bay Rays activated LHP Richard Lovelady.
Tampa Bay Rays activated LHP Richard Lovelady.
Tampa Bay Rays activated 2B Brandon Lowe from the 10-day injured list.
Oakland Athletics optioned RHP Tyler Ferguson to Las Vegas Aviators.
New York Mets optioned RHP Grant Hartwig to Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets activated RHP Tylor Megill from the 15-day injured list.
New York Mets released 2B Joey Wendle.
Los Angeles Dodgers optioned RHP Landon Knack to Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
New York Mets traded RHP Yohan Ramírez to Los Angeles Dodgers for cash.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated RHP Eduardo Salazar for assignment.
Los Angeles Dodgers activated RHP Yohan Ramírez.
Kansas City Royals optioned LHP Jake Brentz to Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Kansas City Royals selected the contract of LHP Sam Long from Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals designated RHP Matt Sauer for assignment.
Kansas City Royals activated LHP Jake Brentz from the 15-day injured list.
Houston Astros signed free agent RHP Layne Henderson to a minor league contract.
Cleveland Guardians recalled OF Johnathan Rodriguez from Columbus Clippers.
Cleveland Guardians designated CF Ramón Laureano for assignment.
Chicago Cubs optioned OF Pete Crow-Armstrong to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs optioned 2B Miles Mastrobuoni to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs activated SS Dansby Swanson from the 10-day injured list.
San Francisco Giants optioned SS Tyler Fitzgerald to Sacramento River Cats.
Texas Rangers optioned 3B Davis Wendzel to Round Rock Express.
ACL Brewers placed RHP Ismael Yanez on the 7-day injured list retroactive to May 19, 2024.
RHP Jackson Stephens elected free agency.
New York Yankees placed RHP Ian Hamilton on the 7-day injured list retroactive to May 19, 2024.
Tampa Bay Rays placed RHP Zach Eflin on the 15-day injured list retroactive to May 19, 2024. Lower back inflammation.
New York Mets signed free agent RHP Matt Festa to a minor league contract.
Hartford Yard Goats placed OF Zac Veen on the 7-day injured list.
Guerreros de Oaxaca placed LHP Anderson Severino on the reserve list.
New York Yankees sent SS Oswald Peraza on a rehab assignment to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Tampa Bay Rays sent 2B Brandon Lowe on a rehab assignment to Durham Bulls.
Hartford Yard Goats activated C AJ Lewis.
St. Lucie Mets released LHP Gage Bihm.
FCL Pirates activated RHP Joaquin Tejada from the 7-day injured list.
ACL Dodgers placed SS Bryan Gonzalez on the 7-day injured list.
FCL Pirates placed RHP Andres Silvera on the full-season injured list.
Durham Bulls placed RHP Michael Gomez on the 7-day injured list.
Minnesota Twins signed free agent RHP Andrew Huffman to a minor league contract.
RHP Derrick Edington assigned to FCL Rays.
FCL Rays activated RHP Derrick Edington.
Dunedin Blue Jays transferred RHP Landen Maroudis from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent RHP Derrick Edington to a minor league contract.
St. Lucie Mets sent LHP Gage Bihm on a rehab assignment to FCL Mets.
West Michigan Whitecaps sent LHP Gabriel Sequeira on a rehab assignment to Lakeland Flying Tigers.
Kansas City Royals sent LHP Jake Brentz on a rehab assignment to Omaha Storm Chasers.

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