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BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: As a kid growing up in the Dominican Republic, Torres lived to play baseball and imagined himself as a big league shortstop. By the time he was a teenager, he had realized that his future was on the mound. Signed by the Reds in January 2024, Torres has toyed with hitters in his first two pro seasons. He threw four innings of a combined seven-inning no-hitter in the Dominican Summer League in 2024. He held hitters to sub-.550 OPS in each of his first two pro seasons, and his 4.9% walk rate in 2025 was one of the best in the Arizona Complex League.
Scouting Report: Torres’ combination of present stuff and advanced control and command jumped out, especially in the context of the ACL, where few pitchers fill the zone. Torres sits at 93-94 mph but should get to 95-97 on a consistent basis in a few years. His sinker generates weak contact because of his ability to dot the zone with it, and his four-seam fastball gets swings and misses up in the zone thanks to above-average life to go with a flat plane. He’s also shown advanced aptitude for his age. Torres quickly refined and made his slider harder to go with a bigger, slower curveball, and he’s showing feel for an above-average changeup with late fade. He shows the ability to manipulate his change, spotting it in the zone for strikes and then burying it out of the zone to induce chases.
The Future: There are not many teenagers with Torres’ advanced ability to spot multiple pitches all around the strike zone. He has the savvy and stuff to be one of the best pitchers in the Low-A Florida State League in 2026, and there is a chance that he could force a promotion to Dayton if he dominates. He projects as a potential midrotation starter, though he will only be 20 in 2026 and has plenty of development ahead.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Collier’s season started inauspiciously when he injured his left thumb in spring training and required surgery. He didn’t get back to Double-A Chattanooga until mid June. He struggled to shake off rust and his power never made it fully back, though he batted .337/.425/.452 in his final 27 games. Collier hit four home runs in 2025 after hitting 20 in 2024. He went to the Arizona Fall League to make up for some of the lost time. He is the son of former MLB infielder Lou Collier.
Scouting Report: Even in his fourth pro season, Collier showed that he has a massive gulf between what he is and what he could be. At his best, Collier can be a game-changing hitter, but he has long stretches where he seems lost at the plate. When he keeps lower half in sync, he can drive 110 mph home runs that turn outfielders into onlookers. When he’s struggling, his swing becomes way too rotational, leaving his legs disconnected. He gets out front, relying entirely on his hands to do all the work in his swing. That produces stretches of rolled-over ground balls. He’s generally been ineffective against lefthanders, with a sub-.600 OPS in 2024 and 2025. Defensively, Collier was in better shape post-injury, which helped his flexibility, but he remains a below-average fielder at third base with questionable hands. He can makes easy plays look difficult. Collier played more first base than third in 2025, a trend that is likely to continue. He has an above-average arm.
The Future: The 2025 season was somewhat of a lost one for Collier, and Sal Stewart’s big step forward means that Collier’s path to Cincinnati has gotten more complicated. To make his case for the Reds’ first base job, Collier has to become a more consistent hitter.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 40 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Mild
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: A signee of the Mets out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, Rodriguez was quickly traded to the Reds in July 2022 in the trade that sent Tyler Naquin and Phillip Diehl to the Mets. Rodriguez began his career as a speedy second baseman, but he quickly slowed down while also getting stronger. He now is a full-time corner outfielder, but one who has been one of the Reds’ most consistent minor league hitters. He has never hit below .280 in a pro season.
Scouting Report: Rodriguez has long been one of the most swing-happy hitters in the minors, but he’s also always had the barrel control and hand-eye coordination to avoid the worst drawbacks of his hyper-aggressive approach. It’s hard to beat Rodriguez in the strike zone, and he handles fastballs, breaking balls and changeups alike. His aggressiveness means he posts modest on-base percentages. Rodriguez shows less power, but otherwise stands in well against lefthanders. He has fringe-average power, largely to his pull side, but considering he was only 21, there could be more power as he continues to mature. In the outfield, Rodriguez is a fringe-average defender at best. He can snare a sinking liner from time to time, but is extremely cautious when going back to the wall. His average arm is accurate and he hits the cutoff man. His above-average speed is better used on the basepaths, though he’s not an aggressive basestealer.
The Future: Rodriguez’s combination of contact skills and average power puts him on the border between being a potential regular and a possible platoon outfielder. His defensive limitations hurt him, but as a lefthanded hitter who makes plenty of contact, he could make it to Cincinnati in 2026. He needs to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Petty has learned how to pitch with different arsenals since the Twins drafted him in the first round in 2021 and then traded him to the Reds in the March 2022 Sonny Gray trade. Petty threw 100 mph in high school, but with an all-arms-and-elbows delivery that was hard to maintain. He smoothed out his delivery and geared down to become a low-90s sinkerballer. After improving his control, his velocity eventually returned. Petty made his MLB debut in 2025, but otherwise it was a year to forget. His 6.39 ERA in the International League was second worst among pitchers with at least 100 innings, and he was rocked in three MLB outings.
Scouting Report: As bad as Petty was in 2025, he has the stuff to be an MLB starter if his command and control improve. His pitch movement has proven to be his enemy. Everything he throws has more armside run than is typical. That makes him a bit unusual—which is good—but no pitch is a true bat-misser. Even after adding a fringe-average mid-80s sweeper, he struggles to consistently force righthanded hitters to defend the outer third of the zone. In 2025, he struggled to locate his four-seam fastball to his glove side. Petty’s strike rate had dropped from 65% in 2023 to 63% in 2024 to 61% in 2025. He also has a hard, cutterish gyro slider in the low 90s and a hard, high-80s changeup. None of Petty’s pitches grades as plus. His four-seam fastball has above-average velocity, but it’s a groundball pitch. His other pitches play if he locates them, but that is the piece he’s yet to refine.
The Future: Petty will pitch as a 23-year-old in 2026, so the Reds have every reason to be patient, even if he needs to spend most of 2026 back at Triple-A Louisville. He has to improve his ability to locate within the strike zone, and he now projects as a durable back-end starter—or possible leverage reliever—more than a midrotation arm. His peak velocity gives him a back-up plan as a 100-mph higher-leverage reliever.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Sweeper: 45 | Control: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Mild
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: One of the youngest players in the 2021 draft class, Arroyo made a strong initial impression with the Mariners, his drafting organization. That led to the Reds acquiring him along with Noelvi Marte in the 2022 trade that sent Luis Castillo to Seattle. Arroyo made steady progress until 2024, when he injured his left labrum diving into first base in a spring training game. He had surgery and didn’t return to action until the Arizona Fall League. After a slow start at Double-A Chattanooga in 2025, he hit a team-best .296/.357/.403 from July 1 onward.
Scouting Report: Arroyo produced 49 extra-base hits in 2022 in Class A as an 18-year-old. At that point, the hope was that his power would continue to develop, making him a plus shortstop defender who could also hit in the middle of the lineup. Arroyo’s power has flat-lined since then, and it’s more likely he will be a bottom-of-the-order bat. The switch-hitter’s swings start with an extremely open stance, and he uses a very wide setup. He has excellent plate coverage, and an aggressive approach, but everything he does is geared toward contact rather than generating power. Arroyo rarely stings the ball, but he loves to use the opposite field and is a potentially average hitter. He’s truly ambidextrous and pitched as a lefthander as a kid. Arroyo is an above-average, reliable shortstop with quick hands and a good internal clock. He has the body control to make acrobatic and accurate spinning throws on balls up the middle, though his above-average arm isn’t as adept at plays deep in the hole. He is an above-average runner.
The Future: Arroyo needs to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He’s ready to head to Triple-A Louisville, where he should add second and third base versatility and be the on-call option if the Reds need an extra infielder.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: After leading Omaha’s Millard West High to a Nebraska state title, Lewis became the highest-drafted prep hitter in state history when the Reds selected him with the 51st pick of the 2024 draft. He was one of the most productive hitters in the Arizona Complex League in 2025, and he was one of the better hitters in the Low-A Florida State League over the second half of the season.
Scouting Report: As productive as Lewis was in his pro debut, the Reds are excited about what he might yet become. He is a long, lean, lefthanded hitter with plenty of room to fill out further, but he already hits the ball exceptionally hard. He had the highest 90th percentile exit velocity of all minor league teenagers with at least 100 plate appearances in 2025. His swing has a high finish that leads to majestic lofted home runs at his best, but he often lets the ball get deep on him, limiting him to driving the ball to left field. He began to show more pull-side power late in the 2025 season. Defensively, Lewis’ footwork limits him at shortstop, but his plus arm makes up for some of his other limitations. He’s an above-average runner underway, but he needs time to get to speed and doesn’t have a quick first step. His tool set would fit at third base or in center field if he eventually slides off shortstop.
The Future: The Reds had Lewis play some third base in instructional league. They aren’t ruling out him staying at shortstop, but his bat should fit at multiple positions. Even scouts who aren’t as enamored of Lewis believe he’s a big leaguer. Some see an impact regular, especially if he gets bigger and stronger, as expected. Lewis should spend the majority of 2026 at High-A Dayton. He had the kind of power potential the Reds have lacked in recent years.
Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 65 | Run: 55 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Hall was supposed to be one of the top high school prospects in the loaded 2026 draft class, but he opted to reclassify to be eligible a year earlier. It paid off. He impressed the Reds when he matched college hitters swing for swing in a pre-draft workout, and Cincinnati responded by drafting Hall ninth overall in 2025 as the first shortstop it had selected with a top 10 pick since Barry Larkin in 1985. Like most Reds draftees, Hall did not get into an official game after the draft, but he showed elite speed and some power in the unofficial bridge league.
Scouting Report: The day he signed, Hall became the best athlete in the Reds’ minor league system, and the best in the organization other than Elly De La Cruz. Hall is a top-of-the-scale runner. A twitchy athlete, he gets out of the box extremely quickly and can embarrass inattentive outfielders by turning singles into doubles. Defensively, Hall has the first step, solid hands and above-average arm to make all routine plays at shortstop and produce highlight plays at his best. The Reds believe in his power potential. He has a quick bat, with plenty of hand speed and athleticism. But there is some length in his setup and load that could affect his timing at the plate. He struggled with spin at times in the bridge league, but he should be able to develop into a fringe-average to average hitter with average power.
The Future: The Reds are more conservative than many organizations with how quickly they move their prospects. The club sent prep shortstops Sammy Stafura and Tyson Lewis to the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League the year after they were drafted. Hall could follow that path, but he was drafted much higher than Stafura or Lewis and is more polished. If Hall develops, he could be a top-of-the-order hitter who plays above-average defense at shortstop.
Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 80 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: Drafted seventh overall in 2023, Lowder made his MLB debut at the end of August 2024 and was expected to pitch in the Reds’ rotation in 2025. Instead, he was sidelined by cascade of injuries. It was the first time he had ever missed significant time with injury, going back to high school. Lowder had a forearm strain in spring training and then made four minor league appearances in May before injuring his oblique and missing the rest of the season, save for one September rehab start. He threw just 9.1 total innings but showed he was healthy with a stint in the Arizona Fall League.
Scouting Report: When he returned from his injuries, Lowder did so with a slightly modified delivery. He removed a modest hand pump he used before bringing his hands back down to his waist prior to hand break. He’s also more direct to the plate. Before the change, Lowder had a tendency to get a bit cross-fire toward first base with his lower half as he got down the mound. His stuff showed no degradation in the AFL. He pitched at 93-96 mph with his pair of fastballs and a plus-plus high-80s slider that he can manipulate into different shapes. Lowder will need to separate his two- and four-seam fastballs more effectively in the majors. His four-seamer is most effective as a chase pitch above the zone, which changes eye levels and keeps hitters from sitting on his two-seamer and slider. His changeup will flash above-average, but he doesn’t use it enough. Everything plays up because of Lowder’s plus control and command.
The Future: Lowder has the control and stuff to be a solid midrotation arm. He was ready to handle that role in 2025 and, healthy again, should be ready to step into the MLB rotation in 2026. His return should help give the Reds enviable depth in the rotation, where he could team with fellow homegrown pitchers Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo and Chase Burns.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 60/High
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: The key signing in the Reds’ 2023 international class, Duno had been limited to DH in 2023 because of a sore arm, and he barely played in 2024 because of a rib injury. Fully healthy in 2025, Duno was the star of the Florida State League. He finished second in the league with a .287 batting average and first in home runs (18), doubles (32), on-base percentage (.430) and slugging (.518). He then played in the Arizona Fall League.
Scouting Report: Few young hitters come close to Duno’s advanced understanding of the strike zone. His career .425 OBP ranks fourth-best among active minor league hitters with at least 750 plate appearances. He will not swing at pitches out of the zone, which made him many Low-A pitchers’ kryptonite. That approach will be more tested at higher levels, and Duno will have to make adjustments. He has a pull-heavy approach and struggles to cover the outer third of the plate. He was especially vulnerable to velocity away, with a 52% swing-and-miss rate on fastballs on the outer third of the strike zone. Duno’s long levers and modest bat-to-ball skills mean that he is unlikely to hit for average against better pitchers, but he could make up for it by drawing walks, and his exceptional power could get him to 25 home runs regularly. Duno moves well for his 6-foot-3, 248-pound size. He’s a below-average runner but not a base clogger. Defensively, he’s a fringe-average receiver and pitch-framer. He has a plus arm and posts plus pop times at his best, but he sometimes struggles with slow exchanges as he unfurls his body.
The Future: Duno can likely stay behind the plate at his size, but not if he gets much bigger. Just 10 catchers in MLB history have caught at least 500 games while weighing 245 pounds or more, though AJ Pierzynski and Salvador Perez show it can be done. Duno will need to stay on top of his conditioning. His combination of power, plate discipline and fringe-average defense projects as a useful MLB catcher/first base/DH whose bat keeps him in the lineup. If he can make further defensive improvements as a receiver, his offensive upside would make him a potential star as a full-time MLB catcher.
Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: A product of South Florida powerhouse Westminster Christian, Stewart has been one of the Reds’ best hitting prospects since they drafted him 32nd overall in 2022. He has trained with and learned from Manny Machado for years, and when Stewart made it to the major leagues Machado gave him a Rolex as a congratulatory gift. In 2025, Stewart evolved into a more complete player by starting to learn how to pull the ball more consistently to get to his long-untapped power potential. Stewart’s 25 home runs between the minors and majors more than doubled his previous career high. By the postseason, he was batting cleanup for the Reds. He drove in nearly half of the Reds’ runs in the playoffs. More surprisingly, he also had the team’s only stolen base in its Wild Card Series loss to the Dodgers.
Scouting Report: Stewart’s hitting ability has always been his standout tool. He knows the strike zone, and he has a repeatable, consistent swing that helps him avoid long slumps. Stewart begins his swing with a significant timing step, but he’s generally on time, with above-average bat speed and barrel control. He posted a sub-.800 OPS in only one month during 2024 and 2025 combined. Midway through the 2025 season at Double-A Chattanooga, Stewart began to get more aggressive and looked to pull balls for power when he was ahead in counts. From June onward, he pulled 14 homers to left and left-center field, he’d pulled 12 home runs in the three years before that. He has the rare ability to be a plus hitter with plus power. Those skills are going to be important, because Stewart’s value to a big league club will largely come at the plate. He has a thick and squatty build that limits his range. Stewart’s hands work well on the infield, and he’s adept at diving to make a play. While he makes plays on what he can reach, he lacks range at second or third base. His well below-average arm is a much bigger issue. Stewart’s strongest tracked throw in Triple-A and the majors was 78 mph, which was 7 mph lower than the average arm strength for an MLB third baseman. At first base, that won’t be an issue, but he needs more reps to get comfortable with the footwork the position requires. Stewart makes good decisions on the basepaths, and he’ll even swipe a bag if pitchers ignore him, but he’s a well below-average runner now, and is likely to get slower considering he’s only 21.
The Future: Stewart’s bat is MLB ready. With the Reds’ needing improved production at the infield corners, he will fill a clear team hole if he can be an everyday first baseman who can play second or third base sporadically. On a team that needs better production from the infield corners, Stewart’s bat should be heavily relied on in 2026 and beyond.
Scouting Grades Hit: 65 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 40 | Arm: 30. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Colleges weren’t heavily recruiting Adamczewski when he committed to Ball State, but he never made it to campus after he signed with the Brewers for $252,500 as a 15th-round pick in 2023. He hit well in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in 2024, then emerged as one of the better hitting prospects in the organization in 2025, mostly with Low-A Carolina before a mid-August bump to High-A Wisconsin. A back injury limited him to 71 games.
Scouting Report: Adamczewski has a hitterish look in the batter’s box. He has a calm, balanced swing and takes a tight turn of the barrel in a compact, adjustable lefthanded stroke. His bat gets on plane early and stays there a long time with great plate coverage and an all-fields approach. He tracks pitches well, has a good sense of the strike zone and average raw power. That hasn’t translated to big home run totals yet, but he’s capable of going deep to any part of the park when he gets off his best swing. There’s a lot to like with Adamczewski at the plate, but his defense remains well below-average at second base. His hands, footwork and internal clock will need improvement to stick. A fringe-average runner with a below-average arm, Adamczewski should still primarily be a second baseman in 2026, but he got exposure to left field late in Wisconsin and in the Arizona Fall League.
The Future: An up-arrow prospect heading into 2026, Adamczewski will likely return to Wisconsin to open the year but should finish in the upper levels. Improving his defense to stick as an offensive-oriented second baseman would enhance his value, but his offensive upside is good enough to handle a role in left field if needed.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Field: 30 | Arm: 40. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Fischer played at Duke as a freshman, Ole Miss as a sophomore and then transferred to Tennessee in 2025. Hit showed power at every stop and had his best season with the Volunteers, hitting .341/.497/.760 with 25 home runs in 65 games before the Brewers drafted him the first round at No. 20 overall and signed him for $3.5 million. Fischer made his pro debut with High-A Wisconsin and he performed well, though he played through a wrist injury that hampered his exit velocities.
Scouting Report: Fischer’s plus power is his calling card. Hitting from a crouched stance, Fischer has good bat speed in a steep swing geared to hit the ball in the air. He’s a patient hitter who will draw his walks and has a knack for hitting the ball out front with loft to his pull side with a chance to be a 25-plus home run threat. He could end up a power-over-hit player with a swing path that looks like it could leave some holes, but some scouts think he’s a more complete hitter than he gets credit for thanks to good plate coverage and zone control. A below-average runner, Fischer played exclusively first base at Tennessee, but in his pro debut the Brewers played him at third base, a position he had played earlier in his college career. The initial returns were encouraging. Fischer will need to get better coming in on balls, but he has the lateral agility, hands and above-average arm that give him a chance to be a serviceable defender at third base.
The Future: Fischer was one of the more complete offensive threats available in the 2025 draft. He could be up in Milwaukee by 2027, either at third base or first base, with the upside to hit in the middle of their lineup.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Quero signed out of Venezuela for $200,000 in 2019 and reached Double-A as a 20-year-old in 2023. Since then, injuries have slowed his progress and taken a toll on his tools. In his first game of 2024, Quero tore the labrum in his right shoulder diving back to first base, then had season-ending surgery. In 2025, a hamstring strain prevented him from rejoining Triple-A Nashville until June. Quero hit just .259/.333/.362 in 30 games in June and July, then batted .250/.339/.470 over 28 games in August and September.
Scouting Report: By the end of the season, Quero mostly looked like the same hitter he was before the shoulder injury. He sets up with an open stance, keeps his hands quiet and makes contact at a high clip. Quero is a good fastball hitter, but his aggressive approach gets him into trouble, so he will need to improve his plate discipline. He has average raw power that gives him a chance to be a 20-plus home run threat. A well below-average runner, Quero was once one of the best defensive catching prospects in the game, but the regression of his arm strength is a major concern. Prior to his injury, Quero had a plus-plus arm that stacked up among the best in the minors. In 2025, he showed significantly diminished power on his throws with fringe-average arm strength, recording pop times of 1.95 seconds on his best throws but typically above 2.0 seconds as he threw out just 17% of basestealers. He remains a skilled receiver, blocker and earns high marks for his intangibles behind the plate.
The Future: If Quero’s arm strength improves to become above-average—if not the elite tool it once was—the upside is there for him to be an above-average regular. If it doesn’t, his path to a starting role becomes clouded.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 55 | Arm: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Dinges transferred from Tallahassee Community College to Florida State for the 2024 season. While almost exclusively serving as a DH for the Seminoles, Dinges hit .323/.415/.583 with 15 home runs that season and signed with the Brewers for $500,000 as a fourth-round pick. He was one of the bigger up-arrow prospects in the lower minors in 2025, hitting a combined .300/.416/.514 with 13 homers in 77 games between Low-A Carolina and High-A Wisconsin.
Scouting Report: Dinges has become one of the top power-hitting catchers in the minors. He has plus-plus raw power with big bat speed and an approach looking to do damage. Dinges takes a high-throttle swing with some length and effort to it, with the look of a hitter who should have holes, but so far through the lower levels, he has been a strong performer while keeping his strikeout rate in check at 19.2% in 2025. Dinges’ stock will climb if he proves he can stick behind the plate. A below-average runner, Dinges is a solid athlete for a catcher and has a plus arm. He consistently gets pop times under 2.0 seconds on throws to second base and under 1.9 on his best throws. He didn’t spend much time behind the plate in college, which is evident in his blocking, release and throwing accuracy. The progress Dinges made defensively in 2025 has him trending toward becoming a playable defender at catcher, but there’s still risk he could end up in left field.
The Future: If everything clicks, Dinges could become a power-hitting catcher who hits 25-plus home runs. If he can’t stick at catcher, the offensive upside is still there for a big league role in an outfield corner, though with less likelihood of being an everyday player.
Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Lightly recruited at his Indiana high school before committing to Purdue, Letson saw his velocity tick up as the draft neared. That development, along with his physical projection, athleticism and upside drew the Brewers to sign him for $482,600 as an 11th-round pick in 2023. Letson had a promising debut in 2024, though his season ended due to elbow soreness. In 2025 he pitched well but was again limited to fewer than 50 innings after missing a little more than three months in the middle of the season due to right shoulder impingement.
Scouting Report: Letson has the most upside of any pitcher in the Brewers’ farm system. He’s a long-limbed righthander with a fast, whippy arm and is an excellent mover down the mound, generating 7.5 feet of extension that would rank among the highest in the majors. That extension and his lower release height help his stuff play up, starting with a four-seam fastball that sits at 92-95 mph and touches 98, and a lively two-seamer with above-average armside run. Letson still has more space left to fill out, so there could be another uptick in velocity coming. His low-80s slider flashes plus, spinning at 2,300-2,500 rpm with wide lateral break and two-plane depth at its best. Letson rarely throws his mid-80s changeup, and when he does, it’s typically a below-average pitch that doesn’t miss many bats. Letson is athletic and a good strike-thrower for his age, particularly for a long-levered, 6-foot-4 pitcher, though he’s still learning to repeat his release point on his secondaries to match his fastball.
The Future: Durability continues to be a question for Letson, but he has the stuff and control to pitch in the middle of the rotation, with the upside for more if his velocity takes another jump. He should start 2026 with Double-A Biloxi.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Lara was a smaller, skinny player as an amateur in Venezuela, but he developed into an explosive athlete with skills that translated on both sides of the ball when the Brewers signed him for $1.1 million in 2022. As a 20-year-old with Double-A Biloxi in 2025, Lara led the Southern League in walks, ranked second in stolen bases and, despite hitting just .257/.369/.343, posted an OPS above the league average.
Scouting Report: Lara is just 5-foot-8, but he has a promising blend of quick-twitch athleticism and refined game skills, particularly in center field, where he has become an elite defender. His speed ticked up in 2025 to become a plus-plus runner, he gets great reads off the bat, accelerates quickly and takes crisp routes with excellent range, turning in highlight-reel catches. He has a plus arm and an efficient release, giving him the tools and instincts to potentially win a Gold Glove. That will only happen if Lara hits enough to be an everyday big leaguer. Lara has outstanding hand-eye coordination, producing one of the best contact rates in the organization. He uses his small strike zone to his advantage and doesn’t chase often. What Lara lacks is power. He has never hit more than four home runs in a season, and there isn’t much physical projection remaining. However, his exit velocities ticked up in 2025, even reaching 110 mph, so there’s more present power he could unlock if he can add loft.
The Future: Lara’s elite defense at a premium position and bat-to-ball skills give him a chance to be an average regular along the lines of Nationals center fielder Jacob Young or Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II. There’s risk he could end up more of a fourth outfielder, but there’s also greater, sneaky upside if he’s able to tap into more game power.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 70 | Field: 70 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Mild
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: Henderson was the NJCAA Division I pitcher of the year as a freshman in 2021 when he won a national championship with McLennan (Texas) JC, then signed with the Brewers as a fourth-round pick. An avulsion fracture in his right elbow in spring training required surgery, wiping out nearly all of his 2022 season. He pitched well in 2023 and 2024 and kept it going in 2025, when he made his major league debut in April and pitched well between Milwaukee and Triple-A. His season ended after his Aug. 3 outing due to a flexor strain in his right elbow.
Scouting Report: Pitching from a compact, efficient delivery, Henderson has success by filling the strike zone and keeping hitters off-balance with his changeup. His fastball sits at 91-95 mph and tickles 96. That’s slightly below-average velocity for a starter, but a low release height helps the pitch play up. He’s a prolific strike-thrower with both his fastball and his plus changeup. It’s an unusually high-spin changeup that averages 19 inches of fade and 10 mph off his fastball while maintaining his arm speed and repeating his release point to disguise the pitch well. Henderson leans heavily on those two pitches, with his changeup a major reason why he has similar results against lefties as righties. Henderson has found success at every level despite the lack of a great breaking ball. His low-to-mid 80s slider is a below-average pitch with short break, and he introduced a mid-to-upper 80s cutter to give hitters another wrinkle.
The Future: Henderson should immediately factor into Milwaukee’s big league pitching staff and likely in their rotation in 2026. He’s had multiple elbow injuries since signing, and there is some concern about his ability to log a typical starter’s workload, but if he can do that, he has the stuff to stick in the rotation.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Cutter: 45 | Slider: 40 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: Pratt signed with the Brewers for $1.35 million on an above-slot deal as a sixth-round pick out of high school in 2023. He became one of the organization’s top prospects in 2024, when he finished the year with 23 games in High-A Wisconsin, then drew an aggressive assignment in 2025 to spend all year in Double-A Biloxi as a 20-year-old. Pratt’s .238/.343/.348 slash line wasn’t particularly inspiring, though it was still an OPS above the Southern League average.
Scouting Report: Pratt’s high baseball IQ is apparent in all facets of the game. His swing is simple, balanced and stays short to the ball for a 6-foot-3 hitter. Pratt will expand the strike zone a touch more often than he should, particularly against sliders down and away, but he has a good sense of timing with the hand-eye coordination that leads to a low swing-and-miss rate. Pratt’s biggest offensive question is how much power he will develop. While he has the size to project more power to come, he doesn’t have big bat speed and his top-end exit velocities are below-average, so he doesn’t project to be a big home run threat. Pratt moves well for his size with plus speed underway. He doesn’t have typical quick-twitch explosiveness that a lot of teams prefer at shortstop, but he compensates for it with his instincts and internal clock to project to stick at the position. While he doesn’t have the range to make some of the more acrobatic, highlight-reel plays, his hands and feet work well, he has good body control and a quick release to a plus arm.
The Future: While fellow shortstop Jesus Made is a potential star in Milwaukee’s farm system, Pratt’s edge on defense gives him the inside track to become the Brewers’ shortstop of the future. He should open 2026 in Triple-A and should make his major league debut either by the end of the year or in 2027.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 70/Average
Adjusted Grade: 60
Track Record: The 2024 international signing class will have a major impact on the Brewers for years to come. The biggest bonus the Brewers paid that year went to Venezuelan shortstop Jorge Quintana, who signed for $1.7 million, then was traded to the Padres in 2025. Their next two highest bonuses went to a pair of Dominican shortstops, Jesus Made ($950,000) and Luis Peña ($800,000), both of whom have become two of the best teenage prospects in the game. Made in particular has the look of a future star. After debuting in the Dominican Summer League in 2024, Made became the organization’s No. 1 prospect and the organization’s co-minor league player of the year. In 2025, he skipped the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League and opened in Low-A Carolina. He earned an August promotion to High-A Wisconsin and was even better there before finishing the season in Double-A Biloxi as an 18-year-old, repeating as the Brewers’ minor league player of the year.
Scouting Report: Made is a well-rounded offensive threat with a mix of polished hitting ability and power for his age. He has a compact, smooth and whippy swing with good balance, rhythm and timing from both sides of the plate. Made tracks and identifies pitches well, showing the ability to let pitches travel deep into the hitting zone and use the whole field. His hand-eye coordination and the adjustability in his swing enable him to square up both fastballs and offspeed stuff at a high clip. His swing decisions are advanced for his age, and he consistently puts together quality at-bats. Made can barrel elite velocity and has the bat speed to already flash plus raw power. His flatter swing path doesn’t generate a ton of loft, but with the power he has now and strength projection to grow into more, there’s potential for 25-plus home run juice in his prime. Made is athletic and a plus runner who stole 47 bases in 2025, so the upside is there for a 30-30 season. Made has the raw tools for shortstop, but the defensive component of his game will need the most work. He has the quick-twitch athleticism, plus arm and range to stick in the dirt. He’s not as instinctual in the field as he is at the plate, but he could develop into a solid defensive shortstop if he can improve his reliability and internal clock. With Cooper Pratt a better fielder also in the organization, Made ultimately might end up at third base—where he could be an above-average defender—or possibly second base.
The Future: Made could follow in the footsteps of Jackson Chourio as a Brewers international signing who reaches the major leagues as a 20-year-old and develops into a franchise cornerstone. Wherever he ends up in the infield, Made could be a perennial all-star. He should start 2026 in Double-A Biloxi.
Scouting Grades Hit: 70 | Power: 60 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 60/High
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: The Brewers signed Peña for $800,000 in 2024, making him one of their three big international signings of the year along with fellow Dominican shortstop Jesus Made and Venezuelan shortstop Jorge Quintana. After a stellar pro debut that year in the Dominican Summer League, Peña skipped the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League and had an outstanding season with Low-A Carolina as an 18-year-old in 2025. He earned a promotion to High-A Wisconsin in August.
Scouting Report: Peña combines impressive athleticism and hand-eye coordination as an offensive-oriented infielder. He has an aggressive approach but with a balanced, controlled swing that stays behind the ball well with excellent barrel accuracy, leading to minimal swing-and-miss in his game. Peña showed significantly improved power in 2025, getting stronger and doing a better job of pulling the ball in the air. It’s now average raw power with exit velocities up to 113 mph, though his swing path is geared more for line drives than loft. Peña showed a better approach in 2025, but he needs to continue to become a more selective hitter, with chase tendencies that got him into trouble once he got promoted to High-A. Peña is a good athlete and a plus-plus runner with a plus arm, but his defense is still shaky. Shortstop is a long shot, and while he could fit at second or third base, his hands, internal clock and defensive instincts will need to improve. His speed would be an asset if he were to move to the outfield.
The Future: Peña isn’t quite as well-rounded or advanced in swing decisions compared to Jesus Made, but he is one of the most talented teenage prospects in the minor leagues. He’s likely to return to Wisconsin to begin 2026 and could reach the big leagues before his 21st birthday.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Field: 40 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Padilla signed with the Cardinals out of the Dominican Republic in January 2024 for $760,000. He went on to debut in the Dominican Summer League a few months later, hitting .287/.391/404 with 22 stolen bases. Padilla made the jump stateside in 2025 and spent the season in the Florida Complex League. There, the shortstop hit .283/.396/.367 with 18 walks to 21 strikeouts in 38 games.
Scouting Report: Padilla is a switch-hitting shortstop who is an exciting and projectable athlete. His body has matured in pro ball and he is a couple inches taller and nearly 30 pounds heavier than he was when he signed. Early in his career, Padilla has employed a contact-focused but passive approach at the plate, leading to low strikeout rates and high walks totals. Padilla shows plus bat-to-ball skills and rarely swings outside the zone. He’s often far too passive on pitches over the heart of the plate, and that’s an area that could likely be exploited by more advanced pitchers. Even though Padilla lacks present power production, evaluators view him as a player who will grow into above-average power in time. His top-end exit velocities support this with a 102.1 mph 90th percentile EV, which is above-average for age and level. Padilla struggles to pull the ball in the air from both sides of the plate, though his power is more pronounced when batting lefthanded. Padilla is a plus runner who should steal 20-plus bases annually at peak. His defense projects to be above-average in time, with good actions and athleticism. His arm is plus and may be the best among Cardinals minor leaguers.
The Future: Padilla is a player with a lot of variance. He could be an everyday shortstop, but it’s going to take years to gel. He should make his full-season debut in 2026.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Bernal signed out of Panama in 2021 for $680,000. After debuting in the Dominican Summer League, he jumped stateside to begin 2022, skipping the Florida Complex League entirely. After spending all of 2022 and 2023 with Low-A Palm Beach, Bernal made the jump to High-A in 2024. He spent all of 2025 with Double-A Springfield and hit .247/.332/.395 in 107 games, making 87 starts behind the plate.
Scouting Report: Bernal is a switch-hitting catcher with a maxed-out physical frame and a stout build. His righthanded swing is far more advanced than his lefthanded one. Bernal’s approach from the lefthanded side is better—he makes more contact and chases less. However, his righthanded swing generates more power and better angles on contact, leading to better results. Overall he shows average plate skills and average power when balancing his two swings. Bernal does a good job of avoiding whiffs and tends to stay inside of his approach. Adding impact when hitting lefthanded would truly boost his hitting profile to above-average. Bernal is a bigger-bodied catcher and has limited mobility. His blocking suffers due to a lack of athleticism behind the plate. He’ll need to control blocked balls better to be an average or better defender. Bernal’s arm is plus, and he consistently clocks sub-1.95 pop times on throws to second base. As an above-average framer and plus throwing catcher, Bernal is a sure bet to stick behind the plate, even if his blocking remains subpar.
The Future: Bernal looks like a rotation catcher who will see most of his starts against lefthanded pitchers. Improvements to his lefthanded swing and blocking ability could push him into everyday catcher territory.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Mild
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Henderson spent three seasons Fresno State, his hometown school, earning all-Mountain West Conference honors in 2022 and 2023. The Cardinals drafted Henderson in the eighth round in 2023 and signed him for $230,000. After spending the 2024 season split between Low-A and High-A, Henderson broke camp with Double-A Springfield in 2025. Across 25 starts spanning 132 innings, he pitched to a 2.59 ERA and won the Texas League ERA title. The league’s pitcher of the year, Henderson broke out in a big way.
Scouting Report: Henderson is an average-sized lefthander with a longer arm action and a deceptive three-quarters arm slot. He repeats his mechanics well and shows a deep arsenal of pitches, keeping hitters off-balance despite a lack of velocity. Henderson’s fastball sits 92-94 mph and touches 95-96. The pitch has average ride but late armside run that explodes on hitters. He has plus command of his fastball and does a good job of avoiding the heart of the plate. Henderson thrives on his ability to work the top and bottom of the zone effectively. His top secondary pitch is a sweeper sitting in the low 80s with more than a foot of horizontal break on average with some tilt. Henderson’s changeup is his best swing-and-miss pitch and shows good vertical separation off his fastball. He will mix in a mid-70s curveball with two-plane break as a change of pace from his sweeper. He threw a few cutters during the 2025 season, but it was used sparingly. Henderson’s control is better than his walk rates suggest, and the lefthander does a good job of navigating the shadow zone and avoiding barrels.
The Future: Henderson looks like a soon-to-the-majors No. 5 starter with limited upside. The 2026 season and his first taste of Triple-A will be a test of his fastball quality.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 30 | Control: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Mild
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: After starting his college career at McLennan Junior College in Texas, Crooks transferred to Oklahoma, where he spent two seasons. The Cardinals drafted him in the fourth round in 2022, and he has moved a level a year since signing. After winning the Texas League MVP in 2024, Crooks spent most of 2025 with Triple-A Memphis. The Cardinals called up Crooks on Aug. 29, and he spent the final month of the season with the team.
Scouting Report: A year after breaking out at the plate, Crooks took a step back in his first full season at Triple-A. He struggled against spin and consistently whiffed on breaking balls in the zone. This in turn shrunk his contact rates and increased his strikeouts. In addition to the swing-and-miss, Crooks’ approach backed up and he chased pitches at a higher rate. He produced similar power numbers in 2025 thanks to improved top-end exit velocities. Crooks’ batted-ball angles are inconsistent and worse than they were in 2024. He still has a fairly high barrel rate, despite an inability to pull the ball in the air consistently. Behind the plate, Crooks is an above-average defender who is an excellent blocker. He does a good job of keeping the ball in front of him and controlling bounces on low pitches. His arm is above-average, allowing him to overcome below-average exchanges. Crooks looks like a sure thing to stick behind the plate and could develop into an above-average defender. His step backward as a hitter in 2025 leads to some questions around his viability as a primary catcher.
The Future: The lefthanded-hitting Crooks ascended to MLB in late 2025 and looks to be a part of the Cardinals’ catching platoon headed into 2026.
Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: After two seasons pitching out of the bullpen for Kennesaw State, Franklin made the jump to Tennessee prior to his junior season in 2025. He made a career-high 27 appearances for the Volunteers, striking out 52 across 38.2 innings. The Cardinals drafted Franklin in the second round in 2025 and signed him for a little over $1.1 million. To begin his professional career, he was deployed as a starter across three appearances at both Class A levels.
Scouting Report: Franklin is a 6-foot-5, physical righthander who delivers the ball from a three-quarters arm slot with a slight crossfire finish. Entering his junior campaign, Franklin added 3 mph to his four-seam fastball and improved his spin efficiency, which resulted in more ride, armside run and a more deceptive plane of approach to the plate. Franklin’s fastball is now a double-plus pitch, with velocity, movement and release traits befitting its 70 grade. His go-to secondary pitch is a cutter in the low 90s. Much like his fastball, his cutter also jumped more than 3 mph. The pitch added ride and lost horizontal break, creating more cut. Franklin’s slider is a mid-80s mini-sweeper with shorter break than a traditional sweeper. The slider drives the highest miss rate in his arsenal and projects as an above-average pitch. His changeup was rarely used but showed good vertical separation off his fastball and the potential to become an average pitch. He threw a curveball as a sophomore at Kennesaw State but ditched the pitch when he transferred to Tennessee. Franklin’s command is fringe-average and will need to improve for him to make the jump to a starting role.
The Future: The Cardinals plan to deploy Franklin as a starter in 2026. Equipped with plus stuff and improved command, he could successfully make the jump into the rotation.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Mild
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: A standout Boston-area high school player with a physical frame and a tantalizing combination of tools, Baez signed for $2.25 million in the second round of the 2021 draft. He spent his first three full professional seasons struggling with injuries and swing-and-miss issues. After the 2024 season, Baez made adjustments to his swing and found another gear at the plate. He hit .287/.384/.500 with 20 home runs and 54 stolen bases between High-A and Double-A. Most importantly, Baez cut his strikeout rate from 35.5% in 2024 to 20.6% in 2025. It was a true renaissance season for Baez.
Scouting Report: A physical specimen, Baez looks like a football player in the outfield. He has a muscular frame with quick-twitch athleticism and impressive power output. After years of struggling with poor bat-to-ball skills and middling swing decisions, Baez made a few radical changes that manifested in significantly more contact. He reworked his lower half in the offseason and then made further adjustments over the first month of the 2025 season with High-A Peoria, getting more upright and closing his swing. What resulted was the best production of his career. Baez now projects as an average contact hitter with plus on-base skills. His raw power is 70-grade and he gets to it in games more consistently with the adjustments to his swing. A plus runner, Baez was one of the best basestealers in the minors in 2025 and presents a true plus power and speed combination. He can handle center field but is better in a corner. He has a plus arm that is capable of making every throw on the field.
The Future: Baez broke out in a major way in 2025 and looks like he could debut for the Cardinals in 2026. He’s a potential above-average regular with the potential for 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 65 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Mathews spent four years in the Stanford rotation. He returned for a fourth season after being drafted by the Rays in the 19th round in 2022. He would go on to win Pacific-12 Conference pitcher of the year honors in 2023 and was selected that July in the fourth round by the Cardinals. An outstanding professional debut in 2024, in which he climbed from Low-A to Triple-A, earned Mathews BA’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year award. His 2025 campaign was marred by a left shoulder injury in April that required a six-week stint on the injured list.
Scouting Report: Mathews is a tall, lean lefthander with little to no remaining projection. A year after making waves with added velocity and strong results to match, he dealt with a mechanical issue in 2025 that manifested in left shoulder soreness. Mathews returned in late May and struggled with command leading up to the all-star break. He returned to form somewhat in the second half but still struggled with strike-throwing. Mathews saw a drop in velocity across his arsenal, only for it to return over the final starts of 2025 for Triple-A Memphis. Mathews throws a four-seam fastball, a newly added two-seam fastball, a mid-80s cut-slider, a low-80s changeup and a curveball. His changeup is his best secondary pitch and a true plus pitch. His slider is above-average and leads to a lot of positive outcomes. His curveball is a fourth pitch but is effective at driving whiffs and bad contact. Mathews dealt with substantial strike-throwing issues in 2025, and it was likely driven by the injury. His previous track record suggests average or better control.
The Future: The 2025 season is one Mathews would like to forget. Despite the struggles, he looks like a viable long-term No. 4 starter who could reach St. Louis as soon as 2026.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 60/Average
Adjusted Grade: 50
Track Record: A New Hampshire prep star, Doyle threw five no-hitters and a perfect game over four seasons at Pinkerton Academy. Few players have leveraged the transfer portal as well as Doyle, who spent one season each at Coastal Carolina, Mississippi and Tennessee. As a junior for the Volunteers in 2025, he pitched to a 10-4 record, 3.20 ERA and 164 strikeouts in 95.2 innings and earned first-team All-America honors. The Cardinals drafted him fifth overall and signed him for $7.25 million. Doyle made two appearances after signing.
Scouting Report: Doyle is a physical lefthander with average height but a muscular and athletic frame. His higher-effort operation creates a bit of deception with a longer arm action, low three-quarters arm slot and a crossfire finish. Because of this, he faces relief questions despite a track record of success as a starter. Doyle mixes five pitches in his four-seam fastball, cutter, slider, curveball and splitter. During his time at Tennessee, he threw his fastball more than 62% of the time, something likely to tick down in pro ball. Doyle’s fastball is a double-plus pitch that generated high swinging-strike rates in the SEC. It sits 95-97 mph and touches 100 with plus vertical ride from a low release height. His secondary pitch usage is divided equally between an above-average, mid-to-high-80s splitter, an average cutter, an average sweeper and a low-80s curveball. The splitter is clearly Doyle’s best bat-missing secondary, and development of a dependable breaking ball will be a point of emphasis. He has average control but shows above-average command by landing his pitches to chosen zones with regularity.
The Future: Doyle is a fast-moving college lefthander who could pitch his way to the middle of the Cardinals’ rotation by mid 2026.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 50 | Split: 55 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 60/Average
Adjusted Grade: 50
Track Record: Born in the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez’s family moved to Philadelphia when he was entering fifth grade. After playing baseball in the U.S. through his freshman year of high school, he moved back to the D.R. at age 16. He signed with the Cardinals in April 2024 for $300,000 and debuted in the Dominican Summer League two months later. After hitting .345/.462/.683 and being named a DSL all-star, Rodriguez came stateside in 2025. He played at three levels, starting in the Florida Complex, reaching Low-A Palm Beach in June and High-A Peoria in September. He hit .276/.399/.555 with 20 home runs in 84 games.
Scouting Report: Since stepping foot on a professional baseball field, Rodriguez has displayed a blend of advanced plate skills, plus-plus raw power and elite batted-ball angles. His knack for finding the barrel is his defining skill. He shows the ability to consistently drive the ball in the air. Rodriguez’s contact skills and swing decisions are above-average for age and level, and he does a good job limiting strikeouts and getting on base. While the plate skills are impressive Rodriguez’s plus-plus raw power is his loudest tool. He consistently gets to it in games by running high barrel and pulled-air rates. Rodriguez is an optimized hitter with strong underlying skills, power and launch. Behind the plate, he is more of a work in progress. He has a plus arm and does a good job of controlling the running game but is a below-average blocker and receiver. He has a good chance to stick behind the plate and could make large strides as a receiver and framer in the coming years.
The Future: Rodriguez is one of the highest upside prospects in the game. If it all clicks, he could be an all-star-level bat with average catcher defense.
Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 65 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 65/Mild
Adjusted Grade: 60
Track Record: Wetherholt played for Andy Bednar at Mars Area High outside Pittsburgh and was teammates with Andy’s son Will Bednar, the Giants’ 2021 first-round pick, before committing to West Virginia. After hitting .308 as a freshman in 2022, Wetherholt followed it up with an outstanding sophomore season at WVU in which he hit .449/.517/.787 and led the nation in batting average. After an injury-plagued junior season, Wetherholt was drafted by the Cardinals seventh overall and signed for $6.8 million. He was assigned to Double-A Springfield out of camp to begin 2025 and would go on to hit .300/.425/.466 in 62 games. Days before participating in the Futures Game, Wetherholt was promoted to Triple-A Memphis, where he hit .314/.416/.562 in 47 games. His .421 on-base percentage ranked fifth overall in the minors.
Scouting Report: Wetherholt is an above-average athlete with a strong and physically mature build with little room for additional physical projection. He is a well-rounded player who does everything at an average or better level. Make no mistake: Wetherholt’s profile is driven by his advanced hit tool and developed plate skills. He has a simple, low-effort operation at the plate. The lefthanded batter sets up open, with his hands loosely set below his shoulder. He uses a flatter swing path that often connects for his best-struck drives to the opposite field. His loose, adjustable hands and discerning eye at the plate limit his swing and miss, leading to plus contact rates. His ability to identify balls from strikes sets him apart from other top prospects. Wetherholt rarely expands the zone but is aggressive on pitches over the heart of the plate. He has shown average power throughout his career but began to show more over-the-fence thump during his time at Triple-A. Wetherholt makes consistent hard contact at good angles but lacks higher top-end exit velocities synonymous with 30-homer hitters. He’ll likely settle within the 18-24 home run range for his prime seasons with lots of doubles and a higher batting average. Wetherholt is an above-average runner who will show plus run times. Speed is an underappreciated aspect of his profile, and he’s a strong baserunner who will likely steal 15-20 bases per season in the early years of his career. In the field, Wetherholt is an adept defender who projects to stick on the left side of the infield. His defense at shortstop is good enough to make him an above-average defender over the long haul. If he should move to third base, he projects as a plus defender, where his above-average arm fits.
The Future: Wetherholt will likely break camp with the Cardinals to begin 2026 and could be the long-term answer at multiple positions on the infield. He’s a star in the making and the best hitter the Cardinals have produced in a decade.
Scouting Grades Hit: 70 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Average
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: Valdez signed for $130,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2021 and established himself as one of the minors’ more dangerous power bats in 2024, when he slugged 22 homers for Low-A Bradenton. He followed with 26 more in 2025, doing most of his damage at High-A Greensboro before hitting .260/.363/.409 with six homers in 51 games for Double-A Altoona. Valdez made the Futures Game and ranked third among players 21 or younger in homers, trailing only the Mariners’ Lazaro Montes (32) and the Mets’ Ryan Clifford (29).
Scouting Report: With an uphill swing geared toward all-fields damage and easy plus raw power, Valdez makes no secret about his intent in most at-bats. He made some adjustments in 2025 to tap into that power more consistently and raised his 90th percentile exit velocity by nearly 3 mph compared to 2024. Earlier in his career, Valdez’s steep swing path inhibited him from making consistent contact. After modestly cutting down his attack angle and chase rates, he improved his contact rate to a career-best 72.4% in 2025. Valdez will need to prove his plan of attack can work against more advanced pitching. His miss rate still hovered around 30%, and there are concerns that his swing remains vulnerable to velocity up in the zone and sliders away. He can fly open early on his front side as well. Defensively, Valdez offers limited value. He’s a below-average runner with a fringy arm in right field and also saw time at first base, though scouts believe he moves better in the outfield.
The Future: Valdez’s home-road splits and sheer underlying power should allay concerns that his 2025 home run barrage is a Greensboro-aided breakout. Righthanded corner profiles are tough, but his 2025 breakout put him on the Pirates’ map and Triple-A Indianapolis awaits early in 2026.
Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 65 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 40. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Dotel was an older sign late in the 2020 scouting cycle as an 18-year-old out of the Dominican Republic. He has since emerged as a dependable workhorse who has logged more than 300 innings since 2023 while jumping on a level-a-year trajectory. He spent all of 2025 with Double-A Altoona, where he posted a 4.15 ERA with 131 strikeouts over 125.2 innings—the most by any Pirates minor leaguer—and a career-best 8% walk rate. He ranked third in the Eastern League in strikeouts for an Altoona team that made the playoffs.
Scouting Report: The powerful, 6-foot-3, 228-pound righthander has added about 5 mph over the past two seasons to his fastball, which is now averaging 96 and touching 100. He has also worked to better separate his four-seamer and two-seamer while replacing a fringy changeup with a mid-80s splitter in 2025 that he commands more consistently and has emerged as a solid-average swing-and-miss pitch. His upper-80s slider flashes plus. Based on raw traits, it’s one of the more impressive offerings in Pittsburgh’s system, though he has a tendency to overthrow it in two-strike counts. Dotel is still learning how to sequence his now well-rounded arsenal, and his strikeout rate (24%) lagged behind his pure stuff for the second consecutive season. That wasn’t due to control issues, however, as he landed each of his pitches in the zone at least 60% of the time.
The Future: Like fellow power righthander Antwone Kelly, Dotel boasts elite velocity, the chance for three plus pitches and enough strikes to remain a starter. Continued refinement of his slider and ability to finish at-bats could push him into the back of a rotation, with a high-leverage relief role as a strong fallback.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Mild
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Barco was a well-known amateur who made 29 starts at Florida before Tommy John surgery ended his college career in 2022. The Pirates drafted him 44th overall that year, though his recovery and a 2024 stress fracture in his leg ate into his development. Pittsburgh managed his workload carefully in 2025, but he was healthier aside from a brief shoulder strain in May. He cleared 100 innings for the first time as a pro before debuting in a big league relief role in September.
Scouting Report: The 6-foot-4, 225-pound lefthander found success as a starter in the upper minors by leaning on a 93 mph fastball that plays more on shape and deception than raw velocity. Thrown from a very low slot, the pitch creates a difficult approach angle, and he filled the zone with it nearly 70% of the time in 2025. Barco had a much tougher time commanding his secondaries, but he generates whiffs with both his average low-80s slider and above-average mid-80s splitter. He added a mid-80s cutter as a developmental offering—especially against lefties—that can steal strikes and enhance how the splitter plays off his breaking pitches. Whether Barco has enough precision to remain a starter is an open question. His intricate delivery requires some maintenance, and his strike-throwing wavers when he isn’t squared to the batter at release.
The Future: Barco has back-of-the-rotation upside if he can throw enough quality strikes to turn over a lineup twice. If not, he has the fallback of a multi-inning reliever. He’ll compete for a role in the Pirates’ crowded rotation out of spring training.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Split: 55 | Cutter: 40 | Control: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: The Pirates drafted Johnson fourth overall in 2022 in a class that has produced more first-round misses than hits so far. His development has been a slower burn. The 21-year-old spent all of 2025 with Double-A Altoona, where he was again one of the younger hitters in the league, and slashed .272/.363/.382 with a 119 wRC+ in 119 games. He finished strong by hitting .326 over his final 36 games, though he homered only once after July 1.
Scouting Report: Considered one of the most polished high school hitters of the last two decades coming out of the draft, Johnson’s offensive identity in pro ball remains in flux after three full seasons. His most productive full season came in 2023, when he posted a 139 wRC+ with an approach geared more toward power and patience. His 2025 season landed somewhere in between those two approaches. Johnson continues to show advanced zone control and posted a career-best 75.4% contact rate. He pairs that with above-average bat speed and raw power, especially to his pull side. That power doesn’t always translate into games, and his underlying impact numbers were more average. Caveat: his home ballpark in Altoona did him no favors. Johnson has exploitable holes on the outer third, where he struggles to do much damage, and the Pirates worked with him to slowly move his stance closer to the plate. Defensively, Johnson played exclusively at second base in 2025 after splitting time at shortstop earlier in his career. He has solid hands, but fringy range and arm strength, making him a fit only at the keystone.
The Future: Johnson’s limited defensive value means he’ll have to hit to become an everyday regular at second base. If Johnson can find a way for all the ingredients to coalesce, a big league debut in the first half of 2026 isn’t out of the question.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 40. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: The Pirates have a strong track record of developing under-the-radar arms, and Kelly fit that profile with a breakout 2025. Signed out of Aruba in 2021, he made his stateside debut the following year and steadily climbed the ladder. In 2025, he pitched to a 3.02 ERA over 107.1 innings between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona, striking out 27.2% of batters compared to a career-best 7.7% walk rate.
Scouting Report: Added power across his entire arsenal has unlocked another level for Kelly. Having grown three inches and added more than 60 pounds from his listed weight of 183 pounds, the righthander reshaped his body entering 2025 after an oblique injury hampered him the year before. Those strength gains translated to an additional 3 mph on a fastball that now averages 97, touches 101 and carries well through the zone. He throws it for strikes roughly 70% of the time, showing advanced control, though his delivery isn’t particularly deceptive and produced only average whiff rates. He has solid feel for an above-average upper-80s changeup that has significant vertical separation and induced a whiff in nearly 40% of swings. Kelly’s upper-80s slider shows above-average potential but remains inconsistent, and he shelved his cutter later in the season to focus on slider development. With above-average command and the ability to hold velocity deep into outings, his path to a rotation role depends on refining his breaking ball into another reliable swing-and-miss option.
The Future: Kelly’s velocity spike raised his ceiling. If his slider takes a similar step forward in 2026, he projects as a midrotation starter with the fallback as a late-inning reliever who can overpower hitters. An MLB debut in 2026 isn’t out of the question after he closed 2025 at Double-A Altoona.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Mild
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Flores went undrafted in 2022 after stints at two California junior colleges and was playing summer ball in Alaska when the Yankees signed him for just $75,000. Three years later, that decision looks like a remarkable bit of scouting and development. After a swing change early on as a pro, Flores slugged his way to the upper minors, producing 20-plus homers in each of the past two seasons. The Pirates acquired him as the lead piece in the 2025 deadline deal that sent closer David Bednar to New York. He debuted for Pittsburgh in September.
Scouting Report: Power is Flores’ carrying tool. The sturdily built righthanded hitter employs a big leg kick and above-average bat speed to generate some of the loudest exit velocities in Pittsburgh’s system and all-fields power. The tradeoff is considerable swing-and-miss. Flores whiffed nearly a third of the time in the minors in 2025 and remains vulnerable up in the zone and on the inner third. The Pirates believe further swing adjustments—particularly improving rotation efficiency and barrel adjustability—could help him tap into even more consistent pull-side juice. Defensively, Flores is a serviceable receiver with adequate framing and game-calling skills, though his slower transfer and inconsistent throwing accuracy raise questions about his long-term upside behind the plate. He logged most of his minor league innings at catcher but also saw time at first base, where he appeared in six of his seven big league games.
The Future: Flores’ swing-and-miss remains a blemish on his right-on-right profile, but his power and defensive versatility across catcher and first base give him a chance to emerge as an everyday regular. He should compete for a big league role out of spring training in 2026.
Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 40. -
BA Grade/Risk: 65/High
Adjusted Grade: 50
Track Record: The Pirates’ pitching development program has excelled at maximizing recent athletic high school pitchers such as Jared Jones, Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft. None entered pro ball with the pedigree or present skills of Hernandez, whom Pittsburgh drafted sixth in 2025 and signed for $7.25 million. Hernandez headlined a loaded Corona (Calif.) High team that also produced top 35 overall draft picks Billy Carlson and Brady Ebel.
Scouting Report: At 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, Hernandez presents size, polish and present velocity rarely seen in a teenager. His mid-90s fastball touched triple digits during his senior spring, and he should regularly sit in the upper 90s one day as he adds more strength. Even with his velocity, some amateur evaluators questioned how consistently the pitch would miss bats in pro ball because of its shape. Hernandez complements it with a low-80s changeup and two distinct breaking balls. His double-plus changeup is the jewel of his secondaries. Hernandez throws it with a circle grip and shows advanced feel to use it to both miss bats and land for strikes. He also mixes a mid-to-upper-80s slider and a low-80s curveball, each flashing above-average potential with a bit more power since turning pro. The Pirates were particularly impressed by how he tightened his slider into more of a swing-and-miss pitch. Hernandez throws plenty of strikes, moves well on the mound with an advanced understanding of how to create power in his delivery and even drew some amateur interest as a legitimate two-way prospect.
The Future: While high school righthanders carry inherent risk, Hernandez has frontline potential and has drawn comparisons to Hunter Greene and Jackson Jobe. With his athleticism, deep repertoire and advanced strike-throwing, he has the ingredients to move quickly and is set to make his pro debut.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 70 | Control: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 65/High
Adjusted Grade: 50
Track Record: If not for Konnor Griffin, Florentino’s breakout would’ve been the biggest win for Pirates player development in 2025. Just a year after signing out of the Dominican Republic for $395,000 and making his pro debut, the 18-year-old emerged as one of the sport’s most intriguing teenagers. He blitzed Rookie-level pitching over 29 games in the Florida Complex League, then carried that momentum to Low-A Bradenton. At the two stops he combined to slash .290/.400/.548 with 16 homers and 35 steals across 83 games.
Scouting Report: Evaluators marveled at Florentino’s rare blend of plus raw power, discipline and advanced feel for contact at such a young age. His lefthanded swing has natural loft and impressive bat speed. While some external evaluators wondered if Florentino’s swing path may one day leave him vulnerable at the top of the zone, he was quite difficult to beat in the strike zone in 2025, making contact nearly 90% of the time. He rarely chases, and once he lured pitchers into the zone he displayed a penchant for damage. The scary part? The Pirates believe Florentino has plenty of room to pack on more strength to his gangly 6-foot-4 frame. How Florentino’s body develops will dictate where he ends up defensively. He’s a fringy runner who may slow further as he fills out, but his instincts allow him to steal bases efficiently and take surprisingly sharp routes—especially closing on balls—in center field, where he played most of 2025. Long term, a corner spot may suit him best. The Pirates also raved about his aptitude and knack for making quick adjustments—traits that reminded some of Griffin.
The Future: Even if he shifts off center field, Florentino’s offensive foundation gives him the upside of a middle-of-the-order bat with all-star potential.
Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 65/Average
Adjusted Grade: 55
Track Record: Chandler entered 2025 on the cusp of the majors after positioning himself as one of baseball’s most coveted pitching prospects. He dominated Triple-A early, pitching to a 2.03 ERA and a 35% strikeout rate through May. The Pirates kept Chandler in Indianapolis, however, and he fell into a two-month slump posting a 5.96 ERA amid fluctuating command. Chandler managed to steer out of the skid and on Aug. 16 he reached the big leagues, where he threw far more strikes, with 31 strikeouts to four walks in 31.1 innings.
Scouting Report: Chandler’s plan of attack is built around overpowering hitters with one of baseball’s most impressive fastballs. He was up to 102 mph in 2025 and averaged 98.9 once he reached the big leagues. Chandler has no issue holding velocity and throws his fastball with above-average extension and impressive carry at the top of the zone. Everything else layers in around it. His plus low-90s changeup was his best swing-and-miss weapon, while his upper-80s-to-low-90s slider grades solid-average and succeeds because of its pure power. He also mixes in a fringy mid-80s curveball that works as a change of pace with about 14 mph separation off his fastball. Chandler’s athleticism allows him to maintain velocity deep into outings, but he remains an imprecise strike-thrower. His struggles in 2025 largely stemmed from lapses in fastball command and difficulty landing his offspeed pitches for strikes, which left him vulnerable when hitters sat on velocity.
The Future: If Chandler sharpens his command, especially with his secondaries, and keeps hitters from keying on his fastball, he could be a No. 2 starter who settles in behind Paul Skenes in the rotation.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 75/Average
Adjusted Grade: 65
Track Record: Griffin was the most decorated high school player in the 2024 draft, winning High School Player of the Year after a senior spring in Mississippi in which he hit .559 and stole 85 bases. The Pirates drafted him ninth overall that July and signed him for $6,532,025, but even they couldn’t have anticipated how quickly he’d emerge as the No. 1 overall prospect and the 2025 Minor League Player of the Year. The 19-year-old hit .333/.415/.527 with 21 homers and 65 steals across 122 games, beginning the year with Low-A Bradenton and finishing in Double-A Altoona. Griffin became the first-ever drafted teenager to hit at least 20 homers and steal at least 40 bases, joining only Andruw Jones, Ronald Acuña Jr., Jackson Chourio and Alex Escobar.
Scouting Report: At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Griffin’s size and speed combination is reminiscent of an NFL strong safety, and he uses his exceptional physical tools to impact every facet of the game. He produces some of the highest exit velocities of any teenager in the sport and does damage to all fields. He’s also a plus-plus runner once underway. For all his athleticism, Griffin entered pro ball facing significant concern about whether his swing and feel for contact would hold up against more advanced pitchers. He took a decisive first step in answering those questions in 2025. Griffin retooled his swing over the offseason to clean up his arm bar and add more depth, and he kept his strikeout rate under 22% and contact rate above 75% despite scaling three levels in his first pro season. He also handled premium velocity well. Griffin still has areas to refine—especially against spin—and he’s still learning to pull the ball in the air consistently, but there’s far more confidence now that he has a shot to develop into at least an above-average hitter. Evaluators are also more bullish that Griffin can stay at shortstop, where his range, instincts and plus-plus arm graded out favorably in 2025 while making just seven errors all season. Griffin cleaned up his footwork as the season progressed and plays with a calm internal clock. He spent the bulk of his defensive time at shortstop, though he also played 15 games in center field. Unsurprisingly given his skills, Griffin’s capable of covering large swaths of ground in the outfield, and he’s one of the rare players who could conceivably develop into a plus defender at two premium positions. Coaches and evaluators alike also rave about his aptitude and leadership qualities.
The Future: Griffin’s ascension in 2025 is a franchise-altering development for an organization that has struggled to produce quality big league hitters since Andrew McCutchen and needs to find a running mate to pair with Paul Skenes. Even if Griffin’s pure hitting ability gets tested, his power, speed and defense give him multiple paths to provide star-level value while having the upside of an MVP-caliber shortstop. A big league debut in 2026 isn’t out of the question for Griffin, who doesn’t turn 20 until late April.
Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 70 | Run: 70 | Field: 60 | Arm: 70. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: The Rangers drafted Obermueller in the 19th round in 2024, but he chose to return to Iowa for another chance to improve his draft stock. He responded by cutting his walk rate nearly in half while raising his strikeout rate a few ticks as well. The Phillies pounced on him in the second round in 2025 and signed him for $1,197,500. After tossing a career-high 83.1 innings, Obermueller was shut down after signing.
Scouting Report: The Phillies liked what they’d seen from Obermueller in 2024, when he was teammates with righthander Marcus Morgan, whom the Phillies drafted in the ninth round that summer. They became even more interested in Obermueller when he started throwing strikes at a much higher clip thanks to a much more controlled delivery than he had shown in years past. Couple those gains with a delivery that features a low release height, excellent extension and a low-90s sinker that clipped 97 mph in his draft year, and the upside was enough to make them pull the trigger in the second round. Obermueller backs his fastball with a sweeper that featured 20 inches of break. He also has a firm, seldom-used changeup that scouts believe could be average if he throws it more often. The Phillies also might work with Obermueller to add a shorter breaking ball to his mix to give him another offspeed pitch he can throw in the zone to set up his sweeper to finish hitters.
The Future: Obermueller’s smaller frame and currently limited pitch mix might lead him down a reliever’s path. For now, the Phillies will bet that the gains he showed in his draft year will be sticky enough to give him a chance to stick as a back-end starter in a few years. If not, his sinker and slider should be an effective combination in the late innings.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: Chace signed with the Orioles in 2019 but didn’t debut until 2021 after the pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor league season. After three nondescript seasons with Baltimore, Chace broke out in 2024 and was included in a trade to the Phillies that sent Gregory Soto to the Orioles. Chace looked poised to raise his profile even higher in 2025—and perhaps finish the year in the big leagues—but he reported to spring training out of shape and with diminished stuff. He eventually required Tommy John surgery, which he had in June.
Scouting Report: At his best, Chace worked with a mid-90s fastball that peaked at 98 mph and had the analytical characteristics to miss plenty of bats. The pitch’s diminished velocity was the first sign of trouble in 2025. He complemented his fastball with a short, hard slider and a sweeper, as well as a changeup. The slider featured sharp break and was effective against hitters from both sides of the plate, while the sweeper was one of his go-to offerings to get hitters to swing and miss. The changeup was Chace’s least-refined offspeed pitch, but scouts believed it had a chance to get to average with further development. He was also set this season to work on honing his command and doing a better job of getting ahead of hitters to set up his best strikeout pitches. He made six starts at Double-A Reading before landing on the injured list, and his control still showed the need for sizable improvement. He walked 12 hitters in 16.2 innings.
The Future: Chace’s injury has dimmed his ceiling and delayed his timeline to the big leagues. He should return at some point this summer and could jump on the reliever track once he returns. Before a decision is made, he and the team will have to see if his stuff returns intact.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Sweeper: 55 | Control: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Average
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: Rincones was drafted out of Florida Atlantic in 2022 and has spent most of his pro career showing flashes of his tools in between stints on the injured list. He dealt with a shoulder injury in 2022 and then had surgery on his left thumb in 2024. He made up for lost time in the Arizona Fall League, where he walked more than he struck out and was named to the league’s annual Fall Stars Game. The son of a former Mariners minor league pitcher, Rincones was healthy at Triple-A Lehigh Valley for the entire 2025 season and set career highs for games played (119) and home runs (18).
Scouting Report: Rincones is one of the best ball-strikers in the organization, and his average, 90th percentile and maximum exit velocities all rank among the best in the system. He does a good job of staying within the strike zone, and his chase rate is above-average as well. Both traits showed up in his 80 walks, which were second in the system behind only top prospect Aidan Miller. Rincones’ biggest weakness is lefthanded pitchers, who held him to a slash line of just .107/.215/.107 without an extra-base hit over 65 plate appearances in 2025. By contrast, those numbers against righthanders were .261/.392/.480 with all of his 18 home runs. All but one of his 78 games in the field came in right field, where his improved conditioning helped him play fringe-average defense. He has above-average arm strength and threw out five runners on the bases in 2025. Rincones’ well below-average speed is masked by excellent instincts on the bases that allowed him to swipe 21 bases in 26 tries with Lehigh Valley.
The Future: Rincones’ looks like a strong-side platoon player on a contender or a regular on a non-contender. The 2025 season was his best yet, and he could be in line to make his MLB debut in 2026.
Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: Fisher was a two-sport athlete in high school who won Gatorade player of the year for the state of Indiana after racking up 42 touchdowns in his senior season at Evansville High, the same school as former big leaguer Don Mattingly, whose son Preston is the Phillies’ general manager. Drafted in the seventh round in 2025, Fisher was signed away from a commitment to Indiana with a $1.25 million bonus, the second largest in the Phillies’ draft class and the highest seventh-round figure in draft history.
Scouting Report: Fisher’s combination of stuff and athleticism made him an extremely attractive prospect. He starts his four-pitch mix with a low-90s fastball with plenty of cut-ride action from a lower release height. The pitch topped out at 95 mph in his final season of high school. His best offspeed pitch is a potentially plus slider, and he backs it with a slower curveball and a potentially fringe-average changeup. He shows a strong feel for spin throughout his arsenal. Like Dante Nori in 2024, Fisher was 19 when he was drafted and was one of the older prep players on the board. The righthander has an ideal pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, though there’s still room for strength gains and he showed signs of fatigue down the stretch in high school. Fisher does a good job repeating his delivery and projects for average control, especially if he gets stronger and can maintain his best stuff throughout the course of the longer seasons he’s set to encounter in the minor leagues.
The Future: Fisher did not debut in 2025 and instead headed to fall instructional camp. His combination of stuff, analytical markers and athleticism could add up to a high ceiling, and the Phillies bet big on those variables coalescing into a pitcher who will be well worth the wait over the next few years.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: The University of Arkansas ruled the back half of the first round of the 2025 draft. Four Razorbacks were taken in a 16-pick stretch, beginning with Wood the Phillies at pick No. 26. Wood spent three seasons in Fayetteville that culminated with a 19-strikeout no-hitter against Murray State in the College World Series. A little less than a month later, Wood heard his name called in the draft, and he signed for $3 million. He made his pro debut toward the end of the season with Low-A Clearwater, including an outing in the Florida State League playoffs.
Scouting Report: There’s zero doubt that Wood has the stuff to dominate hitters. The question is: Will he do so as a starter or as a reliever? The righthander’s 2025 season was interrupted by a shoulder injury that cost him two months, and his heaviest career workload is 59.1 innings, which came in 2024 and includes a stint in the Cape Cod League. One factor pointing toward a future in a rotation is a full, four-pitch repertoire headed by a dynamite fastball/curveball combination that he leaned on heavily with Arkansas. Beyond its velocity, Wood’s fastball earns raves for its analytical properties and the resulting miss rate of 32% in college. The Phillies would like Wood to use his slider—which they believe has at least average potential—and his changeup as he integrates himself into pro ball. The changeup, held with a split-finger grip, was seldom used in college and is a clear fourth pitch at this point. Another part of Wood’s professional education will involve learning how to moderate his between-start workload.
The Future: Wood’s college pedigree should allow him to move quickly through the system, and he should reach High-A Jersey Shore early in 2026 and could make it to the upper levels quickly. He’ll get plenty of chances to start, but he has a fallback option as a shutdown reliever as well.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: Nori was one of the older high school players available in the 2024 draft, but the Phillies still felt strongly enough about his profile to select him 27th overall and pay him $2,497,500 to turn pro out of his Michigan high school rather than matriculate to Mississippi State. In his first full season as a pro, Nori raced from Low-A Clearwater to Double-A Reading and ranked among the top five in the organization in hits (127), walks (75) and stolen bases (52).
Scouting Report: Nori’s game is based on contact and speed, and he showed both skills in spades in 2025. His zone-miss rate was just 13.1%, good enough to place him among the best in the system. His at-bats are professional, he knows the strike zone and he has just enough raw thump to occasionally put a charge into a ball. To get to more power, he’ll need to add more of a load to his swing and put his lower half to better use, though his body is compact and likely maxed out, so he won’t be able to rely on further projection for a power boost. He also could stand to improve his direction to the ball, which scouts say sometimes includes a leak to his pull side. Nori is a solid center fielder who could get to plus by ironing out some of the routes he takes to fly balls, though his plus speed might help him make up for some of the messier paths. His fringe-average arm fits just fine up the middle but would limit him to left field if he had to move off the position.
The Future: Nori will return to Double-A Reading, where his experience in colder weather will help him survive the early months in the Eastern League. He has a chance to be a table-setter who gets on base and holds down center field, but he’ll need plenty of work to reach that ceiling.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Field: 60 | Arm: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: After a middling first two professional seasons in the Dominican Summer League, Escobar took off in his first stateside season in 2024, batting .338 with a .495 on-base percentage in a Florida Complex League season shortened by shin splints in both legs. He spent most of 2025 with Low-A Clearwater before advancing to High-A in July and finally to Double-A for five games. Escobar finished with 15 home runs and an 18.2% strikeout rate in 120 games.
Scouting Report: Escobar’s game is predicated on plenty of contact with sprinkles of power as well. He pairs a zone-miss rate of just 16% with a 90th percentile exit velocity of 104.7 mph. To get the most out of his strength and bat-to-ball skills, Escobar will have to learn to turn on pitches and pull them with authority, which is a weak point of his game at the moment. Toward the later part of the season, scouts noticed that pitchers were having success pounding him inside with fastballs as well as a little bit more willingness to chase than he’d shown at either Class A stop. It’s crucial that Escobar gets to every ounce of his offensive potential, because his defensive value is likely to be fringe-average at best. His body is already softer than one would like, and he’ll have to stay on top of his conditioning in order to stick at second base. His footwork gets lazy at times, which leads to a lack of range on grounders and waning accuracy on his throws. Both of those areas need to be sewn up if Escobar is to remain up the middle.
The Future: Escobar will likely return to Double-A Reading to begin 2026. If he can stay on top of his conditioning and do a better job protecting the inside part of the plate against premium velocity, he has a chance to be an offensive-minded second baseman.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 65/High
Adjusted Grade: 50
Track Record: Drafted in the first round in 2021, Painter’s 2022 season was one for the record books. He became one of just a handful of high school pitchers to reach Double-A in their first full professional seasons. His elbow started barking during the spring of 2023, and the resulting Tommy John surgery kept him out of action until the 2024 Arizona Fall League. Painter spent his 2025 season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he showed flashes of his upside but also plenty of areas that required further polish.
Scouting Report: The biggest area of concern during Painter’s 2025 season was about the downgrade in fastball quality. The pitch retained its premium velocity but began showing more cut than carry and became more hittable as result. The Phillies attribute some of that backslide to Painter’s arm slot dropping as the season wore on. If he can raise his arm slot back to where it was pre-injury and get behind his four-seamer more often, the team believes the pitch will return to its previous form. Painter also made several alterations to his arsenal, including the additions of a two-seamer and a sweeper and a move to a split-changeup grip. The sweeper was introduced as another way to combat lefties, and the new changeup worked better with his delivery and produced much more movement. Beyond addressing the downturn in fastball quality, Painter’s next step is to turn his control into command and learn which of his pitches play best in different sections of the strike zone and how to properly sequence his mix.
The Future: Despite Painter’s middling year, scouts are still quite bullish and see a future as at least a midrotation starter. How his fastball looks next season and beyond will go a long way toward determining whether those evaluations come true.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Sweeper: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average
Adjusted Grade: 50
Track Record: The son of four-time all-star outfielder Carl Crawford, Justin has been one of the most productive hitters for average in the minor leagues since the Phillies drafted him 17th overall out of high school in 2022. Crawford spent all of 2025 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and hit .334 to rank third in the full-season minor leagues. He owns a career .332 average as a pro.
Scouting Report: There’s little doubt about Crawford’s ability to make hard contact. Now, the question is whether he’ll ever get the ball in the air often enough to turn it into impact. His groundball rate over the last two seasons is 60.2%, fourth-worst in the minors among players with 500 or more at-bats. He’s made minor improvements year over year in that department, but he still lets the ball travel too far into the strike zone to put balls over infielders’ heads and into gaps, where his double-plus speed would open the door for extra bases. If Crawford’s power never materializes, it’s imperative that he sticks in center field. Whether he can is the subject of debate. Scouts see a player whose elite speed can help him make up for late jumps and rough routes, while analysts rate him as one of the worst defensive center fielders in the minor leagues. Part of the reason for the disparity is because the Phillies have had Crawford play a more shallow center field in order to amplify his excellent ability to come in on shallow flies. The strategy downgrades his chances of reaching deeper drives, thus dinging his ratings. His game-breaking speed and average arm would make Crawford a plus defender in left field, but a long-term move would require him to unlock more power to fit the offensive profile.
The Future: Crawford will have an opportunity to make the Phillies’ Opening Day roster, but his ultimate value will key on whether he can turn his raw strength into higher-quality contact.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 70 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 65/Average
Adjusted Grade: 55
Track Record: Miller’s amateur history is long and decorated. He was a part of three of USA Baseball’s National Teams, and he hit .423 as a member of the 18U squad. That track record of success led the Phillies to call Miller’s name in the first round of the 2023 draft despite a broken left wrist that sidelined him for the bulk of his senior season at Florida’s New Port Richey High. So far, the risk has been well worth the reward. Miller has improved in every area and now stands not only as the Phillies’ top prospect but also a premier overall talent. He advanced to Triple-A in his second full season as a professional and was slated for further development in the Arizona Fall League before being pulled before Opening Day.
Scouting Report: Out of the draft, few believed in Miller’s ability to play shortstop. Now, it’s hard to find scouts who think he doesn’t have the chops to man the position for years in the big leagues. Miller’s actions have become more explosive, his footwork has steadied and his arm stroke has improved, leading to more consistent, accurate throws with plenty of zip for shortstop or third base. Now, scouts believe he can handle every type of play a shortstop would be required to make, including slow rollers, grounders deep in the hole and flies to the shallow part of the grass. About the only thing standing in his way is the presence of Phillies megastar Trea Turner. No matter where he winds up, Miller has the offensive chops to profile. He began his 2025 season back at Double-A and struggled early. Evaluators inside and outside the system attributed his slow start to an inordinately high amount of breaking balls thrown his way. Once he adjusted his approach and started letting it rip on fastballs he could handle, his fortunes began to turn. After an excellent May, Miller hit a summer swoon before producing a sweltering August and September that saw him hit .356/.491/.607 with six home runs across 36 games in Double-A and Triple-A. In time, Miller has a chance to be a well-rounded hitter who hits for average, gets on base and produces power in near-equal measure. That prognosis is a departure from his amateur scouting report that predicted power over hitting ability. The improvement stems from an ability to cover the entirety of the plate, handle multiple pitch types and a knack for knowing when to unleash his best swings. Miller is an average runner whose value on the basepaths is boosted by outstanding instincts that allowed him to rack up 59 stolen bases in 2025.
The Future: Miller was slated to get reps at third base in the AFL, and he will likely get experience there during spring training and the regular season in order to clear a path to the big leagues. Once ready, he has the skills to provide the Phillies with value on both sides of the ball.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: Harmon threw the best fastball of any high school righthander in the 2025 draft class and trailed only lefthander Jack Bauer among all prep pitchers. Harmon helped pitch East Union High to a Mississippi 2A state title in 2025, the program’s second in three years. He was committed to Mississippi State before he aligned with the Nationals in the third round and signed for $2.5 million, a bonus akin to a top-40 overall pick.
Scouting Report: Harmon is a projectable 6-foot-5 righthander with long limbs and a high-waisted frame. He is tall, lean and flexible with a loose arm that generates easy velocity. Harmon sits in the mid 90s and has been up to 98 mph with riding life and late cutting action to his glove side. His delivery is clean and repeatable, and he throws strikes from a three-quarters arm slot and slight crossfire landing. Harmon’s fastball has double-plus potential and could top out at 100 mph one day, but his secondary pitches need more work. He throws a low-80s sweeper and a slider in the high 80s, both of which he can locate well for his age. Refining them into above-average pitches will be a key development goal. He occasionally throws a low-80s changeup that will be another point of emphasis. Adding strength to his frame and testing his stuff against professional hitters to see what needs to be tweaked are the next steps.
The Future: High school righthanders are among the most volatile draft commodities. Harmon has a great foundation for the Nationals to build upon, as they did with Travis Sykora from the 2023 draft, but it will be years before the righthander’s full potential comes into focus. The Nationals will likely hold Harmon back in extended spring training, as they did Sykora, before assigning him to the Florida Complex League or Low-A Fredericksburg in 2026.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: The Nationals in recent years have had mixed results in international free agency. They have gotten limited production from Dominican shortstop Armando Cruz and Cuban outfielder Cristhian Vaquero, their top signees in 2021 and 2022, but players from the 2024 and 2025 signing classes offer hope. That includes Feliz, a Dominican shortstop who signed for $1.7 million in 2024. He played well in the Dominican Summer League in his debut, then turned in a fine season in the Florida Complex League in 2025. Feliz finished third in the FCL with 51 hits and seventh with 69 total bases before moving to Low-A Fredericksburg for 31 games to finish his season.
Scouting Report: Feliz is a strong-bodied, 6-foot-3 shortstop who hits the ball hard for a teenager. His tall, rangy frame could add more good weight as he matures, which, combined with his bat speed, gives him a chance to grow into above-average power. He competes in the box with a slightly open stance and tracks pitches well for his age. Feliz hits the ball where it’s pitched on a line but must continue proving himself against velocity, especially on inside pitches. His ability to hit to all fields with authority suggests a future average hit tool or better. Feliz is a well below-average runner who has acceptable range at shortstop as a teenager but could outgrow the position as he matures. His above-average arm would fit at third base if he has to move, and he already has pro experience at second base.
The Future: Feliz can do a little bit of everything, except run, at a young age, but he risks falling into more of a reserve profile unless his power takes a step forward. The Nationals praise his leadership and poise, so they are optimistic that his game will develop.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: James is a veteran of USA Baseball who played for the gold medal-winning 15U National Team in 2022 and for the 2023 18U National Team as an underclassman. As a senior in 2025 he won Gatorade North Carolina player of the year honors by hitting .605 with nine home runs for Davie County High. James had top-three rounds talent in the 2025 draft and wound up signing a bonus commensurate with a top 40 overall pick when the Nationals paid him $2.5 million in the fifth round. He worked out at the organization’s West Palm Beach, Fla., complex after signing but did not get into an official game.
Scouting Report: James makes hitting look easy with a loose, whippy righthanded swing and an ability to find the barrel. He makes a ton of hard, line-drive contact with strong hand-eye coordination and a compact swing. James hits velocity and does a good job using all fields to keep defenses guessing. He should grow into 20-homer power based on his feel to hit and present strength, but he doesn’t have much projection remaining in his 6-foot, 185-pound frame. James has sure hands in the batter’s box and is a reliable shortstop, but he might be stretched to play the position professionally. He’s an average runner with ordinary range in the field and an average arm that could be stretched on the left side of the infield. James’ time at other positions should increase as he moves up the ladder.
The Future: Many scouts see James as a bat-first second or third baseman capable of hitting for average, getting on base and delivering average power. The Nationals will have to find playing time for a cadre of young shortstops in 2026 that also includes Luke Dickerson, Angel Feliz and 2025 first overall pick Eli Willits, so it wouldn’t be surprising if James begins in the Florida Complex League.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: The Nationals bet big on Dickerson in the second round of the 2024 draft, taking the New Jersey prep two-sport athlete—he also starred in hockey—in the second round and going way over slot to sign him for $3.8 million. That was nearly double the slot value for the 44th pick. Dickerson debuted in the Florida Complex League in 2025 but stayed just six games before the Nationals promoted him to Low-A Fredericksburg. He hit well for the first 20 games but his production tapered off and he finished his time in the Carolina League with a .204 average, 25% strikeout rate and five home runs in 83 games.
Scouting Report: The Nationals got an incomplete look at Dickerson in his first full season because he played through a wrist injury. Despite that mitigating factor, he grinded through a full season and showed plus bat speed and aptitude to drive the ball for power to his pull side on occasion. Like many young hitters, Dickerson will need to hone in on his strike zone and make more contact in the zone and avoid chasing out of it. He can get too passive at times. He hits the ball hard enough consistently enough to provide at least average power, while his quality swing decisions should make him an above-average hitter. Dickerson is a solidly-built, 5-foot-11 athlete who moves well on the infield and can convert routine plays at shortstop. He is a plus runner but doesn’t have classic shortstop range, and his arm is borderline for the left side of the infield. Dickerson saw time at second base late in the season, and some scouts have floated center field as a possible destination.
The Future: Scouts who like Dickerson view him as a potential big league second baseman with solid all-around tools with enough hitting ability and power to play regularly.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: The Nationals drafted Bennett out of Oklahoma two years after they chose fellow Sooner Cade Cavalli in the first round. Bennett was a second-round pick in 2022 who got into 15 games in 2023 before missing most of July and September and having Tommy John surgery after the season. Bennett missed all of 2024 and returned to the mound in May 2025, ultimately making 19 appearances spanning 75.1 innings. Most of the innings were compiled for Double-A Harrisburg, and he added more in the Arizona Fall League after the season.
Scouting Report: Bennett is a 6-foot-6 lefthander with a wide assortment of pitches that play up because he gets down the mound with plus extension. While he doesn’t blow batters away with raw velocity, Bennett is around the zone with six different pitches he can use to attack both sides of the plate. His four-seam fastball velocity was a tick higher in 2025 than it had been during his pro debut and averaged 92-93 mph and topped out near 96. His low three-quarters arm slot adds deception. He mixes in sinkers and occasional cutters to vary his fastball looks. Bennett’s carrying secondary pitch is his mid-80s changeup that fades to his arm side and flummoxes minor league righthanded batters, who hit .210 with no home runs against him in 2025. He has good touch on an average low-to-mid-80s slider and high-70s curveball, both of which he can spot for strikes and elicit some chases. He throws breaking pitches only about 20% of the time, opting for more of a fastball/changeup attack. Bennett has plus control of his entire arsenal.
The Future: Given his wide repertoire of quality stuff, lefthandedness and feel for the strike zone, Bennett is a no-doubt starter with a good chance to settle in as a No. 4 type in a rotation.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: King starred at Division II Wingate for two years before the Nationals drafted him 10th overall out of Wake Forest in 2024. In his pro debut, King helped lead Low-A Fredericksburg to the 2024 Carolina League title. He got off to a slow start with High-A Wilmington in 2025 but recovered to reach Double-A Harrisburg on June 3. King showed speed with 30 stolen bases in 125 total games but hit just .244/.294/.337 with six home runs and a 32-to-116 walk-to-strikeout ratio. His bat showed improved life in the Arizona Fall League after the season.
Scouting Report: Despite King’s poor results in his first full season, scouts remain optimistic about his future because of his overall athleticism and twitch, enhanced by his enthusiasm. Early in the season, he appeared to be selling out for power by trying to pull the ball in the air, which spiked his strikeout rate. King reverted to a more dynamic hitting style by putting aggressive swings on pitches in all parts of the zone and hitting to all fields. He maintained strong exit velocities in 2025, even if hits weren’t falling. King has strong bat-to-ball skills but needs to be more selective after an alarming chase rate of 37% in 2025. Some would like to see him move his contact point forward and with a swing coming from a lower slot to avoid excess groundball contact. If he can make things work, King can be a solid-average hitter with fringe power or better. He is a double-plus runner and efficient basestealer. King played more third base and center field at Wake Forest, but he settled in as a reliable everyday shortstop with an above-average arm. He has the athletic ability to adapt at the position and learn its nuances.
The Future: King has interesting tools and the athleticism to stay up the middle. He could be a few tweaks away from realizing his offensive potential and becoming a solid regular.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 70 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: The Guardians drafted Clemmey out of a Rhode Island high school in the second round in 2023, going nearly $1 million over slot to sign him for $2.3 million. Cleveland dealt him to the Nationals at the 2024 trade deadline as part of the package for Lane Thomas. Clemmey logged 116.2 innings in 2025 and led all Nationals minor league pitchers with 136 strikeouts but also 73 walks. He reached Double-A Harrisburg in mid August and saved his best work for last, when he posted a 2.04 ERA with 15 strikeouts and five walks in his final 17.2 innings.
Scouting Report: Clemmey’s exciting stuff gives him the potential to become a top overall lefthanded pitching prospect. It will come down to control, after he walked more than 14% of batters in 2025 to rank 11th worst among minor league pitchers with at least 100 innings. The 6-foot-6, long-limbed Clemmey has worked hard to streamline and repeat his mechanics, and his zone and strike rates on his fastball continue to creep upward. Opposing hitters have a hard time seeing his 93-94 mph four-seam fastball that reaches near 98. His arm slot and low release height make his heater difficult to square up for batters of both hands. He upped his sinker usage in 2025 to introduce a new wrinkle. Scouts would like to see him improve his fastball command to his glove side. Clemmey’s mid-80s slider has plus potential but wasn’t the same type of swing-and-miss weapon as it had been at Low-A in 2024. He threw many more changeups in 2025 to develop the high-80s pitch with above-average potential and good fade.
The Future: Clemmey exudes confidence and is a strong competitor with the athleticism to continue improving his command, which will determine his future role. He has the raw talent to become a No. 3 or 4 starter or potentially a high-leverage relief weapon.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40. -
BA Grade/Risk: 60/Extreme
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Sykora had top-two rounds talent in the 2023 draft coming out of Round Rock High in Texas. When he slipped to the Nationals in round three—but still signed for $2.6 million, or late first-round money—he used the perceived slight as motivation. Sykora unleashed his fury on Carolina League batters in 2024, leading all Low-A pitchers with 129 strikeouts in 85 innings for league-champion Fredericksburg. He had surgery on the labrum in his hip in the offseason and got a late start in 2025. After Sykora missed time with a triceps injury in July while at Double-A Harrisburg, it was later revealed he had a UCL tear in his elbow. Sykora had Tommy John surgery in August.
Scouting Report: Sykora idolizes Texas pitching icon Nolan Ryan, and like The Ryan Express, he uses a power approach consisting mostly of a high-octane fastball and a devastating breaking pitch. Sykora pitches at 95-96 mph with his four-seam fastball and tops out at 99. He compensates for average fastball shape with strong extension and pure velocity. The pitch should continue to play as Sykora recovers from TJ. He improved the horizontal life on his low-80s slider, which gets up near 87 mph, and he threw the pitch for strikes at a high rate. He also threw it more than his fastball in 2025. Sykora’s mid-80s splitter tumbles and fades to his arm side with consistently low spin rates. Sykora needs to tighten up his fastball command to different parts of the zone, but his wandering control is typical for a young power pitcher and will likely improve.
The Future: Given that he had TJ late in the 2025 season, Sykora probably won’t be at full strength again until 2027, when he will still be just 23 years old. His stuff and control make him a candidate to be at least a No. 3 starter.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 60/High
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: The Nationals’ Juan Soto trade with the Padres is the gift that keeps giving. CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore and James Wood are already established in Washington. Susana is next. He ended 2024 on a roll, with a 2.79 ERA and 123 strikeouts in his final 77.1 innings, mostly for High-A Wilmington. Susana opened 2025 at Double-A Harrisburg but never really got going before he lost nearly three months with a sprained elbow. He looked electric upon his return in July but then injured his right lat and had season-ending surgery in September.
Scouting Report: Few pitchers can match the electricity of Susana’s repertoire. He pitches at 99-100 mph with his four seam fastball and tops out near 104. The pitch is delivered at a lower release height, which, coupled with its incredible velocity, compensates for ordinary shape. Susana’s 99 mph two-seamer tops at 102 and has plus horizontal life. It helps him change batters’ eye levels and elicit ground balls. His mid-80s slider has become a devastating pitch as he has harnessed command of it. He manipulates the pitch to produce curveball action at lower speeds and power slider movement up to 91 mph at the other extreme. Susana found a power changeup grip that works in 2025. The pitch has splinker-like action with sink and diving action at 93-94 mph and up to near 97. Susana took major strides with his mental preparation and physical conditioning, and he now throws more quality strikes than ever. He flies open at times and misses east and west, so true command could be elusive.
The Future: The Nationals’ media guide lists Susana at 6-foot-7, 283 pounds, calling to mind a pair of jumbo-sized all-stars: starter Michael Piñeda and closer Felix Bautista. The Nationals will give Susana every chance to start, where his pitch quality could make him a No. 2 or 3 starter. He is expected to be ready to go by midseason at the earliest.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 60/Average
Adjusted Grade: 50
Track Record: Willits was originally slated to graduate from Fort-Cobb Broxton High in 2026, but the Oklahoma prep reclassified to become draft eligible in 2025. Doing so made him one of the youngest players available in his draft class, and when the Nationals selected the shortstop first overall, he became the youngest player ever drafted 1-1 based on baseball age. Willits was 17 years, six months and 21 days old on June 30 of his draft year, younger even than the youngest 17-year-old top overall picks such as Ken Griffey Jr., Bryce Harper and Carlos Correa. Willits is the son of former big leaguer Reggie Willits, a switch-hitting outfielder who played six seasons for the Angels. These days, Reggie serves as associate head coach at Oklahoma, where his oldest son Jaxon is the Sooners’ shortstop. Eli had committed to Oklahoma before he signed for $8.2 million, which was nearly $2.876 million under slot for the No. 1 pick. Willits got the cachet associated with being drafted first overall; Washington freed up bonus pool money to apply toward signing high schoolers Landon Harmon, Miguel Sime Jr. and Coy James in the third, fourth and fifth rounds. Willits signed on July 19 and saw action in 15 games for Low-A Fredericksburg. He hit .300, drew seven walks and stole two bases while handling shortstop in 14 of his appearances.
Scouting Report: Willits is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound switch-hitter with a chance to make an impact in every facet of the game with his hitting, running and fielding ability at shortstop. The hallmarks of his offensive game are his bat-to-ball skills—he struck out just a handful of times as a high school senior—and swing decisions that fuel an above-average hit tool. Willits showed sharp zone-contact skills in his pro debut while recognizing pitches and staying in his strike zone with a low chase rate. He hits all different pitch types, while his balanced, line-drive stroke from both sides of the plate allows him to use all fields. If Willits adds good weight to his frame and develops his lower half, he should improve his below-average exit velocities and find at least average power as he learns to hunt his pitch to inflict damage. He is a plus runner who not only poses a basestealing threat but runs the bases efficiently. Willits’ body control, range and above-average arm stand out in the field, where he is a no-doubt shortstop. He appears to have the “it” factor and the poise necessary to draw in teammates and emerge as a team leader.
The Future: Willits’ well-rounded profile makes him the Nationals’ likely shortstop of the future. That future could arrive as early as at some point during the 2028 season, following two-plus solid development years in the minor leagues. Willits will be just 20 years old in 2028, which, barring an extension, will also be the final season of club control for shortstop CJ Abrams in Washington.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power; 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: The Braves have not received great returns from the international market in years, but Tornes, the team’s $2.5 million Cuban headliner from the 2025 class, has the potential to change that. The physical switch-hitter was lauded for his offensive prowess before signing and then ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Dominican Summer League in 2025.
Scouting Report: Officially listed at 6-foot-2, 178 pounds, Tornes is both young for the class and more physically developed than his peers. He has a strong, athletic build that still has more strength potential, with clean hitting mechanics from both sides of the plate to go with excellent bat speed. While some scouts described Tornes as an aggressive, free swinger in his debut, he showed an impressive blend of hitting ability and power with a knack for making adjustments and covering the entire zone. While he didn’t hit a single home run, his exit velocity data is tremendous. His 105.4 mph 90th percentile exit velocity was fifth among Braves prospects with at least 100 plate appearances, and the best mark of any hitter younger than 22 years old. Tornes has turned in plus run times and impressed internal and external scouts with his defensive instincts and athleticism in center field. There’s a split camp on whether he’s destined for a corner or will continue to move well enough to stay in center, but his defensive progress is already better than it was billed. His arm might be his loudest individual tool, with both excellent strength and accuracy on his throws.
The Future: Tornes’ collection of physical tools gives him more upside than any hitter in the system, but he’s years away from the majors with plenty of refinement still needed. He should make his stateside debut in 2026 in what will be his age-17 season.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60 -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: The Braves took a shot on Sinnard’s upside with a $735,300 deal in the third round out of Indiana even after he missed his 2024 draft year with Tommy John surgery. He then dealt with a nerve issue after his surgery but made his pro debut in 2025. Sinnard split time between Low-A Augusta and High-A Rome, posting a 2.86 ERA over 16 starts and 72.1 innings with a 28.3% strikeout rate. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League after the season.
Scouting Report: Sinnard has an extra-large frame at 6-foot-8, 250 pounds with plenty of strength and broad, coat-hanger shoulders. He primarily works with a three-pitch mix that includes a fastball, slider and splitter. Sinnard’s fastball averaged 93-94 mph and touched 97. It’s a steep pitch that comes from a higher slot, with solid riding life, but because of his steep approach and release height the Braves worked with him to add a two-seam variant. Both Sinnard’s slider and splitter were effective swing-and-miss pitches against Class A hitters. Sinnard’s slider is an upper-80s breaking ball with short, biting action. His splitter is an 80-85 mph pitch with spin rates around 800-900 rpm with solid depth. He uses the slider at a heavy clip versus righties and breaks out the splitter more often against lefties. He also has a rarely used low-80s curveball. The Braves were impressed with the control and command Sinnard showed throughout the season. He tends to attack the zone more than the team would like him to in pitcher’s counts, and he might have more strikeout potential if he gets more aggressive and uses his secondaries with the intent to be chase pitches below the zone.
The Future: Sinnard now needs to show he can miss bats at more age-appropriate levels. He has backend rotation upside and enough pure stuff to carve out a reliever role if necessary.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Baumann signed an over-slot $747,500 deal as a fourth-round pick in 2023 and has been an imposing workhorse since. After a rock-solid first full season with Low-A Augusta in 2024, Baumann replicated his efforts in 2025 with High-A Rome. He posted a 3.40 ERA over 23 starts and 113.2 innings with a 22.5% strikeout rate and 6.4% walk rate.
Scouting Report: Baumann has been a monstrous, physical presence since his prep days. He stands 6-foot-8, 245 pounds and attacks hitters from a high release point with a delivery that is surprisingly coordinated and synced up for a 20-year-old pitcher of his size. He added more than a tick of velocity to his fastball this year and now averages 95 mph and will touch 99. His four-seam is a steep offering that doesn’t generate a ton of whiffs. As a remedy, he began incorporating a two-seamer that would play off his release height and potentially be a weapon at the bottom of the zone. Baumann’s ability to throw his fastball for strikes has been an asset for multiple years now—he’s thrown it for strikes more than 70% of the time in 2024 and 2025—but there are questions about his secondary pitches. He throws a mid-80s slider with some sweep, a low-80s curveball with more depth and an 86-90 mph splitter. All his secondaries earn fringy reviews and leave him without a reliable swing-and-miss pitch to put hitters away. The splitter could be his best bet, though Baumann might also try to add a harder, tighter gyro slider or a cutter in 2026.
The Future: Baumann’s fastball velocity and command remain strengths, but his secondaries could limit him to a back-end starter or reliever role without improvement. He should begin to face upper-minors competition in 2026.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Mild
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Braun has been a reliable starter and strike-thrower for the Braves since he signed as a sixth-rounder out of Cal State Northridge for $347,500 in 2023. In each of the last two seasons he eclipsed the 140-inning mark, and in 2025 he posted a 3.67 ERA in 26 starts and 149.2 innings between Double-A Columbus and Triple-A Gwinnett. Braun’s 145 strikeouts were the most in Atlanta’s system.
Scouting Report: Braun is a 6-foot, 185-pound righthander who works out of the stretch and sets up on the third base side of the rubber. He continued to add more pitches to his arsenal in 2025 and now has six distinct offerings. Braun’s four-seam fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 95, but he also worked in a two-seam fastball much more frequently compared to the 2024 season. His go-to pitch at this point is a mid-80s sweeping slider, which gets heavy usage and is his most consistent swing-and-miss offering. Braun has also worked to implement an 87-91 mph cutter and continues to throw a softer, downer curveball at 78-82 mph and an upper-80s changeup with increased usage versus lefties. Nothing Braun throws is plus. Instead, he relies on his advanced control and command—the best in the system—and an ability to mix and match. Braun’s fastball command has always been a strength, and his career 6.7% walk rate points to above-average control.
The Future: The Braves are hoping there’s a bit more velocity to be found with Braun that could unlock a bit more upside. An optimistic outlook could be a Chris Bassitt-like pitcher who finds success with below-average velocity by throwing the kitchen sink with good control. Braun should be ready to help the major league team in 2026, which will be his 40-man roster evaluation season.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 45 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Lodise was one of the best players in college baseball in 2025, when he was the Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year after hitting .394/.462/.705 with 17 home runs and 18 doubles for Florida State. He ranked as the No. 26 prospect in the class but fell to the second round, where the Braves signed him to a $1,297,500 bonus. Lodise played 25 games with High-A Rome after signing and hit .252/.294/.398 with a 38.5% strikeout rate and 4.6% walk rate.
Scouting Report: Listed at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Lodise is a strong and physical athlete who packs a punch at the plate and likes to swing the bat—a lot. He’s an aggressive hitter who swung 53% of the time in his three-year college career and then 54% of the time in his pro debut. That aggression leads to lots of chases as well. Lodise will need to become more selective, and the Braves are also hoping a few mechanical tweaks will help him make contact more in different parts of the zone. Without improving in this area, Lodise could be a streaky hitter who doesn’t walk much—he had a sub 10% walk rate in college—and is reliant on how often he can turn on the ball for extra-base damage. He’s a solid runner and potentially underrated defender at shortstop. He has better lateral range than his speed might indicate and has a plus arm that helps him make difficult plays from deep positions in the hole. He also has solid arm versatility and is comfortable throwing on the run and from different slots.
The Future: Lodise has everyday upside as a pull-side power hitter with the defensive chops to stick at shortstop. Whether he gets to that upside depends heavily on the progress he can make with his approach and contact.
Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Murphy starred as a two-way player at his suburban Chicago high school as a shortstop/righthander. He signed for $2,556,900 as Atlanta’s first-round pick in 2022 and has pitched well whenever he’s been on the mound. A Tommy John surgery cut short a potential breakout season in 2024, but Murphy returned to the mound in late July 2025 and continued posting. He had a 1.19 ERA in 30.1 innings between Rookie ball and Low-A with a 25.5 K-BB% that was second-best in the Braves’ system among pitchers with at least 30 innings.
Scouting Report: Murphy is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound righthander who works with a clean delivery and three-quarters slot. He primarily works with a three-pitch mix led by a 90-92 mph fastball. His four-seam fastball was down about a half tick of velocity in 2025, and he averaged just under 91 mph while touching 94. The pitch is light on power but has always played up thanks to tremendous riding life and a flat approach angle. The shape of Murphy’s fastball could allow it to be effective in the majors even with below-average power, though adding more velocity remains a crucial goal. Murphy throws a mid-80s slider that lacks depth but has solid gloveside action, as well as a downer curveball in the mid 70s. The Braves were happy with his slider progress, and he threw the pitch more frequently compared to 2024. Murphy is also experimenting with a kick changeup, but he’s yet to fully break the pitch out in games. He’s an above-average athlete and average strike-thrower and who has always done a nice job attacking the top of the zone with his fastball.
The Future: Murphy’s post-surgery 2025 season was a success. Now he needs to find a way to add more power to his mix and show he can miss bats in the upper minors. He has back-end starter upside.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Control: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: McKenzie ranked as the No. 46 prospect in the 2025 draft and signed an over-slot deal with the Braves for $2,997,500 in the fourth round—the largest bonus in Atlanta’s class. McKenzie was an up-arrow prospect early in the spring with his Corinth Holders High team in North Carolina. He showed improved fastball velocity and a refined changeup, but his velocity was more inconsistent closer to the draft. He threw at instructional league but not in official games after signing.
Scouting Report: McKenzie is a lanky 6-foot-2, 190-pound lefthander with a smooth delivery that features a lengthy arm action and a cross-body finish. He’s been up to 95 mph with his fastball—and touched 94 mph in instructs—but his average velocity comes and goes and can sit in the low 90s or upper 80s depending on the start. He has great aptitude to spin a breaking pitch with huge spin rates. McKenzie’s curveball sits 75-79 mph and routinely gets into the 3,000 rpm range with great depth and biting action at its best. It would be unsurprising if he developed that breaking ball into more of a classic sweeper slider as he adds more strength and power. The development of his mid-80s changeup this spring was key in pushing him up draft boards, and was a pitch Braves officials were enamored of after signing him. He uses a circle change grip that he holds deep in his hand and generates hellacious depth at its best. It has high-end bat-missing potential as he learns to land it with more consistency. McKenzie has been a solid strike-thrower, but the length of his arm action could inhibit his command.
The Future: McKenzie is slated to pitch at Low-A Augusta in 2026. He has the tools to become a solid No. 3 or 4 starter but has a long way to go. His workmanlike makeup and coachable mindset are assets.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: Ritchie signed with the Braves for $2.4 million as the 35th overall pick in the 2022 draft as a cerebral three-pitch righty with polish beyond his years. He dealt with Tommy John surgery and recovery in 2023 and 2024 but had a strong 2025 season. Ritchie threw 140 innings—a top 15 mark among minor league pitchers—across three levels and posted a 2.64 ERA and 24.8% strikeout rate. He started the Futures Game at Truist Park and was the Braves’ 2025 minor league player of the year.
Scouting Report: Ritchie continues to stand out for his advanced feel to pitch, but his arsenal today looks nothing like it did when he was drafted. Previously a fastball/slider/changeup pitcher, Ritchie now throws seven unique pitches and has an uncanny ability to separate them and manipulate his arsenal seemingly overnight. Ritchie averaged 93.5 mph with his four-seam fastball and touched 96-97. He also throws a two-seam fastball with similar power, an upper-80s changeup, a low-80s curveball, a mid-80s gyro slider, a sweeper that’s a tick or two softer and a cutter around 90 mph that pushes 92. Ritchie is comfortable landing his entire mix. While that could be enough to keep hitters off-balance, he lacks a true wipeout offering. In the past, his gyro slider was a swing-and-miss pitch, but it backed up in 2025 to the point where Ritchie threw it less in the second half of the season. Rediscovering that breaking ball or adding more velocity—perhaps by doing a better job sitting into his back leg in his delivery—could help him find another gear.
The Future: Ritchie is nearing his big league debut and has the tools to be a solid No. 4 starter. He could get an MLB opportunity in 2026.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 50 | Sweeper: 50 | Control: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Fuentes signed with the Braves out of Colombia in 2022 without much fanfare, but he elevated his stock as a pro thanks to a strong combination of strikes and fastball life. He pitched effectively at three minor league levels in his age-20 season in 2025, but struggled with fastball location and home runs in his first four major league starts in June and July.
Scouting Report: Fuentes has a solid frame with more physicality than his official 6-foot, 170-pound frame indicates. He attacks hitters from a low release point and does a nice job getting off the rubber with above-average extension—which helps him throw one of the flattest fastballs in the game. Fuentes added nearly a tick and a half to his fastball velocity and averaged 94.7 mph while touching 98-99. The pitch has both power and life that makes it a swing-and-miss heater at its best, but its shape is reliant on him pounding the upper third of the strike zone and above. Fuentes’ brief major league stint showed what could happen to his fastball when he put it in the heart of the zone too often—namely, an .886 opponent slugging percentage and six home runs allowed in just 13 innings. Sharpening his fastball command will be important, as will developing secondaries to keep hitters from sitting on his fastball. Fuentes has toyed with both a sweeper and gyro slider, as well as an 80-83 mph curveball with more depth and an upper-80s splitter. He has a strong track record as an above-average strike-thrower, though his command is not yet at that level.
The Future: In 2026, Fuentes will pitch as a 21-year-old who has outlier fastball traits and a solid control foundation. His future role will depend on his secondary development and fastball command.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 60/High
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: Caminiti was the top-ranked high school pitcher in the 2024 class and signed with the Braves for $3,553,800 as the organization’s first pick at No. 24 overall. A former two-way player with impressive raw power in high school, Caminiti is now a full-time pitcher and turned in an electric 2025 campaign, primarily with Low-A Augusta. He missed two months of the season with forearm tendinitis. He got on the mound in May, threw a handful of tuneup games in the Florida Complex League, then posted a 2.08 ERA and 31.9% strikeout rate in 56.1 innings and 13 starts with Augusta. Among minor league pitchers who were 18 or younger with at least 50 innings, Caminiti ranked third with 90 strikeouts and fourth in strikeout rate. He’s a cousin of the late Ken Caminiti.
Scouting Report: Caminiti has a lean and athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds. He creates a tough angle for hitters by working from the first base side of the rubber and throwing across his body with a low release height. Caminiti lowered his arm slot in 2025 and simultaneously added a bit of extension, which helped his four-seam fastball play better at the top of the zone. He went from a two-seam grip in high school to a four-seam grip with the Braves, and in 2025 averaged 93-94 mph and touched 97. The flat nature of the pitch combined with its power should allow it to be at least a plus offering, and he did an excellent job using it to attack the strike zone and get ahead in counts. While the fastball is the centerpiece of Caminiti’s arsenal, he has flashed exciting secondaries as well. He got plenty of whiffs on both his slider and changeup against Low-A hitters in 2025. He throws a low-80s, sweeping slider as his go-to secondary pitch. It grades well analytically and can be a nightmare for lefthanded hitters, but it needs more consistency. The Braves are hoping he can add a harder and shorter breaking ball, such as a gyro slider, in the future. Caminiti started throwing a kick changeup in 2025. The pitch sits in the 85-88 mph range with solid armside life and occasional splitter-like depth at its best. It was a reliable miss and chase offering at the lower levels, but it remains a work in progress that Caminiti will need to locate more consistently after he threw it for strikes less than half the time in 2025.
The Future: Caminiti is the highest-upside arm in Atlanta’s system and has the stuff to become a solid No. 3-type starter who pitches a shade better than that on his best days. Those most excited about Caminiti’s future could envision a Chris Sale-esque low-slot lefty who dominates with a fastball and slider. While his upside is tantalizing, Caminiti still has a long way to go. After dominating Low-A, he should be ready to start the 2026 season with High-A Rome, where adding command and consistency to his secondaries and potentially deepening his arsenal will be developmental keys.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: Caba signed with the Phillies for the top bonus in their 2023 international class and impressed in his debut, which was cut short by a left elbow injury. He returned in 2024 with no lingering effects, earning the No. 1 spot on the Florida Complex League prospects ranking before a late-season promotion to Low-A Clearwater, where he played 26 games. The Marlins acquired Caba from Philadelphia in a December 2024 trade for Jesus Luzardo. In 2025, he appeared in 51 games for Low-A Jupiter, hitting .222/.335/.278 with one home run. He missed two months after spraining his left thumb while sliding into second base.
Scouting Report: Caba hasn’t yet replicated the offensive success of his 2024 stateside debut in the FCL. He has struggled to find consistent impact in Class A with two organizations. He hits from both sides of the plate with a flat, contact-oriented swing and lacks the strength to produce more than modest exit velocities. Though his batting line hasn’t reflected it, Caba shows patience and rarely chases. Evaluators believe that even modest offensive improvement could carry him through the system because of his elite defense. A fluid, instinctive shortstop with an above-average arm, Caba’s twitch and body control allow him to make rangy plays to either side look routine. A plus runner, he stole 50 bases in 79 games in 2024 but just 14 in 51 games in 2025. He capped his season in the Arizona Fall League.
The Future: Caba will be just 20 years old entering his fourth professional season. The athletic middle infielder will need to show real offensive progress to unlock his full potential. If his bat develops, he projects as a top-of-the-order catalyst with Gold Glove-caliber defense at a premium position. If it doesn’t, his glove alone may not be enough to lift him beyond a replacement-level profile.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 35 | Run: 60 | Field: 70 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Compton made an immediate splash as a freshman at Arizona State in 2024, hitting .355/.427/.661 with 14 home runs and 16 doubles to earn Pac-12 freshman of the year honors. He carried that momentum into a strong summer with Cotuit in the Cape Cod League and entered his 2025 draft-eligible season with high expectations. Though he regressed slightly, Compton still produced a solid .278/.383/.498 line with nine home runs and 19 doubles while upping his walk rate from 10.8% to 15.3%. The Marlins drafted him in the second round and signed him for $2 million, which was slightly under slot value. Compton hit .217/.354/.359 with two home runs, a 32.7% strikeout rate and 16.8% walk rate in his first taste of pro ball with High-A Beloit.
Scouting Report: Compton packs considerable strength and power into his barrel-chested 6-foot-1, 225-pound frame. He generates easy plus raw power with a short, compact lefthanded swing that produces 90th percentile exit velocities around 110 mph. While power is his calling card, his approach remains volatile. After a strong start to 2025, his discipline regressed, as he expanded the zone too often and swung through quality velocity. He hit just .139 against fastballs at 93 mph or higher. He’ll need to refine his pitch recognition and contact skills, particularly against spin. Compton does show some on-base ability with a 13.2% career walk rate as an amateur, but there’s pressure on his bat given his likely future in left field, where he profiles as an average runner and a fringy thrower and defender.
The Future: The Marlins bet on Compton’s power when they selected him in the second round. For him to meet those expectations, continued refinement of his approach will be key. He’s expected to begin that process back at High-A Beloit in 2026.
Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: A two-sport star at Liberty High and Missouri’s 2022 Gatorade player of the year, Milbrandt was drafted by the Marlins in the third round in 2022 and signed for an over-slot $1.5 million. After posting a 5.09 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 97.1 innings between Low-A Jupiter and High-A Beloit in 2023, he took a step forward with a 4.33 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 97.2 innings the following year. His 2025 campaign was his best yet: a 3.00 ERA with 113 strikeouts, 48 walks over 90 innings and a late-season promotion to Double-A Pensacola.
Scouting Report: At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Milbrandt boasts an athletic frame, low-effort delivery and plus arm speed. Prior to the 2025 season, he added roughly 20 pounds of healthy weight to better harness his mechanics and address control issues that plagued his first two pro seasons. Working from a mid-three-quarters arm slot, he sits 94-96 mph with his fastball, touches 98 and is most effective when elevating it for swings and misses. He leaned more heavily on his slider in 2025—up to about 30% usage—and the mid-to-high-80s pitch produced a 33% miss rate and 43% chase rate with sharp two-plane break. He also mixes in a tight low-80s curveball with strong vertical depth that misses bats at a 46% clip and elicits chases 36% of the time, while also showing a high-80s cutter that evaluators believe could become a plus pitch after it generated a 40% whiff rate in 2025.
The Future: The Marlins get one more season to evaluate Milbrandt for the 40-man roster. That provides time to continue developing him deliberately while refining his mechanics and tightening his command. He has the pure stuff to project as a back-end starter, but improved strike-throwing will be essential to keep him from shifting to the bullpen.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 60 | Control: 40. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Cannarella burst onto the scene as the 2023 ACC freshman of the year after hitting .388 with 24 stolen bases at Clemson. He followed with another standout campaign in 2024, increasing his home run total from seven to 11 despite playing through a shoulder injury that limited his running game and ability to throw. After having labrum surgery before the 2025 season, Cannarella returned to form as a junior. He cemented his offensive reputation as a career .360/.453/.551 hitter, and the Marlins drafted him 43rd overall and signed him for a slightly over-slot bonus of $2,277,425. He batted .284/.337/.375 with six doubles in 22 games during his pro debut with High-A Beloit.
Scouting Report: A wiry 6-foot center fielder, Cannarella stands out for his exceptional athleticism, defense and pure hitting ability. The lefthanded batter hits from an open stance with a somewhat busy hand load, but he consistently makes quality swing decisions and above-average contact to produce sharp line drives to all fields. Offensively, he’s a clear hit-over-power player—he hit just three home runs as a junior and is unlikely to exceed double digits in pro ball—but his advanced barrel control and feel for the zone give him a realistic chance to remain a .300 hitter. Cannarella’s calling card is his defense. His plus speed and outstanding instincts make him a natural in center field, where he routinely tracks down balls in the gaps and makes highlight-reel plays. His arm strength remains a concern. It was below-average even before his labrum injury and has since regressed further.
The Future: Cannarella’s near-elite center field defense and above-average hit tool make him worth the gamble even if his arm strength never fully returns. He’s expected to open 2026 back at High-A Beloit.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Field: 70 Arm: 30. -
BA Grade/Risk: 60/Extreme
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: The Marlins were enamored of Defrank’s blend of raw stuff and athleticism when they signed him out of the Dominican Republic in 2025. They signed him for $560,000, handing him the fourth-largest bonus given to a pitcher in that international signing class. He quickly validated the investment, posting a 3.19 ERA with 34 strikeouts to 10 walks over 31 innings in the Dominican Summer League. He was 16 years old for most of the season.
Scouting Report: Defrank stands out before even taking the mound. He boasts a listed 6-foot-5, 235-pound frame that’s unusually thick and muscular for a teenager. The Marlins were first drawn to his exceptional arm speed and athleticism, traits that allowed him to reach the mid 90s at signing and sit in the upper 90s now while occasionally touching triple digits. His fastball features both run and ride. It’s still a bit raw in shape but already overpowering for his age. He complements it with a plus changeup showing heavy sink and fade, along with a sweeping slider that many evaluators project as a future plus pitch. Defrank uses a high leg kick and a fluid three-quarters release that accentuates his arm speed. His physicality is an asset, but maintaining it will be crucial, because avoiding bad weight as he matures will be key to preserving his velocity and smooth delivery. Right now, he shows a standout combination of flexibility and power that allows him to get his body into ideal positions as he moves down the mound.
The Future: Having turned 17 in August, Defrank could return to the DSL in 2026, with a U.S. debut later in the year well within reach. If he can maintain his athleticism and continue refining his delivery, he has the ingredients of a future frontline starter—though he remains several developmental steps away from realizing that potential.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Sweeper: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Alderman was one of the most visible successes under the Marlins’ revamped player development efforts, which emphasized simplified communication to help hitters focus on three key pillars: swing decisions, contact rate and quality of contact. After hitting eight home runs with a .242 average in 2024, Alderman broke out in 2025, slugging 22 homers with 22 steals and a .285/.338/.482 line across 110 games at Double-A Pensacola and 20 at Triple-A Jacksonville. The performance marked not just a surge in output, but proof of concept for Miami’s developmental overhaul.
Scouting Report: Alderman is a stocky righthanded hitter with massive power—a defining trait that’s endured even after trimming 20 pounds since being drafted. He’s worked diligently to streamline his swing, quieting his mechanics and maintaining a tighter path than most hitters with his power profile. Despite that progress, chase tendencies remain. He swung at pitches out of the zone 30% of the time in 2025, showing improved restraint against high velocity but continued vulnerability to spin. Even so, Alderman’s overall approach improved markedly, as he attacked strikes aggressively and limited mistakes. Whether his bat-to-ball skills hold up against major league pitching will be his key test. Defensively, Alderman projects as a corner outfielder with a plus arm that once produced mid-90s velocity off the mound in his amateur days. He’s a solid runner underway, though he’s still refining his timing on the bases.
The Future: Alderman’s power surge in 2025 vaulted him into near-big league readiness and solidified his status as a bat-first corner outfielder with a power-over-hit profile. His defense has improved, but his impact will come at the plate. A strong spring could earn him a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 60/Average
Adjusted Grade: 50
Track Record: Arquette broke out in 2024 at Washington, where he hit .325/.384/.574 with 12 home runs. He then transferred to Oregon State in 2025, shifted from second base to shortstop and elevated his game further by slashing .354/.461/.654 with 19 home runs. The Marlins drafted him seventh overall and signed him for a slot value bonus of $7,149,900.
Scouting Report: At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Arquette looks the part of a modern slugger. His free and easy righthanded swing generates above-average bat speed and plus raw power, allowing him to drive the ball to all fields while punishing mistakes to his pull side. Though swing-and-miss and chase tendencies have accompanied that pop, he refined his approach in 2025, showing improved plate discipline and producing a thunderous 93.5 mph average exit velocity with a 59% hard-hit rate. At times, he over-corrected—his 60% zone-swing rate reflected a bit of hesitation—but the overall approach was more measured and mature. Arquette moves well for his size, grading as an average runner once underway. He’s never been a true basestealing threat, yet he matched his college high with seven steals in 27 games at High-A Beloit to align with the Marlins’ emphasis on basepath aggression. Defensively, he’s shown enough fluidity and arm strength to stick at shortstop, with above-average instincts, reliable hands and a plus, accurate arm from a lower slot. His physicality and offensive profile could ultimately fit at third base if a move becomes necessary.
The Future: Arquette’s combination of body control and powerful frame made him one of few sure-thing middle infielders in a 2025 draft class thin on them. He has the bat, arm strength and internal clock to remain at a premium position and should at least reach the upper minors in 2026.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: After an injury-shortened first full pro season in 2022 and a relatively poor 2023 campaign, Mack finally broke through in 2024, launching 24 home runs and lighting up the Midwest League on his way to Double-A Pensacola and Top 100 Prospects status. His ascent continued in 2025. It took just 13 strong games in Double-A to earn a promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville, where he hit .250/.320/.459 with 18 home runs, 18 doubles and a 90 mph average exit velocity over 99 games.
Scouting Report: Mack features a distinctive look in the box. The lefthanded batter stands tall with a high handset and compact load. Earlier in his career, he used a leg kick for timing and rhythm, but he pared it down in 2025. His quick bat and strong forearms help him generate above-average raw power that plays in games despite a modest hit tool. Mack’s pitch recognition and discipline are roughly average—he swung and missed in the zone 25% of the time and chased 28%—but when he connects, the contact is loud, producing high-end exit velocities to his pull side. A below-average runner overall, he moves fluidly for his size and position with a smooth gait and better-than-expected agility. Behind the plate, he’s an above-average receiver who presents pitches quietly and earns strikes on the edges, aided by near plus mobility and soft hands. His plus arm controls the run game. He threw out 32% of basestealers in 2025.
The Future: Mack’s blend of defense, power and a refined approach makes him one of the top catching prospects in the upper minors. The Marlins are expected to add Mack to the 40-man roster this offseason to shield him from the Rule 5 draft. He will likely begin 2026 at Triple-A as the Marlins find playing time for him along with big league catchers Agustin Ramirez and Liam Hicks.
Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Ryn: 40 | Field: 60 | Arm: 65. -
BA Grade/Risk: 70/High
Adjusted Grade: 55
Track Record: The top high school lefthander in the 2023 draft class, White signed with the Marlins for a well over-slot $4.1 million as the 35th overall pick. He wasted no time making an impact in his first full pro season, striking out nearly 30% of hitters with a 2.81 ERA across two Class A levels in 2024. He remained on his meteoric trajectory in 2025 with a 2.31 ERA and dominant 38.6% strikeout rate while advancing from High-A Beloit to Triple-A Jacksonville. Control remains White’s lone blemish. His walk rate climbed from 9.2% in 2024 to 13.6% in 2025, and he has said he plans to overhaul his delivery ahead of his fourth professional season.
Scouting Report: White has begun to grow into his long-levered 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame. He’s added roughly 10 pounds since 2024, with even more physicality likely to come. The added strength has only sharpened his already electric arsenal. Working from a compact arm stroke that stays hidden until the last instant, he fires from a high-three-quarters arm slot and unleashes a fastball that sits 94-96 mph, touches 99 and carries late life through the zone. The pitch rides up on hitters with both vertical carry and subtle armside run—a combination that produced a 34% miss rate and swing-and-miss utility against both righthanded and lefthanded bats. His best weapon is a sweeping low-to-mid-80s slider that tunnels perfectly off his heater. It misses bats at a premium clip—50% miss rate, 31% chase rate in 2025—and can both back-foot righties and dart away from lefties. His mid-80s changeup took a leap forward in 2025, showing fade and late tumble, and it was particularly effective against righthanders, who struggle to pick it up before it dives below the barrel. White ranked third among minor leaguers with at least 80 innings in strikeout rate in 2025, and all three of his pitches are legitimate putaway options. The question, as it often is with young power arms, is control. White is unlikely to ever be a precise, paint-the-black type. For now, his focus is simply filling the zone consistently. His walk rate climbed in 2025, a sign of either chasing whiffs off the plate or losing rhythm in his delivery. That inconsistency can lead to inefficiency, which was frequently evident, as he pitched into the sixth inning just twice in 2025. Yet, even when laboring, White competes and tends to tighten his execution when traffic builds.
The Future: White’s raw stuff is already among the most advanced in the minors and is only getting better, giving him all the ingredients of a frontline starter. If he can refine his delivery and strike-throwing, he has the makings of a potential ace. White reached Triple-A as a 20-year-old in 2025 and should reach the majors in 2026.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Sweeper: 70 | Changeup: 65 | Control: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 60/Average
Adjusted Grade: 50
Track Record: A standout two-sport athlete in high school, Snelling chose baseball over football after signing with the Padres for $3 million—$1 million over slot—as a supplemental first-round pick. He dominated his first full season in 2023 with a 1.82 ERA, rising to Double-A and earning Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors. But a rocky 2024 followed. Snelling’s command and sharpness faded en route to a 6.01 ERA in 16 starts before he was traded to the Marlins. He rebounded in 2025, ranking fourth in the minors with 166 strikeouts, fifth with a 2.51 ERA and excelling at Triple-A Jacksonville with a 1.27 ERA and 81 strikeouts to 17 walks over 63.2 innings.
Scouting Report: Snelling’s 2024 struggles stemmed from erratic command, a passive approach and a velocity dip that left him sitting 91-93 mph and topping out at 95. His 2025 rebound began with regained power and subtle tweaks to his delivery, which is now more upright and repeatable and helped restore his reputation as an advanced strike-thrower. From a high three-quarters slot, he averaged 94.5 mph and touched 99 with a relatively flat approach angle to produce a 30% miss rate and 31% chase rate on fastballs—including 37% and 40%, respectively, at Triple-A. He also leaned more on a sharp, two-plane low-80s curveball now viewed as plus, reshaped his slider into a tighter gyro look and turned his firm, high-80s changeup into a reliable chase weapon against righthanded hitters. The improved mechanics yielded a career-best 7.1% walk rate alongside a 30.3% strikeout rate.
The Future: After quelling many of the doubts raised by his uneven 2024, Snelling now straddles the line between a No. 2 and No. 3 starter who could break camp with the Marlins in 2026. If he begins in Triple-A, his major league debut shouldn’t be too far down the road.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High.
Track Record: The Nationals signed Romero out of Colombia in 2021. The righty started in the Dominican Summer League before making his way stateside for five games in 2022 in the Florida Complex League. Romero sat out the entire 2023 after having elbow surgery in November 2022. Fully recovered, he began the 2024 season back in the FCL before earning a promotion to Fredericksburg. He made seven regular season starts for the FredNats, owning a 5.52 ERA. Romero made one postseason start on the club’s path to a Carolina League championship.
Scouting Report: Romero’s sinker is easily a future plus pitch. It was up to 96 mph with heavy sink rather than armside movement in 2024. Scouts noted that he threw the pitch with ease. He is still very raw in his delivery, but this pitch could be his not-so-secret weapon as a reliever. He also throws an average changeup that sits in the mid 80s. Romero’s slider is a work in progress, but he did throw it 10% of the time. Developing that pitch is his second biggest goal. First on the agenda is adding more strikeouts. Romero had 52 strikeouts in 68.2 innings, including a rate of just 10% at Low-A.
The Future: Romero impressed in 2024 with his sinker. Now, he will need to improve his bat-missing rate as he faces better competition. He should begin 2025 with Low-A Fredericksburg.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 35 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 40. -
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High.
Track Record: The Nationals drafted Lord in the 18th round in 2022 and signed him for $125,000. The righty was solid in 2023, splitting his time between the Class A levels. His pitching coach in Low-A Fredericksburg—who turned out to be a distant cousin—helped him make some mechanical adjustments that improved his stuff overall. It really worked because 2024 was a breakout season for Lord. He jumped three levels, reaching Triple-A by the end of June. Lord was awarded the Nationals Way Award, which is given to a player who demonstrates work ethic, leadership and determination.
Scouting Report: Lord relies heavily on his sinker, which sits 93 mph and topped out at 96. The pitch averages 16 inches of horizontal break, making it an especially effective pitch in on the hands of righthanded batters. Lord rarely used his four-seam fastball in 2024 as he grew more comfortable with his changeup and mid-80s slider. Heading into 2025, Lord is working to sharpen and get more depth out of his changeup.
The Future: Expect Lord to make his MLB debut in 2025. He is one of the best pitching development stories to come out of the farm system in a while, which will be a huge win for the organization once he is playing at Nationals Park.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme.
Track Record: Vaquero signed with the Nationals for $4.925 million out of Cuba in 2021. He was one of the most touted international free agents the organization had signed. At the time, they noted his talent and maturity were well beyond his 17 years. Vaquero made his U.S. debut in 2023 in the Florida Complex League, where he hit .279/.410/.393. Promoted to Low-A Fredericksburg to end the season, he hit for average but struggled to hit for much power. The 2024 season was a massive struggle for Vaquero. He slashed .190/.291/.303 with 137 strikeouts for Fredericksburg. In the Carolina League championship series, he hurt his right shoulder sliding back into first base on a pickoff attempt.
Scouting Report: The Nationals knew that Vaquero has a reputation for being aggressive at the plate. That continued in 2024 as he owned the fourth-most strikeouts in the farm system. When he did get on base, Vaquero was able to show off his plus run tool by stealing 29 bases in 35 tries. He divided time in the outfield, playing all three spots. He can be perhaps average in center field but has the arm for right.
The Future: Still just 20 years old, Vaquero has time to develop. However, the Nationals have plenty of talent in the outfield. Vaquero will need to prove that he can scale back his strikeouts while adding power. His shoulder injury also could affect his availability early in the 2025 season.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 30 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High.
Track Record: Nunez was considered the best high school defender in the 2019 draft. The Marlins drafted him 46th overall and signed him for an over-slot $2.2 million. Nunez represented the Marlins in the 2023 Futures Game and took home MVP honors for the game. However, he was left off the organization’s 40-man roster and was selected by the Nationals in the 2023 Rule 5 draft. Nunez spent the entire 2024 season on the Nationals’ big league roster, so now Washington controls his rights, including the right to option him to Triple-A in 2025. Nunez totaled just 61 at-bats in 51 MLB games. But for the final two weeks of the season, he served as the Nationals’ starting shortstop because the organization optioned CJ Abrams after he was spotted staying out at a Chicago casino until 8 a.m. on a game day.
Scouting Report: Nunez has a good feel for the strike zone and plus bat-to-ball skills. After the 2024 season, the switch-hitter worked to be shorter to the ball and to maximize his barrel time in the zone. He’s also working to control his head during his swing. Where Nunez shines is at shortstop. He is an outstanding defender and a double-plus runner. In his limited time on base in MLB, he managed to steal eight bases in 10 attempts. He posted nearly elite Statcast sprint speeds of 29.5 feet per second.
The Future: The Nationals have their franchise shortstop in CJ Abrams—assuming the late-season issue is addressed. Nunez doesn’t have the hit tool or power to be a mainstay in a lineup, which is a shame given how strong he is defensively and on the bases.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 70 | Field: 70 | Arm: 70. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme.
Track Record: Hernandez was viewed as one of the better hitting catchers in the 2025 international class.
Scouting Report: Hernandez has a solid track record of hitting against quality pitching in workouts. He has a loose and easy lefthanded swing with solid barrel control. His hands generate the bat speed to project to fringe-average power. He’s got the agility and feel for receiving to stick behind the plate, but may need to improve his below-average arm to stay at catcher long-term.
The Future: Hernandez’s bat is promising for a catcher, but he’ll need to prove he can stick behind the plate over the long-term.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 40. -
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High.
Track Record: The Mets drafted Stuart out of Southern Mississippi in 2022. Despite working as a reliever in college, he entered the High-A Brooklyn rotation in 2023 and earned a promotion to Double-A Binghamton for his final seven starts of the season. In 2024, he racked up 17 solid starts for Binghamton, owning a 3.96 ERA, before the Mets traded him to Washington for outfielder Jesse Winker. Stuart quickly made a name for himself with the Nationals, earning a Triple-A promotion after just four starts.
Scouting Report: At 6-foot-9, 250 pounds, Stuart is an imposing figure on the mound and moves with surprising grace given his size. His fastball sits 94 mph, but his bread-and-butter pitch is his sweepy slider, which he threw 41% of the time. The righty is developing both a changeup and a cutter as he works toward a rotation role. However, scouts are mixed on whether he can stick as a starter given his command.
The Future: The Nationals are going to continue to work Stuart up to be a starter and believe he could be a solid young option in spot starts in 2025, similar to Mitchell Parker or DJ Herz. Nationals pitching development took a step forward in 2024, and adding a solid third pitch for Stuart would be another win.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme.
Track Record: The Nationals drafted Green fifth overall in 2022 out of high school, with the promise of adding one of the most dynamic prospects in the draft class. Green immediately struggled with swing-and-miss, though he put up crazy exit velocity numbers when he did make contact. He struggled again in 2023, striking out nearly 42% of the time. The Nationals hoped that he would take a step forward in 2024 with Low-A Fredericksburg by showing improved swing decisions. Green did take a step forward on defense, but he led the minor leagues with 206 strikeouts.
Scouting Report: Green’s athleticism speaks for itself. When he makes contact, it is explosive. The issue is that is not a common outcome. He saw his strikeout rate rise to 44% in 2024. Green’s max exit velocity was 116 mph, teasing at what could be. The outfielder showed great development in center field and led the Nationals’ farm system with a career-high eight assists. Green has worked on the mental side of the game and not letting the disappointing start to his pro career get to him, which has really impressed the organization.
The Future: Green remains one of the toughest challenges for the Nationals’ player development team. Time is ticking as he looks to make progress in his pro career.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 30 | Power: 65 | Run: 70 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Very High.
Track Record: Cranz posted a 1.63 ERA in 30 relief appearances for Oklahoma State in 2024. He held batters to a .139 average and struck out 59 to just 12 walks. The Nationals drafted him in the seventh round in 2024 and quickly got him into game action. He joined Low-A Fredericksburg as the team pushed towards a Carolina League championship. In six innings, he allowed just two hits and struck out seven.
Scouting Report: Cranz has a high-spin, high-carry fastball with very good characteristics. The righty saw a velocity jump in 2024, adding nearly 3 mph on his fastball. It currently sits around 93 mph and topped out at 96 with nearly 21 inches of ride. He pairs that with a mid-80s gyro slider. Cranz is working on developing both a curveball and changeup. His curve is slow but he locates it very well, especially against lefthanded hitters. He only flashed a changeup a few times during his limited action after signing.
The Future: The Nationals believe that Cranz could work toward a starting role, especially if he is able to fully develop his four-pitch mix. They will assess making that change in spring training. Likely a future reliever, Cranz could move very quickly through the system.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme.
Track Record: Morales earned playing time as a freshman at Miami and added pop and a solid arm at third base. Morales played for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in 2022 and led Team USA in most offensive numbers, rounding out a successful sophomore season. Morales slipped into the second round in 2023, when the Nationals drafted him with the 40th overall pick and signed him for an above-slot $2.6 million. He impressed in 42 games in his pro debut. Morales was looking for a breakout 2024, but a thumb injury he sustained in May limited him to just 75 games. He played six rehab games in Low-A Fredericksburg at the end of July and spent the remainder of the season at Double-A Harrisburg, for whom he slashed .269/.362/.384 with just five home runs.
Scouting Report: Morales is a solid athlete who takes after his father who spent a few seasons in the Yankees and Red Sox farm systems. Morales, also known as “Yoyo,” is known to do damage when he makes contact, though there are swing-and-miss concerns. He still does not look comfortable at first base, committing five errors in 45 total games at first versus 20 starts and two errors at third base, his college position. He is athletic but is just a fringe-average runner.
The Future: If Morales’ power comes back, he could be the answer at first base. The Nationals attribute his lack of power to the lingering thumb injury and say he should tap into his raw power in 2025.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Very High.
Track Record: Despite earning the Cape Cod League’s reliever of the year award, Brzykcy went undrafted in the abridged 2020 draft and signed with the Nationals for $20,000. His 2022 campaign put him on the prospect map and saw him jump three levels. He was well on his way to earning a spot in the Nationals’ bullpen in 2023 until he injured his forearm in spring training and had Tommy John surgery. The organization added Brzykcy to the 40-man roster after that season anyway. He returned in 2024 and spent July and the first half of August with Double-A Harrisburg before moving up to Triple-A. Brzykcy made his MLB debut on Sept. 1 and made six outings for Washington.
Scouting Report: Brzykcy’s fastball continues to get hitters out, despite seeing a slight decrease in velocity. It now sits 94-95 mph. As he continues to work his velocity back up closer to the explosive 98 mph he was throwing, Brzykcy isn’t afraid to use his secondaries—an above-average curveball and split-changeup. Brzykcy showed he was able to shake off a disastrous MLB debut and settle in at the highest level.
The Future: While the Nationals work to figure out their rotation and move some prospects to a reliever track, one thing is certain: Brzykcy will be a staple in Washington’s bullpen, likely beginning in 2025.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Very High.
Track Record: It seems like ancient history that the Nationals drafted Rutledge with the 17th pick in the 2019 draft. Since then, the righty has navigated setbacks and comebacks each season. In 2021, he dealt with a shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of the year, returning to post a 7.68 ERA in 36.1 innings. He had a breakout 2022 campaign coupled with a good 2023, culminating in his MLB debut on Sept. 13, 2023. Rutledge began the 2024 season at Triple-A, with many expecting that he would be the first man up if the Nationals needed an arm. However, other pitching prospects heard their name called. Rutledge made three appearances for Washington, pitching to a 3.24 ERA in 8.1 innings. For Triple-A Rochester, Rutledge started 27 games and pitched a career high 122.1 innings.
Scouting Report: Rutledge looks the part of an imposing starter at 6-foot-8, 250 pounds. His four-seam and two-seam fastballs sit in the mid 90s and touch 97 mph. His slider is his go-to secondary, while his cutter sits around 88 mph. He rounds out his repertoire with an average curveball and changeup, both pitches accounting for 14% of his pitches thrown in 2024. Rutledge struggles to keep his command deep into games, making a move to the bullpen likely.
The Future: Rutledge has yet to establish himself in Washington and looks headed for the bullpen as other arms develop faster in the farm system.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium.
Track Record: The Nationals acquired Millas from the Athletics in the 2021 trade that sent Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison to Oakland. He was solid during the 2022 season, but broke out during his stint in the Arizona Fall League. Millas started the following year with Double-A Harrisburg but earned a Triple-A promotion quickly. He made his MLB debut on Aug. 28, 2023. His second stint with the big league team came in April 2024. He was supposed to be available as a third catcher but ended up starting when Keibert Ruiz went down with a stomach bug. Millas would travel back and forth between Washington and Triple-A Rochester two more times in 2024 before his final callup in August.
Scouting Report: Millas continues to show strong bat-to-ball skills. However, he had limited reps during his time with Washington in 2024. His offense is limited by his well below-average power. Behind the dish is where he shines. He is very athletic and has excellent game-calling abilities—especially with the young pitchers the Nationals added from Triple-A this season.
The Future: The Nationals need to address their MLB backup catching situation. Ruiz, Riley Adams and Millas will be on the roster, but with other talent coming up the pipeline, the team could opt for someone who adds more pop to their lineup.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.
Track Record: Slow and steady seems to be Lara’s development path. He was the top player in the Nationals’ 2019 international class but struggled at instructional league. His 2021 debut was much more promising. He ended the season making two starts for Low-A Fredericksburg. He returned to Low-A in 2022, where he remained for the entire season and was the youngest player on the roster. He moved to High-A for the entirety of 2023, working to develop a third pitch and adding strength to his young frame. Lara started out strong with High-A Wilmington in 2024, owning a 2.35 ERA in six starts. He was quickly promoted to Double-A and finished the season with 19 starts for Harrisburg. Lara tossed a career-high 134.2 innings.
Scouting Report: In his age-21 season, Lara added needed muscle to his 6-foot-5 frame and proved he could pitch deeper into games. His fastball velocity—which used to sit in the mid 90s—sat 93 mph and maxed out at 96. Lara’s slider took a massive step forward and was noted as one of the best in the farm system. He is working to develop his changeup, as he has the past two offseasons. The upper-80s change is still a touch below-average and needs a bit more development before it is a true third pitch.
The Future: The Nationals showed their faith in Lara by adding him to the 40-man roster after the 2024 season. He needs to develop a third pitch to stay on a starter route, but a move to the bullpen is likely.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme.
Track Record: The Nationals signed Cortesia for $1.92 million, the largest bonus of the organization’s 2025 class. The shortstop stood out early in the scouting process as a top athlete with good hands.
Scouting Report: Cortesia has grown around four inches since teams began scouting him early. He’s now 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, with newfound size and strength helping his tools tick up with projection for more still to come. Cortesia always showed a short, quick swing from the right side to maneuver the barrel throughout the zone and spray line drives around the field. He’s a plus runner with an above-average arm, which is a good sign for his future in the infield.
The Future: Cortesia has a good shot at remaining at shortstop long term. He should see a boost in power as he still has room left to fill out after his growth spurt.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme.
Track Record: Feliz was one of the headliners the Nationals added at the start of the 2024 international signing period, agreeing to a $1.7 million deal. After adjusting at the team’s academy in the Dominican Republic, he played in the Dominican Summer League. Across 49 games, the shortstop owned an impressive slash line of .310/.381/.468. He earned a spot at the DSL All-Star Game.
Scouting Report: At 6-foot-3, Feliz has an already large frame for a 18-year-old with considerable strength projected as he gets older. He has a good offensive approach and is able to hit and adjust in-game, though there is a bit of length to his swing that the organization is looking to tighten up. Feliz hit just four home runs in the DSL in 2024, though he did post a 90th percentile exit velocity of roughly 101 mph and a max north of 106 mph. Those are promising signs for his power projection. While he played shortstop for nearly every start in the DSL this season, Feliz’s defense warrants a possible move to third base. He has a strong arm, which would help him make the move in the future.
The Future: Feliz showed that he was able to adjust to pro ball and can handle higher level competition in 2025.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.
Track Record: After Pinckney posted a career year with Alabama in 2023, the Nationals drafted him in the fourth round and signed him to a below-slot bonus. He adjusted well in his first stint as a pro, splitting time between Class A affiliates before finishing out the season with Double-A Harrisburg. Pinckney started the 2024 campaign at Double-A and slashed .259/.328/.366 in 114 games. The Nationals promoted him to Triple-A Rochester in late August and he produced at a similar rate. Pinckney again struggled with strikeouts in 2024, racking up 167 of them, which were second-most in the Nationals’ farm system behind only Elijah Green.
Scouting Report: The Nationals drafted Pinckney hoping that his above-average bat speed would overshadow the swing-and-miss concerns. However, the experienced college bat they were hoping for continued to struggle, as his 25.2% in-zone miss percentage suggests. When he does make contact, Pinckney tends to put the ball on the ground. He is a phenomenal athlete—tabbed as one of the best in the Nationals’ system by scouts—but he will need to work on pitch recognition if he wants to make it to Washington. He is a plus runner and stole 27 bases, though he was caught stealing 10 times as well.
The Future: Pinckney has proven that he is capable of moving quickly through the minors. However, he will need to show an adjustment at the plate to make the jump to Washington. The Nats have other options in the outfield, so his bat will need to improve quickly to prove he is the right choice.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.
Track Record: Bazzell transferred from Dallas Baptist to Texas Tech after his first semester, forcing him to sit out the 2022 season due to transfer rules. In 2023 and 2024, he impressed scouts with his advanced offensive approach. The Nationals drafted him in the third round in 2024 and signed him for slot value of $980,300. He joined Low-A Fredericksburg in time for its run to the Carolina League championship.
Scouting Report: In the batter’s box, Bazzell has a simple setup with a small load and slight, subtle hand press as he works to launch position. His impressive bat-to-ball skills drive his offensive profile. Bazzell doesn’t project to add a ton of pop, so he will likely be more of a hit-over-power player. He is a solid athlete and really impressed the Nationals with his catching abilities in his short stint in 2024. He caught a postseason game thrown by top pitching prospect Travis Sykora and was able to call pitches with impressive confidence. Bazzell will need to improve his receiving setup behind the dish, but he showed that he has a real chance to stick at this position.
The Future: Bazzell projects to have a higher hit grade than his power grade, which is unusual for a catcher. His long-term outlook is as a catcher who is right in between a fine starter or a backup.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.
Track Record: The similarities between Bennett and fellow Nationals prospect Cade Cavalli are numerous. Both are Tulsa natives who went on to pitch for Oklahoma. Both were drafted by the Nationals—Cavalli in the first round in 2020 and Bennett in the second round in 2022. As they both progressed through the farm system, it seemed like the two would follow each other all the way to Nationals Park. Cavalli had Tommy John surgery early in 2023 and spent most of 2024 rehabbing. Bennett was shut down in August 2023 and had TJ in mid September. He missed the entire 2024 season and was expected to be ready for 2025 spring training.
Scouting Report: Bennett is known for having the best control in the Nationals’ farm system and one of the best changeups. During the 2023 season, he relied heavily on his low-90s two-seam fastball, though he became more comfortable throwing his secondaries throughout the season. His go-to secondary is a plus changeup that was effective against both righties and lefties. He rounds out his repertoire with an average slider that will need continued development. Towards the end of his 2023 campaign, Bennett was having trouble holding his velocity as he pitched deeper into games. The organization believes that problem will be completely eradicated by his Tommy John surgery—and he may even see a boost in velocity.
The Future: Bennett should get back on the mound in spring training. He showed tremendous promise before the surgery, so the organization is hoping he gets right back on track.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme.
Track Record: Hassell was one of the top ranked prospects shipped to the Nationals in the blockbuster Juan Soto trade in August 2022. Many expected he would be one of the first of the bunch to reach Washington. However, injury and a lack of offensive protection halted Hassell’s development once again in 2024. He started the season at Double-A Harrisburg and got off to a hot start. It seemed as though he was finding his groove as he hit for average, but then he went on the injured list in mid June with a right hand injury. He returned to game action on Aug. 20 and earned a promotion to Triple-A in September. He returned to the Arizona Fall League and found his stride yet again after playing in the league in 2022 and 2023 as well.
Scouting Report: When healthy, Hassell continues to live up to his reputation from the 2020 draft as the top pure hitter among preps that year. During the AFL in 2024, he tweaked his swing by slightly changing his stride direction. This allowed him to hit the ball with more authority. In a 22-game sample, he hit .281/.360/.517 with four home runs. In a best-case scenario, Hassell could be an average hitter with below-average power. His above-average arm combined with above-average speed gives him the ability to play any outfield position.
The Future: The Nationals hope the third time was the charm for Hassell in the Arizona Fall League. He needs to prove that he can stay healthy and produce at the plate. Now, he is a member of the 40-man roster and could get an MLB look in 2025 if he hits at Triple-A Rochester.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme.
Track Record: Dickerson was a two-sport athlete at Krolls High in New Jersey, helping his school win the state championship in hockey before impressing scouts on the diamond. He quickly became a huge up-arrow prospect for the 2024 draft. The shortstop saw increased power to match his athleticism. That was all the Nationals needed to see to draft Dickerson in the second round and sign him for $3.8 million, which was nearly double the slot value for the 44th pick and the highest figure of the bonus pool era for a player drafted after the supplemental first round.
Scouting Report: The verdict is still out on whether Dickerson will be more power-over-hit or hit-over-power. Though no one is questioning his athletic abilities and his plus run tool. He has a quick and easy righthanded swing that is easy to replicate. Dickerson has also impressed scouts with his ability to adjust during at-bats. He should continue to tap into his power at the plate and add on to the developments shown in the spring of 2024. His fringe arm could move him off of shortstop in the future, though the organization is confident Dickerson can stay up the middle with reps and development.
The Future: Dickerson will make his pro debut in 2025. He will likely make the switch to second base or center field in the future, but the Nationals will give him time to develop at shortstop with plenty of reps at Low-A Fredericksburg.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45.
Draft Prospects
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School: Union County, HS, Liberty, Ind.Committed: West Virginia. Age At Draft: 18.3
Cheatham has a strong, 6-foot-3 frame and a power fastball for his age that he can already run up to 94 mph. The pitch has solid ride up in the zone, and he pairs it with a slider into the low 80s for which he shows feel to spin. -
School: Manheim Township HS, Lancaster, Penn.Committed: Oregon. Age At Draft: 18.3
Carrasco, who at one point looked like he might sign as an international prospect, has a strong build for his age and can put a charge into the ball from the right side of the plate. He has a good track record of bat-to-ball skills in-game with the look of a player who could develop into a 15-20 home run threat with an average arm. -
School: Newnan (Ga.) HSCommitted: Arkansas. Age At Draft: 19.0
Maginnis has a medium, compact frame without a ton of physical projection but with skills that make him intriguing as an infielder and a pitcher. He’s a patient, high-contact hitter who gets on base at a high clip. He shows gap power, average speed and the defensive actions to stick somewhere in the infield with a strong arm. That arm strength is also evident on the mound, where he pitches with his fastball up to 92 mph with good shape and carry. He also mixes in a mid-to-upper 70s curveball he shows feel to spin and a changeup with heavy action and good fade. -
School: Georgia Premier Acadaemy, Statesboro, Ga.Committed: Arkansas. Age At Draft: 18.8
Wall has been a consistent high-end performer on the travel circuit. He’s an offensive-oriented catcher who gets on base at a high clip by grinding out quality at-bats with good swing decisions and bat-to-ball skills. He also shows solid power that has trended up over the past year. -
School: Cherokee HS, Marlton, N.J.Committed: Tennessee. Age At Draft: 18.3
Burti is a 6-foot lefty with a fastball up to 91 mph and the ability to manipulate multiple offspeed pitches. All of his pitches have swing-and-miss traits, including a mid-70s slider with tight rotation and sharp bite and a changeup with good horizontal run away from righties. -
School: Redwood HS, Visalia, Calif.Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 18.6
McElree has a slender 6-foot-2 frame and is already pitching up to 92 mph with his fastball—a pitch that should have more velocity in the tank once he adds another 30-plus pounds. It’s a starter’s look for McElree between his delivery, pitchability and three-pitch mix, which includes a high-spin slider with good sweep and a changeup with lively fade when it’s at its best. -
School: Barbe HS, Lake Charles, La.Committed: LSU. Age At Draft: 19.0
Littleton has a lot of space left to add weight to his wiry 6-foot-2 frame and grow a fastball that he can run into the low 90s. His feel to spin a mid-70s curveball stands out, and it has the makings of a swing-and-miss breaking ball at higher levels. -
School: Monte Vista HS, Danville, Calif.Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 18.0
McMillan could end up one of the tallest pitchers in major league history. He’s 6-foot-10, 200 pounds and is on the younger end of the 2027 class, so he might still be growing. He pitches from a relatively low-effort delivery with impressive body control for his size. While his present stuff isn’t quite as electric as the top pitchers in the 2027 class, there’s obvious projection between his youth and potential to add another 40-plus pounds. He pitches off a mid-to-upper 80s fastball that has reached 89 mph and should continue to climb, and he mostly attacks hitters with it up in the zone. A curveball and changeup both in the mid 70s round out his repertoire. -
School: Capistrano Valley HS, Mission Viejo, Calif.Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 17.8
Fuller will still be 17 on the day of the 2027 draft, so he’s one of the younger players in the class. That said, he’s already running his fastball up to 93 mph and should be in the mid 90s soon. Fuller’s fastball is his best pitch, with his slider his most-used secondary pitch ahead of his changeup. -
School: Sumrall (Miss.) HSCommitted: Alabama. Age At Draft: 18.9
Davis shows intriguing traits both as a pitcher and a hitter. On the mound, he doesn’t offer huge physical projection, but he throws strikes with a fastball that touches 92 mph, and he backs it up with a high-spin curveball in the upper 70s that snaps off with sharp break and good depth to miss bats at a high clip. His changeup flashes good fade at times, but he mainly leans on his fastball/curveball mix. At the plate, Davis has minimal movement in a short, handsy, contact-oriented swing geared for line drives with doubles power. He’s an average runner who could move all around the dirt with the arm strength for the left side of the infield. -
School: Oakleaf HS, Orange Park, Fla.Committed: Jacksonville. Age At Draft: 18.7
Farina sets up at the plate from a slightly-crouched stance and takes a simple, compact swing to put the ball in play at a high clip, using the whole field with a line-drive approach and gap power. He has a strong lower half and should continue to get an opportunity to develop at shortstop and play somewhere in the infield at higher levels, possibly at second or third base in pro ball. -
School: Cedar Creek HS, Ruston, La.Committed: LSU. Age At Draft: 18.8
Pitching from a smooth, repeatable delivery, Luker is a prolific strike-thrower with a fastball that touches the low 90s. He gets down the mound well and generates a lot of armside run from his lower release height that helps his fastball play above its raw velocity. Luker’s changeup has good fade at its best. He also throws a low-to-mid 70s curveball that has slurve action and could eventually morph into a harder slider from his low three-quarters slot. -
School: Beechwood HS, Fort Mitchell, Kent.Committed: Louisville. Age At Draft: 19.0
Fryman is a standout wide receiver who has drawn Division I interest in football and baseball. He’s an athletic center fielder with plus-plus speed, using his wheels to his advantage on defense and at the plate, where he has a compact righthanded swing with a line-drive approach and gap power. -
School: Lake Central HS, St. John, Ind.Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 18.7
Robinson stands out right away for his lean 6-foot-4 build that’s athletic and well-proportioned with more room to add good weight. When he’s at his best, he shows a patient offensive approach and stays through the middle of the field with the strength projection to grow into significant power. He’s an average runner with the arm strength to play on the left side of the infield. -
School: Skutt Catholic HS, Omaha, Neb.Committed: Tennessee. Age At Draft: 19.2
Day is an athletic 6-foot-4 righthander with good strength projection remaining for him to add to a fastball that’s regularly in the low 90s and up to 93 mph. His fastball is his predominant pitch, but his slider has shown signs of improvement throughout the summer. His low-80s changeup is a pitch he doesn’t use much yet, but it flashes good fade when it’s on and could become a bigger part of his arsenal with more experience. -
School: Brookstone HS, Columbus, Ga.Committed: Auburn. Age At Draft: 18.9
Neal has explosiveness to his game with some of the better tools in the 2027 class. He has a lean, athletic 6-foot-2 build with quick hands and fast bat speed that helps him drive the ball with big raw power for his age in what could end up a power-over-hit offensive game. He’s a quick-twitch athlete and a plus runner, making him a potential power/speed threat, and he has the arm strength to handle shortstop. -
School: Westlake HS, Austin, Tex.Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 18.9
Armbruster has significant physical projection remaining in his long-armed 6-foot-3 frame, and it’s already starting to come on. On the summer circuit in 2024 while splitting time between catching and pitching, Armbruster was mostly operating in the mid-to-upper 80s and touching 90 mph. Now, he’s reaching 94 mph and should have more velocity in the tank. Armbruster’s fastball is his best weapon, but he will mix in a curveball, slider and changeup, as well. He has a chance to move up the list if one of his secondary pitches takes the next step forward. -
School: Southern Maryland Christian Academy, White Plains, Md.Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 19.3
Blaqman is a quick-twitch, bouncy athlete at shortstop, where he has good defensive actions and a strong arm. An above-average runner, Blaqman has strong hands, quick wrists and gap power. -
School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.Committed: Auburn. Age At Draft: 18.7
Thomas is the son of Hall of Fame first baseman Frank Thomas and has a professional look in the batter’s box and in the field. While his father is 6-foot-5 and one of the game’s all-time great sluggers, Thomas has more of a hit-over-power profile, and he performed well throughout the 2025 travel circuit. He’s a lefthanded hitter who starts with his hands set high above his head, stays inside the ball well and uses the whole field. Thomas moves around athletically at first base with advanced actions around the bag for his age. -
School: Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, Calif.Committed: Texas. Age At Draft: 18.9
Rootman is a righthanded-hitting center fielder with good balance at the plate and a quick swing to make hard contact that has started to tick up and should continue to climb higher as he fills out his lean frame. He’s a quick-twtich athlete and a plus runner who moves around well in center field. -
School: Trinity Classical Academy, Valencia, Calif.Committed: TCU. Age At Draft: 18.2
Carlson has a good blend of projection and pitchability. He’s a 6-foot-3 righthander with a low-effort delivery who throws strikes with a fastball that reaches 93 mph and should be into the mid 90s or better in the near future. It’s a starter’s look for Carlson, who mixes in multiple breaking balls with his slider and curveball while also showing feel for a changeup. -
School: Lincoln HS, Vincennes, Ind.Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 18.2
The catcher on USA Baseball’s 15U National Team in 2024, Collins projects to stick behind the plate, where he’s an athletic mover with quick feet and a strong arm to generate pop times under 1.9 seconds on his best throws. At the plate, it’s a low swing-and-miss rate from a contact-oriented swing with a line-drive approach and gap power. -
School: Faith Lutheran HS, Las Vegas, Nev.Committed: Stanford. Age At Draft: 19.5
Martin has a projectable 6-foot-3 frame, a sound delivery and a fastball that touches 93 mph. It’s a quality fastball, but his best pitch is his slider, which gets into the low 80s and holds plane well off his fastball. It’s a high-spin slider with late, sharp break and two-plane depth at its best to get swinging strikes. He also throws a low-80s changeup that has good separation off his fastball, but it’s his fastball/slider combination that accounts for most of his success. -
School: Aledo (Tex.) HSCommitted: Texas. Age At Draft: 19.0
Gladchuk has a short, contact-oriented swing from the left side of the plate. He rarely swings and misses, staying inside the ball well to lace line drives all around the field with gap power. He’s an average runner with a strong arm from center field. -
School: Notre Dame HS, Sherman Oaks, Calif.Committed: Texas. Age At Draft: 18.7
Berg has a lanky, 6-foot-5 frame and a fastball that has trended up over the summer to reach 92 mph. There’s room for Berg to add another 30-plus pounds, and he should see his velocity get into the mid 90s or better once he packs on more size and strength. Berg’s changeup has good fade away from lefties and could become a bigger swing-and-miss pitch for him with more reps. His slider is a pitch for which he has flashed some feel to spin with short break. -
School: Roseville (Calif.) HSCommitted: Vanderbilt. Age At Draft: 18.4
At 6-foot-6, 185 pounds, Gustus has a tall, lanky, long-limbed frame that screams projection. He can already dial his fastball up to 93 mph and looks like he could eventually throw into the upper 90s once he adds weight. Gustus’ fastball is his best pitch, one he complements with a low-80s slider and a heavy, sinking changeup. -
School: Cookeville (Tenn.) HSCommitted: Auburn. Age At Draft: 19.7
Anderson has compiled a strong offensive track record competing on the travel circuit. He’s a patient hitter with an adjustable lefthanded swing and bat speed that helps him launch balls out deep to his pull side when he lets it loose. Anderson is an offensive-oriented catcher who should get the opportunity to stick behind the plate, but he’s also an average runner who moves well enough to handle a corner outfield spot, if needed. He turns 19 in October after his draft year, so he’s one of the oldest players in the 2027 class and would be a draft-eligible sophomore if he gets to college. -
School: Mauldin (S.C.) HSCommitted: Arkansas. Age At Draft: 18.0
New is young for the 2027 class and has a projectable 6-foot-3 frame that points to more velocity that he figures to add to a fastball that already reaches the low 90s. New is still learning to repeat his release point to harness his control, but he has swing-and-miss stuff with his feel for both a sharp-breaking curveball and an occasional changeup. -
School: Battlefield HS, Haymarket, Va.Committed: Virginia Tech. Age At Draft: 19.0
Moritz-Toledo is one of the fastest players in the 2027 class. He’s a plus-plus runner, showing speed that translates well in center field, albeit with limited arm strength. Moritz-Toledo has strong, fast hands that he fires at the ball with a line-drive approach and alleys power. -
School: Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tenn.Committed: Alabama. Age At Draft: 19.3
Morris was one of the early standouts in the 2027 high school class, committing to South Carolina when he was 14 (though, he has since reopened his recruitment). A South Carolina native who goes to school in Tennessee, Morris loads his swing with a big leg kick and makes hard contact when he’s on time. He’s an average runner and a good athlete who could move all around the infield with a strong arm. -
School: Puyallup (Wash.) HSCommitted: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 18.0
One of the younger players in the 2027 class, Landry is a lean, athletic shortstop with good range, actions and instincts for the position. He’s a polished defender for his age with a nose for the ball, and he turns double plays well. At the plate, Landry’s hands stay short to the ball with good contact skills and gap power. -
School: Brother Rice HS, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.Committed: Vanderbilt. Age At Draft: 19.0
Katke is a power-hitting catcher with good bat-to-ball skills from the right side of the plate. He’s strong for his age and can launch balls deep out of the park to his pull side. He has the catch-and-throw skills to stick at catcher with a quick release and pop times under 2.0 seconds on his best throws. -
School: Etowah HS, Woodstock, Ga.Committed: Clemson. Age At Draft: 18.1
Borcherding has a lean build for a catcher and is one of the younger players in the 2027 class. He has an aggressive offensive approach with impressive bat speed pointing to bigger power that should come once he layers more strength onto his projectable frame. He’s loose, agile and flexible behind the dish, where he receives well, has a quick exchange and projects to have at least an average arm once he fills out. -
School: Reeltown HS, Notasulga, Ala.Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 18.8
Smith has fast arm speed coming out of his wiry 6-foot-2 frame with long limbs to produce a fastball that has reached 92 mph. It’s impressive velocity for a pitcher who is still just scratching the surface of his strength potential, and arrows are pointing toward a pitcher who should throw significantly harder once he adds more weight. Smith flashes feel for a slider, a pitch he at times throws just as often as his fastball. He’s still learning to repeat his release point to throw more consistent strikes, but his athleticism should help him make adjustments. -
School: Center Grove HS, Greenwood, Ind.Committed: Texas A&M. Age At Draft: 19.0
McClurg is an athletic center fielder with plus speed and a quick first step. He has been a strong offensive performer on the travel circuit with a direct swing from both sides of the plate with mostly gap power and occasional over-the-fence juice. -
School: Libertyville (Ill.) HSCommitted: Tennessee. Age At Draft: 19.0
Buenik has a strong, 6-foot-3 frame with velocity that has jumped this year, reaching 95 mph with heavy sink and run on his fastball out of his low three-quarters slot. His slider is inconsistent, but he has shown improved feel to spin that pitch this year with good depth at its best. His spin-killing splitter with hard tumble could become a bigger factor with more experience. -
School: Sierra Canyon HS, Charsworth, Calif.Committed: LSU. Age At Draft: 18.5
Parrow has a tall, physical 6-foot-5 frame and attacks hitters up in the zone with a fastball that has trended up to sit in the low 90s and reach 94 mph with what should be another uptick still to come. He primarily pitches off his fastball, complementing it with a slider reaching the low 80s that he flashes feel to spin. -
School: Arvada West (Col.) HSCommitted: Texas. Age At Draft: 18.6
Vais has been excellent on the summer circuit in 2025, filling the strike zone and missing bats at a high clip. He’s an athletic 6-foot righthander with a short stride down the mound and a quick arm to run his high-spin fastball up to 92 mph. It’s not a prototypical, high-physical projection frame for a pitcher, but he has the explosiveness that suggests more velocity could come with strength gains and mechanical refinement. The best weapon for Vais is his high-spin slider—a pitch he throws more than his fastball in some outings—showing solid depth and good lateral tilt. It’s a pitch he consistently executes for strikes, either landing it in the zone or getting hitters to chase it for empty swings, and it should continue to be a high-whiff pitch for him at higher levels. Vais has mostly made a name for himself as a pitcher, though there are intriguing tools here as an outfielder with plus speed, an above-average arm and impressive bat speed and power for his size. -
School: Durant HS, Plant City, Fla.Committed: Florida State. Age At Draft: 18.7
McPherson has a strong 6-foot-2 build with good arm action, a sound delivery and a fastball he can run up to 93 mph. It’s a fastball with good shape and carry that gets an abundance of swinging strikes when he elevates it. McPherson also shows feel to spin a mid-70s curveball with three-quarters action. -
School: Conwell Egan Catholic HS, Fairless Hills, Penn.Committed: Virginia. Age At Draft: 19.1
Pitching from a low-effort, repeatable delivery, Guzzie pitches off a fastball that reaches 92 mph and should get into the mid 90s once he fills out. His fastball already plays up because he’s able to generate good extension and because of the riding life on the pitch that he uses to his advantage by attacking hitters up in the zone. Guzzie’s fastball is his best pitch. He also shows feel for a changeup that has good separation off the heater, along with a mid-70s curveball. -
School: Great Bridge HS, Chesapeake, Va.Committed: Clemson. Age At Draft: 18.4
Cinnamond is a 6-foot-4 lefty who can dial his fastball up to 93 mph and should be into the mid 90s or better in the near future. He’s still learning to corral his heater in the zone consistently, but he has the look of a power arm from the left side with a slider that has solid sweep and depth at its best. -
School: Indian Hill HS, Cincinnati, OhioCommitted: Mississippi State. Age At Draft: 19.0
A standout running back also getting Division I offers for football, Daniel is a strong, physical hitter with big bat speed who can drive the ball with impact from both sides of the plate. In games, Daniel can get more contact-oriented, but there’s more game power that he could unlock as his approach evolves. He likely fits best in a corner outfield spot with a strong enough arm to play right field. -
School: Barbe HS, Lake Charles, La.Committed: LSU. Age At Draft: 18.8
Griffin packs a lot of quick-twitch explosiveness into a smaller frame. He takes advantage of his small strike zone with a selective approach that helps him get into favorable counts and pile up walks. Griffin has a lot of moving parts with his hands to get his swing started, and while there’s some swing-and-miss to his game, he has strong hands, quick wrists and generates a lot of bat speed, which helps him hammer the ball with surprising power for his size. He’s a good athlete and a plus-plus runner who defends his position well in center field, where he has good instincts and range. He also has experience at second base, adding versatility to his game. -
School: Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tenn.Committed: Tennesssee. Age At Draft: 19.1
Coming off an outstanding spring season in 2025, Lundy is a strong, 6-foot 3 catcher who can drive the ball with impact. His timing at the plate is inconsistent, but he can drive the ball out of the park deep to his pull side with a power-over-hit offensive game. Lundy has a big frame for a catcher, but he folds up well behind the plate and is a good receiver. His plus arm stacks up among the best in the 2027 class, enabling him to post pop times around 1.9 seconds on his best throws. -
School: John F. Kennedy HS, Bellmore, N.Y.Committed: Vanderbilt. Age At Draft: 18.5
Yormack has a projectable 6-foot-3 frame and generates easy velocity. It’s a repeatable delivery that helps him throw strikes with a fastball that has lively armside run and can reach 92 mph without much effort. He primarily pitches off a fastball/slider mix, with his slider ahead of his changeup. -
School: Suwannee HS, Live Oak, Fla.Committed: Florida. Age At Draft: 18.5
Moran has built an impressive track record of performing at a high level on the travel circuit. He’s a lefthanded-hitting catcher with a knack for barreling the ball in the air to all fields via a smooth swing that gets on plane early and stays through the hitting zone for a long time. An offensive-minded catcher with experience as an infielder, as well, Moran has the power to go deep to his pull side now with a chance to grow into a 15-20 home run threat. He runs well for a catcher with average speed underway. -
School: Lamar HS, Meridian, Miss.Committed: Mississippi State. Age At Draft: 19.1
Reed has massive raw power that stacks up among the best in the country for the 2027 class. It’s potential plus-or-better power and Reed has been able to tap into it frequently in games during the summer circuit, using his strength and bat speed to punish mistakes left up in the zone. Reed runs surprisingly well for his size and has experience at third and first base. -
School: Warsaw (Ind.) HSCommitted: Mississippi. Age At Draft: 19.1
Nelson has an extra-large frame with thunder in his lefthanded bat, generating loft and punishing balls with some of the best raw power in the class. Nelson has shown the ability to handle soft stuff, as well, with an approach that makes him more than just an all-or-nothing slugger. What Nelson does in the batter’s box is what will drive his value as a likely first baseman at the next level. -
School: McDonough HS, Pomfret, Md.Committed: Alabama. Age At Draft: 18.7
Lambert is a wiry and strong righthanded hitter with quick wrists in a handsy swing that he uses to snap the barrel through the zone with good bat speed. It’s an aggressive approach, and he’s still learning to recognize breaking pitches, but it’s quality contact when he connects with occasional over-the-fence power that should climb as he gets stronger. Lambert is an average runner and a good athlete with a strong arm who has the versatility to play all around the infield and outfield. -
School: Doral (Fla.) AcademyCommitted: LSU. Age At Draft: 19.2
Ravelo was an early standout in the 2027 class, committing to LSU when he was 14. He has a lean, expandable 6-foot-3 frame that looks like it should hold significant good weight and strength to help him grow into a potential 25-plus home run threat. He’s a good athlete who moves around well in center field. -
School: The Colony (Tex.) HS Age At Draft: 19.2
Committed: Texas
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 97 mph. The pitch already plays up because it has good riding life up in the zone, and he gets good extension out front. There could be another uptick in velocity for what’s already a high-end fastball for his age. What makes Rangel dangerous is his ability to spin an 80-84 mph slider that can spin above 3,100 rpm at times—top-end spin for any age. The attributes are there for his slider to be a plus-or-better pitch that should miss a ton of bats. Rangel’s fastball/breaking ball combination is his bread-and-butter, but he shows feel for a spike changeup. It comes in firm off his fastball but flashes good depth and could become a bigger weapon with more reps. There are times when Rangel’s command has escaped him, so scouts will be closely watching that aspect of his game as the draft gets closer, but he has the stuff to be one of the first high school pitchers off the board. -
School: De La Salle HS, Concord, Calif. Age At Draft: 18.8
Committed: Stanford
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, with quiet hands that he fires quickly into a compact, direct swing with a mature approach for his age. It’s an easy swing from Spangler, who already delivers consistent quality contact, with the bat speed and physical upside to project above-average-or-better power once he’s in his prime. He’s an above-average runner with good lateral agility and body control at shortstop for his size. Depending on his physical development, there’s a chance he could outgrow the position and go to third base, but his fluid actions, soft hands, strong arm and instincts all fit well at shortstop. -
School: Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, Fla. Age At Draft: 18.5
Committed: Florida
Harris has immense upside as a potential middle-of-the-order bat who can play a premium position. He has performed at a high level in games with a powerful swing from the right side, generating torque with good rhythm and balance as he rotates explosively to unleash excellent bat speed. It 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. Harris is a good athlete who also shines defensively in center field. With plus speed and an arm that draws plus-or-better grades, Harris has the quickness, range and efficient route running to stick in center field. -
School: Jackson Prep HS, Flowood, Miss. Age At Draft: 17.9
Committed: Florida
Roberts was high school teammates with 2024 High School Player of the Year Konnor Griffin, so scouts got a lot of looks at him that spring. Roberts is one of the youngest players in the class, but he stands out for his size, dynamic athleticism and tools. He generates a lot of torque with his swing, and between his bat speed and physical upside on his tall, broad-shouldered frame, he should grow into at least plus if not plus-plus raw power. His barrel gets deep into the hitting zone early and he’s able to drive the ball well to all fields, showing improved timing this year that has helped him translate his power against live pitching. He has a patient approach with a good eye for the strike zone. Roberts is a plus runner with long strides and a chance to stick in center field. If he does end up going to right field, he has the offensive upside to profile there and 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, with a fastball that has touched 94 mph and a changeup with good sink and separation off his fastball along with a curveball. -
School: Gulliver Prep HS, Miami, Fla. Age At Draft: 18.8
Committed: Uncommitted
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. He’s one of the most disciplined hitters in the 2026 class, making good swing decisions with the patience to take his walks. Lombard gets himself into a good hitting position and takes a short, efficient swing and keeps his head locked in, which helps him track and recognize pitches. He has good balance, enabling him to stay back to use the whole field and use his quick hands. There have been stretches where Lombard has shown a higher swing-and-miss rate, so while it’s not elite bat-to-ball skills, he has typically gotten on base at a high clip. As he’s gotten bigger, stronger and faster, Lombard is now showing some of the better raw power in the 2026 class, with a chance for that to develop into an above-average tool. He’s a plus-plus runner who projects to stick at shortstop, where he makes everything look smooth and easy. He has a quick first step, reads hops well and has a nose for the ball. He can make the flashy play, but unlike a lot of young shortstops, he plays under control too, with good hands and a quick transfer. -
School: Argyle HS, Flower Mound, Tex. Age At Draft: 18.4
Committed: Texas
Emerson is a pure hitter 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 was one of two underclassmen to make the 18U National Team in 2024 that won a gold medal at the U-18 World Cup Americas Qualifier. He has a calm, relaxed presence in the box with minimal wasted movement in his efficient lefthanded swing. It’s a quick, compact stroke with a 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 on 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. Emerson doesn’t stray from his hit-first approach, but as he’s grown, he has come into more power to drive the ball out to his pull side. With his bat speed and the strength potential in his lean frame, more of his doubles should start to start turning into homers. 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. All the traits are there for Emerson to be a high first-round pick. -
School: Marshall Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.5
Niu spent two years at New Orleans before transferring to Marshall for the 2025 season where he hit .276/.343/.560 with 15 home runs and 14 doubles 14 doubles and new career-highs in nearly every major statistical category. He was one of the best players in the Cape League after the season and hit .338/.404/.650 through his first 120 games. Niu has a somewhat unique setup in the box with an inverted front foot and medium-high handset, but he has big-time bat speed and consistently gets off quick, tight turns with his hips. Niu has shown the ability—both with metal and wood—to hammer the baseball to all fields, though his highest quality of contact has come to the pull side. At Marshall he posted a 90th-percentile exit velocity of 106.8. Picking up spin and seeing shapes out of the hand have both been bugaboos for Niu, and he has shown the tendency to whiff and chase against secondaries. Niu has consistently turned in plus run times and is a good athlete whose defensive profile is best suited for the outfield. His actions need refining, but his arm strength, speed and athleticism all translate well on the grass. -
School: Hawaii Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
Miura has been a consistent performer at Hawaii as the team’s everyday center fielder and boasts some of the best bat-to-ball skills in the 2025 college class. He’s a 5-foot-11, 185-pound righthanded hitter who almost never misses when he swings at a pitch in the zone, and he’s performed with a wood bat as well. After hitting .378/.483/.475 in the Northwoods League in the summer of 2024, Miura hit .338/.454/.460 with 18 stolen bases during the spring with Hawaii. After the season he played for Hyannis in the Cape Cod League. -
School: Hofstra Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
Palmer is an undersized infielder who has been a high-level performer for three straight seasons with Hofstra. At just 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, he doesn’t have much power to speak of and managed just two home runs over his first three college seasons. Instead, Palmer is a contact savant who rarely misses and likes to swing the bat. Palmer is especially effective making contact on pitches in the strike zone. He hits ground balls and low line drives to all fields and is also an above-average runner who has been a consistent stolen base threat. He’s played all over the infield and outfield in his college career, though he spent the bulk of his time at third base in 2025. Palmer has a path to a contact-oriented utility role, although it’s a tightrope to walk given his bottom-of-the-scale power. -
School: Elon Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 20.8
Sprock has been an impact two-way player for three seasons with Elon. A 5-foot-10, 205-pound corner infielder and righthander, Sprock hit in the three-hole for Elon in 2025—where he slashed .321/.411/.593 with 14 home runs—and also posted a 3.63 ERA as a reliever with 19 strikeouts in 17.1 innings. He had struggled much more as a starting pitcher in 2023 (5.52 ERA in 45.2 innings) and 2024 (10.12 ERA over 42.2 innings). Offensively, Sprock has a solid combination of power and plate discipline. He consistently hits the ball hard and can homer to both gaps while doing a nice job managing at-bats, limiting strikeouts and taking walks. He split time as a third base and first base defender in his junior season, although that was in part due to his work as a pitcher which added to the stress on his arm. On the mound, Sprock throws a fastball that sits around 93 mph and touches 96. He also mixes in a slider in the 78-81 mph range and a changeup in the same velocity band. -
School: Georgia Tech Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.0
Jones was a moment-of-truth reliever for Georgia State as a freshman, going 2-2, 5.06 with four saves. He struggled to match that performance as a sophomore, as he went 5-1, 7.32 with a 1.8 WHIP. But he took a step forward in 2025 when he transferred to Georgia Tech, joining the Yellow Jackets’ weekend rotation to throw as many innings as he had in his first two college seasons combined. Jones was generally effective, as he quickly bounced back from a brutal Georgia Tech debut where he failed to record an out in his first start of the season. He went 7-3, 4.92 while posting a 23.2% strikeout rate and 12.1% walk rate. A 6-foot, 205-pound righthander, Jones throws a riding fastball that sits 92-94 mph and touches 96, as well as a mid-80s cutter, low-80s slider and mid-80s changeup. Jones’ stuff should be enough to work in pro ball, but he will need to improve his below-average control. -
School: Georgia Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
Hoskins is a big and filled-out righthander with a powerful 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame. He was effective as a freshman reliever, but he missed the second half of his freshman season and the first half of his sophomore season because of Tommy John surgery. In 2025, Hoskins posted a 5.93 ERA over 27.1 innings with a 29.5% strikeout rate and 17.4% walk rate. Despite limited college success, his stuff should give him plenty of chances to figure out his delivery in pro ball. Hoskins sits in the 96-98 mph range out of the bullpen and his fastball has touched 100 mph. He pairs the fastball with a swing-and-miss slider that features impressive two-plane biting action in the mid 80s and looks like an easy above-average pitch. He’s thrown a handful of mid-80s changeups, but that pitch is far behind his fastball/slider and remains a distant third offering. The elbow injury impacted his development, as he’s thrown just 50.2 innings over three seasons, so there is plenty of development and polish to come. His well below-average control should limit him to the bullpen, where he’ll need to improve his strikes to become a reliable option. -
School: Indiana Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.0
Cerny is a 6-foot-2, 205-pound righthanded-hitting infielder who went unpicked as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2024. Cerny’s 2025 season was a near carbon copy of his 2024 campaign. He hit .281/.286/.517 as a junior and has hit .292/.371/.511 for his Indiana career. He has hit exactly 10 home runs in each of his three seasons, with a hunched over stance and an aggressive approach at the plate. Cerny is a hit-by-pitch magnet, which plays a role in him getting on base. His 45 career HBPs is a school record and exactly matched his number of career walks. Cerny likes to frequently swing the bat, both at pitches inside and outside of the zone, which caps his walk rate. His contact skills aren’t good enough to make that approach work in pro ball, so he’s going to need to learn to be more selective. He’s logged plenty of time at both shortstop and second base in college and has a chance to play both with solid range and actions. If he goes unselected, Cerny is set to transfer to Kentucky. -
School: Virginia Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
Hodges’ father, Daniel, was a 41st-round pick of the Cubs in 1996 as a lefthander out of Liberty. Brad is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound lefthander who pitched as a high-usage reliever as a freshman for Virginia in 2023. He seemed poised to step into the Cavaliers’ weekend rotation for 2024, but he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He returned to the mound in March of 2025 and was rounding into form as the season ended. He posted a 4.88 ERA over eight starts and 27.2 innings with just two starts of five-plus innings. Hodges mostly works off a three-pitch mix that includes a 90-92 mph fastball that will touch 93-94, a low-80s slider and a low-80s changeup. He will occasionally fold in a mid-70s curveball. Hodges will have to improve his well-below-average control. He’s walked 13.8% of batters over his short college career. -
School: Fresno State Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.3
Anker is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound righthander with an excellent track record as a control artist with Fresno State. While his swing-and-miss stuff is light, Anker owns a career 4.6% walk rate. He does get hit a lot, and he posted a 5.46 ERA with a .293 opponents average in 91.1 innings. He did post a career-best 24.3% strikeout rate. His below-average 90-92 mph fastball will touch 94 with good riding life and a plate plane. He has plenty of confidence in a mid-80s changeup, and will also mix in a few different breaking ball shapes including an upper-80s cutter, low-80s slider and upper-70s curveball. He should be able to compete as a back-of-the-rotation starter in pro ball, but will need to develop more velocity and a better swing-and-miss pitch to unlock any impact potential. -
School: Fort Zumwalt North HS, O’Fallon, Mo. Drafted/Committed: Missouri
Age At Draft: 18.7
Lohman is a projection righthander with a 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame that should allow him to pack on plenty of weight in the future. He has a fastball that’s been up to 95 mph, and he has shown flashes of an average curveball. There are questions about a third and fourth pitch, which could add to his reliever risk, though his delivery is fairly clean and easy. Lohman is committed to Missouri. -
School: Cloud City (Kan.) JC Drafted/Committed: Rangers ’22 (13)
Age At Draft: 21.9
Marcum is a high-waisted and lanky righthander with a 6-foot-5, 180-pound frame that has space for tons of extra weight and mass in the coming years. He’s a fastball/slider pitcher who led Cloud City (Kan.) JC with 85 strikeouts, as he went 6-2, 4.18. Opponents hit .189 against him, but he also walked 5.4 batters per nine innings. Marcum has a fastball that gets into the upper 90s but mostly sits in the low 90s, and pairs the pitch with a fringy breaking ball in the 76-82 mph range that blends in shape between a curveball and slider. He’ll also mix in a mid-80s changeup, but has extremely limited feel for that pitch currently. Marcum is a deep projection arm talent with big upside but real risk as well. His uncle Shaun pitched in the majors for nine years. He’s committed to Ohio State. -
School: Sacramento State Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.2
Brown is a 6-foot-6, 220-pound righthander who redshirted with Sacramento State in 2023, but has pitched as a reliable back-end reliever in 2024 and 2025. This spring, he posted a 2.93 ERA in 43 innings out of the pen with a 26.8% strikeout rate and a 10.9% walk rate. Brown looks like a reliever all the way with some effort in his delivery and a long arm action that he could struggle to repeat—but he does have some bat-missing stuff. He sits around 90 mph and will touch 93 with a fastball that has sink and run, but primarily confounds hitters with his slider and changeup. His mid-80s slider has gyro shape and he uses it almost half the time, while the changeup is a high-spin cambio in the low 80s that flashes impressive tumble and bottoming life. Brown generated a 40% miss rate between the two pitches. He has below-average control and owns a career 10.8% walk rate. -
School: Pearl River (Miss.) JC Drafted/Committed: Mississippi State
Age At Draft: 0.0
Spencer Jr. is a 6-foot-3, 220-pound righthander who was originally committed to Ole Miss out of high school, but ended up at Pearl River (Miss.) JC. Spencer blew out his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery in 2024, but he returned to action to go 8-4, 3.69 with 23 walks and 64 strikeouts in 39 innings in 2025. He’s a power-armed righthander with an extreme, downer head whack in his delivery and throws a 94-95 mph fastball that touches 99. His go-to secondary is a hard mid-to-upper-80s slider with sharp tilt. He lives at the top of the strike zone, although he also scatters plenty of pitches above the zone. Both his delivery and below-average control scream reliever, but he could have the pure stuff to pitch effectively in that role. Spencer is committed to Mississippi State. -
School: UC Santa Barbara Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.5
Barrett is a 6-foot-5, 225-pound lefthander who threw the first and second no-hitters in school history at Bakersfield, Calif.’s Frontier High. He broke onto the scene as a freshman with UC Santa Barbara in 2023 when he led all Division I freshmen with 82 strikeouts and posted a 1.92 ERA over 61 innings. He threw just 2.1 innings in 2024 before an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery sidelined him until late April 2025, and he made just three appearances for 4.2 innings before UC Santa Barbara’s season ended. He did also throw at the MLB draft combine. His stuff has come back post-injury. Barrett throws a three-pitch mix that includes a 90-93 mph fastball that will touch 95 and has generated most of his whiffs with an 82-85 mph changeup. The change is Barrett’s go-to secondary but he will also throw a sweepy slider around 80 mph. He’s historically been a below-average strike-thrower who might profile best in the pen. His lack of mound time the last two years adds to his uncertainty. -
School: Vista Murrieta HS, Murrieta, Calif. Drafted/Committed: Virginia
Age At Draft: 19.2
Holmes is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound shortstop and outfielder with a handful of interesting tools between his athleticism, bat speed and arm strength. He is well-built now with a quick righthanded swing that should lead to solid power potential in the future, though he does have swing-and-miss tendencies that could limit his pure hitting ability. He has the arm strength for the left side of the infield, but his actions can get a bit long and might fit better at third, or perhaps in the outfield, where his above-average running ability could fit nicely. Holmes is committed to Duke and will be a draft-eligible sophomore if he makes it to campus. -
School: West Virginia Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.2
White is a 5-foot-11, 195-pound utilityman and lefthanded hitter. He’s been a full-time starter for West Virginia since his freshman year and has played a number of positions—including second, third, first, left, right and catcher. He had a productive summer in the Cape Cod League, hitting .267/.377/.389, and he carried that over into the 2025 season. He cut his strikeout rate significantly and slashed .361/.426/.529 with five home runs and 17 doubles. White has shown average raw power and a tick above-average contact skills, although he can get too aggressive at times. White started the season as the team’s everyday second baseman but injured his shoulder in late March and was strictly used as a DH the rest of the season, and he batted cleanup during the team’s run to the NCAA super regionals. White’s defensive versatility and excellent contact numbers as a junior could make him a draft target in the 11-20 round range. -
School: Florida State Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.2
Harrelson had an excellent freshman season at Texas Tech and a more modest sophomore year. He transferred to Florida State for the 2025 season, where he immediately became the team’s everyday right fielder and leadoff hitter. A 6-foot-3, 180-pound lefthanded hitter, Harrelson slashed .339/.444/.462 with 15 stolen bases and a career-low 21.2% strikeout rate. He doesn’t have prototypical power for a corner profile, even if he can sting 100+ mph line drives at times. His swing is short and he can get on top of pitches at the top of the zone, but he also has more swing-and-miss tendencies than you’d like for a contact-oriented hitter. His plus speed may be enough to earn him a chance to play center field at least on a part-time basis in pro ball. -
School: Chipola (Fla.) JC Drafted/Committed: Florida State
Age At Draft: 0.0
Vanek is a 6-foot-3, 205-pound outfielder, first baseman and lefthanded hitter who played for Louisiana’s famed Barbe High School. He led Chipola (Fla.) JC in hitting in 2025 and slashed .395/.512/.631 with nine home runs and more walks than strikeouts. Vanek has a crouched and open stance with plenty of present strength, and does a nice job shortening up and hunting more contact in two-strike counts. He’s committed to Florida State where he can continue proving his hitting chops against better competition, but could be of interest for MLB teams in the 11-20 round range. -
School: Archbishop Moeller HS, Cincinnati Drafted/Committed: LSU
Age At Draft: 19.1
Theophilus jumped on the national scene with a loud showing at the 2023 Area Code Game underclass showcase, where he struck out eight of the 12 batters he faced. A 6-foot-2, 195-pound righthander, Theophilus throws a fastball in the 90-93 mph range and touches 94 with a solid low-80s slider to go with it. He will mix in a low-80s changeup and a curveball in the upper 70s, too. Theophilus has a long, extended arm action and some effort in his delivery which could add reliever risk to his profile. He’s committed to LSU and will be a draft-eligible sophomore if he makes it to campus. -
School: Mineral Area (Mo.) JC Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 0.0
Lee is a lean and wiry righthanded hitter who put together one of the more impressive offensive seasons in junior college in 2025. A 5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder, Lee hit .444/.498/.800 with 13 home runs, five triples and 15 doubles for Mineral Area (Mo.) JC. He’s an explosive runner who gets out of the box in a hurry and stole 32 bags in 34 attempts. Lee’s speed is his most obvious tool at the moment. He’s at least a plus runner who should be able to stick in center field. Despite his home run production, his frame and raw power suggests a contact-over-power offensive profile, but somebody who could continue stacking plenty of extra-base hits in the form of doubles and triples into the gaps. There are wide error bars on Lee’s pure hitting ability given the quality of his competition, but he’s an athlete with some obvious physical tools. -
School: The First Academy, Orlando, Fla. Drafted/Committed: Oklahoma State
Age At Draft: 18.1
Indomenico is a lefthanded hitter and outfielder with a solid collection of secondary tools. Listed at 6 feet, 185 pounds, Indomenico stands out mostly for his speed and arm strength. He’s at least an above-average runner and has turned in plus run times, which could give him a chance to stick in center field at the next level. While he moves well enough for the position, Indomenico does still need to sharpen his routes and his instincts to avoid moving to a corner, where his above-average throwing arm would fit nicely in right field. Indomenico is a bit more raw offensively. He’s a pull-oriented hitter who did a nice job making contact and spitting on pitches out of the zone in the 2024 travel circuit, but he doesn’t have much power yet and will need to add plenty of strength to impact the ball to the opposite field. Indomenico led his First Academy high school team to a 2A state championship in Florida this spring. He’s committed to Oklahoma State. -
School: Hansworth SS, North Vancouver, B.C. Drafted/Committed: Michigan
Age At Draft: 17.9
Brinham is a double-projection lefthander with a 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame who made strides with both his strikes and fastball velocity in 2025. After pitching in the upper 80s and touching 91 mph in 2024 with scattered strikes, Brinham has pushed his fastball into the 88-90 mph range and touched 93 in 2025 with more precision. His secondaries are fringy now and require plenty of projection, but he has shown some flashes of a quality breaking ball in the mid 70s and a changeup in the low 80s. Brinham moves well on the mound with a compact arm action and three-quarter slot. He could make some big strides by adding a bit more strength in the future. The Canadian native is committed to Michigan and will still be 17 on draft day. -
School: Grand Canyon Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
Barreras was a three-year contributor at Grand Canyon and replaced A’s sixth overall pick Jacob Wilson as the team’s starting shortstop in 2024. While Barreras is not in the same class of hitter as Wilson and also isn’t quite as big at 6-foot, 190 pounds, he fits a similar archetype as a contact merchant with special bat-to-ball skills that allow him to make contact all over the zone against all pitch types. He recovered from a slow start in the spring of 2025 to hit .358 with nearly four times as many walks (27) as strikeouts (7). Barreras’ strikeout rate in his college career was just 7.4%. But his power is light and it’s tough to envision Barreras reaching even double-digit homers in a season without getting stronger. Defensively, scouts believe Barreras has the tools to stick at shortstop and certainly in the dirt—he was named to the all-WAC defensive team as a freshman while splitting time between shortstop and third base. -
School: Pearl River (Miss.) JC Drafted/Committed: Auburn
Age At Draft: 0.0
Johnson is a lanky righthander with a 6-foot-3, 165-pound frame who posted a 1.62 ERA over 14 starts and 66.2 innings with Pearl River (Miss.) JC in 2025. He has a three-pitch mix that includes a low-90s fastball that gets up to 96, a low-80s slider and a less-frequently used changeup in the mid 80s. Johnson is committed to Auburn but has some interest from teams in rounds 11-20. -
School: Kankakee Valley HS, Wheatfield, Ind. Drafted/Committed: Indiana
Age At Draft: 0.0
Barr is a big-bodied lefthander with a physical, 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame. There’s some effort in his delivery and depth in his arm stroke, but Barr has big pure arm speed and a fastball that sits in the low 90s and has been up to 95 mph. It’s easy to see him touching upper-90s velocity with some frequency in the next few years, but Barr’s secondaries need more refinement. He throws a below-average curveball in the mid 70s that he has used more frequently than a mid-80s slider that could become his better breaking ball in the future. Barr is a scattered strike-thrower who carries some reliever risk, but he is still interesting because of his size and heavy fastball. He’s committed to Indiana. -
School: Northwest Florida State JC Drafted/Committed: Orioles ’23 (15)
Age At Draft: 20.7
Lott is a massively projectable outfielder and righthanded hitter with an ultra-lanky 6-foot-5, 190-pound frame. The Orioles drafted him in the 15th round out of high school, but he didn’t sign and went to Northwest Florida JC, where he hit .335/.482/.555 with 12 home runs and 21 stolen bases in two seasons. He was named the 2025 Panhandle Conference player of the year. Lott has an upright stance with a high handset and is a great runner for his size. It’s easy to dream of an athletic power-speed combination with Lott, who should profile best as a corner outfielder. -
School: Alabama State Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 20.9
Cruz is a big and physical righthander and first baseman with a 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame and a hyper-aggressive approach at the plate. He slashed .416/.478/.682 with 14 home runs and 22 doubles in 2025 with Alabama State and can drive the ball hard into the gaps—but loves to swing the bat. Cruz had an extremely swing-happy 56% swing rate in 2025 and expanded the zone with regularity. Cruz does have impressive bat-to-ball skills to go with his aggressive approach, and rarely misses a fastball, but will get a bit more exposed against secondaries. His batted ball data might be a little bit light for a right-right first base profile reliant on batted ball outcomes and without a huge floor of on-base skill. However, he’s an interesting hitter committed to Georgia with loud performance who could fit in rounds 11-20 in the draft. -
School: Auburn Drafted/Committed: Brewers ’23 (18)
Age At Draft: 21.0
Watts is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound righthander who began his career at Tacoma (Wash.) Community JC in 2023. The Brewers drafted him in the 18th round in 2023, but instead of signing Watts went to Auburn where he pitched mostly in the bullpen for the next two years. Watts’ career 7.25 ERA at Auburn is underwhelming, but teams are intrigued with his pure arm talent. He sits around 95 mph with his fastball and has been up to 99 at peak velocity. He also generated a miss rate north of 50% with his hard and tight mid-80s slider. His mid-80s fading changeup is a real third pitch as well. Watts showed solid control in his 2025 draft season. -
School: Rice Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
Hickson started his college career at Florida State but threw just one inning as a freshman in 2023 before transferring to Rice. A 6-foot-2, 210-pound righthander, Hickson pitched first as a reliever and then moved into a starter role in 2025, where he posted a 3.82 ERA over 73 innings with a 27.7% strikeout rate and 10.8% walk rate, which was an improvement over his 13.9% walk rate in 2024. He throws a three-pitch mix that includes a fastball that sits 93-94 mph and touches 97, a mid-80s slider and a mid-80s changeup. Hickson is a fringy strike-thrower and has better feel for his fastball and slider than changeup. -
School: Samford Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
Gupton was a top-10-rounds talent coming out of high school because of his top-of-the-scale speed and impressive raw power. He didn’t get drafted and made it to campus at NC State, where he had just seven plate appearances, before transferring to Gulf Coast Community (Miss.) JC in 2024 and Samford in 2025. Now listed at 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, Gupton remains a high-end runner who regularly turns in 80-grade run times and can homer to the pull side. He is limited by an extremely raw offensive approach with below-average contact skills, but he did hit .333/.401/.630 with 15 homers through 55 games in 2025. Gupton too frequently gets himself out by expanding the zone on bad pitches and struck out at a 28% clip. Gupton’s swing is also long enough that his home-to-first times will play down from his true speed. He’s an above-average center fielder whose speed should be more than enough to stick at the position, but he’s never stolen the amount of bases that his raw running ability might suggest. -
School: New Mexico JC Drafted/Committed: Texas Tech
Age At Draft: 20.4
Becerra is a physical 6-foot-1, 215-pound righthander with a big fastball and a chance to be a power reliever. He ran his fastball up to 97 mph in the fall and early in the 2025 spring season, though his velocity was inconsistent and trended more toward the 90-94 mph range later in the year. At its best, scouts think his fastball has a chance to be a double-plus offering, though Becerra needs to sharpen his secondaries and his control. His best non-fastball might be a curveball that could become an average pitch. He’s also thrown a slider and changeup that are solidly below-average. Becerra is committed to Texas Tech for the 2026 season and might profile best as a reliever in pro ball. -
School: Samford Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
Keshock is a lean righthander with a 6-foot-7, 225-pound frame who pitched sporadically with Auburn in his first two college seasons. He transferred to Samford for the 2025 season where he posted a 5.73 ERA over 14 starts and 77 innings with a 20.2% strikeout rate and 9% walk rate, and his final line ballooned after allowing 10 earned runs in his final outing against East Tennessee State. Keshock sits in the 90-94 mph range with his two-seam fastball and has touched 95-96. The pitch is more of a groundball-inducing heater than a real swing-and-miss pitch. He relies on a mid-80s gyro slider and a mid-80s changeup to get most of his whiffs. Keshock struggled at times syncing his long levers down the stretch, but at his best he’s a classic sinker-slider righty from a lower arm slot. -
School: Alabama Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 20.8
Neal ranked as a top-100 player in the 2022 class out of high school as a young-for-the-class backstop with a well-rounded game. He made it to campus at LSU where he showed some on-base ability and flashes of power, but transferred to Alabama for the 2025 season. A 5-foot-10, 190-pound lefthanded hitter, Neal has never quite lived up to his prep pedigree as a hitter in college and finished his first three seasons as a career .236/.397/.434 hitter. Neal does have a solid understanding of the zone and his 17.6% career walk rate shows he’s plenty willing to take a free pass, but he really struggles to make contact against secondaries. Neal has all the tools to stick behind the plate and be a solid catcher. He has soft hands while receiving, and quick actions and footwork on his throws with a better exchange than pure arm strength. Neal’s glove and pedigree could appeal to a team in rounds 11-20 that believes it can help him rediscover more of his impact at the plate. -
School: Cape Henlopen HS, Lewes, Del. Drafted/Committed: Kentucky
Age At Draft: 18.8
Mitchell is a power-oriented lefthanded hitter and catcher with a great frame at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds. The Delaware native played for the same Cape Henlopen program that produced big leaguer Zack Gelof and, like Gelof, won the state’s Gatorade player of the year award. He has plus raw power already and still has a chance to fill out and add more strength in the future. Mitchell does make some aggressive swing decisions now and has the sort of long-levered swing that might come with miss tendencies and create a power-over-hit profile. He has a chance for an above-average arm behind the plate, but there are questions about his blocking and receiving that could ultimately force him off the position. Mitchell is committed to Kentucky. -
School: Lee’s Summit (Mo.) West HS Drafted/Committed: Tennessee
Age At Draft: 18.6
Wood is a physical, muscled-up prep righthander with a 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame. He sat 92-94 mph with his fastball and touched 96 at peak during his senior spring, then carried on to the MLB Draft League where he maxed out at 98 mph in a short outing in mid June. Wood also shows flashes of an average low-80s slider and a mid-80s changeup that has a chance to develop into a reliable third offering. He has some reliever risk but enough arm talent to make him interesting to teams right out of high school. Wood is committed to Tennessee. -
School: Walters State (Tenn.) JC Drafted/Committed: Tennessee
Age At Draft: 0.0
Myatt was the most dominant hitter in junior college in 2025. He was named the NJCAA Division I player of the year after he won the juco triple crown and led the country with a .484 average, 31 home runs and 110 RBIs. Myatt slashed .484/.583/1.014 and set the Walters State (Tenn.) JC record for home runs and RBIs while tying the hits record at 105. Myatt is filled out and physical with a 5-foot-11, 205-pound frame and plenty of strength, though there are some limitations to his game. Myatt is not a great athlete and he doesn’t have a clear defensive home. He’s played a bit of second base and third, but also spent a solid amount of time in the lineup as a DH. Myatt is committed to Tennessee, where he’ll have an opportunity to prove his hitting chops against better competition and potentially add more clarity to where he can play in the field. He could be a draft target for teams in the 11-20 range purely on his production. -
School: Auburn Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.4
Snow began his career at South Florida where he had a standout 2023 freshman season, led the team in hitting and homered eight times. He wasn’t nearly as productive as a sophomore and transferred to Auburn for the 2025 season where he moved from a regular shortstop into a utility infield role, mostly playing third base and second. Snow’s impact at the plate more closely resembled his impressive freshman campaign. Listed at 5-foot-8, 190 pounds, Snow is undersized with a compact frame that is mostly filled out. He doesn’t have loud tools, but he is an excellent contact hitter who doesn’t miss a fastball and rarely swings and misses inside the strike zone. His power is limited and he’s not a burner, but he does a lot of things well on the field, competes in the box and has the hands to play all over the infield. His fringy arm strength might make second base his best defensive fit at the next level. -
School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. Drafted/Committed: Florida State
Age At Draft: 19.2
Paulino Jr. is part of an annually-loaded IMG Academy team in Bradenton, Fla. and pairs solid physicality with intriguing hitting traits. A 6-foot-1, 190-pound third baseman and righthanded hitter, Paulino combines solid bat speed with good contact skills and an advanced approach at the plate. He has above-average raw power that could play as average in game—mostly to the pull side now—and also has the tools to stick at third base. He’s a below-average runner who doesn’t look like a real basestealing threat, but he has solid hands and enough arm strength for the hot corner. Paulino’s game is more well-rounded than explosive, and he’s physically close to maxed out, so some teams could prefer the right-right corner infielder to prove his hitting chops at Florida State. -
School: Blue Valley HS, Stilwell, Kan. Drafted/Committed: Texas
Age At Draft: 19.0
Westphal is an athletic, high-energy righthander with a 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame. He has a loud fastball/slider combination with both pitches earning above-average future grades or better. The fastball sits in the low 90s and will touch 93 mph, while his slider is a big, sweeping breaking ball in the upper 70s with huge spin rates that get north of 3,000 rpm. While Westphal does have solid strikes for a high school righthander, the effort in his delivery does lead to some reliever questions. While he’s mostly a two-pitch righthander now, he does have a mid-80s changeup in the arsenal. Westphal is committed to Texas and will be a draft-eligible sophomore if he makes it to campus. -
School: South Carolina Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.3
Kaczmar was a draft-eligible sophomore who received some interest from MLB clubs after he led Ohio State in hitting in 2024. Instead of being drafted and signing, Kaczmar transferred to South Carolina for the 2025 season where he hit .315/.394/.486 as the team’s everyday shortstop. Despite his consistent collegiate hitting track record, Kaczmar has some offensive questions. His swing is noisy with some moving parts, and he tends to expand the strike zone a bit too often, with contact questions against all pitch types, but especially against fastball velocity. He never hit more than seven home runs in a college season. Kaczmar is a solid defender who gets the ball out of his glove quickly, though his pure arm strength might be a bit light for shortstop. -
School: Archbishop Ryan HS Drafted/Committed: West Virginia
Age At Draft: 19.1
Perez is a muscular shortstop and righthanded pitcher with a 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame and solid tools on both sides of the ball. As a hitter, Perez has a power-over-hit offensive look, with an open stance and lots of bat speed and intent on his swings. He needs more refinement with his approach, but he has the ability to impact the baseball, particularly to the pull side. He has a plus arm that should give him a chance to stick on the left side of the infield, though his size and actions could make him a better fit for third base at the next level. On the mound, Perez has a fastball that’s regularly in the low 90s and has been up to 95 mph, as well as a low-80s breaking ball and low-80s changeup that needs plenty of work. He’s more thrower than pitcher now and carries plenty of reliever risk without significant strides. Perez is committed to West Virginia and will be a draft-eligible sophomore if he makes it to campus. -
School: Trinity Christian HS, Sharpsburg, Ga. Drafted/Committed: Chipola (Fla.) JC
Age At Draft: 18.6
Stiltner is a high-waisted and projectable righthander with a 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. He throws with a low three-quarters slot and has a solid three-pitch mix. His fastball is typically in the low 90s, though in the 2025 spring he pushed the pitch up to 95 mph with consistent sinking life. He throws the slider in the low-to-mid 80s and has also shown some swing-and-miss traits with a tumbling, mid-80s changeup—though his feel for the change remains a bit behind his fastball/slider combo. Stiltner is committed to Chipola (Fla.) JC. -
School: University School of Nashville (Tenn.) HS Drafted/Committed: Arkansas
Age At Draft: 18.7
Peck is a big-bodied righthanded hitter with tons of physical projection and the ingredients to become an impact bat with more seasoning. Listed at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Peck has lean strength throughout his frame with impressive bat speed and functional hitting mechanics. His leg kick is early and gets drawn out, which might become more of a timing concern against better pitchers, and he’ll also get a bit pull-happy and leak out with his lower half at times. He can impact the ball to the pull side when he’s timed up and has the bat speed to handle high-end velocity, but Peck’s overall approach and bat-to-ball skills need polish. Peck isn’t a burner and could slow down to more of a fringy runner in the future as he adds strength. He’s a shortstop now but his longer actions and overall build could be a better fit for third base where his solid-average arm should fit fine. Peck is an Arkansas commit who could raise his stock significantly by continuing his hitting development in the SEC. -
School: Central Florida Drafted/Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
Williams is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound righthanded reliever with a loud two-pitch combo but strikes issues. He started his career at Jacksonville where he missed most of the 2023 season with injury, but pitched well out of the bullpen before transferring to Central Florida for the 2025 season. Williams posted a 9.28 ERA in 10.2 innings in 2025, but scouts are intrigued with his arm talent despite his lack of performance. He averages 95 mph with his fastball and has touched 99 and has a hard, upper-80s slider that has potential purely on its power—though it remains inconsistent.
Minor League Top Prospects
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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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." -
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." -
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. -
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." -
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. -
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. -
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." -
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." -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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." -
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. -
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. -
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." -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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." -
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. -
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 -
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. -
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. -
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." -
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. -
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 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." -
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. -
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." -
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. -
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. -
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 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. -
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. -
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." -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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." -
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. -
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. -
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." -
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." -
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 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." -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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."
Top 100 Rankings
Best Tools List
- Rated Best Defensive SS 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 Reliever 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 Control in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm 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 Fastball in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 1B in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Most Exciting Player in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Power Prospect in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Batting Prospect 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 Fastest Baserunner in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Reliever in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Pitching Prospect 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 Fastest Baserunner in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive SS in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 3B in the Carolina 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 Baserunner in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Batting Prospect in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline 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 Defensive 1B in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 3B in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Most Exciting Player in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Most Exciting Player in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Fastest 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 Defensive SS in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball 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 Reliever in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Baserunner in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Batting Prospect in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive SS 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 Defensive 1B 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 Catcher in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Reliever in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Power Prospect in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 3B in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 2B in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Batting Prospect in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 3B in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Most Exciting Player in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball in the International League in 2006
- Rated Fastest Baserunner in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Breaking Pitch 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 SS in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Most Exciting Player in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 1B in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Power Prospect in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Pitching Prospect 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 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 Fastball in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Reliever in the Eastern League in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the Eastern 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
Career Transactions
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Tucson Baseball Team placed RHP Esteban Bloch on the reserve list.
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Columbus Clingstones activated RHP Darius Vines from the 60-day injured list.
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Columbus Clingstones activated RHP Luis Vargas from the full-season injured list.
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Tucson Baseball Team activated RHP Oscar Soria from the reserve list.
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Algodoneros de Guasave placed RHP Kevin Ribon on the reserve list.
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Columbus Clingstones activated LHP Jake McSteen from the 60-day injured list.
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Algodoneros de Guasave activated LHP Jeff Kinley from the reserve list.
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Biloxi Shuckers activated C Ramón Rodríguez from the full-season injured list.
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Biloxi Shuckers activated RHP Nick Merkel from the 60-day injured list.
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Biloxi Shuckers activated 2B Adam Hall from the 60-day injured list.
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Biloxi Shuckers activated RHP Chase Costello from the full-season injured list.
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Biloxi Shuckers activated RHP Tyler Bryant from the full-season injured list.
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C Alan Marrero assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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Pensacola Blue Wahoos activated RHP Tristan Stevens from the 60-day injured list.
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3B Yariel Gonzalez assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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OF Calvin Estrada assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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RHP Sam Whiting assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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RF Roby Enriquez assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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RHP Minato Aoyama assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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RHP Ethan Routzahn assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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LHP Brady Tedesco assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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C Jan Mercado assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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RHP Alexander Castro assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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2B Abdel Guadalupe assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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OF Shinya Hasegawa assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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OF Wilson Rodriguez assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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RHP Ruben Ramirez assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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SS Glenn Santiago assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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RHP Jarrod Cande assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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SS Abdiel Layer assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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2B Jose Sermo assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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OF Jadiel Sanchez assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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C Victor Torres assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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RHP Ivan Houellemont assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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RHP Josh Mallitz assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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LHP Sidney Duprey assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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RHP Agnel Miranda assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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LHP Jerryell Rivera assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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RHP Raul Rivera assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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RHP Taishi Mameda assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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CF Mallex Smith assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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SS Kenen Irizarry assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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RHP Ryan Velazquez assigned to Senadores de San Juan.
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St. Paul Saints activated RHP Cole Percival from the 60-day injured list.
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St. Paul Saints activated RHP Daniel Duarte.
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Somerset Patriots activated RHP Chase Hampton from the full-season injured list.
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Somerset Patriots activated LHP Edgar Barclay from the full-season injured list.
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St. Paul Saints activated RHP Matt Canterino from the full-season injured list.
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Lehigh Valley IronPigs activated C Carson Taylor from the full-season injured list.
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Somerset Patriots activated RHP Kevin Stevens from the full-season injured list.
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Somerset Patriots activated RHP Luis Velasquez from the full-season injured list.
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Northwest Arkansas Naturals activated LHP Asa Lacy from the full-season injured list.
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Northwest Arkansas Naturals activated RHP Anderson Paulino from the 60-day injured list.
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Northwest Arkansas Naturals activated SS Jack Pineda from the 60-day injured list.
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Northwest Arkansas Naturals activated LF Connor Scott from the full-season injured list.
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C Ramón Cabrera assigned to Bravos de Margarita.
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Navegantes del Magallanes activated C Pablo Aliendo from the reserve list.
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Navegantes del Magallanes activated C Pablo Aliendo from the reserve list.
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1B Leandro Cedeño assigned to Leones del Caracas.
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C René Pinto assigned to Leones del Caracas.
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1B Chris Arroyo assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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RHP Franny Cobos assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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RHP Eric Garcia assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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2B John Montes assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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1B Anthony Calarco assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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RHP Bryant Salgado assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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LHP Kazuto Taguchi assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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SS Kevin Santa assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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C Juan Montero assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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RHP Andrew Marrero assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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LF Dalton Guthrie assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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LHP Eric Torres assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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OF D'Shawn Knowles assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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SS Edwin Díaz assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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LHP Omar Melendez assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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RHP Lucas Vega assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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RHP Lenny Torres Jr. assigned to Leones de Ponce.
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SS Shawn Ross assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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C Ivan Luciano assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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RHP Alexis Rivero assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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RHP Ashton Goudeau assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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RHP Patrick Halligan assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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SS Yadiel Rivera assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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LHP Brian Moran assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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LHP Efrain Nieves assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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RHP Derek West assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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2B Jalen Miller assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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RHP Luis Quinones assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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2B Isan Díaz assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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C Mario Feliciano assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
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Wichita Wind Surge activated RHP Kyle Jones from the full-season injured list.
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LHP Kyle Nelson elected free agency.
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RHP Casey Kelly elected free agency.
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Richmond Flying Squirrels activated RHP Nick Sinacola from the 60-day injured list.
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RHP John Curtiss elected free agency.
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SS Connor Kaiser elected free agency.
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Amarillo Sod Poodles activated LHP Will Mabrey from the full-season injured list.
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Amarillo Sod Poodles activated RHP Zach Barnes from the full-season injured list.
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Reno Aces activated RHP Billy Corcoran from the 60-day injured list.
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Bravos de Margarita activated LHP Felix Doubront from the reserve list.
