Bob Geren Stats & Scouting Report

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Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.Track Record: White emerged as a college superstar, first as Freshman of the Year at North Carolina State in 2022 before he transferred to Louisiana State, where he won a College World Series championship alongside Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews in 2023. By the end of his three-year college career, “Tommy Tanks” hit 75 home runs, good for eighth most all-time. White’s draft stock slid in his junior year after he didn’t hit for quite as much impact. The A’s drafted him in the second round that year and signed him for $3 million. He struggled in his pro debut with Low-A Stockton, slashing .224/.303/.299 in 25 games.

Scouting Report: Don’t let White’s burly build and collegiate moniker fool you—he’s a gifted hitter with fast hands and feel for the barrel who struck out just 14.5% of the time in college. He has a chance to pair above-average contact ability with plus power that presently works best to right-center field. To make the most of his offensive talents, White will need to make better swing decisions. His extremely aggressive approach worked in college but was tested in his pro debut, especially with two strikes, and he chased nearly 40% of the time with Low-A Stockton. White’s offensive tools may need to carry the rest of his profile. He’s a bottom-of-the-scale runner, and evaluators are mixed on whether he’s agile enough to stick at third base. Area scouts felt that White made strides defensively at LSU in 2024, and the A’s departed their instructional league a bit more optimistic about his chances to stick there. Still, White has below-average range, albeit with functional glovework, at the hot corner and a solid-average arm.

The Future: If he can defend the position, White has everyday upside as an offensive-oriented third baseman. He’ll need to really mash if he ends up moving to first base.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 20 | Field: 40 | Arm: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: The Athletics drafted Muncy No. 25 overall in 2021 and signed him to a $2.85 million bonus. The Los Angeles-area native has since steadily ascended their system and had a chance to make his big league debut in 2024 after opening the year with Triple-A Las Vegas. Instead, he was hit on the right hand by a pitch early in the year, which derailed his season and required two separate stints on the injured list. That limited him to a .292/.378/.525 batting line in 53 games. The A’s initially hoped Muncy could recoup lost time in the Arizona Fall League but instead opted to shut him down to let his hand fully heal.

Scouting Report: Muncy is a twitchy, aggressive athlete with solid-average all-fields power. After running strikeout rates closer to 30% early in his career, he has since tightened both his swing and approach to make more contact. Those plate discipline gains appeared to hold against Triple-A pitching in 2024, where Muncy had a 24.6% strikeout rate, though he would benefit from continuing to sharpen his swing decisions, especially against softer stuff. He was particularly good against fastballs. Defensively, Muncy has great lateral quickness and solid-average arm strength that was hampered by the hand injury. He has the range and actions to be a solid shortstop defender. Given 2023 first-rounder Jacob Wilson also plays shortstop, the A’s played Muncy more at second base in 2024 and even introduced him to third base for the first time.

The Future: Depending on how he takes to third base, Muncy could compete for the Athletics’ starting job out of spring training. Regardless, he has the defensive chops to settle into any infield spot to pair with his solid all-around offensive upside.

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

Track Record: When the Athletics made Clarke their fourth-round selection out of Cal State Northridge in 2021, he was considered a dynamic and toolsy player with an unusually raw hit tool for a collegian. That assessment has mostly held true in a pro career defined by rather significant peaks and valleys. Clarke returned to Double-A Midland to open 2024 after missing the second half of 2023 with a shoulder injury. He hit just .192 with a 40% strikeout rate through May, yet salvaged his season with a .269/.339/.446 line with 13 homers and 36 steals in 116 games after a red-hot second half. Clarke carried that momentum over to the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Clarke is one of the best athletes in the minor leagues. His mother is Donna Clarke, an Olympic heptathlete for Canada. Denzel is a plus runner and defender in center field who covers tons of ground with his long strides. His pure strength and twitch allows him to generate some of the best 90th percentile exit velocities in the Athletics’ system, but his pure hitting ability runs hot and cold. He struggles to sync his long arms and legs and seemingly always tinkers with his mechanics while trying to limit all the moving parts in his swing. He has struck out nearly 30% of the time over two Double-A seasons. The A’s are hopeful a midseason adjustment—Clarke opened his stance, altered his load and slightly lowered his hands—will help him find a more comfortable and consistent launch position while reducing some of his swing-and-miss issues.

The Future: Clarke has game-changing power, speed and defense in center field. His ability to access those tools as an everyday big leaguer still hinges on sustaining more consistent swing decisions and feel for contact. He turns 25 years old in May.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Field: 70 | Arm: 50.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: The Athletics made Bolte their second-round selection in 2022 and signed the NorCal prep product for $2 million to break his commitment to Texas. Two years later, he emerged as one of the bigger breakout prospects in their system. Bolte hit .267/.368/.466 with 15 home runs and 46 stolen bases across 123 games and two levels in 2024, finishing the year with Double-A Midland and a brief pit stop in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Bolte has a barrel of tools at his disposal. He is one of the best athletes in the Athletics’ system with plus speed, a strong throwing arm and 70-grade raw power from a whip-quick bat. But his oft-scrutinized hit tool and approach have long invited questions about whether he’ll make enough contact against better pitching. He has overhauled his swing since turning pro to stabilize his lower half and improve his bat path to cover more of the strike zone. While he has made progress, he still struck out nearly 35% of the time to go along with a near-40% whiff rate while missing pitches in the zone roughly a third of the time. His 189 strikeouts were third most in the minor leagues in 2024. Bolte hits plenty of balls on the ground. The A’s would like to see a sharper two-strike approach, especially against sliders. He is also still learning how to hit for pull-side power. Bolte is a dynamic, high-effort baserunner. His defensive routes and instincts still need polish, though he has the tools to one day be an above-average corner outfielder.

The Future: Bolte’s profile has a boom-or-bust nature given the swing-and-miss concerns, and he may be susceptible to more prolonged hot and cold streaks, but he has the ceiling of a dynamic power-speed threat in the outfield if it all comes together.

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

Track Record: Barnett was a dependable albeit unspectacular starter for Auburn before the Royals drafted him in the third round in 2022. He then took a step forward in pro ball, earning recognition by Baseball America as the Royals’ minor league player of the year in 2023. While his surface-level stats weren’t as impressive as his underlying metrics early in 2024, the Athletics still coveted him at the trade deadline as the top prospect in the Lucas Erceg trade. Barnett pitched well in his new system, posting a 2.61 ERA in 41.1 innings for Double-A Midland amid a run to the Texas League championship.

Scouting Report: Barnett is a stout and powerful 6-foot righthander with a supination profile and a distinct four-pitch mix. He runs his above-average four-seam fastball into the mid 90s with cut and ride. He delivers from a flatter approach angle. Barnett’s plus mid-80s sweeper emerged as the jewel of his arsenal and one of the best in the Athletics’ system. Hitters missed it more than 40% of the time, and he’s comfortable throwing it for strikes in any count. Barnett also shows feel to spin a downer of an upper-70s curveball and created more separation between his two breaking balls. He rounds out his arsenal with a mid-80s changeup that gets soft contact from lefthanded batters. Barnett is a decent strike-thrower who faced some questions about his pitch efficiency earlier in his career and has a longer arm stroke. The A’s believe Barnett may be able to make some biomechanical improvements to his delivery as well.

The Future: Some once thought Barnett’s build and competitive nature might portend a potential move to the bullpen. Instead, he rounded out his pitch mix and applied enough polish to maintain a potential midrotation ceiling. The 24-year-old could be in line for his MLB debut at some point in 2025.

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

Track Record: The Athletics signed Morales for $3 million out of Cuba at 20 years old in January 2023, two years after he defected while playing in Mexico for the Cuban national team at the U-23 World Cup. Morales quickly knocked off the rust and rocketed his way to High-A by the end of his pro debut season. The hard-throwing righthander didn’t quite replicate that momentum in 2024. A shoulder injury delayed the start of his season and he was managed carefully with High-A Lansing, posting a 4.22 ERA with 84 strikeouts and 36 walks in 81 innings.

Scouting Report: Morales has an exquisite combination of raw ingredients. The long-limbed righty averaged nearly 97 mph on his four-seam fastball in 2024, the highest velocity of any A’s minor league starter. He generates considerable arm speed from a twitchy, elastic delivery. The A’s prioritized slider development in 2024, and Morales mostly shelved his curveball. His mid-80s slider tunnels off his fastball and flashes plus shape with more than a foot of sweep. Morales also throws an 84-88 mph changeup that has great shape when he commits to it. He’s electric when it all comes together, but he has been a bit more hittable with less swing-and-miss than his raw stuff might suggest. Morales is prone to stretches of erraticism, and the A’s worked with him to smooth out the sequencing of his delivery. There are times when his stuff and command play better when he uses his slide step out of the stretch. His feel for the game lags behind a typical 22-year-old pitcher, as well.

The Future: Morales may have the best pure stuff of any A’s starting pitching prospect since Jesus Luzardo. To remain on a midrotation trajectory, though, he’ll need to show crisper attention to detail in 2025. He’s ready for Double-A Midland.

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

Track Record: Perkins had a fiery arsenal but spotty control as a college righthander, first at Louisville before he transferred to Indiana. The Athletics signed him for $270,570 as their fifth-round pick in 2022. A velocity bump helped Perkins break out a year later and reach Double-A. His 2024 season was delayed by a lat injury, but he was very effective upon returning in late May. Perkins pitched to a 2.96 ERA and 31.7% strikeout rate to 11.1% walk rate in 76 innings with Double-A Midland.

Scouting Report: Despite standing just 6-foot-1, Perkins generates plenty of power from a strong lower half and impressive arm strength. The righthander runs his 94-97 mph four-seam fastball through the zone with riding life from a lower release angle. After previously seeking a more consistent slider shape, Perkins added more sweep to his mid-80s offering to great results in 2024, with batters missing it roughly 45% of the time. His slider averaged nearly 2,800 rpm of spin, and the A’s now believe it’s one of the best breaking pitches in their system. The righthander also throws a solid low-90s cutter and a mid-80s curveball that he doesn’t command as consistently. Perkins sparingly mixes in a firm upper-80s changeup that needs more work. Perkins has a shorter arm path and fringe-average control. His past command concerns, walk rates and attacking mentality invite questions about whether he’ll ultimately shift to a relief role, but his strike rates in 2024 painted a more optimistic outlook.

The Future: Perkins’ electric stuff and deep pitch mix provides a variety of paths to racking up outs. He has to prove he can remain healthy while throwing enough strikes, but he has the ceiling of a solid midrotation starter and a fallback as a late- or multi-inning reliever.

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

Track Record: The Athletics signed Thomas for $750,000 after drafting him in the third round in 2022, but he flew under the radar after labrum surgery ended his Mercer career early and delayed his pro debut to the following season. That quickly changed. Thomas posted an .844 OPS and reached High-A in his first full season in 2023, then performed even better in 2024, hitting .277/.342/.563 with 31 home runs in 132 games while reaching Triple-A. He was one of just six minor leaguers to surpass 30 homers and led the field with 80 extra-base hits.

Scouting Report: Thomas is a dynamic, twitchy athlete with arguably the quickest bat in the Athletics’ system and easy plus raw power. He’s also perhaps their most aggressive minor league hitter, eager to ambush pitchers early in the count. Such an approach has so far yielded plenty of impact—Thomas is particularly good at elevating to his pull side—and impressive exit velocities, but also plenty of swing-and-miss, particularly out of the zone. Tightening the strike zone, honing a better two-strike approach and using the whole field are all areas of focus for Thomas in 2025. His athleticism carries over to the field as well. He’s a plus runner with a strong arm who can handle all three outfield positions. He fits best in right field, where he has a chance to be a plus defender, though he played left field consistently for the first time in 2024, where he was a bit uncomfortable at times as he learned to refine reads and routes from a new position.

The Future: Skeptics wonder whether Thomas’ approach will hold up against big league pitchers, though no one denies his abundance of tools. He has the upside of a powerful everyday corner outfielder if he can make enough contact. He should make his big league debut at some point in 2025.

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

Track Record: The son of big league shortstop Jack Wilson, Jacob was drafted No. 6 overall by the Athletics in 2023 and signed for an under-slot $5.5 million. He reached the big leagues just over a year later after making a truly exceptional amount of contact in 2024. Wilson hit .433/.474/.668 in 53 games in the upper minors. Injuries were just about the only thing to slow him down. He missed a month of action early in the season due to an injury, then strained his hamstring in his MLB debut in late July, costing him another month.

Scouting Report: Wilson’s game is built around preternatural bat-to-ball skills. He deploys a frenetic pre-pitch routine, opening his stance and bouncing on the balls of his feet before sagging into a deeper crouch. He swings frequently and rarely misses, especially at strikes. Wilson had the lowest swing-and-miss rate and second-lowest in-zone miss rate among all minor leaguers with at least 150 plate appearances in 2024. He mostly fillets balls line-to-line and has below-average power potential despite showing a bit more thump in 2024. Wilson makes ultra-aggressive swing decisions, sometimes to his detriment, and chased more than 30% of the time in the minors. A wiry athlete, Wilson’s range at shortstop didn’t grade particularly well in his big league debut, but he has sound hands and an above-average arm. The A’s would like to see him add a bit more strength to help improve durability.

The Future: Wilson’s contact ability invites comparisons to Steven Kwan or Luis Arraez, though he’ll need to be more selective to make it work. He should settle into the Athletics’ everyday shortstop role in 2025 and may not relinquish it for quite some time.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 70 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 60/High.

Track Record: Kurtz entered 2024 as one of college baseball’s preeminent sluggers on a top-ranked Wake Forest team that had College World Series aspirations. He ranked as Baseball America’s No. 2 draft prospect prior to the season and also entered the season atop the Athletics’ draft board. But neither Kurtz nor the Demon Deacons quite met expectations. Kurtz scuffled early while dealing with a shoulder injury, though he recovered to hit .306 with 22 home runs while leading the nation with 78 walks. Wake Forest bowed out in regionals, but Kurtz’s inconsistent campaign did not dissuade the A’s from drafting him fourth overall and signing him for $7 million. He performed well in a limited pro debut, hitting .368 with four homers in 12 games while reaching Double-A Midland. A hamstring injury ended his season prematurely, though he returned to accrue more at-bats in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: The 6-foot-5 lefthanded-hitting first baseman is a physical, hulking presence who greets opposing pitchers with a slightly open stance and a fearsome combination of power, advanced contact ability and a sound approach. Kurtz already has some of the best raw power in the Athletics’ system. While he’s capable of hitting towering blasts, he doesn’t sell out for power. Instead, he has a fairly compact swing that yields ample contact, allowing his strong hands and wrists to whip the bat through the zone and hit to all fields. Kurtz has a very discerning eye and posted a .510 on-base percentage with 59 more walks than strikeouts in three college seasons. If anything, he can become overly passive at times. External evaluators had at least some concern about how Kurtz’s lower half and load may impact his ability to tap into pull-side power. Kurtz also has plus defensive upside at first base, where he moves surprisingly well despite his size and has reliable hands. He has a solid-average arm—Wake Forest initially recruited him as a pitcher in high school—and he even dabbled with some left field in the AFL, though his defensive future is almost assuredly at first base. And while he did triple twice during the fall circuit, Kurtz is a below-average runner on the bases. Kurtz’s biggest concern may simply be staying on the field. He dealt with rib and shoulder injuries while in college, in addition to the hamstring injury that ended his regular season in late August.

The Future: The A’s believe Kurtz has all-star upside at first base. His combination of power and plate skills should provide a reasonably high offensive floor with the chance to hit for plus average and 30 or more home runs without significant swing-and-miss concerns. After moving 2023 first-rounder Jacob Wilson aggressively last season, Kurtz could also move quickly if he can remain healthy, setting up a potential big league debut in Sacramento at some point in 2025 as part of an emerging young A’s core.

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

Track Record: Morris is yet another in the seemingly long-line of mid-round Twins pitching finds who follow a similar trajectory. They’re drafted, they then quickly add velocity while also throwing plenty of strikes. In Morris’ case, he pitched three years at Colorado Mesa before transferring to Texas Tech, where he was the Friday starter in 2022. His fastball gained 2-3 mph since turning pro, and he leapt from High-A Cedar Rapids to Triple-A St. Paul in a three-month span in 2024. Morris missed time in 2023 with biceps tendinitis but had no issues in 2024.

Scouting Report: Morris has no dominant pitch and doesn’t have true bat-missing stuff, but he has plus control and the ability to force hitters to protect the entire strike zone. He uses a very north-south approach. Morris’ 93-95 mph fringe-average fastball predominantly works up in the zone. Morris can reach back for 97-98, but it doesn’t have exceptional life. He works to his glove side with his above-average 84-86 mph slider, and then armside with a fringe-average 88-90 mph changeup that pairs well with his fastball and slider. Morris also added a hard, 90 mph above-average cutter, and he’ll drop in a fringe-average, slow, 12-to-6, mid-70s curveball as a way to steal early-count strikes, especially against lefthanded hitters. Morris throws everything for strikes, which helps him work deeper into games. Without ever topping 100 pitches, he worked six-plus innings 11 times in 24 starts in 2024.

The Future: Morris is a perfect depth starter who should spend the majority of the 2025 season at Triple-A St. Paul but should be on call to fill in whenever needed. He will need to figure out a pitch to get more swings and misses to project as more than a No. 5 or up-and-down starter, but his control and pitch mix mean he’s ready to fill that role soon.

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

Track Record: The 2024 Spring Breakout games provided an opportunity for fans to glimpse teams’ top prospects in a spring training setting. But it proved to be a rocky intro to pro ball for Soto, whom the Twins drafted 34th overall in 2023. He gave up four runs while recording just two outs in what was effectively his pro debut. It was also a sneak peek of what his 2024 season would be like at Low-A Fort Myers. Soto had to go through several rocky spots, but he kept bouncing back. He carried an ERA above 6.00 and a .305 opponent average through early July, but he had three shutout starts of five innings in his final seven starts to partially redeem his season.

Scouting Report: Soto was one of the younger players in the 2023 draft and he was a shortstop who moved to the mound late in his high school career. The Twins and Soto tinkered throughout the 2024 season to find what worked. He was relying on his 94-96 mph four-seam fastball too heavily early in the season, and he was trying to throw both a cutter-ish slider and a sweeper. The sweeper would flash above-average, but it was extremely inconsistent. He started throwing more two-seamers, which played well with his harder 84-90 mph slider, and shelved the sweeper. He quickly picked up an above-average changeup in high school. It’s an advanced pitch for his age, but it’s largely something he uses against lefthanded hitters. He’s a solid average strike-thrower with the 6-foot-3 build to be a workhorse.

The Future: Soto’s resiliency was on display in 2024 and he made real progress. Unless his velocity continues to climb, he’s more of a sinker/slider pitcher who won’t pile up massive strikeout numbers, but he should be durable and work deep into games. He’s ready for High-A Cedar Rapids as a 19-year-old.

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

Track Record: Since they drafted Raya in the fourth round in 2020, the Twins have shown they love his stuff, but they had clear concerns about keeping the small but twitchy righthander healthy. Raya missed the 2021 season with shoulder fatigue, but since then he’s largely stayed off the injured list. His stuff has generally been excellent, but he also was a starter who never got a chance to handle a starter’s workload. He was held to around 50 or fewer pitches for much of 2022 and 2023. That was true again in the first half of 2024, but when August arrived the Twins started to let Raya work deeper into games for Double-A Wichita. He threw five innings in his final four starts of the season and then threw six innings on Aug. 9. That was the first time he’d worked six innings since the second start of his pro career in April 2022.

Scouting Report: Raya has some of the best stuff in the Twins’ system and he throws a little bit of everything. He sat at 94-95 mph and touched 98 with his four-seam fastball, which has above-average life. He has added a two-seam fastball as well, but it’s his plus 90 mph cutter and mid-80s slider that make hitters sweat. His cutter plays off his fastball, while his slider gives a bit more depth. He also throws a fringe-average low-80s curveball, and lefthanded hitters have to worry about a hard changeup that will flash average. Raya repeats his delivery and has shown average control.

The Future: Getting close to 100 innings and staying healthy in 2024 were big steps forward for Raya. He was added to the 40-man roster and will head into 2025 ticketed for Triple-A St. Paul. Before long, his fastball/slider combo could help the Twins in a relief role, but he needs more time to build durability if he’s going to be a starter.

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

Track Record: Prielipp slid out of the first round in 2022 because he was coming off Tommy John surgery he had as an Alabama junior. If he had been healthy, he would likely have been picked in the middle of the first round. Prielipp pitched in instructional league after signing and impressed the Twins at 2023 spring training. But after only pro start, his elbow injury flared up again. After an attempt at rest and rehab, Prielipp had an internal brace procedure to strengthen his elbow ligament in July 2023. He returned to action a year later and impressed, but the Twins were cautious with him. Prielipp never topped three innings or 50 pitches in his nine High-A starts, but he struck out 39% of the batters he faced.

Scouting Report: Prielipp has the stuff of a front-of-the-rotation starter, though a key aspect of being a frontline starter is durability, and Prielipp has thrown fewer than 60 total innings in the past four seasons combined. The good news is his stuff has largely bounced back post-surgery. In his short stints, Prielipp sat 94-96 mph with his fastball, touched 97-98 and spun a plus hard 86-88 mph slider. That slider wasn’t the double-plus monster it had been before his injuries, but the Twins were cautious about ensuring Prielipp didn’t overdo anything as he worked back into form. His 86-87 mph changeup is average. Given a full offseason, he should be even better in 2025. Prielipp has had no issues throwing strikes and should have above-average control eventually.

The Future: If Prielipp can stay healthy, he has some of the best stuff in the system. He’ll need to be added to the 40-man roster after the 2025 season, so the Twins have incentive to speed up his timetable. He could fit as a late-season starter or relief option if the Twins are battling for a playoff spot in 2025.

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

Track Record: Winokur is one of the more athletic players in baseball, but he may not be the most impressive athlete in his immediate family. His younger brother Ben is a freshman middle blocker at Loyola after being a Volleyball Magazine high school all-American. His mother was a hurdler at UC Irvine. His father was an all-conference decathlete at San Francisco State. Drafted by the Twins in the third round in 2023, Winokur’s power was hidden by the suppressive Florida State League. His .434 slugging percentage for Low-A Fort Myers ranked third-best in the league.

Scouting Report: Winokur is a strong, 6-foot-5, long-levered hitter, which brings with it the strengths and weaknesses one would expect. He hits the ball hard, but he also swings and misses a lot. If anything, Winokur’s .249 batting average—the FSL hit .229—and his 28% strikeout rate attest to his survival skills. At times, he’s short to the ball, but at other times he can get long in his swing and less connected to his lower half. Winokur’s extra-tall frame may not fit best at shortstop, but he was better there than expected. He was fringe-average. His plus arm would fit well as a potentially above-average third baseman and he has the plus speed—he’ll turn in 70-grade run times at his best—to also be a rangy center fielder. He played all three positions for Fort Myers, and the Twins are in no rush to settle on which will be his best position.

The Future: Winokur had an impressive first full pro season, but he remains a high-variance prospect who could end up as a star or a career minor leaguer. His athleticism, power and defensive value give him star potential, but his long levers and strikeout issues could derail him. The hope is that he can be an Oneil Cruz-type player, where highlight plays and strikeouts are both part of the package.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 65 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: Before he ever stepped on the field at Kansas State, Culpepper had already hit .301 in the Futures Collegiate League as a rising freshman in 2021. It was a quick sign that Culpepper would hit the ground running, and he did as a three-year starter for the Wildcats before becoming Kansas State’s first-ever first-round position player draftee. His 2023 and 2024 seasons at KSU were near carbon copies as he showed the ability to make plenty of contact, get on base and produce gap power. He also led USA’s Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in batting average (.471), home runs (three), slugging (.853) and on-base percentage (.526), further adding to his lengthy résumé of hitting with wood. The Twins drafted Culpepper 21st overall in 2024 and signed him for a slot-value bonus of $3,934,400. He made a brief 26-game pro debut, reaching High-A Cedar Rapids.

Scouting Report: Culpepper has a hit-first, well-rounded infield profile. His level swing keeps the bat in the zone for a while and should allow him to hit for average, and velocity doesn’t bother him. But without some swing changes, he’s going to be more of a line-drive, doubles hitter than a slugger. He never topped 11 home runs with a metal bat. The big question is how that hit-first approach will work if Culpepper eventually has to slide to third base as expected. He played two years at third base before moving to shortstop as a junior at Kansas State. His actions and feet are stretched at short, but he’s an above-average defender at third base with a plus arm. He should be able to handle second base as well.

The Future: Culpepper finished 2024 at High-A and likely will start there in 2025 before getting bumped up to Double-A Wichita. His defensive and power development will determine whether he’s a solid contributor or a significant regular in the long term.

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

Track Record: Matthews is a maestro of the strike zone. He started the 2024 season with a 38-inning walk-less streak. His 1.9% walk rate was easily best among minor league pitchers with at least 70 innings. This has been a long-running trait for Matthews. He’s seen his velocity jump by nearly 10 mph in the past five years without any degradation in his near top-of-scale control. He made his MLB debut on Aug. 19 and had several solid starts, but he also proved homer-prone.

Scouting Report: Matthews is a five-pitch righthander, though he can really be thought of more as a three-pitch power pitcher who attacks the zone up and down against righthanded hitters, and then becomes a five-pitch pitcher who works a bit more east-west against lefties. No pitch is dominant on its own, but Matthews’ ability to attack hitters with a 94-97 mph four-seam fastball, a hard 90-92 mph cutter and a deeper 86-88 mph slider gives him a multitude of weapons. He also drops in a bigger and slower low-80s curveball and a low-80s fringy changeup to lefties. The biggest question with Matthews is if he can keep home runs in check. Hitters know that he will always be around the zone, which explains why he has allowed 32 home runs as a pro compared to 33 walks. His need to nibble a little more in the majors is what keeps him from 80-grade control. He’s better off when hitters don’t know any behind-in-the-count pitch is going to be a strike.

The Future: Matthews may have been pushed to the majors a bit quickly, but he has all the tools and the durability to be an innings-eating No. 4 starter.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Cutter: 55 | Control: 70.
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.

Track Record: An all-league wrestler and team captain in high school in addition to baseball, Keaschall has hit wherever he has played. He was freshman of the year and a two-time all-West Coast Conference player as San Francisco’s shortstop. He hit .353 in his lone year at Arizona State in 2023, after which the Twins drafted him in the second round. A year later he was in the Futures Game. Keaschall appeared in the lineup at DH more than his natural position of second base in 2024 because of a torn elbow ligament. Eventually, the Twins shut him down for Tommy John surgery in early August.

Scouting Report: Keaschall is a pure hitter who has hit .300 pretty much everywhere he has ever played. He has a highly advanced understanding of how pitchers are trying to attack him. He makes adjustments and he rarely chases out of the strike zone. Keaschall doesn’t hit the ball exceptionally hard, but he gets to average power because of his consistent quality of contact. An above-average runner, Keaschall is an aggressive and adept basestealer when he gets on base. He played first and second base and center field in 2024, but he projects best at second and in the outfield. His hands and feet are capable enough for him to be an average defender at second base. The big question is how well he can throw after Tommy John surgery. If his arm can get to average, he should be an MLB starter at second. If not, his bat is good enough for left and center field.

The Future: Keaschall should be ready to go for spring training, and he’s set to start the year at Triple-A St. Paul. With his hitting ability, he could make the eight-mile journey to Minneapolis at some point in 2025, and could compete for an everyday job by 2026.

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

Track Record: Rodriguez signed for $2.5 million out of the Dominican Republic as the Twins’ top target in the 2019 international class. He’s been great when he plays. A hand injury limited him during 2020. He missed four months in 2022 with a left knee sprain. An abdomen injury sidelined him for nearly a month in 2023. In 2024, a thumb injury led to an injured list stint for Double-A Wichita in June. Rodriguez made it back at the end of August, but the injury flared up two weeks later to end his season. He had surgery on the thumb ligament after the season. He has averaged just 64 games per season since he reached full-season ball.

Scouting Report: Rodriguez has made his career off knowing the strike zone. He will go games between swings at pitches out of the zone. He swings at just 32% of pitches he sees, one of the lowest rates in the minors. And when he does swing, he hits the ball harder than anyone. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 110 mph was the best in the full-season minors. Rodriguez’s bat-to-ball skills are average at best, and he can be beaten by quality pitches in the zone. High strikeout rates are part of his approach, and he took 24 called third strikes in 2024. That’s what could derail him, as minor leaguers with his 30% career strikeout rate often struggle to hit in the majors. In addition to his top-of-the-scale power and top-of-the-scale plate discipline, he also is an above-average runner. He stole nine bases in his first 16 games of 2024. He didn’t steal a base for the rest of the season as the Twins tried to limit his injury risk. He’s an average defender who can play all three outfield spots.

The Future: Rodriguez should start 2025 at Triple-A St. Paul and he could reach the big leagues later in the season. His swing-and-miss issues in the zone could limit his impact, but he has star potential.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 70 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 65/High.

Track Record: Long before his draft year, Jenkins had established himself as a name to watch. He made USA Baseball’s 18U National Team as an underclassman in 2021, playing on the same team with the top picks of the 2022 draft such as Jackson Holliday, Termarr Johnson and Druw Jones. He didn’t get to star on the 2022 18U team because he had a hamate injury, but he was back in fine form in the spring of 2023. Jenkins was viewed as one of the clear top five draft talents that year. Minnesota wasn’t supposed to pick fifth, but a lucky draw in the first-ever draft lottery gave them a shot at a franchise talent despite having only the 13th-worst record in 2022. When the Twins selected Jenkins, he became the second-highest high school position player drafted from North Carolina, trailing only Josh Hamilton, the No. 1 pick in 1999. In Jenkins’ pro debut that summer, pretty much the only fastball he missed came out of the hand of Paul Skenes. His 2024 season had a tougher start. He had a quad injury during spring training but was ready for Opening Day, and the Twins sent him to Low-A Fort Myers. He then strained his hamstring in his first game, sidelining him for six weeks. Jenkins returned to Fort Myers in early June and was promoted to High-A Cedar Rapids in July. He hit .310/.369/.540 in August and got a late-season bump to Double-A Wichita. Those six games gave him the fifth-most at-bats in Double-A by a teenager in 2024.

Scouting Report: Jenkins is yet another example of how lefthanded hitters just have prettier swings than their righthanded counterparts. There are plenty of Joe Mauer-esque aspects to Jenkins’ swing and finish. Like Mauer, he starts from an open stance with a modest toe tap, has a level swing and finishes with both hands still on the bat. And like Mauer, Jenkins is a pure hitter whose power will have to develop. Jenkins has yet to show a glaring weakness as a hitter. Payton Eeles was the only full-season Twins minor leaguer to swing and miss less than Jenkins, and Jenkins had the organization’s best swing-and-miss rate on pitches in the strike zone. His lower half wasn’t always synced up perfectly early in the 2024 season, but that was largely an aftereffect of his early-season leg injuries. He hit well in August after he got fully in sync. Jenkins hit just six home runs in 82 games, but that total should quickly climb as he matures. He hits the ball hard, but his swing is geared more to line drives than long fly balls. Jenkins is a center fielder for now, though his best fit eventually is more likely as a plus defender in right field with an average arm. He’s an above-average runner.

The Future: Jenkins will be headed back to Double-A just after he turns 20 and he should reach Triple-A before long. He has the ingredients to be the Twins’ best hitter in a generation, and if his power develops as expected, he could be a star.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 70 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Field: 60 | Arm: 50.
BA GradeRisk: 55/Extreme.

Track Record: One of the top 10 international prospects for the 2024 signing class and the top player from Cuba, Ricardo signed with the Royals for a $2.4 million bonus. Beginning his career in the Dominican Summer League, he started slowly while still flashing an impressive set of tools, and finished strong in the last month of the DSL season, with an .808 OPS in his final 25 games. Ricardo came to the Royals’ complex in Arizona in mid September for the organization’s fall instructional league program. He showed steady progress over the next three weeks, with one game near the end in which he doubled twice and homered.

Scouting Report: Each of Ricardo’s tools grades as average or better, with his hit tool projecting as above-average. He has a smooth, repeatable swing with plus impact potential from both sides of the plate. He tends to expand the zone and can be too aggressive—he struck out at a 17.3% rate in the DSL—but he shows the ability to handle velocity and can adjust when in deep counts. Observers who saw him regularly in the DSL believe he will be a plus shortstop defender in time. He has agility, quick feet and a plus arm, provided he doesn’t outgrow the shortstop position. The question is whether Ricardo will retain the twitch and athleticism as he adds strength, but his bat should play if he needs to move to second or third base. At best, he’s an average runner with solid instincts who displays a good work ethic.

The Future: Ricardo will likely open his U.S. career in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, though the Royals haven’t been hesitant to move some of their more advanced international prospects right to Low-A Columbia.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60.
BA GradeRisk: 45/Medium.

Track Record: Zobac spent his first two college seasons at California as a two-way player. His stuff jumped, as did his draft stock, after focusing on pitching. The Royals snagged the athletic righthander in the fourth round in 2022 and signed him for a $500,000 bonus. His twin sister Kacey was a catcher and outfielder for the Cal softball team. After beginning his pro career in 2023 with 22 games split between Low-A Columbia and High-A Quad Cities, Zobac put together a promising 2024 season with 14 games back at Quad Cities before a promotion to Double-A Northwest Arkansas for 11 games. He posted a combined 3.64 ERA with 123 strikeouts in 126 innings, with his performance in Double-A coming less than two years into his pro career.

Scouting Report: Zobac pairs well above-average athleticism with a well above-average mental approach. He has a cerebral presence on the mound. Zobac’s four-seam fastball sits 91-93 mph and touches 97 with good life and above-average ride. He complements his heater with a potential plus slider in the mid-to-upper 80s with good spin rates and a fringe-average changeup in the low 80s that continues to be a work-in-progress. Zobac experimented with a splitter early in the 2024 season before shelving it to continue refining the changeup. He throws his pitches with a simple, repeatable delivery, fields his position and holds runners well.

The Future: Considering the lesser pitching experience for a college product, Zobac has moved quickly with no speed bumps along the way. The development of his changeup will be the key factor as to whether he’s ultimately a starter or a reliever. Team need will likely factor into the decision for the best role for Zobac, but he could thrive in the bullpen with his fastball/slider combo.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 60.
BA GradeRisk: 45/Medium.

Track Record: Cameron continues to defy projections that say he doesn’t have enough power on his fastball to consistently retire more advanced hitters. He has maintained his advance through the Royals’ system without hitting that imaginary wall. The Missouri native, who missed his junior season at Central Arkansas to Tommy John surgery, has performed consistently well at every level since first getting into minor league games in 2022, one year after being drafted in the seventh round. His nine starts at Triple-A Omaha to end 2024 represents the best run of his career, with a 2.32 ERA and 62 strikeouts to just 11 walks in 54.1 innings.

Scouting Report: A finesse lefthander with a sneaky four-seam fastball averaging 92 mph, Cameron excels because of the deceptive life on the pitch and its good vertical carry, helping to compensate for lower velocity. He added an extra tick of zip in 2024 and now touches 96 mph, and he may still have more in the tank. Cameron’s best secondary pitch is a plus low-80s changeup with good vertical separation off his fastball. It’s a deceptive pitch with big tumble, depth and command. Cameron has good feel for an above-average 78-83 mph curveball with 11-to-5 shape and tight break that he throws for strikes and tunnels well with the fastball. His fourth pitch is an 88-91 mph cutter with average horizontal movement. Cameron gets swings and misses from both his changeup and curve, and he’s a savvy hurler who mixes his pitches well. His arm action and repeatable over-the-top delivery work well.

The Future: Cameron’s next big test will be to see if he can repeat the success he had in Triple-A, leading to a determination on if he’s got enough stuff to face big league hitters. The Royals added him to the 40-man roster in November, and he could make his MLB debut in 2025.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 55.
BA GradeRisk: 50/High.

Track Record: Wolters popped onto scouts’ radars in the winter of 2023 when his fastball velocity jumped significantly just prior to his senior year of high school in Illinois. The event that put him on the map was the PBR Super 60 Showcase in February, at which he broke the annual velocity record with a fastball up to 97.7 mph. Wolters earned an over-slot bonus of $2.8 million when the Royals drafted the Arizona commit in the second round in 2023. His first pro action in his draft year was limited to just a pair of one-inning stints in instructional league, but he broke camp in 2024 with Low-A Columbia. Wolters made 14 starts at that level, performing well until the decision was made to shut him down to limit innings in his first pro season.

Scouting Report: With a strong 6-foot-4 frame that has been described as the perfect build for a pitcher, Wolters’ fastball touches 99 mph with power ride and some bore. He sits 93-97 with a fast arm out of an above-average delivery from a repeatable three-quarters arm slot and proper finish out in front. An area for improvement will be location and getting better shape. Wolters’ wipeout 83-87 mph slider flashes as a plus offering with traditional break and more than 2,600 rpm spin. An ongoing developmental goal for Wolters is the development of a changeup, a pitch he seldom used in high school and delivered just under 10% of the time in 2024. It’s a firm pitch, sitting 85-89 mph and touching 91 while recording a 34.5% miss rate.

The Future: Wolters will be ready to head to High-A out of spring training in 2025. He profiles as a No. 2 starter, but with plenty of development ahead as he learns better execution of his pitches and how to work hitters.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50.
BA GradeRisk: 50/High.

Track Record: Cross ranked as the Royals’ top prospect the year after they selected the Virginia Tech outfielder with the ninth overall pick in the 2022. They signed him for $5,200,400. He confused observers with a subpar season in 2023, featuring a disappointing stat line of .203/.298/.378 in a season spent primarily at High-A Quad Cities. His season-long issues were a combination of hitting mechanics being out of whack, back discomfort and a tick-borne illness that shut down his regular season shortly after a promotion to Double-A. Cross’ 2024 numbers at Double-A Northwest Arkansas were significantly better, with a batting line of .261/.342/.428 and 15 home runs in 101 games.

Scouting Report: Cross hasn’t quite shown the hit tool he had in college, logging a strikeout rate of 24% in his first full Double-A season and selling out for power at times. He could be regarded as more of a power-over-hit guy, and he should be able to get more pop with his torque and bat speed using an up-the-middle approach. Cross spent more time in right field than in the middle of the outfield in 2024, and that’s the position that suits him best. An average runner with long strides who gets solid jumps and reads in the outfield would normally be enough to handle center, but the key to his defense is more effort over athleticism, and he lacks the necessary recovery speed. Cross stole 30 bases in 32 attempts in 2024, with the baserunning instincts to continue getting plenty of steals. He reads outfielders well and has a good feel as to when to take chances running from first to third on hits to the outfield.

The Future: Cross profiles as a regular right fielder or a fourth outfielder on a first-division team. He’ll get his first taste of Triple-A ball in 2025 with a chance to make it to Kansas City during the year.

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

Track Record: Pittsburgh area high school lefthander Shields reclassified to skip his senior year and was still just 17 on draft day in 2024. Taken in the second round, Shields signed with the Royals for a $2.3 million dollar bonus. Based on his performance in instructional league games in Arizona, it looks like he and the Royals made the right decisions. The multi-sport athlete and high school quarterback passed on his commitment to Miami. Shields made his unofficial pro debut before his 18th birthday in the backfield games and threw progressively better in each of his five starts.

Scouting Report: Shields’ fastball sits 92-95 mph with clean and easy operation and an angle that creates deception. He complements it with a slider and a curveball, both future above-average pitches. They blend together now, with his curveball at 78 mph and slider at 82. Shields will need to get more separation between the two pitches. Like most high school pitchers, he seldom used a changeup but is already showing the potential to develop an average version of the pitch. He already has feel for the pitch, which he throws at 87-88 mph and delivers enough arm speed to create sink and deception. While Shields might not have a true plus pitch at present, he consistently fills up the zone with strikes and should have above-average control moving forward. He’s a great mover on the mound who repeats his three-quarters arm slot and finishes in a balanced position with a steady head and very little recoil or effort.

The Future: The Royals will be careful to manage Shields’ innings in his first pro year in 2025, but whether they send him to Low-A Columbia to start the season or hold him back in extended spring training is to be determined. He has the upside of a midrotation starter.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Curveball: 55 CH: 50 | Control: 55.
BA GradeRisk: 50/High.

Track Record: Kudrna and fellow 2021 draftee Carter Jensen were planning on attending LSU together until the Royals drafted the pair in back-to-back rounds. Kudrna signed for an over-slot $3 million bonus, the largest handed out in the second round that year. After not pitching in an official game in his draft year, Kudrna has since moved steadily through the system, splitting 2024 between High-A Quad Cities and Double-A Northwest Arkansas. In both of his last two seasons, Kudrna has taken time to adjust to the higher level, so the higher 5.72 ERA at Double-A does not concern the Royals.

Scouting Report: Kudrna has a solid 6-foot-3 frame to which he’s added strength since turning pro, but it’s already a mature body, raising projection questions. He attacks hitters with a four-seam fastball that sits 91-95 mph with good carry. It touches 97, which is similar to his peak prep velocity, but with limited deception. Some wonder whether Kudrna’s velocity would tick up in the bullpen. A newer pitch in his toolkit is a two-seam fastball with sinking action thrown at the same velocity as the four-seamer. He uses it as his fourth pitch to run in on righthanded batters and down and away to lefthanded batters. Kudrna relies heavily on a sharp 83-88 mph gyro slider with late bite and depth that he can throw for strikes. Kudrna’s best secondary pitch is a changeup with sink that flashes plus, delivered at 84-88 mph with the same arm speed as his fastball. It plays against both righthanded and lefthanded hitters. The effort in Kudrna’s delivery from a high three-quarters arm slot affects the consistency of his changeup.

The Future: With the upside projection of a No. 4 or 5 starter, Kudrna will return to Double-A for more seasoning.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50.
BA GradeRisk: 50/High.

Track Record: Jensen was drafted in the third round in 2021 by his hometown team, signing with the Royals for an over-slot bonus of $1,097,500. Since turning pro, Jensen has been young for each minor league level. While consistently showing preternatural control of the strike zone in his first two full seasons, he wasn’t looking for pitches he could drive, resulting in high on-base percentages but lower batting and slugging averages. That all changed in 2024. Jensen split time between High-A Quad Cities and Double-A Northwest Arkansas and hit a career-high 18 home runs while batting .259/.359/.450. He finished the year with an impressive performance in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Jensen has feel for the barrel, with quick hands and a compact swing, and his 2024 season was a good step forward in reaching the projection of a high on-base hitter with 20-home run potential. The key was consistently approaching the plate with a better plan and taking more chances on pitches. Added strength allowed the lefthanded-hitting Jensen to do more damage, especially as he continued using the middle of the field. Handling lefthanded pitchers will continue to be a developmental goal for Jensen. Despite below-average speed, he used his instincts to swipe 17 bags while being thrown out just three times. Still relatively new to catching, Jensen showed continual improvement at framing and moving behind the plate. He has an above-average arm and threw out 26% of basestealers, but he struggled with his throws in the AFL, an unsurprising development because most catchers are worn out from the long season.

The Future: Jensen is athletic enough that he could handle other positions, but a change is not currently in the plans. His development will continue at Double-A in 2025.

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

Track Record: A two-time Gatorade high school player of the year in the state of Texas, Mitchell was the top available prep catcher in the 2023 draft. The Royals drafted the LSU commit with the eighth overall pick and signed him for an under-slot bonus of $4,897,500. Concerns were raised after Mitchell had a flat pro debut at the end of the Arizona Complex League season, and an aggressive assignment to Low-A Columbia in 2024 was expected to be a challenge for the 19-year-old catcher. Mitchell initially struggled at the plate, getting just three hits in his first 24 at-bats. After adjusting his stance to get more athleticism into his swing, Mitchell put up a solid season in Low-A, batting .238/.376/.439 with 18 home runs and 25 stolen bases, before ending the year with five games at High-A Quad Cities.

Scouting Report: The key to Mitchell’s progress at the plate was narrowing his stance, which gave him more athleticism and allowed his lefthanded swing to work more efficiently and use all fields. While a 30.5% strikeout rate points to the need for more improvement, it is balanced by a very good 17% walk rate, and his 18 home runs showed that he was able to tap into his plus raw power. The metrics support Mitchell’s growth in swing decisions, with 75% of swings in the zone and a low 19% chase rate. His strong hands help him receive the ball well behind the plate. He’s got plus-plus arm strength and regularly records pop times of sub-2.0 seconds, while continuing to work on his release and transfers. A well below-average runner, Mitchell used his advanced baserunning instincts to steal 25 bases in 32 attempts.

The Future: As with most catchers drafted out of high school, Mitchell still has a long development path ahead, but his 2024 season was a big jump forward. He’ll return to High-A Quad Cities in 2025.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70.
BA GradeRisk: 60/Extreme.

Track Record: Power is the key word that describes Caglianone, whom the Royals drafted sixth overall in 2024. Not only does he have 80-grade raw power and 68 total home runs over his last two seasons at Florida, but he also possesses a power fastball from the mound that gets into the high 90s. The nickname “Jac” comes from the initials of his full name: Jeffrey Alan Caglianone. He first put himself on the map during his high school days at Plant High in Tampa. Turning pro right away was not in the cards after an elbow injury just before the 2021 draft required Tommy John surgery, and he instead enrolled at Florida, not a surprise considering his parents were already season-ticket holders for Gators baseball. Caglianone led the nation in home runs as a sophomore with 33 before his 35 long balls finished second to Georgia’s Charlie Condon in 2024. He homered in nine consecutive games in April, with one home run traveling 516 feet. Caglianone started 24 games on the mound over his last two years at Florida. He’s an effectively wild pitcher with a low-90s sinking fastball that touches 98-99 mph and average secondaries, but with below-average control that profiles him as a reliever if he ever gets a chance to pitch as a pro. After signing with the Royals for a slightly above-slot $7,497,500, Caglianone began his pro career with 29 games with High-A Quad Cities, followed by an assignment to the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Caglianone uses a steep, uphill lefthanded swing, with a lower half that leaks to his pull side, which makes him susceptible to chasing breaking balls out of the zone. As he adjusts to the better level of pitching in the pro game, he’ll strike fear in the hearts of pitchers with his game-changing power. He considerably cut his strikeout rate and improved his walk rate between his sophomore and junior years in college, but there’s still work to do. While his plus arm would work in the outfield, he’s a below-average runner, so first base is likely his position. He’s an average defender there and his height presents a big target for infielders. He seldom attempts to steal bases, but he’s not a base clogger. Caglianone was announced as a two-way player when drafted, but the Royals have no plans to put him on the mound for now. Observers are impressed by Caglianone’s makeup and the way he plays the game.

The Future: How quickly Caglianone moves through the Royals’ system will depend on swing adjustments and improvement in pitch recognition after he gets more accustomed to pro pitching. After a taste of High-A and the AFL, he will likely head to Double-A Northwest Arkansas to start 2025. He has the kind of power that can produce league-leading home run totals, similar to slugger Pete Alonso, who preceded Caglianone at both Plant High and Florida.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 70 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60.
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium.

Track Record: The Padres signed Cantillo out of his Hawaii high school in 2017 for $302,500 in the 16th round, then traded him to the Guardians in the 2020 deal that sent Mike Clevinger to San Diego. Cantillo battled injuries in subsequent years—an oblique in 2021, a shoulder in 2022, a hamstring in 2024—but made his MLB debut in 2024 and posted a 4.89 ERA in 38.2 innings in the regular season and made three postseason relief appearances.

Scouting Report: Cantillo has a great pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds and works from the third base side of the rubber with a high three-quarters arm slot and a drop-and-drive action in his lower half. He has been up to 97-98 mph in the past but typically sits around 92-93 with his four-seam fastball that looks like an average offering. His changeup has long been his most reliable secondary. It’s a consistent plus offering and reliable swing-and-miss pitch that checks in around 77-80 mph with good fade and tumbling life. Cantillo began using his upper-70s curveball more frequently in 2024. The pitch has elite depth and active spin. He averaged around 18 inches of depth with the pitch and around 2,600 rpm in spin rate—both above-average figures for a curveball, which makes it difficult to square up for damage. Cleveland now views the pitch as one of the better curves in the system, though his 80-85 mph slider played better as a swing-and-miss breaking ball in 2024. Cantillo has had below-average control for most of his pro career but made strides in a four-start September, when he managed a 63% strike rate.

The Future: Cantillo profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter whose reliability and consistency will depend on the command of his secondaries and his health. He is MLB ready if Cleveland needs him.

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

Track Record: Brito signed with the Rockies out of the Dominican Republic in 2018, and the Guardians acquired him in a 2022 trade that sent Nolan Jones to Colorado. Since then, all Brito has done is hit. He went from High-A to Triple-A in 2023 then spent the entire 2024 season with Triple-A Columbus where he slashed .256/.365/.443 and was one of just two minor leaguers with at least 20 homers and 40 doubles—along with Athletics outfielder Colby Thomas.

Scouting Report: Brito is a 6-foot-1, 207-pound switch-hitter and infielder who has a solid blend of contact skills, approach and power. Over five minor league seasons, he is a .275/.384/.450 hitter with a 14.1% walk rate and 15.4% strikeout rate. He makes pitchers work to get him out, doesn’t expand the zone much and has added more power as he’s gotten into his 20s, though most of that power goes to his pull side when he’s batting lefthanded. Changeups were a bit of a bugaboo for Brito in 2024—his 30% miss rate against the pitch was higher than fastballs and breaking balls—but otherwise he has a fairly well-rounded and proven offensive game. Brito is just a fringe-average runner whose range is a bit short in the field. He primarily played second base in 2024 but also logged innings at first base, third base, right field and shortstop. Brito has some looseness to his actions in the field at times, but is best suited for the keystone, where his average arm strength plays fine, or the hot corner, where his range isn’t as much of a limiting factor.

The Future: Brito is ready for a big league opportunity but doesn’t have an everyday role with Cleveland because Jose Ramirez and Andres Gimenez are locked into his best positions. He could serve as a utility bench bat but might have more value to another team in a starting role.

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

Track Record: Kayfus has an established track record as a polished hitter dating to his high school days. He bolstered that reputation in three years with Miami, where he hit .350 over three seasons. The Guardians signed him for $700,000 in the third round of the 2023 draft. In 107 games between High-A Lake County and Double-A Akron in 2024, Kayfus hit .291/.393/.511 with 17 home runs, a 12.3% walk rate and a 157 wRC+.

Scouting Report: Kayfus has battled a tweener profile for years as an undersized first baseman with a 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame. He’s got a quiet setup in the box with a neutral stance and typical handset, with a soft hand press down and back during his load. His contact skills don’t stand out in a system stuffed with bat-to-ball merchants, but he pairs strong swing decisions with enough contact and great batted-ball angles. His barrel rate in 2024 was one of the best in Cleveland’s system, and while his top-end exit velocities and raw power are light for a first baseman, Kayfus showed an ability to tap into that power to his pull side with frequency. He could be the sort of hitter who is able to maximize the raw power he possesses, thanks to his feel for the barrel, but adding more bat speed and strength remains a key development goal. Kayfus will turn in fringy and average run times from home to first and moves around well enough to play an outfield corner in a pinch, though he’s still a below-average defender there. He’s an above-average or plus defender at first base with great athleticism for the position, along with reliable hands and footwork, albeit a fringy arm.

The Future: Kayfus has the hitting chops to profile as an everyday first baseman if he can unlock a bit more power. He should spend the entire 2025 season in the upper minors.

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

Track Record: Ingle showed standout plate discipline and contact skills as a catcher and outfielder with Clemson, though there were questions about his defensive profile behind the plate. The Guardians signed him for $400,000 in the fourth round in 2023, then watched him turn in one of the best offensive seasons among minor league catchers in 2024, when he hit .305/.419/.478 with a 160 wRC+ between High-A Lake County and Double-A Akron.

Scouting Report: Ingle has a smaller frame at 5-foot-9, 180 pounds and has a relaxed, open stance in the batter’s box with a quick and direct lefthanded swing that leads to tons of line-drive contact. Like many hitters Cleveland targets, Ingle stands out for his plate discipline and contact skills. He rarely expands the zone and has consistently walked more than he has struck out dating back to his amateur days. In 2024 he managed above-average contact (85.6%) and zone-contact rates (90.4%). Ingle doesn’t have much raw power, and as a 22-year-old without much physical projection isn’t likely to grow into much more. The homers he hits are nearly exclusively to his pull side, and he’ll derive his offensive value from high averages and on-base percentages. He’s a good runner for a catcher who can get out of the box quickly when he needs to. Ingle has made strides defensively and works from a one-knee setup with reliable hands, blocking ability and game-calling. His pure arm strength is fringy at best, but he threw out 27.3% of baserunners in 2024 thanks to a quick exchange. He has the tools to be a solid defender with continued progress.

The Future: Ingle doesn’t have the sort of impact to be a middle-of-the-order bat, but his contact skills, zone control and defensive ability should allow him to carve out a regular big league catching role.

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

Track Record: Francisca was the top player in Cleveland’s 2023 international signing class and stood out for his pure hitting ability as a switch-hitter. He played well in the Dominican Summer League in 2023 then made an excellent stateside debut in 2024 when he slashed .327/.411/.474 with 18 doubles and 19 stolen bases in 74 games between the Arizona Complex League and Low-A Lynchburg.

Scouting Report: Francisca is a small and wiry infielder with a 5-foot-11, 178-pound frame and an infectious, high-energy style. He has short and compact swing from both sides of the plate which matches his physicality, and the above-average contact skills and approach that describes many hitters Cleveland targets. He controls the zone well with a selectively aggressive approach, though his strikeout rate jumped from 12.4% to 20.5% when he moved from the complex to the Carolina League. He’s shown an ability to recognize pitch types but will need more reps against higher quality secondaries. Francisca’s diminutive frame makes him a hit-over-power offensive profile who might never develop even average power, but he did manage shockingly impressive exit velocity numbers for his age and size and has above-average bat speed. He’s an above-average runner with short strides and went 19-for-22 on the bases with more than enough range for either middle-infield position. Francisca is an instinctive, high-effort defender with the hands for shortstop, though his solid-average arm strength might be stretched on difficult plays deep in the hole. He could be a solid defender at shortstop but a plus defender at second base.

The Future: Francisca will play his age-19 season in 2025 at Low-A Lynchburg. Much of his upside will depend on how much strength and physicality he’s able to add, but he’s already met expectations.

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

Track Record: Velazquez earned a reputation as one of the best prep hitters in the 2023 draft class after an impressive career with SoCal powerhouse Huntington Beach. He signed for $2.5 million as the 23rd overall pick with the Guardians and played well in a brief pro debut in Rookie ball. In 2024, Velazquez hit well with Low-A Lynchburg, slashing.243/.352/.414 with 10 home runs and a 131 wRC+, but struggled after a promotion to High-A Lake County, where he hit .177/.275/.250 with a 54 wRC+.

Scouting Report: Velazquez is a big and physical lefthanded-hitting first baseman with a 6-foot-2, 240-pound frame. He employs a wide, crouched setup in the box and uses a toe-tap mechanism to start his swing, with a handset that has gradually gotten higher since his prep days. That hand placement has allowed Velazquez to generate loft on a greater variety of pitches, which should help him tap into his easy plus raw power. He has tons of strength and great bat speed that has allowed him to generate some of the best exit velocities in the system, and some scouts think he could grow into 70-grade raw power. He does have a bit of swing-and-miss, especially against breaking and offspeed pitches, but has above-average hitting potential. Velazquez is a well below-average runner with poor acceleration who shouldn’t be much of a basestealing threat. He spent a vast majority of his time in the field in 2024 at first base, which is where he projects moving forward. Velazquez played a few games in left field and does have a plus arm, but he would be a defensive liability in the outfield given his lack of range.

The Future: Velazquez will need to mash to profile as an everyday first baseman, but he has more than enough power to do so. He should start the 2025 season back with High-A Lake County.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 40 | Arm: 60.
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.

Track Record: DeLauter dominated Colonial Athletic Association competition at James Madison and might have been a top 10 overall pick if not for a foot injury that contributed to his slide to 16th overall, where the Guardians signed him for $3.75 million. DeLauter has performed at a high level in pro ball, but recurring foot injuries have limited him to just 96 minor league games in two seasons. In 2024 DeLauter managed an .842 OPS in 39 games mostly between Double-A and Triple-A. He also played well in the Arizona Fall League after the season.

Scouting Report: DeLauter is a big and physical lefthanded-hitting outfielder with a 6-foot-4, 233-pound frame. Despite his size, he has an ultra compact swing that’s short to the ball with a steep uphill angle that leads to plenty of fly balls. It’s an unusual looking swing with a funky setup, but DeLauter has consistently shown a strong combination of contact skills (12.8% miss rate) and power (111.1 mph max exit velocity). DeLauter has 35-plus home run potential and puts plenty of his balls in the air and to his pull side. His contact skills and career .317 average portend quality pure hitting ability in the majors, but he’s consistently been more limited when facing lefthanders—while demolishing righties—which remains his lone non-health offensive question. DeLauter is a strong runner for his size who will turn in plus times underway when he wants to but has better long speed than real quickness. He’s continued to split time in center field and right field. He can handle the former but profiles as an above-average defender at the latter, with plus arm strength.

The Future: Cleveland’s lineup is continuously thin on power. If DeLauter can stay on the field he has a chance to become a middle-of-the-order, over-the-fence threat as soon as the 2025 season.

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

Track Record: Genao was the centerpiece of Cleveland’s 2021 international signing class and has lived up to that billing in the ensuing three seasons. Genao’s 2023 season was limited to 72 games because of a torn right meniscus, but he had a fully healthy, breakout 2024 season split between Low-A Lynchburg and High-A Lake County. He slashed .330/.379/.499 with a 150 wRC+ and was top 10 in the minors with 148 hits and 38 doubles.

Scouting Report: Genao has solid physicality and strength in his 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame. His swing has moving parts from both sides of the plate, including a large leg kick and plenty of bat waggle, but his elite hand-eye coordination and advanced approach give him a chance to become a plus hitter. Genao likes to swing, and his aggression might limit his walk rate, but he makes plenty of contact within the zone and has been effective against all pitch types and top-end velocity. His power is more doubles-oriented now, but he has above-average exit velocities for his age group, and some scouts believe his added physicality will eventually lead to above-average raw power. He hit double-digit homers for the first time in his pro career in 2024 and is trending in the right direction impact-wise. Genao is a solid-average runner who gets out of the box well from the left side and has long, gliding strides. Defensively, Genao is a mixed bag. He shuffled between shortstop and second and third base in 2024, but scouts are excited about his plus hands and athleticism and think a solid shortstop defender is in the tank with more focused reps. He’s got plus arm strength but needs to be more consistent with his accuracy.

The Future: Genao has above-average everyday upside at multiple infield positions, though his specific role will depend on his defensive development and power. He will be tested in the upper minors in 2025.

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

Track Record: Chourio signed out of Venezuela for $1.2 million as the Guardians’ top international prospect in the 2022 class, only one year after his older brother Jackson headlined the Brewers’ 2021 signing class. After strong seasons in the Dominican Summer League in 2022 and mostly in Rookie ball in 2023, Chourio spent the 2024 season as a 19-year-old in the Carolina League. He posted an .813 OPS, led all hitters in the league with a 19.9% walk rate and 144 wRC+ and finished third with 44 steals. A broken left wrist ended his season early in late August.

Scouting Report: Chourio is a wiry switch-hitter with a 6-foot-1, 192-pound frame and well-rounded game driven by his excellent approach and contact skills. He has a tremendous understanding of the strike zone, with advanced barrel skills from both sides of the plate and a clean bat path that leads to plus hit tool projections. He’s more natural from the left side—his swing can get rotational from the right side—but he works counts and knows how to get to pitches he can handle. Chourio’s heavy groundball tendencies and lack of physicality could limit his power production, but Cleveland has been working with him to adjust his contact point to get the ball in the air more frequently. His top-end exit velocities, including a max of 110.8 mph, are excellent for his age. He’s a plus runner who could lose a step if he adds mass to his frame. He should be able to stick in center field and be an above-average defender with above-average arm strength, though he still needs refinement in this area of his game.

The Future: While Chourio doesn’t have the power upside of his brother, he’s an instinctual hitter who has tremendous contact skills and well-rounded game. He’s ready to face tougher pitchers in the minors, and if he unlocks more power he could have the highest upside in the system.

Scouting Grades Hit: 65 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 60/High.

Track Record: Bazzana became the first-ever Australian-born player and second baseman to be drafted with the first overall pick when the Guardians signed him for $8.95 million. Cleveland won the top pick in the second-ever draft lottery. Bazzana established a reputation as one of the best pure hitters in the country, ranked No. 2 on the BA draft board and finished his career as a .360 hitter with Oregon State. He signed quickly after being drafted and then played 27 games with High-A Lake County, where he managed a .765 OPS and helped lead the Captains to a Midwest League championship.

Scouting Report: At 6 feet, 190 pounds, Bazzana is a filled-out lefthanded hitter who doesn’t boast much physical projection but instead derives value from a polished set of skills led by precocious hitting ability. Bazzana has a deep barrel tip in his load and starts his swing with a sizable leg kick, but he has tremendous bat-to-ball skills that allow him to make plenty of contact around the zone against all pitch types, as well as an advanced approach at the plate. He’s a patient hitter who walked more than he struck out in his college career, and in his pro debut walked at a 13.9% clip. Being exposed to more high-quality lefthanded pitchers exposed some platoon splits in his pro debut, and he also swung and missed a bit more often versus breaking pitches. Still, he made adjustments later in his debut and projects as a plus or better pure hitter. There will be batters who can hit the ball farther than Bazzana in batting practice, but he’s already optimized his angles on contact and hits the ball in the air to his pull side with frequency that should help him fully tap into his above-average raw power. Bazzana went from six to 11 to 28 home runs in college and showed above-average exit velocity data for a 21-year-old hitter in his pro debut. Bazzana is a plus runner and athlete who can steal bases efficiently thanks to his combination of speed and baserunning instincts. He should have plenty of range for second base, but the defensive side of his game needs some fine-tuning. Bazzana tended to consistently throw from a low arm slot in college, which created some questions, but he got onto a dedicated throwing routine after signing. The Guardians have been impressed with his defensive progress, arm slot versatility and improved arm strength. Anyone around Bazzana has always praised his makeup and work ethic, which serves as a key “sixth tool” for the Australian native.

The Future: Bazzana should be a quick mover who will be ready for upper minors exposure in 2025. He looks like a safe bet to be Cleveland’s second baseman of the future with everyday impact potential that could result in all-star appearances. He has the highest offensive floor in the system and the physical tools to be a solid or better defender at an up-the-middle position.

Scouting Grades Hit: 65 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50.
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium.

Track Record: If Hurter’s career was complete, he’d already be a successful seventh-round pick. The good news for the Tigers is he’s still prospect-eligible with many good years ahead of him. The Georgia Tech product made his MLB debut in early August and immediately stepped into a key role. He served as a de facto starter in a bulk-innings role, throwing five or more frames in six of his 10 appearances. He threw five scoreless innings in the postseason as well. By not starting Hurter, the Tigers figured out ways to get him more favorable matchups. He responded by striking out 28% of the lefthanded hitters he faced in the majors.

Scouting Report: Hurter’s success is based on his plus control and command. He is deadly to lefties by working in and out. He has near-top-of-the-scale control and command against them, which, combined with his sinker/sweeper combo from a lower arm slot, is a difficult puzzle to solve. Hurter’s sweeper lives on and just off the outer edge of the zone for lefties, while his ability to dot his sinker on the inner edge keeps lefties from leaning out over the plate. It’s not surprising that he hit lefties seven times in 2024 compared to five walks allowed. Hurter can backdoor righthanded hitters with his sweeper, add in a four-seamer above the zone to change hitters’ eye levels and drop changeups at the bottom of the zone. His control is not as impressive against righties, but it’s still above-average.

The Future: Hurter has already earned himself a spot in Detroit as a back-of-the-rotation starter or bulk-innings reliever following an opener. His ability to handle righthanded hitters helps him turn over a lineup a couple times, and his two-pitch mix to lefties gives him a safe floor as a useful reliever.

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

Track Record: After Briceño missed three months in 2024 with a knee injury, the Tigers sent him to the Arizona Fall League to make up for missed at-bats. With fewer than 200 full-season at-bats under his belt, there was a worry that the league would be too advanced for him. Briceño dispelled any concerns with four three-hit games in his first seven starts and proved to be the best player in the league. He became the first AFL player to hit 10 or more home runs since 2011 and slashed .433/.509/.867 to win the first-ever AFL triple crown.

Scouting Report: Briceño’s knee injury was a setback but also an opportunity. It didn’t require surgery, and he spent his rehab time working on strength and conditioning. He improved his fitness and strength, which paid off when he went to the AFL. He also used the time to tweak his swing to better get the ball in the air. For all his power and ability to punish poor offspeed offerings, Briceño has generally used a hit-first approach. There is some length to his swing, and he starts with a bat wrap, but he has plus power potential. Behind the plate, Briceño faces plenty of skepticism about whether he can stay at catcher. His knee injury shouldn’t be a long-term concern—he caught just 16 games in 2024—and he’s going to go back to catching again in 2025. At 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, he’s already quite big for the position, and his flexibility and athleticism may not make it his best long-term home. Briceño has a plus arm, and his hitting ability and power could fit as a fringy defender at first base.

The Future: Briceño more than made up for lost time at the plate with his standout AFL session. He should head to High-A West Michigan in 2025. His bat is well ahead of his glove, which may eventually help push him to first base.

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

Track Record: Before he ever made it to the majors, Sweeney had been traded twice. The Yankees’ 2021 first-round pick, he went to the Dodgers for lefthander Victor Gonzalez and second baseman Jorbit Vivas in December 2023. Just eight months later, he was sent with catcher Thayron Liranzo to the Tigers for righthander Jack Flaherty. Sweeney was called up to the majors less than three weeks later. Javier Baez’s back injury meant that Sweeney became the Tigers’ everyday shortstop during their playoff run and in the postseason. He was challenged offensively, but immediately proved to be a defensive improvement over Baez.

Scouting Report: Sweeney’s offensive upside remains a question, but his defense opened eyes during his time in Detroit. He has a long swing, which currently limits his contact skills despite above-average bat speed. There’s room for improvement there, and Sweeney’s ability to draw a walk and provide the occasional home run should work as long as he plays high-level defense. Sweeney’s defense is plus because he reads balls off the bat expertly and has above-average range thanks to quick feet and fast hands. His arm is below-average, but he makes up for it with a fast exchange and well-above-average accuracy. His average exchange time was fifth-fastest among MLB shortstops with 50 or more chances in 2024.

The Future: Sweeney made the Tigers better the moment he took over at shortstop for Baez. His tools aren’t conventional for the position, but he makes enough plays to be an asset for a team with a quality pitching staff and defensive question marks at second and third base. His floor is as a versatile above-average utility infielder, but the Tigers have every reason to see if he can be the team’s everyday shortstop.

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

Track Record: Jung is the younger brother of Rangers third baseman Josh Jung. Like Josh, Jace was a three-year star at Texas Tech, won Big 12 Conference player of the year honors and was a first-round pick. Drafted 12th overall in 2022, he reached the majors in August 2024 and was the Tigers’ starting third baseman for much of that month. As his defensive limitations became more apparent, he started to be pulled for replacements late in games and eventually went to the bench. His two postseason appearances came as a pinch-hitter in late innings for the DH.

Scouting Report: Jung is a professional hitter with solid pitch recognition and bat-to-ball skills. He has a swing that generates plenty of power production to his pull side, as well as to the opposite-field power alley. He is excellent at diagnosing and fixing swing issues, draws plenty of walks and doesn’t chase excessively, giving him a shot to be an above-average hitter with above-average power. But he has to get significantly better defensively. He made just three errors all season at second base in 2023, but his move to third base in 2024 did not go smoothly. He has below-average range there and isn’t reliable. Jung’s hands are well below-average, which turns routine plays into adventures. Balls clank off his glove or go through his legs too frequently, and he had trouble tracking fly balls. The extra reaction time at second base makes him more reliable, if still fringy. He has above-average arm strength and solid accuracy. A below-average runner, he’s not a basestealing threat.

The Future: Jung made his MLB debut in 2024, but he will enter 2025 needing to prove he can hold down a position. His defense will have to improve significantly if he’s going to be a big league regular.

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

Track Record: When the Tigers drafted Dingler in the 2020 second round out of Ohio State, they knew they loved his catching. They also knew that there were real questions about how well he would hit. He struggled with contract and strikeout issues at times, but the Tigers remained patient, sending him back to Double-A for parts of three straight seasons. In his second stint at Triple-A Toledo, he slashed his strikeout rate while adding power. The Tigers traded away Carson Kelly at the 2024 deadline and brought Dingler up to be the team’s backup catcher.

Scouting Report: Dingler has long been an excellent defender whose glove would be good enough to make it to the majors. He’s a nimble, athletic receiver who embraces the mental side of catching. He’s an average framer and a plus blocker with a cannon of an arm. Dingler’s 87.5 mph average arm strength was third-best among MLB catchers, though his exchange limits him to plus pop times. As a hitter, Dingler made significant strides in 2024. He closed his once-open stance. His swing remains long, which makes him vulnerable to top-tier velocity despite average bat speed. He has improved his contact skills to the point where he’s able to more consistently get to his average power. He may never hit for average in the majors, but his ability to draw walks with similar power potential to Tigers’ starter Jake Rogers gives him a shot to provide similar impact with a better on-base percentage. He’s an above-average runner.

The Future: Dingler has made enough improvements to be a plausible future starter. For now, he’s an excellent backup to Rogers, and he gives Detroit a pair of catchers with similar strengths and weaknesses. Dingler has a bit more offensive upside if his 2024 improvements carry over to the big leagues.

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

Track Record: Eight games behind Royals and Twins in the American League wild card standings at the end of July, the Tigers were sellers at the 2024 trade deadline. They went on a tear in August and September to claim a postseason berth. They did so without Jack Flaherty, whom they traded to the Dodgers for Liranzo and shortstop Trey Sweeney on July 30. After the trade, Liranzo went on a tear. He slashed .315/.470/.562 with 12 extra-base hits in 26 games with High-A West Michigan and kept hitting in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: There aren’t many catching prospects who can stay at the position while showing Liranzo’s level of offensive upside. Before the trade, his season was disappointing by his lofty expectations, but he has shown at his best that he can be a middle-of-the-order, switch-hitting bat. Liranzo hit much better from the righthanded side in 2024, with a .955 OPS compared to .729 mark batting lefty, but he has a solid lefthanded swing and knows how to work counts. He was actually more productive from the left side in 2023. Both swings work, and he has the ability to generate plenty of leverage to get to 20-plus home runs. Liranzo is big-bodied, but he has worked hard to improve his agility and flexibility. Not yet a polished receiver, he has shown the desire and willingness to work. His best asset defensively is a plus arm that helps him turn in pop times of 1.9 seconds. He is a bottom-of-the-scale runner.

The Future: The Tigers are suddenly a bastion of catching depth with two solid catchers in the majors, Liranzo ready for Double-A and Josue Briceño and Enrique Jimenez further away. Getting a switch-hitting catcher with plus power should be a coup, and scouts who saw Liranzo this year tended to be more optimistic about his ability to stay behind the plate.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 20 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60.
BA Grade/Risk: 60/Extreme.

Track Record: While the Tigers’ rebuild fully clicked with the team’s late-season surge to the playoffs, they still managed to reap the draft rewards of their past struggles by selecting Rainer with the 11th overall pick in 2024. Rainer was a legitimate first-round prospect as a pitcher and hitter, though his ever-improving lefthanded bat made picking him as a shortstop the easy choice. He became the fifth first-round pick out of Los Angeles’ Harvard-Westlake High, joining Max Fried, Lucas Giolito, Jack Flaherty and Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Scouting Report: The Tigers love lefthanded-hitting infielders, and Rainer joins Detroit draftees Colt Keith, Jace Jung and Kevin McGonigle and recent trade acquisition Trey Sweeney as infielders who bat lefty while throwing righthanded. Rainer is the best bet to be the team’s long-term answer at shortstop. He glides with good footwork and has a plus-plus arm that makes the unlikely play possible. He isn’t the rangiest shortstop, but he can play an extra step or two back, a la Corey Seager, and rely on his arm. Rainer has plus power potential, but he’s also done a good job of shortening his swing to become a better pure hitter while doing an excellent job using right field. He’s still likely to have a power-over-hit profile, but there’s a chance for him to do both. He’s a below-average runner. Rainer was a first-round prospect as a pitcher with a plus curveball to go with a plus-plus fastball. He’ll likely never pitch, but it will remain a fallback option if hitting doesn’t work out.

The Future: Rainer won’t make his official pro debut until 2025, when he’s set to head to Low-A Lakeland. Ideally, he becomes the Tigers’ shortstop of the future, but his power and hitting ability would make him an excellent fit at third base as well.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70.
BA Grade/Risk: 60/High.

Track Record: A supplemental first-round pick in 2023, McGonigle got off to a late start in 2024 because of a spring training hamstring injury. But once he reached Low-A Lakeland, he was arguably the best player in the Florida State League during the first half of the season. Among FSL hitters with 200 or more plate appearances, McGonigle finished with the third-best batting average (.326), best on-base percentage (.407) and fourth-best slugging percentage (.470). He and Max Clark were promoted to High-A West Michigan on July 23, but McGonigle’s season ended just two weeks later when he sustained a hamate injury in his right hand that required surgery.

Scouting Report: McGonigle was viewed as one of the most polished hitters in the 2023 draft class, but in almost every aspect, his play as a pro has exceeded expectations. He uses the whole field, and he has fewer holes to attack than most young hitters. He has elite contact skills, as evidenced by a 8.5% strikeout rate that was sixth-best in the minors in 2024. He rarely chases out of the zone, and when he swings, he connects. Encouragingly, McGonigle also showed power gains in 2024. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 103 mph and top-end exit velocity near 111 mph were the same as Max Clark. Defensively, McGonigle has a plausible shot to stay at shortstop. He doesn’t have exceptional range, but his above-average arm plays well, and his hands and feet are good enough for him to stay up the middle. At worst, he should be an above-average defender at second base.

The Future: It’s not hard to find scouts who believe McGonigle is the Tigers’ best position prospect. His potential at the plate combined with better-than-expected infield defense make him a player with a high likelihood of being a regular with a high ceiling as a potential all-star shortstop or second baseman.

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

Track Record: Clark was viewed as one of the best players in the 2023 draft class as early as 2020, when he was a freshman at Franklin Community High outside Indianapolis. As an underclassman, he was as productive as the best high school players in the 2022 class. He was Baseball America’s High School Player of the Year in 2023, just as Tigers system-mate Jackson Jobe had been two years earlier. Picking third with a five-player top tier, the Tigers chose Clark over Wyatt Langford and Walker Jenkins. He made the Futures Game in his first full season and earned a promotion to High-A West Michigan in late July.

Scouting Report: Clark is a well-rounded, potential-five-tool player. He is quite athletic, but it’s a high-effort athleticism. Some runners glide; Clark pounds the ground. Some swing with a graceful stroke; Clark takes big rips. He’s a baseball rat who loves to take hundreds of swings in batting cages. Clark has tweaked his swing to get the ball in the air more consistently. He has a slashing swing, and when he doesn’t hit into a stiff front side, he produces a lot of pulled ground balls. At his best, he is a gap-to-gap, line-drive hitter. He’s more hitter than slugger, but he should get to above-average power eventually to go with a plus hit tool. Clark is a plus-plus defender in center field with a plus arm who tracks down balls in the gaps with ease. He’s also a plus-plus runner and threat on the bases.

The Future: Clark played in plenty of showcases and international competitions, but he’s also an Indiana native who played wide receiver throughout high school, so there could be more room to continue developing than there would be for some top prep picks. His well-rounded tool set gives him plenty of ways to help a team. The question is whether Clark will be a solid player or a star.

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

Track Record: The son of pro golfer Brandt Jobe, Jackson was a shortstop and quarterback for much of his time at Oklahoma City’s Heritage Hall School. As a senior, it became clear his future was on the mound. He won Baseball America’s High School Player of the Year award in 2021 and soon followed by being drafted third overall by the Tigers. Jobe flashed four plus pitches with elite spin rates in high school and has only gotten better as a pro. A lumbar spine inflammation forced an early end to his 2023 season, and he missed time early in 2024 with a strained hamstring. When he was healthy, he spent most of the year at Double-A Erie and earned a callup to the Tigers’ bullpen after just two starts with Triple-A Toledo. With Detroit in the playoff race, Jobe was clearly one of the team’s best arms. He made his MLB debut in the final week of the regular season and added two additional, less-effective appearances in the playoffs.

Scouting Report: If you designed a pitcher in a lab, he would look a lot like Jobe. He has four pitches that project as plus, and he’s shown plus-or-better control as well. His plus-plus 97-100 mph fastball has more life than normal to get on top of bats. His double-plus 82-83 mph sweeper has more horizontal movement than normal, as does his plus 88-91 mph cutter. His above-average 84 mph changeup is a little more “normal” in its movement profile, but it has solid fade and depth with significant velocity separation. Jobe has tweaked his changeup grip as a pro to get more armside fade. His change generated more swings and misses than any of his other pitches in 2024. Jobe has confidence in all four pitches and uses them all against lefthanded and righthanded batters. His walk rate skyrocketed in 2024, but he continued to throw strikes at a well-above-average clip of 65%. At times he struggled to finishing off hitters, who fouled off nearly 20% of his pitches. Adding a sinker could give Jobe an early-count, weak-contact pitch to help him be more efficient.

The Future: Jobe is a near-perfect pitching prospect, though 22-year-olds who throw 100 mph will always carry injury risks. He has present stuff with control. He doesn’t need projection, because his stuff is already top-tier. Jobe can add some polish with his pitch selection, but there aren’t any glaring weaknesses left on his to-do list. Having already pitched in the majors, he will come to spring training competing for a job in the Tigers’ rotation. He may benefit from a little more time at Triple-A to ensure he’s fully MLB ready, because he has yet to throw 100 innings in a season and is unlikely to be ready for a full six-month season and potential postseason. Long-term, Jobe has ace potential and could be a perfect rotation partner for 2024 Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Sweeper: 70 | Changeup: 60 | Cutter: 60 | Control: 65.
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium.

Track Record: Adams was drafted by the White Sox in the 13th round in 2022 out of Jacksonville as an affordable senior sign. He agreed to terms for just a $75,000 bonus. Already 22 by the time he made his pro debut, Adams moved quickly through the organization thanks to his pitchability and strike-throwing ability. While it would be easy to categorize Adams as an organizational player based on his amateur background, his success at each level of pro ball—which includes a 2.70 ERA in 103.1 innings at Double-A in 2024—makes him an intriguing sleeper with a chance for big league time before the end of the 2025 season.

Scouting Report: Adams commands the zone with a full arsenal of five pitches and uses his two-seamer twice as much as his four-seamer. Both fastballs average 92 mph and touch 94 while playing up due to the movement he gets on the pitches and how well he locates them. Adams’ best secondary pitch is an above-average curveball averaging 81 mph and touching 84. It’s his swing-and-miss pitch, with the movement on it compensating for the lower spin rate. An 84 mph slider and 88 mph changeup are both average pitches, with the latter having more depth and run than his two-seamer. Adams pitches to contact and often works backward, resulting in a very impressive strikeout to walk ratio of 101-to-19 during his 17 starts at Double-A. He’s a strong competitor on the mound, with that trait and the ability to locate his pitches helping him consistently exceed expectations.

The Future: Not a frontline starting pitcher, Adams is the kind of effective strike-thrower who will round out a rotation in the big leagues. After getting five starts with Triple-A Charlotte to finish the 2024 season, he’ll return to that level for more seasoning.

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

Track Record: Bush was part of the return from the 2023 trade deadline deal that sent Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to the Angels. Cacher Edgar Quero also was in the deal. Bush was drafted by the Angels in the second round in 2021 after his junior year at Saint Mary’s—his third school in as many years—and he signed for an over-slot bonus of $1,747,500. After making his debut in the White Sox organization in 2023 with nine starts at Double-A Birmingham, Bush went to Triple-A and then to the big leagues in a 2024 season marked by mixed results. The key factor was an inability to land his pitches for strikes, with his walk rate increasing from 10% at Double-A to 12% at Triple-A to 18% in the big leagues.

Scouting Report: Bush’s pitches are effective when he’s locating them, with his four-seam fastball averaging 93 mph and touching 97 while being delivered from a high three-quarters arm slot with a low wrist wrap in the back. A slider that bores in on righthanded batters is Bush’s best pitch at 83-86 mph, while a 72-77 mph curveball flashes as an above-average offering. He sells a firm 86 mph changeup well. His stuff is better when he expands the plate, which will come with more consistency and doing a better job of putting away hitters with two strikes. Bush’s consistency and control of his pitches needs to improve, but he has solid pure stuff, giving him a back-of-the-rotation profile.

The Future: Bush is still not a finished product and will need more minor league time before returning to the big leagues. He’ll head back to Triple-A Charlotte to start 2025 but should get a trip or two to Chicago during the season.

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

Track Record: Bonemer is another example of a recent draft picks who played on the White Sox team at Area Code Games in the year before their draft. He follows Noah Schultz and George Wolkow. Bonemer put himself on the draft map with his performance in the summer of 2023, both in his time at Area Codes and also when he homered twice at the Perfect Game National tournament. A strong athlete who should stick on the left side of the infield, Bonemer had one of the most exciting power-speed combinations in the 2024 high school class. The White Sox selected the Michigan high school product in the second round, signing him for a bonus just under $3 million to pull him away from his Virginia commitment. He stayed behind at the White Sox’s complex to compete in the bridge league, impressing observers with his strong bat and ability to handle shortstop.

Scouting Report: Bonemer has a chance for above-average tools across the board, with physicality that stands out. While the swing can look a little stiff at times, he manages to manipulate the bat enough to get to the barrel with above-average bat speed, and he shows a solid knowledge of the strike zone. Bonemer is an above-average fielder at shortstop, with an arm that plays up thanks to a quick transfer. Whether he stays at the position or moves to third base will depend on how his body develops, as is the case with any teen shortstop. Regardless, he’ll stay on the left side on the infield. Bonemer stands out for his on-field makeup.

The Future: Bonemer will get a full-season assignment in 2025, likely going to Low-A Kannapolis. His makeup, physicality and solid body control may be a sign that he could move a bit faster than most high school players in their first full seasons.

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

Track Record: Taylor pitched only one season at Louisiana State as a 19-year-old freshman in 2022 with just fair results before putting himself on the draft map with his performance at the Cape Cod League that summer. He never made it back to the mound in school after he had Tommy John surgery. The White Sox had seen enough potential to select Taylor in the second round in 2023. His first pro game action came near the end of 2024 minor league spring training, with the first warmup pitch coming out of his hand at 100 mph. He went on to pitch regularly at extended spring training before making one start in the Arizona Complex League followed by four starts for Low-A Kannapolis, with an incredible 25 strikeouts to one walk. A lat injury sidelined Taylor for the rest of the season before he returned to pitch in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Taylor relies heavily on a four-seam fastball that sits 94-98 mph and touches 100 with riding life. He complements his heater with an above-average curveball and average slider and cutter. Taylor’s curveball is a harder pitch than in college, with a spin rate of around 2,500 rpm and max velocity of 85 mph. His slider and cutter are both power pitches, averaging 87 and 91, respectively. His slider has good sweep and bite when it’s on, but the break can be a little short at times. Taylor seldom used a changeup in college but was relying on the pitch more often in the AFL. At 87-89 mph, it could use a little more velocity separation but has the potential to be an above-average pitch as he gets more comfortable with it. Taylor is athletic with a strong pitcher’s build and a delivery that allows him to throw strikes.

The Future: The development of Taylor’s changeup makes it more likely that he can remain in the rotation. He just needs experience facing more advanced hitters.

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

Track Record: Iriarte along with Drew Thorpe were the key acquisitions from the Padres in the Dylan Cease trade and may turn out to be the most valuable return from that deal. He pitched in the rotation at Double-A Birmingham before finishing the year with six relief appearances with the White Sox. He has added more than 50 pounds since first signing with the Padres, resulting in a boost of fastball velocity. Iriarte fanned 122 batters in 126 innings in Double-A but also walked 57 and hit 17 batters.

Scouting Report: Iriarte delivers his pitches from a lower arm slot, and he repeats his loose delivery and gets plenty of extension. His fastball sits 93-97 mph with cutting action. His slider is a potential plus pitch with varying shapes: one that’s more of a sweeper and one that’s a tighter pitch with -4.5 inches of induced vertical break. Those two pitches alone will get Iriarte back to the big leagues to stay, but the development of a changeup with late, fading action will ultimately determine his role. It’s an inconsistent pitch for which his feel comes and goes. If he can become more consistent and get a bit more control, he’ll find a job in the rotation. Otherwise, he has a good future as a mid-to-high-leverage, late-inning reliever.

The Future: Iriarte was one of nine White Sox pitchers to make his big league debut in 2024. Like so many of the others, he was acquired when Chicago traded an MLB veteran for prospects. While Iriarte could use some Triple-A time, it’s just as likely that he makes the big league roster with a strong spring training. Substandard command will be an issue in the rotation, but he could become a bullpen weapon.

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

Track Record: Thorpe has been a key piece in two recent trades for big league stars. The Yankees drafted him in 2022 and included him as part of the package they sent to the Padres for Juan Soto in December 2023. Just three months later, San Diego traded him to the White Sox in the Dylan Cease deal. A college standout who starred in both the Cape Cod League and for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, Thorpe finished second in the nation with 149 strikeouts his junior year at Cal Poly before being drafted by the Yankees in the second round. In 2024, Thorpe had an outstanding 11-game run at Double-A Birmingham, logging a 1.35 ERA and .170 opponent average before getting called up to Chicago. He started nine major league games before a premature end to his season caused by a right flexor strain, followed by surgery to remove a bone spur from his pitching elbow.

Scouting Report: Thorpe is a pitcher’s pitcher, with five offerings and a high degree of pitchability. His four-seam fastball sits 90-93 mph and nearly touches 95. He adds and subtracts velocity for each pitch and utilizes the entire zone. The gem of his arsenal is a double-plus changeup he throws as much as his heater and sits 81-84 mph. All other pitches play off his change, including a frequently used slider at 80-86 mph that gets up to 89 and a below-average cutter that is 84-87. He also has a rarely used splitter. Thorpe’s lower fastball velocity gives him a smaller margin for error, thus he needs to be precise with his pitches.

The Future: Assuming he is healthy, Thorpe will almost certainly be in Chicago’s Opening Day rotation and exhaust his prospect eligibility early in the season. He projects as a solid No. 4 starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 45 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 70 | Cut: 40 | Control: 65.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium.

Track Record: The White Sox acquired Quero along with lefthander Ky Bush from the Angels in a 2023 trade deadline deal involving Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez. He’s since become a Top 100 Prospect. Quero returned to Double-A Birmingham for most of 2024 before finishing with 26 games at Triple-A Charlotte. He first popped on the radar of international scouts when starring for his native Cuba at the U-15 World Cup in Panama, signing with the Angels three years later in 2021. As a 19-year-old he won California League MVP honors in 2022 when he hit .312/.435/.530 with 17 home runs. Still just 21 in 2024, Quero batted .280/.366/.463 with 16 home runs, 70 strikeouts and an equal number of walks.

Scouting Report: The key to Quero’s recent success was getting himself in better physical condition. He’s a natural line-drive hitter, with the only real change in 2024 being a narrowing of the leg base in his stance, which allows him to get to his contact point sooner. The switch-hitter was also able to get to his power more often, resulting in 16 home runs, compared to six in 2023, while nearly doubling his isolated slugging with a max exit velo of 110.4 mph. Quero is a one-knee-down catcher whose improved conditioning also helped him on defense, and he received the ball better as the season progressed. He has an average arm with good pop times and threw out 21% of basestealers. What stands out most with Quero, who is bilingual, is his outstanding personality and makeup, leading to the rapport he creates with pitchers.

The Future: Quero will likely return to Triple-A to start 2025 but could get to Chicago before too long if the need arises. He is Chicago’s catcher of the future.

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

Track Record: The White Sox certainly have a thing for low-slot lefties with devastating sliders. They drafted Smith fifth overall in 2024, two years after drafting Noah Schultz. He arrived at Arkansas after a Texas high school career that included recovery from Tommy John surgery. The Friday night starter for the Razorbacks in his draft year, he earned Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year honors with a 2.04 ERA in 84 innings and a 48.6% strikeout rate, 10.3% walk rate and a Division I-leading .144 opponent average. Smith began his pro career with two August starts in the bridge league before heading to High-A Winston-Salem for three appearances.

Scouting Report: Smith’s fastball and slider are both considered future double-plus pitches. In college, his fastball averaged 95.6 mph and touched 100. It played up because of the lower release point, flat approach angle and extreme extension he gets from his delivery. His hard mid-80s slider is a true swing-and-miss pitch used to dominate both righthanded and lefthanded batters, and Smith has the ability to adjust its velocity. His third pitch is a firm high-80s changeup used infrequently in college and not thrown at all during his limited time at Winston-Salem. When he threw the change in one of the Arizona backfield games, it resembled a sinker. Improvement to that offering will be a key goal for Smith this spring. He’s highly competitive on the mound and maintains a good pre-game routine.

The Future: Smith profiles as a starter, with a third pitch pending. He’s slider-dependent now, reminding some of former White Sox lefty Carlos Rodon. Advanced enough to break camp with the Double-A Birmingham team, Smith could be on the fast track to the big leagues, similar to how the White Sox handled Garrett Crochet.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50.
BA Grade/Risk: 60/High.

Track Record: A three-sport athlete in high school, Montgomery was drafted 22nd overall in 2021 and appeared to be on a fast track before hitting a speed bump in 2023. He missed most of spring training and much of the first half with a mid-back sprain before finishing with 37 games at Double-A Birmingham. Still just 22, Montgomery’s 2024 assignment to Triple-A Charlotte was aggressive, and he struggled for much of the season, though he remained healthy and played in 130 games. He ended his season with a strong September before an impressive stint in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .313/.511/.656 in 11 games with three towering home runs.

Scouting Report: Montgomery’s issues at the plate were related to an inconsistent load and not keeping the bat head in the zone long enough, which caused him to be late on pitches. His late-season improvement was credited to better use of the whole field. Montgomery is a polished hitter who doesn’t give away at-bats and consistently shows the best strike-zone judgment in the organization. He’s added more home run pop thanks to the more than 20 pounds of muscle he’s added in pro ball, along with the torque generated by his long levers. He’s a below-average runner down the line who gets to average underway and rarely looks to steal bases. An above-average defender at shortstop, Montgomery is athletic and has good footwork, is able to anticipate and read balls off the bat and positions himself well. He flashes an above-average arm, with the ability to throw before getting his feet completely set.

The Future: Montgomery will likely return to Triple-A to start 2025, with a chance to get to Chicago during the season. Like other shortstop prospects his size, he faces persistent questions about whether he can stay at the position, and he played more third base in the AFL.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 65/High.

Track Record: The White Sox drafted Schultz 26th overall in 2022 out of a Chicago-area high school. They signed him for a slot-value bonus of $2.8 million. He was another of what has been an annual tradition of drafting players who were part of the Area Code Games team managed by White Sox scouts. The extra familiarity provided by the event was a big help that year, considering Schultz missed part of his senior season to mono before getting pre-draft exposure pitching in the Prospect League. The lanky, 6-foot-9 southpaw pitched in a just a handful of instructional league games after joining the organization in 2022 and was limited to 10 starts in 2023 due to a flexor strain in his elbow. Schultz had several boxes to check in 2024 as part of his path to recognition as the game’s best lefthanded pitching prospect. He turned in a successful season split between High-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham. The first goal was to prove his durability to handle a starting role. Continuing to be handled cautiously by the White Sox, he took the mound for 23 starts in 2024, averaging nearly four innings per outing compared to fewer than three in his 2023 pro debut. The second jump forward was an increase in his fastball velocity, which gave him a second double-plus pitch. Even more impressive were the results he posted after a late May promotion to Double-A. He recorded a 1.48 ERA and 73-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 61 innings. Schultz is often compared to Randy Johnson and Chris Sale, a couple of extra-tall lefthanders with low arm slots and devastating fastball/slider combos.

Scouting Report: Added velocity made Schultz’s fastball even more effective, with his two-seamer now sitting 93-97 mph and touching 99 or higher. It becomes even more difficult for hitters because of the extreme deception provided by his low three-quarters arm slot and the way he hides the ball. It explodes on hitters with run and sink to help get whiffs up in the zone. Schultz’s wipeout slider averages 82-83 mph, which also was up from the previous year, with late hard movement and a high spin rate. His changeup sits 86-89 mph and is a potential above-average pitch with late movement and down action. He uses it to keep righthanded hitters from sitting on his slider. For a different look, Schultz also worked in an average cutter with late action and late cut. It sits 88-91 mph and touches 93. Using a modified windup, Schultz starts from what looks like a stretch position before going into a small side-rocker step, helping to keep his long levers in sync.

The Future: The advances Schultz made in 2024 keep him on the path to be a top-of-the rotation starter. He’ll get to Triple-A at some point in 2025 and could be ready to pitch in the big leagues before the end of the year, but the White Sox have no reason to rush him.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 55 | Cut: 50 | Control: 60.
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.

Track Record: An under-the-radar signing in January 2022, Perez grew up in a remote area of Nicaragua and was not heavily scouted. He debuted the following summer in the Dominican Summer League, where he showcased advanced command over a dozen starts. Perez’s U.S. debut in the 2023 Florida Complex League continued to fuel his rise when he impressed over 10 starts, the most memorable of which was a combined no-hitter in which he threw the first seven innings. Perez was assigned to Low-A Dunedin in 2024 and stayed with the team all season, making 17 starts, pitching to a 4.06 ERA and appearing in the Futures Game.

Scouting Report: Perez is a young, pitchability righthander with advanced feel for his five-pitch mix. Despite pedestrian stuff, he convinces many evaluators that he will grow into improved stuff in the coming years. At the moment, Perez mixes a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball, cutter and changeup. His primary offering is his four-seam fastball that sits 92-93 mph and touches 95 with average ride and run. Everything around his fastball metrics is average, but his performance with the pitch in 2024 was excellent. Perez’s slider is his primary secondary pitch and sits 80-82 with traditional slider shape. It’s the best pitch in his arsenal and does a good job of generating whiffs and chase swings from hitters. His changeup is his primary secondary against lefthanded hitters and shows good vertical life and velocity separation, but his release point on the pitch is inconsistent. His mid-80s cutter and mid-70s curveball were both used sparingly in 2024.

The Future: Perez is a back-end starter with advanced feel for his arsenal but no plus offerings. He’s likely to slot in as No. 5 starter in his peak seasons.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 55. CH: 50. CUT: 40 | Control: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: Rojas signed for $215,000 out of Cuba in October 2020. He pitched just 64 innings in his first two pro seasons, missing time with a lat injury in 2021. Rojas remained at Low-A Dunedin in 2023, where he had his first extended run of success. He moved to High-A Vancouver in 2024, but a left shoulder injury in April forced him to the injured list for two months. Over his final nine starts, Rojas posted a 2.16 ERA in 50 innings and struck out nearly 28% of batters while walking just 5.5%. He participated in the Arizona Fall League following the season.

Scouting Report: Rojas is a projectable lefthander with a prototype build. Now, the project has started to materialize over the last year. Rojas gained more than 1 mph in fastball and slider velocity in 2024 and produced his best season. He has loose, low-effort mechanics and does a good job repeating his operation. His three-pitch mix is led by a four-seam fastball that sits 92-94 with above-average ride and, at times, cut. His fastball accounts for around 60% of his usage. Despite the high usage rate, it was an effective swing-and-miss pitch for Rojas against High-A batters. His slider is his primary secondary weapon and sits 83-85 with cut. He will likely continue to add power to the pitch as he gets more physical. Rojas’ changeup is third in usage but is an above-average pitch that boasts the highest swinging-strike rate, chase rate and swing rate in his arsenal. Rojas has shown the ability to work deeper into games and throw strikes. Over his final eight starts of 2024, he went six or more innings seven times.

The Future: Rojas is still a year away from his MLB debut, but he shows starter traits with a deep arsenal of average-or-better pitches and command.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55. CH: 50 | Control: 50.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: Roden redshirted as a Creighton freshman in 2019 and retained freshman status into his third season because of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He turned down draft interest in 2021 to return to campus in order to finish his physics degree. The decision proved wise, as Roden was drafted in the third round in 2022 and signed for an underslot $497,500 bonus. Roden began his first full season in 2023 at High-A Vancouver before moving to Double-A. He returned to New Hampshire in 2024, playing 54 games before a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo. In 71 Triple-A games, he hit .314/.406/.410 with a 12% walk rate and a 14% strikeout rate.

Scouting Report: Roden’s boxy, 5-foot-11 build obscures the athleticism that drives his well-rounded game. His batting stance is unique. He sets up open with his hands high, before using a high leg kick with a slow drift. Despite his unusual swing, Roden is one of the Blue Jays’ best contact hitters. He pairs excellent bat-to-ball skills with a selective approach bordering on passive. Roden projects to hit for a high average with high walk rates. His combination of contact and on-base ability drive his batting profile. In 2024, Roden flashed more game power, hitting a career high 16 home runs and posting strong quality-of-contact metrics. He does a lot of damage against breaking and offspeed pitches, slugging .528 in 2024 against non-fastballs. Roden’s power is somewhat limited by his unusual swing and setup, but he has a knack for hard contact to his pull side. He is an average runner who will take an extra base. He has enough speed to handle an outfield corner and an above-average arm that keeps runners honest.

The Future: Roden will likely return to Buffalo in 2025 but has a chance to make his MLB debut by summer. His advanced hit tool and strong supporting tools should allow him to carve out an everyday role.

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

Track Record: Maroudis was a two-way star at Florida prep power Calvary Christian, starting at shortstop on days he didn’t pitch. The Blue Jays drafted him in the fourth round in 2023 and signed him for $1.5 million, about three times slot value. Maroudis impressed in his first spring training in 2024 and broke camp with Low-A Dunedin. He made three starts before tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow and having an internal brace surgery in mid May. Maroudis had returned to throwing from 120 feet by early November.

Scouting Report: Maroudis is a projectable righthander who moves well on the mound. He delivers the ball from a low, three-quarters arm slot, which, coupled with average extension, creates a low release height that improves his deception. Maroudis mixes four pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. His four-seam fastball sits 93-94 mph and touches 96. He generates below-average ride, but his fastball shape plays up due to his low release height, which gives his fastball flatter plane that plays in the upper quadrants of the strike zone. Maroudis’ primary secondary pitch is a mid-80s gyro slider that he used nearly one-for-one with his fastball. He shows advanced feel for his slider, with the ability to put it where he wants. Maroudis’ curveball sits 79-81 with heavy two-plane break and looks to be his best bat-missing pitch. He shows a changeup with good shape that generates tumble and heavy fade, but his command of the pitch is below-average. Maroudis has starter traits, deception and room to add more power to his mix.

The Future: Maroudis has mid-rotation upside with good foundational starter traits. He’ll return to action in 2025 looking to show he can handle a starter’s workload.

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

Track Record: Kasevich spent three seasons at Oregon, earning first-team all-Pacific-12 Conference honors as a junior. He was drafted by the Blue Jays in the second round in 2022 and signed for a bonus of $1 million. Kasevich debuted post-draft with Low-A Dunedin before making the jump to High-A Vancouver in his first full professional season in 2023. Kasevich was assigned to Double-A New Hampshire to begin 2024 and earned a late-season promotion to Triple-A Buffalo. In 41 games with Buffalo, Kasevich hit .325/.382/.433 while making 31 starts at shortstop.

Scouting Report: Kasevich is a well-rounded, sum-of-his-parts-type of player who shows an advanced feel to hit. His bat-to-ball skills are top 98th percentile in terms of every contact measure, and he shows an uncanny ability to make contact with a variety of pitch shapes. He has above-average swing decisions to go along with his plus-plus bat-to-ball skills. Kasevich’s swing is level and flat, leading to a heavy rate of groundball contact. His underlying exit velocity data is average, with a 90th percentile EV of 103.5 mph. Kasevich shows a knack for making consistent hard contact with a higher hard-hit rate than his power numbers would suggest. He is an above-average runner but not an aggressive basestealer. His speed translates to solid range at shortstop, with the ability to stick at the position despite a fringy throwing arm. At the very least, Kasevich is a utility infielder with a plus hit tool and a touch of power projection.

The Future: Kasevich’s advanced hit tool and the ability to play a variety of positions should land him in the major leagues 2025. He looks like a good second-division regular with versatility.

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

Track Record: Bloss spent three seasons at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, then transferred to Georgetown in 2023. He broke out with a 2.58 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 76.2 innings to win Big East Conference pitcher of the year honors and was drafted by the Astros in the third round. Bloss bullied minor league competition out of the gate in 2024, earning a promotion to Double-A after just four starts. Houston called him up directly from Corpus Christi on June 21. Bloss exited his MLB debut with shoulder discomfort but returned in early July to make two starts. The Astros traded him to the Blue Jays as a part of the Yusei Kikuchi deadline deal.

Scouting Report: Bloss has a prototype pitcher’s build, standing 6-foot-3 with a strong, athletic build. He uses a semi-windup with a high leg lift before moving into his drop-and-drive mechanics. Bloss does a good job getting downhill, creating well-above-average extension that helps the release from his high, three-quarters arm slot play up. He mixes five pitch shapes: a four-seam fastball, cutter, slider, curveball and changeup. Bloss’ four-seam fastball is an above-average four-seamer that sits 93-95 mph and touches 98 with above-average ride and cut. His cutter is his primary secondary and sits 86-88 with a cutter-slider hybrid shape. His slider is designated by some as a sweeper and sits 81-83 with 11-12 inches of horizontal break. Both his slider and cutter show average-or-better command and the ability to miss bats. Against lefthanded hitters, Bloss mixes in a steady diet of his upper-80s changeup and upper-80s two-plane curveball. He lands all of his pitches at an average-or-better rate.

The Future: Bloss looks like a quality No. 5 starter ready to contribute in 2025.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50. CH: 45. CUT: 55 | Control: 50.
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.

Track Record: Martinez signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2018 for $3.51 million as the top player in the Blue Jays’ signing class. He breezed through the Florida Complex League in 2019 and both levels of Class A in 2021. As a 20-year-old at Double-A in 2022, Martinez set a New Hampshire franchise record with 30 home runs. He returned to the level in 2023 and performed, showing noticeable contact gains. He was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo, where he hit .263/.340/.507 in 55 games. He returned to Buffalo in 2024 and impressed, earning a callup to Toronto on June 21. Two days later, MLB announced an 80-game suspension for Martinez after he tested positive for clomiphene. He returned to Buffalo in September and appeared in 11 games.

Scouting Report: With a power-over-everything profile, Martinez has shown steady gains to his plate skills in recent seasons. He is an excellent fastball hitter who handles velocity well and does not miss many heaters in the zone. Against breaking and offspeed pitches, Martinez struggles to make contact and tends to expand his zone. He maintains strong contact quality against all pitch types, doing particularly-impressive damage against breaking balls when he makes contact. Martinez has 30-home-run upside because of his bat speed, strength and ability to backspin the ball to his pull side. The biggest question centers on whether Martinez will make enough contact. He is a fringe-average runner with limited range in the field. He split time between second base and third base in 2024 and is a fringe-average defender at both. Martinez has an above-average arm but an unusual release.

The Future: A bat-first prospect, Martinez could play his way into everyday MLB at-bats in 2025.

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

Track Record: Nimmala became the highest-drafted player of Indian descent ever when the Blue Jays selected him 20th overall in 2023. Just 17 years old at the time, he was the youngest high school player in his class. He signed for a below-slot $3 million. Nimmala began 2024 with Low-A Dunedin after a strong spring training performance. He hit just .167 with a 34% strikeout rate over his first 29 games. The Blue Jays sent him to extended spring and then the Florida Complex League, where he played eight games before returning to Dunedin on June 27. Over his final 53 games, Nimmala hit .265/.331/.564 with 13 home runs and 32 extra-base hits. Nimmala ended his season on a high note and looks poised to make the jump to High-A Vancouver in 2025.

Scouting Report: Nimmala is an above-average athlete with a thin, but projectable broad-shouldered frame. Due to his above-average bat speed and knack for backspinning fly balls to his pull side, he hunts for power. Over the first half of the 2024 season, Nimmala was out in front far too often, with a pronounced bat wrap. Upon his return, he made posture changes and reduced his bat wrap, allowing him to more consistently extend through contact. Nimmala will always have some swing-and-miss but shows above-average swing decisions. His above-average power is his carrying tool, while projection could get him to plus at peak. Nimmala’s exit velocity data is above-average for his age, and he’s adept at pulling the ball in the air. He is an average runner but shows above-average range in the field, with a good first step and strong actions and transfers. His arm projects as a future plus and is capable at shortstop.

The Future: Nimmala took a major step forward in the second half of the 2024 season and looks the part of a future power-hitting shortstop.

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

Track Record: Yesavage spent his freshman season in the East Carolina bullpen before moving to the rotation as a sophomore. As a junior, he ascended to the role of staff ace, making 15 starts and pitching to a 2.02 ERA, the lowest of any Division I starter. Late in the 2024 season, Yesavage suffered a partially collapsed lung due to an off-the-field medical procedure and missed the American Athletic Conference Tournament. He returned to pitch in regionals, facing off against Wake Forest’s Chase Burns. Yesavage allowed one run in 7.1 innings to outduel Burns. Yesavage fell to the Blue Jays at No. 20 overall on draft day because of some teams’ concerns with his medicals. He signed for a slightly overslot $4.175 million bonus and did not debut following the draft.

Scouting Report: Yesavage has prototype starter size, the ability to repeat his mechanics and a mix of average-or-better offerings. He was a reliable innings-eater in college with above-average command. Yesavage has a short windup, with a short stride to the plate that creates little-to-no extension. He delivers the ball from an over-the-top slot with good arm speed. Despite his lack of extension, it hasn’t hurt how his fastball has played. The pitch sits 93-95 mph and touches 97 with elite induced vertical break and late armside run. Opposing batters hit just .198 against his fastball in 2024. Yesavage’s primary secondary is a slider he uses predominantly in right-on-right matchups. His slider sits 86-87 and touches 90 with heavy gyro action. His primary secondary weapon against lefties is a low-to-mid-80s splitter with excellent vertical and velocity separation off his fastball. Yesavage also mixes a low-80s downer curveball, but it’s a clear fourth pitch.

The Future: Yesavage should move fast. He possesses mid-rotation upside, most likely as a high-end No. 4.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Split: 55 | Control: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 60/Extreme.

Track Record: After going undrafted in the five-round 2020 draft out of high school, Tiedemann backed out of his commitment to San Diego State and enrolled at Golden West JC in California. He blossomed physically and reentered the draft in 2021. The Blue Jays drafted him in the third round and paid him a below-slot bonus of $644,800. Tiedemann debuted the following season in Low-A and dominated both levels of Class A before reaching Double-A in his age-19 season. During the 2022 season, he made 18 starts, pitched to a 2.17 ERA across 78.2 innings and struck out nearly 39% of batters. Over the next two years, Tiedemann was limited to just 61.1 innings due to persistent elbow pain. He had Tommy John surgery in late July 2024 and will likely miss all of 2025. Despite missing large parts of three seasons with elbow problems, Tiedemann still ranks among the game’s top lefthanded pitching prospects.

Scouting Report: A tall, physical lefthander with broad shoulders and natural strength in his frame, Tiedemann looks the part of a mid-rotation horse but has lacked health. When on the mound, he operates from a dominant three-pitch mix that plays up due to his low, three-quarters arm slot. Tiedemann’s arm path is on the longer side, but when coupled with his release point, it creates deceptive traits that keep hitters off-balance. When healthy, Tiedemann does a good job of repeating his mechanics, but he’s struggled with his release point the past few seasons due to health. He mixes three pitches in a four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. His fastball sits 94-96 mph with heavy armside run that plays up due to his slot. In 2024, Tiedemann generated less armside run on his fastball compared to previous seasons, possibly a product of his lingering elbow injury. The slider is Tiedemann’s primary secondary weapon. It has had some varied shapes over the last few seasons. In 2024, his slider resembled the sweeper of 2022, less than his more traditional slider in 2023. When Tiedemann is at his best, he shows the ability to use his slider against lefthanded and righthanded hitters, wearing out the armside half of the plate. Tiedemann’s changeup was viewed as his best secondary as an amateur, but it has become less-effective over the last two seasons. Tiedemann shows an uncanny ability to kill lift on his changeup and generate armside run. The pitch moves dramatically in the opposite direction of his slider. His changeup command has been inconsistent, particularly over the last two seasons. Tiedemann has struggled with command in lockstep with his elbow issues. Prior to the injury, he pitched with above-average command.

The Future: Tiedemann will return in 2026 at age 23 with a spot on the 40-man roster. He will likely be in the Blue Jays’ rotation mix upon his return.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 65. CH: 55 | Control: 50.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: Flores’ rise through the system is a testament to persistent, thorough scouting. The Yankees got him as an undrafted free agent after two years at Rio Hondo Junior College outside Los Angeles. Flores was playing with the Alaska Goldpanners when the Yankees signed him in July 2022. He hit the ground running as a pro and has been one of the system’s most productive players over the past two years, including a system-best 21 home runs in 2024 while playing for High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. His season earned him the nod as Baseball America’s Yankees minor league player of the year.

Scouting Report: Flores hits the ball as hard as nearly anybody in the system. His 90th percentile and maximum exit velocities of 108.1 and 115.2 mph each ranked second in the organization. There’s plenty of swing-and-miss in there as well, and scouts noted that Flores will expand the zone against high fastballs or breaking balls down and away. Those traits will likely lead to a future as a below-average hitter with above-average thump. Flores spent roughly three-quarters of his defensive reps behind the plate in 2024 and was at first base for the remainder of the time. Scouts saw enough improvement behind the dish to label him as a potentially fringe-average defender, though he’s still a bit stiff back there, and his throws have too much tail. He caught just 13% of basestealers. Flores has bottom-end speed and will not be much of a factor on the bases. Other scouts like him better at first base, where his big frame helps his lateral range and provides a big target for throws.

The Future: Triple-A will be a big test for Flores in 2025. Savvy arms at the level will be able to exploit holes in his swing and force him to adjust. If he can, he has a shot at being a second-division regular.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 20 | Field: 40 | Arm: 40.
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme.

Track Record: Lalane was part of the Yankees’ 2021 international signing class and entered the 2024 season as one of the system’s gems. The 6-foot-7 lefthander, whose father played professional basketball in the Dominican Republic, dazzled in the Florida Complex League in 2023. He started his 2024 season strong by spinning two scoreless innings in the Yankees’ Spring Breakout game. The outing was the high point of Lalane’s season. He pitched 12.1 innings all year, including three short outings at Low-A Tampa.

Scouting Report: At his peak, Lalane’s blend of stuff and athleticism points toward one of the highest ceilings in the Yankees’ system. Unfortunately, shoulder fatigue assured that Lalane never again came close to his best in 2024. When healthy, he flashed a mix of three potentially-plus pitches, including a fastball that touched 97 mph, a nasty changeup in the mid 80s and a slider in the high 70s. His slider graded as the best of its kind in the system. If he had been healthy, Lalane was slated to work on adding more power to his arsenal and making the shapes of his breaking pitches more consistent. Scouts who saw some of Lalane’s outings reported a pitcher who looked more physical than the version that dominated hitters a year prior. Lalane’s mix was amplified by potentially-plus control borne from the high-end athleticism that allowed him uncommon control of his limbs for someone his size.

The Future: Much like fellow top prospect Chase Hampton, Lalane’s 2024 season was a wash. He’ll enter 2025 hoping a return to health brings his stuff back to the level it showed in 2023. If he does, he’ll take a second crack at beginning his journey through the minor leagues and realizing his sky-high potential.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60.
BA Grade/Risk: 40/Low.

Track Record: The Yankees drafted Warren in the eighth round in 2021 out of Southeastern Louisiana. He was shut down after the draft before being turned loose in a 2022 season split between High-A and Double-A. He dominated the competition at both stops. Warren was excellent again in 2023, then reached the big leagues for the first time in 2024. He debuted on July 30, appearing in five games with minimal success.

Scouting Report: Nothing in Warren’s arsenal will blow hitters away, but his rough season was less about the quality of his stuff than a leaky plan of attack. The Yankees worked with the righthander all season to get him more comfortable with weak contact as opposed to swings and misses. He also increased the usage of his four-seam fastball in an effort to give himself more options north and south as opposed to the sinker/slider approach which had made him effective in the east and west parts of the strike zone. The Yankees also worked with Warren on a number of alterations to his mix and approach. They helped him change the grip on his four-seam fastball to improve its shape, helped him throw his changeup for called strikes more often and get his cutter to the point where it could be a legitimate weapon against lefthanded hitters. In the big leagues, Warren departed from the approach. With New York, he threw his four-seamer 4.2% more often than his two-seamer. In the minors, those percentages were reversed and the two-seamer was the dominant pitch by roughly 10%.

The Future: Warren will get another crack at the big leagues in 2025. If he can improve his plan of attack, he fits as a classic innings-eater at the back of a rotation.

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

Track Record: Hampton’s 2022 season followed a script similar to many of the Yankees’ pitching prospects in recent years. After New York called his name in the sixth round out of Texas Tech, Hampton was shut down until the following year, when he was unveiled at High-A Hudson Valley. He was one of the system’s breakout prospects that summer, when he struck out 145 over 106.2 innings between High-A and Double-A. The performance seemed to leave him poised to arrive in the Bronx in 2024. Injuries foiled those plans, however, and Hampton pitched only 18.2 innings, a total which included just four non-rehab appearances. In the beginning of the year, he dealt with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Once he’d cleared that hurdle and returned to Double-A Somerset, an injury to his lower body landed him back on the shelf for the rest of the season.

Scouting Report: At his best in 2023, Hampton carved hitters with a mix of a mid-90s fastball and a pair of above-average breaking pitches at the head of a five-pitch repertoire. His curveball is one of the best in the system. Hampton was almost never at that level in 2024, and injuries left his stuff severely diminished. In an ideal world, the season’s goals would have been to bring his changeup—which entered the season projecting as a fringe-average pitch—up to the level of his other pitches. Instead, Hampton was forced to work on the mental side of his game, especially when it came to learning how to handle adversity.

The Future: Hampton’s 2024 season was a wash. In 2025, he’ll hope that a return to health brings back his best stuff. If that happens, he can consider the year a speed bump on his way to a spot in a big league rotation.

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

Track Record: After three years at Vanderbilt, Jones had shown enough to encourage the Yankees to draft him 25th overall in 2022. He signed for $2,880,800 and reached Low-A Tampa in his pro debut. Jones led the Yankees’ system with 155 strikeouts in 2023 but looked rejuvenated during 2024 spring training, highlighted by a two-homer star turn during MLB’s initial Spring Breakout series. Swing-and-miss reared its head again at Double-A Somerset, and Jones became the first minor leaguer in Yankees history to strike out 200 times.

Scouting Report: Jones is still one of the toolsiest players in the Yankees’ system, but he simply has to make more contact. His overall and in-zone miss rates were 40.9% and 32.8%, respectively, in 2024. In spring training, when things were looking up, Jones was holding his hands higher in his setup. As they drifted lower, he opened holes in his swing that pitchers were easily able to exploit. Evaluators have noted Jones was particularly susceptible to well-located fastballs and that a fair number of the 19 home runs he hit came against mistakes. He teased his potential in the Eastern League playoffs, when he redirected a 99 mph fastball from Chase Dollander—one of the sport’s elite pitching prospects—for a monstrous home run. Jones is fair in center field but might fit better in a corner, where his above-average speed and average throwing arm would play just fine. Jones’ light-tower power—his 90th percentile exit velocity was an eye-popping 107.7 mph—would certainly profile there, as well.

The Future: Jones badly needs a strong 2025 season. If he can cut his strikeouts even marginally, his stock will rise in kind. For now, he looks like a player with plenty of tools who might be less than the sum of his parts.

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

Track Record: Cunningham’s final season at Vanderbilt put a cap on a stellar amateur career featuring three seasons with the Commodores and two stints in the Cape Cod League. He split his first two years in Nashville between starting and relieving before moving to the rotation full-time in 2024. Over 84.2 innings, he struck out 96, walked 34 and allowed 14 home runs. The Yankees drafted Cunningham with the 53rd pick in 2024 and signed him for $2,297,500, roughly $600,000 over slot. He did not pitch after signing and will make his professional debut in 2025.

Scouting Report: The Yankees prioritized pitching in the 2024 draft, waiting until the eighth round to select their first position player. The group could mostly be described with two adjectives: physical and college-educated. At 6-foot-5 and 234 pounds, Cunningham perfectly fits the bill. His fastball comfortably sits in the mid 90s and has touched 99 mph. He backed it up with a slider thrown in the mid 80s and a changeup that runs a couple ticks hotter. His changeup—which has unusually high spin rates—was Cunningham’s best offspeed pitch in 2024. Previously, that role was filled by his slider, which at its best shows the kind of two-plane break ideal for inducing swings and misses. Cunningham ties his mix together with potentially-average control, but his command—especially of his offspeed pitches—needs to improve if he is to remain a rotation candidate.

The Future: Cunningham has the physicality and stuff to overwhelm hitters. Now, he needs to improve the quality of his strikes in order to make his arsenal play at the upper levels of the minor leagues and, eventually, the big leagues.

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

Track Record: Hess pitched three seasons at Alabama. He was a rotation stalwart nearly from Day One, with just three of his 33 appearances coming out of the bullpen. He pitched in parts of the 2022 and 2023 seasons but was limited by injuries before turning in his first fully-healthy season in 2024. Hess also pitched in the Cape Cod League as a rising sophomore and then for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team a year later. He ranked as the No. 30 prospect on the Cape. The Yankees took Hess with the 26th overall pick in 2024 and signed him for an underslot bonus of $2,747,500. He did not pitch after signing and will make his pro debut in 2025.

Scouting Report: Hess is a physical, 6-foot-5 righthander with a powerful four-pitch mix that might go through some changes before he is unveiled officially. His fastball typically averages around 94 mph and can get up to 99 with above-average riding life through the zone. He backs his fastball with a mid-80s slider that projects as a 60-grade weapon at its best, a top-down curveball in the mid 70s and a mid-80s changeup with plenty of run. The Yankees’ pitching development team has considered adding a sweeper slider to Hess’ mix, and the righthander has already tinkered with the grip on his changeup to give the pitch more depth. In his final season at Alabama, Hess’ walk rate jumped to 11.5% and his ERA climbed to 5.80. He’ll need to throw more strikes to stick as a potential rotation piece.

The Future: Hess will make his official pro debut in 2025. He has the physique and repertoire to one day pitch in a big league rotation. To do so, he’ll need to limit his walks and see one of his other offspeed pitches join his fastball and slider as a potential weapon.

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

Track Record: Arias signed for $2 million as the gem of the Yankees’ 2022 international class. A thumb injury in his first pro season limited him to just 31 games in the Dominican Summer League. In 2023, he was one of the brightest prospects of a star-studded group in the Florida Complex League. Arias’ 2024 season was rougher—his 171 strikeouts were the second-most in the system—but he showed stark improvements in the second half at Low-A Tampa.

Scouting Report: Arias’ 2024 season perfectly illustrated the divide between the Rookie complex leagues and full-season ball in the years following the 2021 realignment of the minor leagues. From April through June, Arias’ strikeout rate was 36%, and scouts reported a player whose bat path and posture led to exorbitant amounts of swing-and-miss. He improved those trouble spots as the season went on, and he cut his strikeout rate by 11% over the final three months. Scouts outside the organization prefer the switch-hitting Arias’ lefthanded swing and believe he will produce more hitting ability and impact from that side of the plate. Before George Lombard Jr. was promoted to High-A, he and Arias split reps in the middle infield. Scouts believe Arias can stick at shortstop thanks to sound hands and one of the strongest arms in the system, though his ultimate defensive home will depend on how his body develops as he matures. He should settle in as an above-average runner.

The Future: Arias continued his development after the season at the Yankees’ fall instructional camp, where he worked on making high-quality contact and improving his swing decisions. If he can continue the strides he showed in the second half of the 2024 season, he’ll take further steps toward reminding people about the pedigree he showed in 2023.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70.
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.

Track Record: Lombard is the son of former big leaguer and current Tigers bench coach of the same name. The younger Lombard was one of the youngest players in the 2023 draft class and was selected by the Yankees 26th overall out of Miami’s Gulliver Prep, where he also played soccer. Lombard signed for $3.3 million and made his pro debut in the Florida Complex League. He split his first full season between both Class A affiliates, including a turn in the South Atlantic League finals with Hudson Valley.

Scouting Report: The back of Lombard’s baseball card doesn’t jump off the page, but scouts outside the organization were heartened by what they saw on the field. At both minor league stops, the 19-year-old posted mature at-bats and showed strong leadership traits on the field and in the dugout. His swing got off-kilter early in the season, thanks to a stride that had gotten too long and caused his bat path to get out of whack. Those problems led to a high number of swings and misses, especially against fastballs. At his best, Lombard has a flat path and enough strength to predict a player capable of shooting line drives from gap to gap. He shows hints of power that should become more frequent as he adds strength to his still-growing frame and loft to his swing. Lombard is a sound defender at shortstop with sure hands, an above-average throwing arm and average range. He’s not the flashiest player, but he has a strong internal clock and intangibles forged from years around the game.

The Future: Lombard’s youth, tools and intangibles still give him plenty of runway toward his ceiling as an above-average big league shortstop with a well-rounded set of skills. To reach that ceiling, he’s going to have to make more contact.

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

Track Record: No matter where he has ranked among the Yankees’ top prospects, Dominguez has been the most celebrated prospect in the organization. He signed with New York in July 2019 but had to wait until 2021 to make his pro debut after the pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor league season. From there, he set about becoming one of the sport’s most famous prospects. He appeared in two consecutive Futures Games in 2021 and 2022, hitting a long home run at Dodger Stadium in the latter. Dominguez ratcheted up expectations immediately in his 2023 MLB debut by homering off Justin Verlander. The party only lasted eight games, because Dominguez tore his ulnar collateral ligament and had Tommy John surgery toward the tail end of the 2023 season. Dominguez began the 2024 season on the big league 60-day injured list, and his path back to New York was delayed further by an oblique injury that cost him nearly six weeks. He got back to New York for good on Sept. 9 and was included on the postseason roster for all three rounds without recording an at-bat.

Scouting Report: Though he scuffled during his return to the Bronx—he hit just .179/.313/.304—Dominguez still has the best combination of ceiling and proximity in the organization. He’s one of the Yankees’ best athletes and has a plethora of potentially-plus tools strewn across his scouting card. At his best, Dominguez blends hitting ability and power into the type of profile that would fit nicely in the middle of the order. There’s still plenty of development required to get there, and in the minor leagues his focus was on the finer points of swing decisions. Specifically, the Yankees want him to continue taking information he was given in advance scouting reports and apply it in game situations. There are other minor edges to polish, including working on consistency with his bat path to allow him to better loft the ball and get to his power on a more regular basis. These areas of focus are doubled because the switch-hitting Dominguez has two swings to maintain, and he was much more effective in the minor leagues against righthanders. Facing lefties, he hit just .213 with two extra-base hits in 47 at-bats. Defensively, Dominguez is still a work in progress. He’s got the speed for center field, but his routes and jumps leave much to be desired and made him enough of a liability that he did not see a single rep in the field during the postseason. Dominguez saw virtually all of his big league time in left field, which is where he’s likely to settle. His plus arm strength will be a weapon in the outfield, so long as he can release his throws quickly and accurately.

The Future: Dominguez’s road to consistent big league playing time is clear heading into 2025. Even if Juan Soto returns, the left field job appears there for the taking. With a strong spring, Dominguez should have it in his grasp.

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

Track Record: A four-year starter at Austin’s Westlake High in Texas, Gillen impressed as a hitter for multiple years, but injuries always seemed to hamper his ability to show scouts what he could do. Gillen had right shoulder surgery in 2022, and a wrist injury hindered him during the summer of 2023. A healthy spring in 2024 helped him climb into the first round—18th overall—after he demonstrated he was one of the best, most consistent hitters in the high school class. He hit .415 with seven home runs and 29 stolen bases as a senior.

Scouting Report: The 2024 draft was not considered deep with prep hitters, which made Gillen’s bat stand out even more. He was viewed as the best amateur hitter in Texas, and some scouts noted that might include college players. Gillen has long impressed scouts with his steady, productive approach. The lefthanded hitter has a line-drive swing with plenty of bat speed. He doesn’t really sell out for power, but with his bat speed and developing strength, he should eventually have above-average game power to go with an above-average hit tool. He’s also a plus runner. Gillen was a shortstop in high school, but scouts long expected him to switch positions as a pro, because his fringe-average arm hasn’t really been strong enough post-surgery to handle the demands of the position. The Rays immediately moved him to center field, which will allow him to rely on his speed and limit the number of throws he has to make.

The Future: Gillen has a chance to be the Rays’ next top-tier position prospect. Unlike many high school players, he got a late-season stint with Low-A Charleston as a sneak peek of where he’ll play in 2025. He should be one of the more talented players in the Carolina League.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Field: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 45.

BA Grade/Risk:60/Extreme.

Track Record: So far, Guerrero has met or exceeded the Rays’ expectations when he’s on the field. He just hasn’t been healthy enough. Guerrero’s 2023 season in the Dominican Summer League lasted just seven games before he was shut down with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He starred in the early part of the 2024 Florida Complex League season, but a recurrence of the shoulder injury limited him to 28 games. He has taken 126 at-bats in two seasons.

Scouting Report: When Guerrero has been on the field, he’s been excellent. He has massive power potential from the left side, but he’s a hitter more than a slugger, with advanced bat-to-ball skills and barrel control. Guerrero has already filled out, so there’s not a lot of projection to his power, but he doesn’t need it. His exit velocities already rank among the top 10 in the Rays’ system. He doesn’t have to sell out to get to that power, because he has a patient, disciplined approach and generates above-average contact rates. Guerrero will turn in plus run times, but by the time he reaches the majors, he’ll likely be an average runner. He plays plenty of center field in Rookie ball, but he’ll likely end up in right field eventually. He’s average there defensively with a plus arm.

The Future: Guerrero’s well-rounded offensive ceiling is comparable to Xavier Isaac. He has the rare combination of massive power and a potentially-plus hit tool. There’s plenty to dream on, but there’s also the reality that Guerrero hasn’t played enough for his warts to be exposed. He’s yet to see quality breaking pitches, and he’s a lefthanded hitter who is hitless in his mere 20 pro plate appearances against lefties. The jump to Low-A Charleston in 2025 should give him a chance to be challenged. If he stays healthy, he could vault into the Top 100.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60.

BA Grade/Risk:55/High.

Track Record: Simpson’s 198 stolen bases over the past two seasons is 68 more than any other minor leaguer, and he did it with an 86% success rate. He led Division I with a .433 batting average for Georgia Tech in 2022 and won the minor league batting title at .355 in 2024, making him the only player in the past 40 years to have both a D-I and MiLB batting title. He hit .455 while going 9-for-9 on stolen bases for USA Baseball at the Premier12 world championships to end his 2024 season.

Scouting Report: Simpson is a man of extremes. He’s a top-of-the-scale runner with bottom-of-scale power. His lone home run as a pro was an inside-the-parker. It’s hard to be a .300 hitter with 20 power, but Simpson’s speed and bat control make it possible. With his short stroke, Simpson makes tons of contact. His 9% swing-and-miss rate was best among all minor league qualifiers. He can pull the ball when pitchers try to work inside, but he’s best when they stay away. Simpson hit .452 on balls on the outer third of the strike zone because he slaps the ball to left field so adeptly. Defensively, Simpson moved from second base in college to the outfield as a pro. Despite his great speed, he’s had to work hard to become a fringe-average defender in center field. His first step and routes need to improve, but if he fixes those, his speed could make him a special defender. His arm is well-below-average.

The Future: Simpson’s MLB role will depend significantly on continued defensive improvement. His hitting ability gives him a higher ceiling than most speedsters, but to be a regular, his glove needs to keep improving. The Rays’ hope is that he can develop into a Juan Pierre-type who hits close to .300 while leading the league in steals.

Scouting Grades Hit: 70 | Power: 20 | Run: 80 | Field: 45 | Arm: 30.

BA Grade/Risk:55/High.

Track Record: The Marlins astutely signed Suarez as a slightly-older 17-year-old out of Venezuela in 2022. He quickly caught the Rays’ eye in the Dominican Summer League that year. When Tampa Bay traded reliever JT Chargois and shortstop Xavier Edwards to the Marlins to clear 40-man roster space in November 2022, they asked for Suarez and Marcus Johnson in return. The Marlins have already gotten production from Edwards, but Suarez could lead to a long-term payoff for the Rays. Suarez is a well-built, stocky righthander who has the body to eat innings. Including his playoff start, Suarez’s 116.2 innings were the most by any teenage pitcher in 2024.

Scouting Report: Suarez’s double-plus control is exceptional. His season high in walks was three, and he walked two or more four times in 23 starts for Low-A Charleston. In comparison, he walked no one eight times. Suarez’s 69% strike percentage was third-best among minor league pitchers with at least 100 innings. Because of his pitch efficiency, he worked deeper into games than almost any teenager, throwing five or more innings in 17 of 23 starts. Suarez touched 94 mph when he signed with the Marlins. Now he sits 94-95 and touches 97-98. His plus four-seam fastball has above-average carry at the top of the zone with a flat plane to miss bats. He mixes an average low-80s curveball and an above-average upper-80s cutter, both of which are most notable for his ability to locate them. He also had a hard, low-90s split-changeup that is fringe-average.

The Future: Suarez’s exceptional control and steadily-improving velocity combined with enviable durability gives him a clear path to being a mid-rotation starter. He’s ready for High-A Bowling Green, where he should be part of a talented young rotation.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 60. | Control: 70.

BA Grade/Risk:55/High.

Track Record: Gill Hill was a late bloomer whose prospect status took off as a high school senior in New York state when he went 6-2 with a 1.38 ERA with three no-hitters. He had been slated to go to Farleigh Dickinson but ended up committing to Wake Forest. When the Rays drafted him in the sixth round in 2022, a well above-slot $597,000 bonus convinced him to go pro instead. Much like Rays 2018 day two pick Taj Bradley, Gill Hill was very young for his draft class. Even after spending a year in Rookie ball, he was just 19 when he broke out at Low-A Charleston in 2024. He was one of only three teenagers to throw more than 100 innings in 2024, joining teammate Santiago Suarez and the Angels’ Barrett Kent.

Scouting Report: In 2023, Gill Hill seemed more project than prospect. He had a low arm slot that seemed destined to send him to the bullpen, and his velocity was modest. A strong offseason transformed his pro trajectory. Gill Hill added 20 pounds of good weight coming into 2024, and it paid off in a 2-3 mph velocity bump. He sat 92-94 in 2024, with the ability to reach back for 96-97. Gill Hill also raised his arm slot, which helped his fastball and slider movement and made him less vulnerable to lefthanded hitters. Gill Hill’s plus control allows him to locate four pitches consistently. He works his slider glove-side and down, while his changeup has fade and deception. Gill Hill has a fluid, athletic delivery that should allow him to remain a starter.

The Future: Gill Hill made big strides in 2024, but scouts believe there’s even more to come as he continues to fill out his 6-foot-2 frame and get stronger. He’s already shown he can throw strikes and maintain his delivery. If he keeps adding velocity, he could be a mid-rotation starter in a few years.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 50. | Control: 60.

BA Grade/Risk:55/High.

Track Record: Harrison grew up just north of Tampa and has been a Rays fan all his life. He was a teammate of Phillies shortstop prospect Aidan Miller at Mitchell High. Harrison was primarily a first baseman and catcher until his junior year. He moved to the mound and quickly blossomed. The Rays convinced him to forgo a Florida State commitment with a well above-slot $847,500 bonus as a fifth-round pick in 2023. Harrison made his pro debut in 2024 with an assignment to the Rookie-level Florida Complex League, then earned a midseason promotion to Low-A Charleston. His best start of the year came in the Carolina League playoffs, when he held Kannapolis to one hit in five scoreless innings while striking out six.

Scouting Report: Harrison has gone from touching 95 mph as a high school senior to sitting at 95 in his first pro season. His fastball doesn’t have exceptional carry, but his velocity—he touches 98-99 now—makes it a plus pitch. Harrison was heavily fastball-reliant early in 2024, but he developed more and more comfort in his slider and changeup as the season progressed. His 84-86 mph slider has modest tilt but plenty of power. His changeup has separation, deception and some fade. Both flash above-average-to-plus and should continue to develop as he gains more confidence in them. He has average control.

The Future: The Rays had three young, high-ceiling starters at Class A in 2024: Harrison, Gary Gill Hill and Santiago Suarez. Of the three, Harrison has a bit further to go, but he also has the highest ceiling. Harrison has the physicality to develop into a frontline starter with power stuff. He may return to Charleston to start the season, but he should spend most of 2025 at High-A Bowling Green.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60. | Control: 50.

BA Grade/Risk:55/High.

Track Record: Isaac missed most of the prep showcase circuit with a foot injury, but the Rays were impressed with his hitting and power as a senior in 2022 and drafted him 29th overall. He lost 20 pounds that offseason, setting up a breakout 2023 in which he hit for average and power. Isaac was just as good in the first half of 2024 at High-A Bowling Green and earned a Futures Game invite. He had his first pro struggles after promotion to Double-A Montgomery. Over the final three months of the season, Isaac stuck out 40% of the time, which is nearly double his 2023 strikeout rate.

Scouting Report: The Rays loved Isaac coming out of high school because he was a pure hitter with massive power. In 2024, he focused more on getting to that power, which resulted in a lot more strikeouts. When Isaac was hitting .285 in 2023, he had a barely-noticeable timing step that started his swing. At times in 2024, that grew into a much bigger leg kick. It seems to have affected his timing, leaving him vulnerable to changeups. When Isaac’s swing is short, he has the potential to be a plus hitter with plus power. He hits the ball harder than any other Rays minor leaguer now that Junior Caminero has graduated. Isaac is more athletic and moves better than he did in high school, turning in above-average run times. That has made left field a viable option, though his pro outfield experience amounts to five games in right field in the AFL. He’s an average defender at first base who could get to fringe-average in left.

The Future: Isaac’s struggles after he reached Double-A are fixable, and he was one of the younger players at the level. He’ll head back to Montgomery as a 21-year-old to start 2025, looking to make more contact. He has a chance to hit for average and power, but he has to make adjustments.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50.

BA Grade/Risk:55/High

Track Record: A three-year star at LSU and a career .322 hitter in college, Morgan was a key part of the Tigers’ 2023 national championship team. His defense and throw home on a bunt to help beat Wake Forest will be replayed in Baton Rouge for decades. Drafted in the third round in 2023, Morgan was assigned to Low-A to start 2024 largely to keep him and fellow first baseman Xavier Isaac off the same roster. They ended up together for much of the season at High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery and even played together in the Arizona Fall League. Morgan missed the Coronavirus-shortened 2020 high school season with a left elbow injury. He also saw his 2023 pro season end early because of a minor arm injury, but he’s generally been durable.

Scouting Report: Morgan has a chance to hit .290-300 in the big leagues in his best years thanks to a gap-heavy, all-fields approach. Early in counts, he will try to yank the ball into the seats, but once he gets to two strikes, he wears pitchers into submission by stubbornly refusing to give in. Morgan struck out on three pitches just three times in 2024, and he either took a ball, fouled the pitch off or put it in play on 90% of two-strike pitches seen. At first base, Morgan is exceptional. He should be a perennial Gold Glove candidate. He has plus range, top-tier hands and a shortstop’s mentality. He wants the ball hit to him in crucial situations. He has a plus arm for the rare cases where he needs to start a double play. He can play a below-average left field, but he’s so much better at first.

The Future: Morgan’s combination of exceptional bat control, a polished all-fields approach and exceptional defense makes him a low-risk MLB regular. The question becomes whether his power develops enough to make him a significant offensive contributor.

Scouting Grades Hit: 65 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Field: 80 | Arm: 60.

BA Grade/Risk:50/Medium.

Track Record: The Rays drafted Taylor 19th overall out of Texas Christian in 2023. He quietly had one of the best seasons in the Rays’ system in 2024, which he spent primarily at High-A Bowling Green. He finished third in the organization in home runs (20), fourth in slugging percentage (.493) and first in both walks (76) and extra-base hits (55). That tracks with what he did at TCU, where he was one of the Horned Frogs’ best hitters for three seasons.

Scouting Report: The best way to describe Taylor is he’s boringly impressive. He has no plus grade on his scouting report, but there’s also no glaring deficiency. He strings together quality at-bats, makes good swing decisions and gets the most from his average power because he knows how to get pitches he can drive to his pull side. The lefthanded hitter has shown he’s not helpless against lefties and projects to be a .250-.260 hitter with 18-20 home runs. Taylor is an average defender at second base and a fringe-average one at third base, though he’s played more third than any other position as a pro. He’s better at second because he isn’t particularly twitchy, so he does better when he has a little more time to react. His average arm is accurate. Taylor makes the routine play, but he doesn’t create many highlights. He’s an average runner, but he knows how to pick his spots. He has stolen 40 bases at an 85% success rate as a pro.

The Future: Taylor should be ready to join the Rays’ picture at second and third base by the end of 2025, and he makes sense as Brandon Lowe’s eventual replacement at the keystone. He’s not likely to be a star, but he has a pretty clear path to being a solid long-term regular. He should spend most of 2025 at Triple-A Durham.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50.

BA Grade/Risk:60/Medium.

Track Record: Williams didn’t play in a lot of showcases during his high school career at Torrey Pines in San Diego, but he impressed scouts with his big arm, even if he made it clear to everyone that he preferred hitting to pitching. He made swing improvements as a senior, which helped him use his lower half better and convinced scouts to shelve the idea of getting him back on the mound. Williams’ power jumped significantly and helped him vault from third- or fourth-round consideration into the back of the first round in 2021, where the Rays drafted him 28th overall. Williams has shown rare power for a shortstop throughout his pro career. Since the 2022 season began, his 62 home runs are the most among minor league shortstops. That includes a 20-homer, 33-steal performance for Double-A Montgomery as a 21-year-old in 2024.

Scouting Report: Williams has moved relatively quickly up the minor league ladder, but at the plate he is still learning how to get his pitch and adjust depending on a pitcher’s approach. His two-strike approach is rudimentary at this point, but his bat speed and plus power make pitchers pay for any mistakes. Williams’ exceptional footwork is the key to his plus defense. He reads the ball off the bat, and finds ways to avoid in-between hops. He gets into the right position to turn tough plays into routine ones, and his internal clock helps him play under control. He knows when he needs to hurry or when he can slow down and get set. Williams’ hands are fine, but it’s the footwork combined with his plus-plus arm that allow him to make plays many shortstops can’t even consider. Much like the Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson, he makes hard plays in the hole because he can get plenty into off-balance throws. Williams is a reliable defender. He made nine errors all season in 2024, and his .979 fielding percentage was fourth among minor league shortstops.

The Future: The Rays often emphasize versatility in their prospects, asking them to bounce around the field, but Williams notably has never played a game at a position other than shortstop. That could change in 2025 as he heads to Triple-A Durham, but any other position he plays will only be to make him viable as a short-term fill-in. Shortstop is his long-term home. His defense is big-league ready right now, but his bat may need 500 plate appearances at Triple-A to add some final polish. Williams should be the Rays’ everyday shortstop for years to come. His combination of defense, power and athleticism gives him all-star upside. It wouldn’t be a surprise if his hitting doesn’t fully blossom later in the 2020s, but his glove will make him a valuable regular, even if he starts out in the majors as a lower-average power hitter whose hitting eventually catches up to the rest of his skills.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Field: 70 | Arm: 70.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: O’Ferrall picked up plenty of accolades as a three-year starter at Virginia, setting the Cavaliers’ single-season hits record as a sophomore and winning the 2024 Brooks Wallace Award as the nation’s best shortstop. His steadiness on the dirt and ability to make contact were among the several traits that drew the Orioles to O’Ferrall in 2024 with their second day-one selection, a Prospect Promotion Incentive pick added for Gunnar Henderson’s American League Rookie of the Year win in 2023. Baltimore signed O’Ferrall for a slightly below-slot deal of $2.7 million as the 33rd overall pick.

Scouting Report: O’Ferrall walked more often than he struck out in college, highlighting the advanced bat-to-ball ability and swing decisions that the Orioles have coveted at the top of the draft. He doesn’t whiff often and has a feel for the barrel, which can make him an above-average hitter, but he hasn’t demonstrated much ability to impact the baseball to this point, limiting his overall offensive profile. O’Ferrall already has cut down on his chase rate in pro ball, which is a good first step. The Orioles have experience with that skill set and will hope to get the most out of it and keep a player who otherwise grinds and helps teams win with solid-average or better tools. O’Ferrall is fundamentally sound and can make all the plays at shortstop, while being an above-average runner who is rarely thrown out stealing.

The Future: O’Ferrall might be modestly outperforming his tools if he becomes a solid-average major league regular, but he boasts a high utility floor and showed some early-season strength gains as a junior that point to some upside in his offensive profile that can help him be an everyday player. He’ll begin his first full pro season at High-A Aberdeen in 2025.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.

Track Record: Fabian was in the mix for the top overall pick entering the 2021 college season and hit 20 home runs to rank second in the Southeastern Conference, but he hit just .249 and did not agree to terms with the Red Sox as their second-round pick that year. He returned to Florida for his senior year in 2022. The Orioles ultimately signed him for an over-slot $1.03 million deal at pick No. 67 in 2022. Fabian reduced his strikeout rate at Double-A Bowie in 2024, when he homered 18 times in the process, but he struck out in nearly 41% of his plate appearances at Triple-A Norfolk.

Scouting Report: Fabian’s skill set is one that has always boasted major league traits. His uppercut righthanded swing generates above-average power, while advanced range, playmaking ability and instincts make him a plus center fielder. He also can impact a game on the bases with his plus speed. However, Fabian’s swing path isn’t conducive to consistent contact, so despite improving on pitches at the top of the zone this year, his and the Orioles’ efforts to flatten out his swing will dictate the level of impact he can have in the majors, given its influence on his hit tool. Swing decisions have never been an issue—only contact ability—so improving that could give Fabian fringe-average—or slightly better—hit tool potential. The more contact he makes, the more likely he is to get to his power in games.

The Future: Fabian’s ability to adapt to the challenges presented to him by higher levels, as well as his work ethic and makeup, create the potential for him to close some gaps in his swing in Triple-A in 2025 and reach his potential as an everyday major league outfielder. His is a high floor, though, with traits that would make him excel off a major league bench.

Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 60 | Arm: 55.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: An early-season look put Forret on the Orioles’ draft radar in 2023, and his low walk rate, pitch mix and makeup convinced the Orioles to sign him for an over-slot $450,000 out of the State College of Florida junior college program. He earned raves from across the organization in 2024, with a 1.29 WHIP at the Class A levels, along with a strikeout rate near 29% over a large sample in his pro debut. He was the Orioles’ youngest pitcher to make a full-season team out of spring training in 2024.

Scouting Report: Forret has a broad and advanced arsenal, and he commands it well, which makes all of his pitches play up against low-level competition. He generates consistent carry at the top of the zone with a four-seam fastball that sat 93-95 mph and was up to 97. He added a two-seamer to the mix as the 2024 season went on that matched the four-seamer as a plus pitch. Forret also threw a pair of sliders—a low-80s sweeper and low-to-mid-80s gyro—and a pair of changeups. For most of the year, Forret used a kick-changeup in the 85-88 mph range that he developed in the offseason at Tread Athletics. He also refined the running changeup he had in junior college to return it to his arsenal later in the season as another weapon, missing bats with each. While the overall shape of Forret’s arsenal as he advances through the minors isn’t clear, the amount of weapons he has at this stage and his ability to tweak pitches and command them bode well for the generation of an above-average overall pitch mix.

The Future: Though he has a long way to go to get there, Forret, who spent the entire season at age 20 and keeps the ball in the strike zone, has the ceiling of a midrotation starter. He’ll likely return to High-A Aberdeen to start 2025 but could spend most of his age-21 season at Double-A Bowie.Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Sweeper: 50 | Split: 55 | Control: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: Beavers was a strong college performer at California who knew, as evaluators did, that he needed to work on his swing. He fell to the Orioles at No. 33 overall in 2022 and signed for slightly below slot at $2.2 million. He overhauled his swing in his 2023 pro debut and then sought more power in 2024, hitting 15 home runs with a .756 OPS at Double-A Bowie before a one-week cameo at Triple-A Norfolk.

Scouting Report: Beavers spent the first year of his professional career making changes to his swing before settling on a setup that worked for him. In year two, he worked to use those changes to generate more power through more aggressive swing decisions in advantaged counts. While Beavers still boasts advanced bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline that can make him an average hitter, the pursuit of more slug—which worked in the first two months of the 2024 season—hampered his overall offensive approach in the second half, and he had to regroup to finish well. Given his ability to barrel the baseball, he can have average power in the future as he continues to refine his movements and get stronger. He has struggled to catch up to velocity, hitting just .118 with one extra-base hit versus fastballs at 94 mph or faster in 2024. Beavers is a plus runner who improved defensively in 2024. He plays all three outfield spots with right field as his likely long-term home.

The Future: Beavers’ upside remains among the most enticing in the Orioles’ organization, and the idea of adding consistent hard contact to his skill set would make him a solid-average major league regular, even if the pieces for a traditional corner outfield profile aren’t fully intact yet. He’ll begin 2025 back at Triple-A Norfolk with a chance to debut in the big leagues late in the year.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: Bradfield was a dynamic talent at Vanderbilt who demonstrated his elite speed and defense over three seasons. The Orioles’ signed him for a slot-value bonus of $4.17 million to bring him into their hitting program and help unlock his offensive ceiling. Bradfield spent a majority of his full-season debut in 2024 at High-A Aberdeen before playing the last month at Double-A Bowie. He logged a .729 OPS and 74 stolen bases—only the Rays’ Chandler Simpson accrued more—between the two levels while earning a minor league Gold Glove Award in center field.

Scouting Report: A year of affiliated baseball left no doubts about the potential ways Bradfield can impact games. His elite defense in center field and elite baserunning showed up at both levels. So, too, did his bat-to-ball ability—he swung-and-missed at pitches just 5.3% of the time. The contact quality is never going to be elite in terms of exit speeds or raw power, but the overall value of Bradfield as a player hinges on his ability to refine his contact to keep the ball off the ground and hit more line drives at good angles, allowing him to be on base more and utilize his speed. On that front, Bradfield made encouraging progress, cutting his ground ball rate from 70.2% in his pro debut to 50.2% in 2024. His late-season promotion to Bowie came with an even greater focus on swing decisions. Bradfield focused more on pitches he could hit at good angles and left the Orioles bullish on his offensive trajectory.

The Future: Bradfield’s carrying tools are the type that can get him to the majors. Any further refinement of the hit tool can make him a valuable table-setter in a winning lineup while also providing Gold Glove-caliber defense. Bradfield will be back at Bowie to build on his strong 2024 season there.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 80 | Field: 80 | Arm: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium.

Track Record: With so many high picks used on hitters recently, the Orioles’ best pitching prospects often come in trades. McDermott, acquired at the 2021 trade deadline from the Astros for Trey Mancini, fits that bill. The organization’s pitcher of the year because of his high-minors success in 2023, he struck out nearly 33% of batters at Triple-A Norfolk in 2024 to earn his major league debut for a spot start. He missed nearly two months with a scapula stress reaction in his right shoulder but returned for one final start at Norfolk.

Scouting Report: To watch McDermott pitch is to understand how the Orioles teach their prospects to operate. He lives at the top of the zone with his hoppy four-seam fastball, which generates whiffs when elevated and topped out at 96.6 mph while sitting in the mid 90s. All his pitches are hard to square up in the zone, which is part of his appeal. The refinement of a splitter in 2024 gave him another bat-missing pitch and, more importantly, a weapon against lefthanded hitters to go along with an above-average sweeper and solid-average slider. He can land his curveball well, too. McDermott is the rare pitcher who can get hitters out in the zone, but can, at times, be challenged to locate consistently and in good places. His ability to miss bats in the zone and generate weak contact should encourage him to be there more often.

The Future: McDermott may end up too far down the depth chart to make the Orioles’ rotation out of spring training in 2025, but he’ll be relied upon as a depth piece and possibly a bullpen addition in the second half. Still, he has a No. 4 starter ceiling if he’s able to consistently keep his best stuff in the zone.Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Split: 50 | Control: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme.

Track Record: Honeycutt was a decorated college career at North Carolina—he was a two-time Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year and the first Power Five conference player with at least 60 home runs and 70 steals in his career—helping him become a top name in the 2024 draft. On draft day, he fell to 22nd overall, where Baltimore signed him for an over-slot $4 million deal after he fell because of concerns over his contact ability, which showed up during his brief pro debut after signing. Honeycutt struck out nearly 43% of the time in his 13-game pro debut.

Scouting Report: Honeycutt’s athleticism and raw power are most attractive at this point, given his potential to impact a game in center field with elite defense and on the bases, in addition to his potential above-average power. The Orioles also feel confident about his ability to recognize pitches and control the strike zone. They have been encouraged by his willingness to address some of his movement patterns and swing traits to improve his path to and through the ball to make more consistent contact. If he’s able to better use his lower body and be more consistent with the positions he gets into before he makes contact, he could develop fringe-average bat-to-ball skills, which would allow him to better access his power in games.

The Future: While a full year of pro ball with such swing changes taking place could be a near-term challenge, the upside of an all-star-caliber player who impacts the game in every facet is worth it. That’s Honeycutt’s ceiling, though his ability to reach it rests almost entirely on his ability to make enough contact in the majors. Honeycutt will begin at High-A Aberdeen for his full-season debut in 2025.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 65 | Field: 70 | Arm: 60.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium.

Track Record: It’s been an exercise in delayed gratification, but Kjerstad continues to show why the Orioles bet on him as the No. 2 overall pick in the pandemic-shortened 2020 draft, after which he signed for an under-slot $5.2 million bonus. The former Southeastern Conference star’s pro debut was put off for an entire season by myocarditis—heart inflammation—but he made the majors in 2023 just 14 months after his first pro game. Kjerstad overwhelmed Triple-A again in 2024 but was mostly on the fringes in the majors, though he had a hot spell midseason that came to an end after a hit-by-pitch caused a concussion.

Scouting Report: Kjerstad was still getting back to form in the batter’s box in 2022, but the last two seasons have proven he’s an advanced hitter who generates loft and natural carry, along with attractive exit velocities. His has a unique lefthanded swing with a high leg kick and short stroke to the ball, and Kjerstad is able to drive the ball back the way it’s pitched because of how his swing works. That sometimes leads to aggressive swing decisions, but the overall offensive output won’t be jeopardized by his plate discipline, especially if he attacks balls in the strike zone at a high rate. He sees lefthanders well and might not face a strict platoon in the majors. Kjerstad looked more comfortable in the outfield in the majors in 2024, and he has plenty of arm for right field if that’s where he ends up. He has also spent time at first base, which adds a bit of value given his corner bat profile.

The Future: Kjerstad’s first full-time major league role could come with the Orioles in 2025 at age 26. His offensive profile remains that of a middle-of-the-order hitter on a good team.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60.

BA Grade/Risk: 60/High.

Track Record: The Orioles are discerning with early high school draftees but were intrigued by Mayo’s raw power and projectability in the shortened 2020 draft. They decided he warranted an over-slot $1.75 million bonus. Mayo broke out in 2023 with 29 home runs and a .974 OPS and made his major league debut in 2024, when he earned organizational minor league player of the year honors for hitting 22 home runs with a .926 OPS at Triple-A Norfolk. Mayo was challenged by major league pitching, going 4-for-46 with 22 strikeouts.

Scouting Report: Without sacrificing the plus-plus power that has always been his carrying tool, Mayo has made significant strides adjusting to how he’s pitched and allowing himself to get to his power in games. He’s at his best when he can turn on a pitch but has gained the ability to cover the outer half to channel and drive the ball to all fields, which he’s demonstrated in the high minors. Mayo has also adjusted well to advanced sequencing at the higher levels. Still, major league pitchers reintroduced these challenges at a higher level than he’d seen before. Mayo can be an average hitter in the majors when he’s on time with fastballs and able to defend the outer half to force pitchers into the areas in which he can do damage. His ability to adjust at every level lends confidence that he’ll be able to do so in the big leagues. Defensively, Mayo is more advanced at first base despite spending the majority of his career at third. His arm is strong but can be inaccurate. Ten of his 12 errors at Triple-A were charged on erratic throws.

The Future: Mayo’s offensive potential gives him the chance to be a strong everyday regular who can make an all-star team. He’ll push for a spot on the Orioles out of spring training in 2025.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 70 | Run: 45 | Field: 40 | Arm: 60.

BA Grade/Risk: 65/High.

Track Record: After years of an ownership aversion to signing international amateur free agents, the Orioles returned to the market in 2019 when Mike Elias hired Koby Perez as senior director of international scouting. In his first full signing period, the pandemic-delayed signing window that was pushed to January 2021, the club used $1.3 million to land Basallo, who was previously connected to the Yankees and quickly became the crown jewel of Baltimore’s international program. He was the 2023 Carolina League MVP in his full-season debut, a season in which he earned two promotions with a .953 OPS and 20 home runs over three levels at age 18. He spent the bulk of 2024 at Double-A Bowie, logging 16 home runs and an .820 OPS before spending the last month of the season at Triple-A Norfolk as one of only a handful of teenagers to reach the level. The Orioles were impressed with how Basallo, who was invited to major league camp but was limited due to a stress reaction in his elbow, reacted to some of the steepest challenges of his professional career in 2024.

Scouting Report: Basallo has an elite offensive skill set for several reasons, with his ability to generate hard contact chief among them. His hard-hit rate of 49.6% led Orioles prospects, and his 90th percentile exit velocity was 105.9 mph. He’s still in the process of harnessing his power in games, because his advanced bat-to-ball skills and ability to make contact on pitches all over—and sometimes out of—the strike zone can lead to suboptimal contact. This is viewed less as a plate discipline issue and more of an experience issue. Basallo sees pitches well out of pitchers’ hands and is a diligent game-planner for his at-bats. Focusing more on pitches he can drive will further unlock his advanced offensive potential, especially given his adjustability and strong base at a young age. Basallo is flexible for his massive size and moves well behind the plate, though his receiving is an area of constant work as he gains professional experience at the position. He boasts a tremendously strong arm and accurately deploys it. His cerebral approach of cataloging his at-bats in the batter’s box carries over behind the plate as he grows into the role of managing a pitching staff and reading hitters to help navigate upper-level lineups. While Basallo may be challenged to be a full-time major league catcher, his skill set is adequate on its current trajectory to catch a few times each week while being an impact bat. He has also spent time learning first base.

The Future: The offensive upside Basallo possesses, as well as the tremendously high standard he sets for himself, create the incredibly attractive profile of an impact middle-of-the-order major league bat. The value of that may be influenced by his ability to stay behind the plate, but Basallo has all-star potential and could push for a major league debut in 2025.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 70 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 70.

Draft Prospects

School: Tuscola HS, Waynesville, N.C. Committed: North Carolina. Age At Draft: 18.9

With velocity trending up, Rich has reached 91 mph and should have more on the way as he fills out his lean 6-foot-2 frame. It’s a lively, riding fastball from his high slot that he uses to attack up in the zone and above barrels for swing-and-miss. He shows feel to spin a low-to-mid 70s curveball that’s ahead of his changeup.

School: Chaminade-Madonna College Prep HS, Hollywood, Fla. Committed: South Carolina. Age At Draft: 18.8

Krasner pitches off a lively fastball with good armide run that’s typically in the upper 80s and has touched 90 mph. He pitches from a sound delivery and has room to fill out his projectable 6-foot-3 frame and eventually pitch more consistently in the low 90s or better. Krasner has feel to manipulate multiple secondary offerings, including a low-to-mid 70s curveball with good shape that he can use to freeze hitters as well as an upper-70s changeup that flashes heavy action.

School: Saguaro HS, Scottsdale, Ariz. Committed: South Carolina. Age At Draft: 18.9

Originally from Venezuela, Gomez moved to Arizona, where scouts got a lot of looks at him during his sophomore year when he was the catcher for lefthander Cam Caminiti, the Braves’ 2024 first-round pick. Gomez is a switch-hitter with good bat speed, but defense is his calling card. He has the ability to back pick runners and produce pop times under 1.9 seconds on his best throws thanks to his above-average arm and quick exchange.

School: Nazareth Academy, La Grange Park, Ill. Committed: Tennessee. Age At Draft: 18.6

The son of Hall of Fame first baseman Jim Thome, Landon stood out in August 2024 when he earned player of the week honors at the Area Code Games underclass event. He has good balance in his compact lefthanded swing, staying inside the ball well to manipulate the barrel. He’s a solid-average runner with the defensive skill set to play somewhere in the infield at the next level.

School: Abington Heights HS, Summit, Pa. Committed: Auburn. Age At Draft: 18.6

An athletic pitcher with a strong fastball, Bradley has sound mechanics, compact arm action and repeats his delivery well to pound the strike zone. He has been up to 92 mph, with room to fill out his broad-shouldered build and reach the mid 90s. He has a low-80s slider that has solid action at times and shows feel for a changeup that should become a bigger part of his arsenal as he moves up.

School: Richmond Hill HS, Queens, N.Y. Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 18.1

Young for the class with a loose, fast arm from the left side, Ortiz reaches the low 90s from a low-effort operation and has the look of a pitcher who should be throwing in the mid 90s or better by the time the 2026 draft nears. His control will need to take a step forward, but his athleticism should help, with feel for both a slider that has good spin and lateral break and his changeup as well.

School: Tomball (Tex.) HS. Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 19.1

Reeder has a tall, projectable 6-foot-4 frame, good pitchability and a fastball that has reached 91 mph. He pitches from a tall-and-fall delivery and should have more velocity in the tank once he packs on more weight and refines his mechanical efficiency. His lively changeup has good sink, fade and separation off his fastball, with a mid-70s slider and slower curveball as well.

School: Providence HS, Jacksonville, Fla. Committed: Mississippi. Age At Draft: 18.1

Pitching with a fastball that parks in the mid 80s, Walls’ velocity isn’t as advanced as some of the other top pitchers in the class, but he’s young for his class, has a lot of room to fill out his projectable 6-foot-3 frame and an innate ability to spin his breaking stuff. His mid-to-upper 70s curveball can crack above 3,000 rpm at times with sharp, tight break to become a true out pitch and he has flashed feel for a changeup as well.

School: Silverado HS, Las Vegas, N.V. Committed: TCU. Age At Draft: 19.1

Guariglia is a 6-foot righthander with a strong, physically mature frame for his age. There’s some effort to his delivery but he throws a lot of strikes and has a pair of pitches that stick out, including a fastball that has touched 94 mph with good carrying life. His upper-70s curveball is a high-spin pitch that has sharp bite to miss bats when it’s at its best.

School: Basic HS, Henderson, Nev. Committed: Southern California. Age At Draft: 18.6

Southisene is the younger brother of shortstop Ty Southisene, who was a Cubs fourth-round pick out of high school in 2024, and shortstop Tate Southisene, a prominent prospect in the 2025 high school class. Troy has similar hitting mannerisms and is another player in the family with good hand-eye coordination and advanced instincts for the game. He has experience both at shortstop and in center field, reading the ball well off the bat at both positions. He’s a high-contact hitter with gap power.

School: Franklin HS, Elk Grove, Calif. Committed: LSU. Age At Draft: 18.4

With a hitterish look from the left side, Minnatee starts with a slightly open setup, strides into a closed off stance and keeps his hands quiet before firing a simple, compact swing. It’s impressive barrel control with a knack for driving balls the other way and to the middle of the field for deep alleys power.

School: Pennsbury HS, Fairless Hills, Penn. Committed: Vanderbilt. Age At Draft: 18.1

Bradley has outstanding physical projection in his lanky 6-foot-5 frame. He’s one of the youngest players in the class and has a ton of room to fill out and add to a fastball that has touched 91 mph. He’s still learning to sync up his long limbs to throw more consistent strikes, with a slider that’s ahead of his changeup.

School: South Gibson County HS, Medina, Tenn. Committed: Tennessee. Age At Draft: 18.4

A high-level strike-thrower, Allen fires fastballs up to 92 mph from his long, slinging arm stroke, getting deep into his legs to deliver the ball from a low release height and good extension. His slider isn’t a high-spin pitch but it has good lateral break to help him miss bats, while his changeup is an advanced pitch for his age with a lot of horizontal run.

School: Georgia Premier Academy, Statesboro, Ga. Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 19.0

Romero has a projectable frame, good arm action and excellent stuff for his age. He pitches off a fastball that’s up to 94 mph with bigger velocity coming once he fills out. Romero has feel to spin a pair of sharp breaking balls with his curveball and slider that gives him the stuff to miss a lot of bats. His control is still erratic, but he could shoot up this list if he’s able to throw more strikes.

School: St. John Bosco HS, Bellflower, Calif. Committed: UCLA. Age At Draft: 19.4

Jackson has a compact 5-foot-10 build with a strong lower half and a simple lefthanded stroke. He starts his swing with a small toe tap, doesn’t have much hand movement and takes a direct cut, putting the ball in play at a high clip. He stays through the middle of the field well and has the strength to drive the ball for hard contact. He could fit at second or third base at the next level.

School: St. John Bosco HS, Bellflower, Calif. Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 18.2

With a fastball up to 92 mph, Garcia has a lean, projectable 6-foot-3 frame with the look of a pitcher who should be able to reach the mid 90s. His upper-60s-to-low-70s curveball has tight spin above 2,800 rpm and should become a bigger weapon once he’s able to add more power behind that pitch. He has flashed feel for a changeup at times as well.

School: Plant City (Fla.) HS. Committed: Wake Forest. Age At Draft: 18.0

One of the younger players in the 2026 class, Carbaugh sticks out for his physical projection with a long, lean 6-foot-5 frame. He has room to add another 30-plus pounds and grow a fastball that has touched 92 mph. While he will need to throw more strikes, his fastball has good armside run from his low three-quarters slot. Carbaugh flashes feel to spin a slider, though he’s still learning to refine its shape and consistency, and while his upper-70s changeup has not been a big bat-missing pitch yet, it flashes good tailing action.

School: Trinity Episcopal HS, Richmond, Va. Committed: LSU. Age At Draft: 18.3

McLeod has a big fastball that reaches 94 mph with the potential for more in the tank as he continues to fill out his strong 6-foot-6 frame. Like most pitchers his age and size, McLeod is still learning to repeat his delivery to throw more consistent strikes, but it’s a power fastball with downhill angle. His fastball is his predominant pitch, one he leans on heavily, though at the end of the 2024 summer circuit his curveball showed signs of improvement, with a changeup rounding his repertoire.

School: Iona Prep HS, New Rochelle, N.Y. Committed: Miami. Age At Draft: 18.7

Diaz has a solid offensive game for a catcher, setting up with a wide base and a short stroke, but defensively is where he shines the most. He’s athletic behind the plate with a quick, efficient transfer to an above-average arm that helps him control the running game with pop times under 1.9 seconds on his best throws.

School: Spring Hill (Kan.) HS. Committed: Florida. Age At Draft: 18.7

An athletic two-way player, Neal has promise both as a pitcher and a position player. Neal has primarily been a position player, with his body control and hand-eye coordination evident on the mound and at the plate. He’s a fluid mover at shortstop with a plus arm that could tick up another grade. Neal can drive the ball with impact during BP, with up-and-down game performance on the travel circuit. On the mound, Neal has a smooth, athletic operation as a pitcher and a fastball that has touched 94 mph from a crossfire delivery. With his arm speed and lots of space left to fill out his lean 6-foot-3 frame, there should be another velocity jump coming. He has feel for a slider, a pitch that should benefit from extra power that should come as he gets stronger.

School: Lake Mary (Fla.) HS. Committed: Clemson. Age At Draft: 18.9

Hernandez has the strength, bat speed and leverage in his swing to produce some of the better raw power in the class in a pull-oriented approach. That power should only grow as he continues to fill out his well-proportioned 6-foot-4 frame with a likely power-over-hit offensive game. He’s athletic for his size with average speed, a quick first step and a strong arm, giving him the defensive tools to have a chance to stick at third base in pro ball.

School: Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, Tenn. Committed: Tennessee. Age At Draft: 18.8

Springall has a clean, crisp swing from the left side. He has good rhythm and balance, taking a compact, tight turn of the barrel that leads to good plate coverage and a high contact rate. Springall has a slender frame and a hit-over-power profile, driving the ball from gap to gap with a good eye for the strike zone to help him get on base at a high clip. He’s a middle infielder with smooth actions and the arm strength that projects best at second base in pro ball.

School: Cardinal Gibbons HS, Raleigh, N.C. Committed: North Carolina. Age At Draft: 18.7

Tarkenton can stymie hitters with his fastball/slider combination. He pitches with his fastball that’s up to 93 mph and should have at least another couple ticks of velocity still to come. Tarkenton liberally mixes in his slider against both lefties and righties, showing feel to spin that pitch and execute it effectively to get empty swings.

School: Lake Travis HS, Austin, Tex. Committed: Texas. Age At Draft: 19.0

Webb has a sound delivery, fast arm speed and can reach 91 mph from his three quarters slot, with the strength projection left in his lean 6-foot-3 frame to where he should be throwing in the mid 90s as he gets stronger. He has a swing-and-miss pitch with his curveball, which has sharp bite and good depth when it’s at its best.

School: Kingsburg (Calif.) HS. Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 18.5

Hirckshorn sticks out right away at 6-foot-7, 195 pounds. He’s already up to 93 mph and has a ton of space on his extremely tall, slender frame to pack on more strength and add velocity. Hirckshorn pitches from an upright delivery with shorter arm action into a high three-quarter slot, delivering the ball with steep downhill plane. His fastball is his best pitch, with a curveball and changeup rounding his repertoire.

School: Olentangy Liberty HS, Powell, Ohio. Committed: Louisville. Age At Draft: 18.7

Van Engelenhoven has a tall, projectable build at 6-foot-5, with the space to fill out and eventually add to a fastball that has touched 91 mph from his low three-quarters slot. His best pitch is his slider, which snaps off with sharp, sweeping action and tight rotation to miss bats with above-average potential.

School: McCutcheon HS, Lafayette, Ind. Committed: Kentucky. Age At Draft: 18.7

Swank is a 6-foot-4 righthander with a fastball that’s regularly in the low 90s and can hit 93 mph with the projection for mid-90s or better velocity in the next few years. He’s a solid strike-thrower for his age with a long, winding arm action and leans on his slider when he wants to change speeds, showing feel to spin that pitch in the mid-to-upper 70s with three-quarters break and sharp snap at times. He hasn’t thrown his changeup as much yet, but it’s a pitch he has shown feel for as well.

School: Carlsbad (Calif.) HS. Committed: Miami. Age At Draft: 18.5

Kelley was in the 2027 class, but after the 2024 summer circuit he reclassified to become 2026 eligible. He has a lean, athletic 6-foot-2 frame and generates good bat speed with stretch and separation in his swing to make hard contact. He has athletic actions at shortstop, where he has good body control and a strong arm.

School: Sayre HS, Lexington, Kent. Committed: Kentucky. Age At Draft: 18.5

Gibson has a quality three-pitch mix, starting with a fastball that has grown throughout the year. He’s now up to 94 mph, attacking hitters down in the zone from his low three-quarters slot. His low-80s slider is his go-to secondary pitch, a breaking ball he shows feel to spin. He hasn’t used his changeup as often, but it’s a pitch he has feel for with swing-and-miss traits, so it should become a bigger part of his game with more experience.

School: Lamar HS, Houston, Tex. Committed: Texas A&M. Age At Draft: 18.2

Dowell has tools and athleticism that jump out. He’s a plus runner with a strong arm and good bat speed, allowing him to drive the ball out of the park to his pull side. While his tools stand out more than his pure hitting ability, Dowell has a chance to develop into a power/speed threat if everything clicks, with experience at all three outfield spots.

School: Asheville (N.C.) HS. Committed: Texas. Age At Draft: 18.7

Cameron Maybin was a first-round pick out of high school in the 2025 draft who reached the majors when he was 20 and went on to have a 15-year big league career. His son, Trent, is another exciting athlete in center field. Maybin is a plus runner who glides around center field with good instincts, reads and routes. He can make highlight catches and is one of the better defensive center fielders in the 2026 high school class. His defense is what stands out the most right now, but there’s significant strength potential in his lean, athletic 6-foot-2 frame to grow into bigger power.

School: Cathedral Catholic HS, San Diego, Calif. Committed: Stanford. Age At Draft: 19.1

A triplet whose brother, shortstop Alex Harrington, is also a Stanford commit and one of the top players in the 2026 class, Hunter Harrington is another standout athlete at a premium position. He has a lean, long-limbed build and is a plus runner who defends his position well in center field. He has good instincts, quick reactions off the bat, ranges well to both gaps and reads the ball well on balls over his head. At the plate, Harrington has a line-drive approach with gap power.

School: Lutheran South Academy, Houston, Tex. Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 18.3

Walker’s father, Ramon, is a former Houston Texans safety, and Jaylen brings an impressive blend of physicality and explosiveness to the baseball field. He has a strong, compact frame and can whistle the barrel through the zone by rotating powerfully and firing his fast hands to produce high-end bat speed. His timing at the plate has been inconsistent, but Walker has the power to drive the ball a long way when everything is in sync with the potential for plus raw power. He’s an above-average runner who likely projects as a corner outfielder in pro ball.

School: Hoover (Ala.) HS. Committed: Tennessee. Age At Draft: 19.0

Wood packs a lot of quick-twitch athleticism into his 5-foot-9 frame. He’s an aggressive hitter with fast hands at the plate and good bat-to-ball skills, driving the ball with surprising sock for his size with occasional triple-digit exit velocities. He’s a plus runner with a quick first step, quick feet and the athleticism to play somewhere up the middle, whether it’s at shortstop, second base or using his speed in center field.

School: JSerra Catholic HS, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Committed: TCU. Age At Draft: 19.1

Greis is a shortstop who is steady across the board. He has a compact, adjustable swing with good barrel awareness that results in frequent contact with a hit-over-power game, but he is strong enough to drive the ball out to his pull side. He’s a fundamentally sound defender at shortstop with the hands and footwork to stick in the infield. He has a strong arm as well that has been up to 92 mph on the mound with feel to spin a tight curveball in the mid-to-upper 70s.

School: Cypress Woods (Tex.) HS. Committed: Oklahoma State. Age At Draft: 18.6

One of the most electric athletes in the 2026 class, Darden has an exciting mix of power and speed. He’s a plus-plus runner with an explosive first step to handle center field and he generates high-end bat speed to make loud contact when he connects. There’s still some rawness to his game that he will have to develop at the plate, but there aren’t many players in the class with his level of tools and athleticism.

School: Sussex Central HS, Georgetown, Del. Committed: Maryland. Age At Draft: 18.8

Pitching from a smooth, easy delivery with good arm action, Kelley has a fast arm and good pitchability for his age. He can touch 91 mph and has the arm speed that suggests bigger velocity gains in his future. His changeup is his most advanced offspeed weapon, a pitch he sells well off his fastball to generate empty swings.

School: Loranger (La.) HS. Committed: Mississippi State. Age At Draft: 18.4

Holton is an athletic righthander and one of the hardest throwers in the 2026 class. His lively fastball has touched 96 mph, and given his outstanding arm speed and space to add weight onto his projectable 6-foot-3 frame, he looks like he should eventually reach the upper 90s and possibly triple digits. Holton throws a mid-to-upper 70s slider and a low-80s changeup, but it’s the fastball that’s his predominant pitch. He has an aggressive, up-tempo delivery and could take another jump up the list if he’s able to repeat his release point more consistently to throw more strikes.

School: Queen Creek (Ariz.) HS. Committed: Clemson. Age At Draft: 19.3

Reynolds is a two-sport standout who’s committed to play both baseball and football as a quarterback at Clemson. He hasn’t spent as much time on the national summer circuit as other players because of football, but Reynolds shows promising traits on the diamond. He’s a plus runner with the speed and athleticism to give him a chance for center field. At the plate, it’s a short swing with strength behind it to drive the ball for hard line drives and power to the alleys.

School: Reagan HS, Pfafftown, N.C. Committed: Tennessee. Age At Draft: 19.1

Marshall is a patient hitter with little swing-and-miss overall and especially against fastballs in the zone. He has a simple lower half move, is able to let the ball travel, then fires his strong hands at the ball with a short path and the strength to drive the ball for extra-base damage to both gaps. Marshall is an offensive-minded player who has a chance to stick at third base if he can develop his arm strength, though if he outgrows the position he could move to an outfield corner in pro ball.

School: JSerra Catholic HS, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Committed: Oregon State. Age At Draft: 18.5

Bowen’s size and tools stick out as a potential power/speed threat. He’s 6-foot-3, 205 pounds with some of the best bat speed in the 2026 class. That allows him to drive the ball out of the park with a chance to grow into plus or better raw power. Against live pitching, there’s swing-and-miss to his game, but his swing itself works well, so his approach and selectivity are what scouts will be watching as the draft gets closer. He’s a plus runner with a plus arm in center field.

School: Charles Page HS, Sand Springs, Okla. Committed: Oklahoma State. Age At Draft: 19.0

A standout quarterback for his high school football team, Webb is an athletic righthander with a strong 6-foot-4 frame. His fastball reaches 92 mph from his three-quarters slot and his athleticism helps him repeat his delivery to throw strikes at a high clip. Webb liberally mixes in his secondary stuff, the best of which is a mid-to-upper 70s curveball with above-average potential, getting swing-and-miss with spin in the 2,400-2,700 rpm range. He throws a low-80s changeup but mostly leans on his fastball and curveball.

School: Santa Margarita (Calif.) Catholic HS. Committed: TCU. Age At Draft: 18.6

Skip Schumaker, now the Marlins manager, had an 11-year big league career. His son, Brody, has the instincts and baseball IQ that comes from growing up around the game. Using a simple, level swing, Schumaker is a high-contact hitter with some of the best bat-to-ball skills in the class, spreading line drives around the field with gap power. He’s a plus runner who should be able to handle the middle infield, whether it’s at shortstop or second base long term.

School: Charlotte (N.C.) Catholic HS. Committed: Virginia Tech. Age At Draft: 18.6

Hoffman has spent time behind the plate and stands out for his arm strength, but his future now looks brightest on the mound. He throws a high-spin fastball (2,500-2,700 rpm) up to 94 mph, throwing strikes at a high clip and attacking hitters up in the zone to miss bats with that pitch. Hoffman leans heavily on his fastball, but he has shown feel to spin a slider (2,400-2,700 rpm) as well that flashes sharp bite.

School: Regis Jesuit HS, Aurora, Col. Committed: Vanderbilt. Age At Draft: 18.8

Alpert has elevated his stock over the past year as his stuff has trended up. He has a good delivery and arm action, throwing strikes with a fastball that touches 93 mph from his three-quarters slot. He pitches up in the zone with his fastball and executes his secondary stuff down, led by a sharp, tight slider that has two-plane depth to miss bats against both righties and lefties. Alpert throws a low-80s changeup as well but it’s his fastball/breaking ball mix that stands out the most.

School: Pleasant Grove HS, Texarkana, Tex. Committed: Arkansas. Age At Draft: 18.6

Browning has a strong, compact build with a mature tool set. He’s a plus-plus runner with the arm strength for the left side of the infield. Browning can drive the ball for extra-base damage when he connects, using a swing path that’s geared to try to lift and pull the ball with a likely power-over-hit profile.

School: Oak Ridge (Tenn.) HS. Committed: Tennessee. Age At Draft: 17.9

Teasley will still be 17 on the 2026 draft date, so he’s one of the youngest players in the 2026 class. With his compact frame, Teasley doesn’t have the prototypical projection build for a young pitcher, but he already has one of the better fastball/breaking ball combinations in the class. He’s an athletic pitcher with a fast arm, touching 93 mph with what should be at least a couple more ticks of velocity in the tank. He can snap off one of the better curveballs in the class as well with tight rotation, good depth and shape to miss bats. He will need to tighten his control against more advanced hitters but his delivery and arm action are sound and bode well for his ability to make adjustments.

School: The Woodlands (Tex.) HS. Committed: Texas. Age At Draft: 18.5

Smejkal regularly pitches in the low 90s and can reach 94 mph with fast arm speed in a long, winding arm stroke into an open stride/ His low-80s changeup is advanced for his age with sink and run to miss bats. His low-80s slider is inconsistent but he flashes feel to spin that pitch. Smejkal also plays shortstop with a high-contact bat from the right side, though his future in pro ball right now leans more toward the mound.

School: Episcopal HS, Bellaire, Tex. Committed: Georgia. Age At Draft: 18.8

A physical righthanded hitter, Young has outstanding bat speed and power that stacks up among the best in the country for 2026. There’s length to his swing and a pull-oriented approach that leads to his power coming with a higher swing-and-miss rate, but he has a chance for 70 raw power on the 20-80 scouting scale in his prime. An above-average runner, Young has played shortstop but would likely slide over to third base or perhaps right field in pro ball, with an above-average arm that could tick up more.

School: Mater Academy, Hialeah Gardens, Fla. Committed: Florida State. Age At Draft: 18.7

Quevedo’s physicality sticks out right away. He’s one of the strongest players in the 2026 class, has excellent bat speed and huge raw power for his age with a swing geared to lift the ball. It’s a power-over-hit profile, with swing-and-miss to his game against soft stuff, but any mistake has a chance to land over the fence or in a gap, with the potential for plus-plus raw power. He’s a solid-average runner with an above-average arm.

School: Walsh Jesuit HS, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Committed: Alabama. Age At Draft: 19.1

Sullivan has an elite fastball for his age, something he showed at the Area Code Games underclass event in Aug. 2024 when he touched 97 mph. It’s outstanding arm speed and velocity that he’s able to generate from his 6-foot frame and he complements it with a sharp curveball that helps him miss bats. There’s a lot of effort to his operation and a head jerk in his finish, which leads to scattered control, so some scouts view him as a future power reliever in pro ball, but he could vault up the board for teams if he shows more pitchability to go with his power stuff.

School: Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS. Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 19.0

Morse made a loud impression at the end of the 2024 summer circuit with a dominant performance at the Area Code Games underclass event, where he struck out seven of the nine batters he faced without allowing a hit or a walk over three innings. A towering presence at 6-foot-8, 190 pounds, Morse has an extremely tall, thin frame, with lots of room to pack on more weight and significantly grow a fastball that has been up to 92 mph. He pitches heavily off his fastball, which comes at hitters with steep downhill plane from his high three-quarters slot. Whether his curveball or changeup is his more effective secondary pitch depends on the outing. His breaking ball is a lower spin pitch but can get chase at times with sharp bite and good depth. His changeup might hold more long-term upside with its heavy tailing action when it’s at its best.

School: South Walton HS, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. Committed: Florida. Age At Draft: 18.6

At 6-foot-8, 200 pounds, Lord stands out for his extremely tall, projectable frame. He already has some of the best velocity in the class with a fastball that touches 94 mph from his three-quarters slot with the arm speed and physical upside to be throwing in the upper 90s or better as he packs on more weight. Lord has a fastball-heavy attack, mixing in a mid-70s curveball that he flashes feel to spin with good depth and is ahead of his changeup. Like nearly any teenage pitcher his size, Lord is still learning to sync up his long levers to repeat his release point for more consistent strikes, but he has a good delivery and arm action that bodes well for that with more experience.

School: Chesterton (Ind.) HS. Committed: Kentucky. Age At Draft: 19.1

Czarniecki has trended up over the past year with a well-rounded mix of tools and skills that made a strong impression in July 2024 at Prep Baseball Report’s Future Games. He has a compact swing, taking a tight turn to get the barrel into the hitting zone to make contact at a high clip. There’s a blend of power and speed for Czarniecki, who generates fast bat speed and can drive the ball out of the park to his pull side. He’s a plus runner with an average arm, giving him a chance to develop in center field.

School: Westmoore HS, Oklahoma City, Okla. Committed: Oklahoma. Age At Draft: 18.8

Kemp, whose uncle is former Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, is another athletic outfielder who has stood out both offensively and defensively. Kemp hit well throughout the summer, using a simple lower half move with a short swing that keeps his hands inside the ball. He has an aggressive approach and gap power that should grow as he continues adding strength. He’s an above-average runner and an advanced defender in center field for his age, tracking the ball well off the bat and ranging well to both gaps, with multiple highlight diving catches during the summer.

School: Marist HS, Atlanta, Ga. Committed: Misssissippi State. Age At Draft: 18.9

Shelar has a good blend of strength, tools and contact skills. He takes an aggressive, full-throttle swing that has some unconventional parts to it, but he’s able to accelerate the barrel quickly to produce big bat speed. Shelar’s ability to track pitches and his hand-eye coordination makes him difficult to strike out, with the strength and bat speed that allows him to drive the ball with impact now and the potential for above-average or better raw power. He’s an above-average runner with the arm strength for right field.

School: McMinn County HS, Athens, Tenn. Committed: Alabama. Age At Draft: 19.5

Arms has a hitterish look from the left side of the plate with a swing that’s short, simple and fluid. He has good hand-eye coordination and makes high contact at a high clip with mostly gap power and occasional home run juice. He’s an above-average runner with a quick first step, giving him a chance to develop in center field.

School: Iolani School, Honolulu, Hi.. Committed: Arkansas. Age At Draft: 18.7

Ota has a tall, athletic and projectable frame and promising offensive upside. He’s a lefthanded hitter with good rhythm in a fluid lefthanded swing. His hands come through the hitting zone well and he generates good stretch in his swing to rotate powerfully and generate power that should only get bigger as he fills out his 6-foot-5 frame. Ota is a center fielder who runs well for his size and likely projects to play a corner in pro ball.

School: Georgia Premier Academy, Statesboro, Ga. Committed: Uncommitted. Age At Draft: 19.3

Cope is 6-foot-8, 240 pounds, so he stands out as soon as he walks on the field. He touches 92 mph with his tailing fastball and gives hitters an uncomfortable at-bat with long arms and legs flying at them in his funky mechanics. He’s on the older side of the 2026 class but there should be more velocity in the tank once he streamlines his delivery. Cope throws a curveball, but it’s his changeup that’s his most promising offspeed pitch. It’s a deceptive changeup with around 10 mph of separation off his fastball, giving him a weapon to generate empty swings or weak contact. Cope is a two-way player as a first baseman with big bat speed, huge raw power and loft in his stroke, though with swing-and-miss that’s going to come with any hitter his size. He gives his infielders a huge margin for error with his size at first base.

School: TNXL Academy, Ocoee, Fla. Committed: Florida. Age At Draft: 18.2

Hanes spent 2023 pitching as a member of the 2027 class, but at the end of the year reclassified to 2026. He stands out for his projectable 6-foot-4 frame, with a long arm swing in the back to throw a fastball that reaches 93 mph with more to come. He shows feel to spin a slider, the secondary pitch he leans on most when he’s going for swing-and-miss, with his slider ahead of his changeup.

School: Lausanne Collegiate HS, Memphis, Tenn. Committed: Mississippi. Age At Draft: 19.4

From Olive Branch, Mississippi and attending high school just across the border in Memphis, Tennessee, Doty has a strong, compact frame and packs a punch behind his quick, direct swing. It’s a simple righthanded stroke, generating high-end bat speed with a concise move to work inside the ball, allowing him to consistently perform at a high level in games. An offensive-minded infielder with a tick above-average speed and an average arm, Doty turns 19 in February of his draft year, putting him on the older end of the 2026 class.

School: Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, Calif. Committed: Georgia Tech. Age At Draft: 19.5

Lara has been on an upward trend throughout 2024. On the older end of the 2026 class, Lara makes good swing decisions with the patience to rack up walks and the bat control that leaves little swing-and-miss to his game. A lefthanded hitter, Lara has a simple lower half load with a turn of his heel before taking a quick, compact swing with a knack for finding the barrel and mostly gap power. He’s an above-average runner who moves around all three outfield spots with a chance to stick in center field.

School: Keller (Tex.) HS. Committed: Tennessee. Age At Draft: 18.9

Koeninger does a lot of things well on the field. He’s an aggressive hitter with good bat speed, performing at a high level in games with extra-base damage and frequent quality contact. An above-average runner, Koeninger is an athletic mover at shortstop with an above-average arm. He’s a two-way prospect with a fastball that’s typically working into the low 90s, along with a curveball that’s ahead of his changeup.

School: Casteel HS, Queen Creek, Ariz. Committed: Texas A&M. Age At Draft: 18.9

Harwood is 6-foot-3 with a strong, physically mature build for his age and hit well throughout the 2024 travel circuit. He has a compact lefthanded swing, strong hands and drives the ball with impact, showing the potential to be a 25-plus home run threat. His speed and range fit best either in an outfield corner or at first base with the above-average arm strength for right field.

School: St. Mary’s HS, Stockton, Calif. Committed: Mississippi State. Age At Draft: 19.1

With a strong, physically mature build for his age, Hardcastle has a starter look with feel for three pitches. He attacks hitters up in the zone, where he gets swing-and-miss with a fastball up to 92 mph and should have a few extra ticks of velocity on the way. Hardcastle’s ability to manipulate a pair of secondary pitches stands out. His flashes feel to spin a mid-to-upper 70s curveball that has sharp bite and good depth when it’s on, spinning in the 2,600-2,800 rpm range. His changeup has lively tailing action away from lefties, though he’s confident throwing it to righties as well. It’s a pitch he sells well with 10 mph of separation off his fastball while maintaining his arm speed to catch hitters out front. He’s a two-way player in high school who also shows big raw power from the right side.

School: Etowah HS, Woodstock, Ga. Committed: Georgia Tech. Age At Draft: 18.6

Cole has a mix of power and athleticism. He can fire his hands quickly, enabling him to whistle the barrel through the zone with good bat speed. It comes with a higher swing-and-miss rate, but when he’s locked in and on time, he can drive the ball with impact and could grow into plus raw power. An above-average runner, Cole has experience both in the infield and outfield but has been a primary center fielder, where he has a chance to stick, though depending on his physical development he could move around to a corner as well.

School: Franklin Regional HS, Murrysville, Penn. Committed: Virginia. Age At Draft: 18.5

Williams packs an explosive tool set into his 5-foot-11 frame. He’s a plus-plus runner with a quick first step and a plus arm with experience at shortstop and in center field. At the plate, Williams has an approach geared to pull and lift the ball with mostly gap power. He had a deep hand load that he has shortened up some from where it was last year, though it can still get big, so if he can prove his bat-to-ball skills as the draft gets closer, he could rise up boards given his athleticism and tools to play a premium position.

School: Jesuit College Prep School of Dallas, Tex. Committed: Texas. Age At Draft: 18.8

With strong, quick hands, Jorgensen is able to snap the barrel through the zone and drive the ball for extra-base damage with an aggressive approach and a good track record of performance and bat-to-ball skills in games. He’s an above-average runner with a plus arm who has experience both at shortstop and in the outfield. Jorgensen offers promise on the mound as well. He regularly pitches in the low 90s with a fastball that gets swing-and-miss up in the zone and shows feel to spin a curveball.

School: Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, Fla. Committed: LSU. Age At Draft: 18.7

Loew has quick hands, rotates powerfully and generates high-end bat speed for his age. He drives the ball with impact already, showing the ability to go deep from right-center over to his pull side. It does come with an aggressive approach and swing-and-miss tendencies he will need to cut down on, but the potential is there for Loew to end up with plus or better raw power. Loew has the arm for the left side of the infield and could move around the dirt in pro ball, with experience at shortstop but third base a more likely fit as he moves up the ladder.

School: Greenwich (Conn.) Country Day HS. Committed: Stanford. Age At Draft: 18.3

Hill has a tall, strong frame (6-foot-5, 215 pounds) and one of the better fastballs in the 2026 class. He’s still learning to command it more consistently, but Hill can dial his fastball up to 95 mph and has the projection for more velocity on the way. Hill’s fastball is his best weapon and he pitches heavily off that pitch, mixing in a low-80s slider in the 2,000-2,300 range with short break and a changeup that flashes heavy life at times.

School: Los Banos (Calif.) HS. Committed: Stanford. Age At Draft: 18.6

After an excellent 2024 high school season, Cazares continued to pitch well on the travel circuit. He has a lean frame and a fast arm, getting his fastball up to 94 mph from his low three-quarters slot. He has good pitchability for his age and feel for a mid-to-upper 70s slider that he’s adept at landing for strikes. Cazares will throw an occasional changeup but mainly leans on his fastball/slider attack.

School: Center Grove HS, Greenwood, Ind.. Committed: Tennessee. Age At Draft: 19.3

Grant attacks hitters with three quality pitches. He works off a fastball that’s regularly in the low 90s and can reach 93 mph. He’s able to get empty swings with his ability to manipulate multiple secondary pitches, including a slider with tight rotation and an advanced changeup that has heavy tumbling action.

School: Corona (Calif.) HS. Committed: LSU. Age At Draft: 19.3

Murphy positioned himself early as one of the top names to watch in southern California after a huge freshman season at Corona (Calif.) HS in 2023 in which he hit six home runs, then followed it up with another big year in 2024 for the national powerhouse program. He’s an athletic outfielder with a mix of power and a tick above-average speed from an aggressive approach, with what could end up a power-over-hit offensive game. Murphy moves well enough to get a chance to develop in center field, though his above-average arm would fit in right field as well.

School: Ottumwa (Iowa) HS. Committed: Mississippi. Age At Draft: 18.0

Long is young for the class with a loose, whippy arm stroke and throws a lot of strikes with a fastball up to 92 mph, generating good armside run from his low three-quarters slot. He’s a good strike-thrower for his age, and between his arm speed and room to add weight on to his slender 6-foot-1 frame, there should be mid-90s or better velocity in his future. Long throws a low-80s changeup that’s advanced for his age with late diving action and was ahead of his slider in national events during the 2024 summer circuit.

School: Etowah HS, Woodstock, Ga. Committed: Georgia. Age At Draft: 18.8

Sharman can befuddle hitters with an excellent fastball/changeup combination. He’s a 6-foot-3 righthander with good control of a heavy, tailing fastball that touches 93 mph from his low three-quarters slot. It’s a good fastball for his age, but what separates Sharman is his elite changeup that stacks up among the best in the country. It’s a Bugs Bunny changeup that parachutes out of his hand, peeling off his fastball with more than 10 mph of separation, late tumble and fade. It’s flashing plus now with a chance to get even better. Sharman leans heavily on his changeup—he will double and triple up on the pitch at times—and he commands it well, throwing an occasional hesitation in his delivery to further disrupt hitters’ timing. His slurvy breaking ball is a third pitch that will need more development, but his fastball, changeup and control have enabled him to carve through lineups.

School: William Amos Hough HS, Cornelius, N.C. Committed: Clemson. Age At Draft: 19.1

Matthews has promising size, tools and offensive upside from the left side of the plate. He sets up with an open stance and loads his swing with a sizable leg kick, a move he has condensed some over the past year. Matthews has above-average bat speed and flashes home run power in games now with the space to fill out his 6-foot-4 frame and grow into at least above-average raw power, with a chance to unlock more game power if he’s able to generate more loft with his swing. He runs surprisingly well underway for his size with above-average speed and the arm strength that should fit in right field.

School: The Stony Brook (N.Y.) HS. Committed: Vanderbilt. Age At Draft: 19.3

Ruiz is one of the smoothest defensive shortstops in the 2026 class. An above-average runner, Ruiz has quick feet, soft hands and is an instinctive defender with good body control. His coordination is evident in the field and at the plate, where he’s a switch-hitter who rarely swings and misses, spraying line drives to all fields with gap power.

Minor League Top Prospects

EL managers came to have the same feelings about Larish that scouts have had since his college days at Arizona State. Once considered a potentially elite hitter, he has adopted an approach and sells out for home runs. It makes his profile more that of a second-division regular than as a championship-caliber starter. "He's abandoned using the whole field and has very little two-strike approach," one scout said. "He was just trying to jerk balls, but he showed pretty big power, and it's from the left side." His upright stance turns off some, because it precludes him from covering the outer third of the plate and produces serious holes in his swing. The things he can do make Larish a prospect. He's patient, ranking second in the league and sixth in the minors with 87 walks, and he waits out pitchers until he gets a pitch he can drive. His strength and leveraged swing produce well above-average power, as he led the EL with 28 homers and 101 RBIs. He's also an accomplished defender around the bag at first base.

As they did with lefty John Danks in 2006, the Rangers bumped Hurley to Triple-A just three years after drafting him in the first round out of high school. Texas felt comfortable moving Hurley quickly, given his even temperament and willingness to take instruction. He pitched very well for Oklahoma before getting hammered in his final two starts, when he allowed six of his 13 Triple-A homers. With a repertoire headed by a 91-95 mph fastball and an above-average slider with late depth, Hurley is all about power. Those two pitches will play up--and his strikeouts will increase--as he gains more command. He needs to improve his changeup and do a better job of working down in the strike zone.

Because of his stuff, frame and profile, Reyes gets compared Horacio Ramirez, who likewise signed with the Braves out of a southern California high school. Reyes made 14 starts at Mississippi before spending three months in the majors when injuries beset Atlanta's pitching staff. He struggled but did win two of his last three starts and posted a 3.10 ERA in September. Reyes doesn't have a true put-away pitch, but he has five weapons at his disposal, headlined by a fastball that ranges from 88-94 mph. He can add and subtract from his fastball, and also throws a cutter in the high 80s. His solid-average slider is his best secondary pitch, which he complements with a usable changeup and curve. He's erratic with his command at times, and Reyes has lapses when a series of mistakes leads to big innings. He profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter. "He's a guy for me," the second scout said. "He can speed up and slow down bats, and he has enough effective wildness and enough stuff to get away with some of his inconsistency."

Saunders is one of the best athletes in the Mariners system, but his stock took a hit when he batted .240/.329/.345 in his full-season debut in low Class A last year. He flashed his five-tool potential on a much more consistent basis in the Cal League, and he played well in Double-A in August. He's still growing into his 6-foot-4 frame and has good loft in his swing, which could make him a 20-homer hitter on an annual basis. He has plus speed that makes him a basestealing threat and a plus defender in center or right field. A Canadian who had NHL potential in hockey and also played basketball, lacrosse and soccer, he lacks true baseball instincts but has shown a better sense for the game with each of his promotions.

Paulino hadn't played above Class A coming into the season, but he made his major league debut in Houston in September, earning wins in his last two starts. He has the body and the stuff to pitch at the top of a rotation, with a fastball that touches 100 mph and sits at 95-99 mph. Paulino has four legitimate pitches, using both a slider and a curveball as well as a changeup. His curveball is probably the best of his complementary pitches, but none of them stand out. To establish himself in the big league rotation, Paulino will have to improve his command and become more confident with his fastball. His velocity allows him to dominate, but if hitters hit his heater early in games, he tends to shy away from it.

Ely overmatched Pioneer League hitters in his pro debut by consistently by consistently throwing strikes and using his 91-93 mph fastball to set them up for a plus changeup that ranks as his best pitch. His curveball was a solid pitch for him at Miami (Ohio) this spring, though it received mixed reviews from those who saw him this summer. Ely has a deceptive delivery that he repeats well and keeps hitters off balance, but he's also a max-effort pitcher with a head jerk. There are some concerns about how his ability to avoid injuries with his mechanics, but he has no history of arm problems in the past. He's extremely competitive on the mound.

An exceptional athlete, Brown was recruited by Miami as a wide receiver but he chose instead to sign as a 20th-round pick in 2006. The ball jumps off his bat, though his swing can get long and has some holes that can be exploited. His wiry-strong build evokes Darryl Strawberry, and he can hit the ball a long way when he connects. A long strider with above-average speed, Brown plays a shallow center field. He occasionally takes some bad routes, but he's athletic enough to compensate and has a strong arm. "He's got a ton of tools," Hudson Valley manager Matt Quatraro said. "His body, if it fills out, he could be a monster. His swing's long at times, but when he gets on top of the ball, he's got some juice."

Fabian has added 30 pounds since signing out of the Dominican in 2003, and his 6-foot-3 frame still has plenty of projection remaining. He has yet to reach full-season ball in five years as a pro and is far from a finished product, but his loose arm is loaded with potential. Fabian's fastball sits at 91 mph and he was up to 96 in the first game of the NWL finals, when he pitched into the eighth inning and earned the win against Salem-Keizer. He's aggressive and attacks hitters, though his command is below-average. He'll occasionally break off a filthy downer curveball that could become a legitimate putaway offering. His changeup is below-average, though it too could develop into a weapon.

The Yankees signed Heredia out of the Dominican Republic last year. He didn't pitch in the Dominican Summer League in 2006 and made his pro debut in the States this summer. Not big but wiry strong, Heredia pumps out fastballs from 91-93 mph, touching some 94s along the way. He has a loose, easy delivery and adds and subtracts from his fastball, which he commands to all four quadrants of the strike zone. His slurvy breaking ball needs to get tighter, though it shows flashes of being a plus pitch with solid downward rotation. "He just reminds me of Pedro Martinez when I was with the Dodgers in '93," Reed said. "You see the frame and wonder where it all comes from. This guy is the same way." His changeup is still a work in progress, as he's refining his arm action and grip to command it more consistently. Heredia morphed into a two-pitch pitcher at times, and he'll have to gain more confidence in his changeup if he's going to profile as a starter.

Ottavino's approach is simple yet effective. He relies on a 92-93 mph fastball featuring good armside run and a tight slider, as the fastball rides in on righthanders while the slider runs away from them. His command isn't very polished, but he gets enough movement that he can simply aim for the middle of the plate and relying on the run on his fastball and the tilt on his slider to hit the corners. Ottavino got FSL hitters to chase his slider out of the zone, though there's some concern as to whether he can throw it consistently for strikes if more advanced players lay off of it. He also throws a below-average changeup and curveball, and he might wind up in the bullpen down the road.

James flew under the radar last season despite going 6-2, 1.36 in Lexington. His fringy fastball didn't excite scouts then, but they believe in him more now that his velocity increased this year. His heater sat at 89-92 and he can sink and tail it to either side of the plate, making him a groundball machine. James' slider is an average pitch with plus potential. He has toyed with different grips on his changeup but hasn't found consistent command of it yet. "He could be unhittable at times here and all he'd throw were sinkers," Sarbaugh said. "He'd flash you the breaking ball, he'd flash the changeup, but he was pretty much all sinkers."

AZL managers found Culberson, a surprise supplemental first-round pick in June, far from conventional but nonetheless to their liking. He rebounded from a terrible start to help drive the Giants into the championship game, leading the team with 19 stolen bases (in 20 tries) and batting .354 in August. Culverson showed pull power, savvy baserunning skills and above-average bat speed, and he made progress on learning when to be aggressive and when to be smart. Culberson hit 16 homers as a high school senior, but homers aren't likely to be a significant part of his game as he moves up the ladder. The unconventional part comes with his glove. Culberson has excellent arm strength despite an unusual, almost sidearm release point, and as he learns to trust his arm, he'll improve his fringe-average range by playing deeper and learning better positioning. His aggressive nature led to mistakes, but he worked hard with roving instructor Fred Stanley and showed enough aptitude (one error in his last 12 games in the AZL) to keep playing shortstop in instructional league.

Romero finished third in the league in batting (.316) and homers (nine). He's a gap-to-gap hitter who can drive the ball hard the other way, and he should have even more power as he gets stronger and turns on more pitches. Defensively, Romero has limited range at third base but he does have soft hands, arm strength and a quick release. He sometimes overthrows, but he's fairly steady and led Appy League third baseman with a .929 fielding percentage. His biggest need is to find an even keel, as he gets down on himself and lets his emotions affect his play. "He's got it in him," Elizabethton manager Ray Smith said. "He's a tools guy and he can hit it as far as anybody. He's got it in him, but we need to get it out of him."

After hitting just three homers in Rookie ball last year, Francisco won the MWL home run crown with 25, including 10 in the final month. In a league full of young power hitters, scouts and managers thought Francisco had the most raw pop of any of them. "He swings the bat with a lot of authority," Great Lakes manager Lance Parrish said. "He has a lot of potential and it's not too far in the future. He'll be leading every league he's in in home runs and he'll be an all-star." Francisco offers incredible pull power from the left side, though he needs to tone down his aggression and tighten his strike zone after fanning 161 times and walking only 23 in 135 games. He has a long swing and tends to chase balls in the dirt, but he's also just 20. He has enough arm and mobility to stay at third base, though he'll have to watch his weight to do so.

Like Votto, Lind came into the season with high expectations after winning the Double-A Eastern League's MVP award and hitting .367 in 60 September big league at-bats in 2006. He started 2007 with Syracuse, earning an early callup when Reed Johnson had back surgery. American League pitchers were ready for Lind this time and he struggled to make adjustments, hitting .230/.274/.383 before a July demotion. Lind regained his confidence and his stroke in the IL, and he fared better (.273/.298/.473) after a September callup. He's balanced at the plate and stays inside the ball well, using his classic lefthanded swing to drive the ball from line to line. "His hands somewhat work independently from his body," Syracuse manager Doug Davis said. "He's got such good hand-eye coordination that it's very easy for him to put the barrel of the bat on ball. That's my biggest thing. He's a natural hitter who can not only put the ball in play, but drive it." Lind missed two weeks in early August when he strained a muscle in his neck after violently banging his head on the ground while making a diving attempt for a catch. A similar play in 2006 caused a concussion. He remains a work in progress in the outfield, where below-average speed and just playable range and throwing mechanics limit him to left field.

After serving as a catcher when he wasn't injured during his first two pro seasons, Snyder moved to first base this year and looked more comfortable. He had his best offensive season to date, rebounding nicely from the dislocated right shoulder and rotator-cuff surgery that limited him to 72 games in 2006. Snyder showed improved plate discipline and continued to display a smooth swing from the right side. He consistently gets his hands in a good hitting position. The question, however, is whether he'll drive in enough runs to be an impact player at the major league level, because the move to first base puts a greater emphasis on his bat. Snyder, who showed soft hands and good athleticism at his new position, also took groundballs at third base. "He adapted well defensively and has become a quality first baseman," Kendall said. "He also made adjustments with the bat, particularly with his pitch selection. Last year, he didn't have a plan when he stepped in the box. While he'll still wave at breaking balls, he has improved in working the count and using the whole field."

The highlight of Lofgren's season was going home to San Francisco for the Futures Game--he's from famed Serra High in nearby San Mateo--but the regular season held some struggles for him. His athletic ability, competitiveness and aptitude still make him one of the minors' more intriguing lefties, but he has work to do. Lofgren pitches off his average-to-plus fastball, running it up to 93-94 mph at times. His curveball, slider and changeup all flash above-average potential as well. He started throwing his changeup two years ago and it's now his best secondary pitch, allowing him to be more effective against righthanders (.739 OPS against) than lefties (.815 OPS). Lofgren didn't attack Double-A hitters like he needed to, getting into trouble by nibbling when he got ahead or by struggling to throw his secondary pitches for strikes early in counts. One scout said Lofgren needs to learn pitchability and expects his athletic ability to help him do that with another year in the minors.

Patton spent the first half of the season in Double-A and required just eight Triple-A starts before he was thrust into Houston's rotation in August. The Astros turned to him not because he had blown away PCL batters, but because he shows exceptional poise for a young pitcher. After three effective appearances in Houston, he was shut down with shoulder soreness, which cut short his two previous seasons as well. With command of three pitches and a strong pickoff move, Patton has the ingredients to be a solid No. 3 starter. He locates his 88-92 mph fastball to both sides of the plate and has confidence in his hard curveball. Patton has made the greatest strides with his changeup, which fades down and away from righthanders.

Just before Scherzer would have re-entered the 2006 draft, the Diamondbacks coughed up a four-year major league contract worth $4.3 million in guaranteed money to sign the 11th overall pick from 2005. Nicknamed "Max-a-million" by his teammates, he made three starts in high Class A before arriving in Mobile in late June. Scherzer's most attractive attribute is a sinking fastball that tops out near 95 mph. His mechanics need some work, as his release point is inconsistent and there's some effort to his delivery, but he does achieve good extension out front and his arm strength is obvious. Scherzer has a two-seamer he can run up to 90 mph, an 80-84 mph slider and a changeup, all of which have potential to be solid-average to plus offerings. But Scherzer's arsenal is inconsistent, and his overall command is below average. That leads some scouts to project he'll wind up in the bullpen, where he can focus on his fastball and slider. "It's an outstanding arm who needs polish and has some max effort to it, which impacts his ability to command the baseball," a fourth scout said. "The stuff is there, it's just a matter of if he can make that next step and command it."

Statia has the tools to play shortstop in the majors now. He's an athletic defender with above-average range to both sides, plus arm strength and good instincts. He's a savvy basestealer as well, swiping 29 bags in 37 tries despite just average speed. While his defense is big league-ready, his bat is nowhere close. Until he adds some strength to his lanky frame, he'll be vulnerable to good fastballs. He has little power, and while he makes consistent contact, he doesn't draw many walks.

Rodriguez doesn't offer one overwhelming tool, but his overall package and strong baseball instincts should make him an effective big leaguer. His offensive numbers dipped from 2006, when he led the minors with 291 total bases, but he was still selected as the league's all-star shortstop. Power is probably Rodriguez' best tool, as he shows the ability to drive the ball to all fields and could hit 20-25 homers per year in the majors. Some observers think he would be better served shortening his swing and being more of a doubles hitter, however. Though he has a good swing and balance at the plate, he led the league with 132 whiffs, in part because of poor strike-zone recognition. Rodriguez has been a shortstop so far in his career and shows good defensive actions, but his below-average speed and big frame, as well as organization depth, could push him to second base or the outfield. He'll probably end up as a utility player.

Fish finished in a three-way tie for the league lead with 77 strikeouts in 72 innings and fanned 13 in eight innings in his lone playoff outing. His funky delivery creates deception and confuses hitters, making his 88-93 mph fastball seem quicker than it really is. He has good secondary pitches, though he needs to be more consistent with his curveball, which rates as solid-average when he throws it for strikes. Fish still needs to improve his command and must keep his weight under control.

Welker had an up-and-down spring as a weekend starter for Arkansas after transferring from Seminole State (Okla.) JC, but the Pirates drafted him in the second round based on his arm strength and projectable 6-foot-7 frame. He had a strong pro debut before the Pirates shut him down because of elbow soreness. Welker pitches at 92-93 mph and touches 95-96 with his lively fastball, and he might throw even harder as he matures. He pitches off his fastball, working it in and out, and mixes in a slurvy breaking ball that has potential but needs some tightening. His changeup is usable but also needs some refinement. Welker has a strong, durable frame and pitches on a good downward plane. He could be a starter in the big leagues if he can polish his secondary offerings. "One thing that sticks out the most to me is his competitiveness and his presence," State College manager Turner Ward said. "To me, he's definitely a big leaguer. He's got the stamina, the body, just the package of a starting pitcher."

Canham's makeup and offensive prowess were a big part of Oregon State's back-to-back College World Series titles. The day he reported to Eugene, he introduced himself to manager Greg Riddoch and promptly asked to take the opposing hitters' chart home with him to prepare for the next night's game. Canham injured a testicle in mid-July and missed two weeks. After he returned to the lineup, his solid-average bat speed and raw power weren't as evident, but he's a confident hitter with a good approach from the left side of the plate. He has a tendency to drift during his swing, which creates some length. Canham's defensive skills are subpar, but he's a good athlete with plenty of agility and aptitude to work his way into becoming an adequate catcher. He has solid-average arm strength with a fair release that would be aided by better footwork, and he threw out 31 percent of basestealers in the NWL. He's an average runner.

The tallest pitcher in the GCL at 6-foot-10, Moviel also has stuff to back up his height advantage. He consistently threw 92-93 mph and touched 95 with his fastball. He draws comparisons to Yankees first-round pick Andrew Brackman because both are huge Ohio natives who committed to North Carolina State (Brackman played for the Wolfpack but Moviel turned pro). Though Brackman is three years older, Moviel may be more polished. Scouts raved about his ability to not only repeat his delivery, but his secondary pitches as well. He'll pitch inside with his fastball with no fear, and his 82-83 mph hammer curveball really keeps opposing hitters at bay. Moviel also has a workable changeup, though it lags behind his other two offerings. There are concerns about his long arm action, but he's athletic and fields his position well for a big man.

With Outman, it's all about control. He struggles at times to control his fastball, which explains why ranked among the minor league leaders with 77 walks in 159 innings. At times he struggles to control his emotions, which explains why he overthrows and is prone to big innings and bad outings. But there's also a lot to like about the lefty, who led the league with a 2.45 ERA and earned a promotion to Double-A. Outman's fastball sits at 92-94 mph and he pairs it with an 84-87 mph slider. He's working on a changeup that still has a ways to go. A good athlete, Outman has reworked his mechanics and developed a more conventional delivery since turning pro. He also has added some deception, as he now hides the ball much longer, and his fastball has picked up some life. One manager who saw him in low Class A in 2006 said has made significant strides since last year

A second-round pick in 2006, Perez made his full-season debut with the Avalanche. He was up an down for much of the season, but he showed two quality pitches throughout. His fastball has excellent late life and sits at 91-93 mph, while his 84-mph slider was his out pitch for much of the year. Perez' changeup improved as the season wore on, though he still doesn't have quite the arm action he needs to make it as effective as it could be. He repeats his delivery well, though some scouts expressed concern with the way he wraps his wrist in the back of his delivery

Carvajal had to repeat the league after a hand injury curtailed his season last year. He needed the experience because he had gotten just 75 at-bats since signing for $350,000 in late 2005 out of the Dominican Republic. He's still raw, particularly in terms of pitch recognition and plate discipline, but he also has some of the best bat speed in the Padres system and enough athletic ability to play well in a short trial in center field. According to AZL Padres manager Tony Muser, the former Royals skipper, Carvajal profiles best as a left fielder with good defense and enough power for the position. "He has a lot of upside because he can do a lot of things," Muser said. "He can run, he's got a plus arm, he's got raw power. A lot of times with young players like him, it can take longer getting on their feet, and he lost time, but now he's making progress."

If Van Mil makes it all the way up, he'll be the tallest pitcher in major league history at 7-foot-1. By the time he follows through, he's practically standing on home plate. His velocity is closer to Chris Young's than Randy Johnson's, however. Van Mil's fastball settles in around 91 mph and tops out at 95. His height gives him a downward plane that's tough on hitters. He's athletic and agile for his size. A product of the Netherlands, Van Mil lacks pitching instincts and profiles more as a reliever than as a starter. He's working on a slider that has some tilt, but he sometimes slows down his arm when he throws it. He also lacks control.Van Mil came down with elbow soreness, which sidelined him for three weeks in August.

Like Poveda, Whittleman was much improved and still young for the league in his second stint at Clinton. After batting .227/.313/.343 as a 19-year-old in 2006, he boosted those numbers to .271/.382/.476 before an August callup to high Class A. He also added a Futures Game homer off the Mets' Deolis Guerra. Whittleman had a quieter approach and better balance at the plate this season, and he didn't chase as many pitches. With his swing, strength and grasp of the strike zone, he has a chance to hit .280 with 15-20 homers annually in the majors. He doesn't profile as well at third base as Bell, but he has a better stroke and puts more effort into his defense. Playing third base is still a struggle for Whittleman, who has the arm strength but lacks sure hands and quick feet. He made 29 errors in 85 games, and his .880 percentage was worse than his 2006 mark of .891. He tailed off in July, batting just .154/.264/.179 as most observers thought he got frustrated because he wasn't promoted earlier.

Jones posted the second-highest slugging percentage (.507) in the Southern League and didn't miss a beat after earning a late-July promotion to Richmond, where he helped the Braves win the IL wild card. With a confident, quiet setup and a sweet lefty swing, he projects to be an above-average major league hitter. He makes adjustments and stays inside the ball well, taking what pitchers give him. Jones has 20-homer potential, which is about average for a corner outfielder, and he rarely turned on pitches in the IL, prompting some to question his assertiveness as a potential middle-of-the-order hitter. An average runner, he gets down the line well because of his clean swing mechanics. But with below-average hands and defensive instincts and a slow release on throws, he's a left fielder all the way.

Hanson went just 2-6 in 14 starts at Rome, but his record fails to tell the true story. He used solid command of four pitches along with a willingness to throw inside to post a 2.59 ERA and limit hitters to a .194 average. Six-foot-6 and 210 pounds, Hanson has impressive mound presence and delivers the ball on an intimidating downhill plane. His fastball sits in the low 90s and he commands it well. Add in the tight spin on his curveball and improving depth on his changeup, and he's on the fast track in the Braves system. "He has good arm strength and I really like his breaking ball," Asheville pitching coach Bryan Harvey said. "He has a real good idea out there on the mound."

Kendrick never had pitched above Class A prior to 2007, but he entered the postseason as the Phillies' Game Two starter, and his 3.87 ERA ranked second among their starters. He got started down that path in the EL, as he harnessed his command and stopped trying to pitch up in the strike zone with his fastball and down with his slider. The athletic Kendrick repeats his delivery, pumps his two-seam sinker to the bottom of the zone and spots his harder, low-90s four-seamer down and away. He also has a hard slider that's more of a groundball pitch than a strikeout offering. His changeup plays up because he locates it well. "He realized strikeouts are over-rated," Reading manager P.J. Forbes said. "He's pitching at the knees and when he misses, he misses down. He made hitters hit his pitch, because his command was that good. To give up just three home runs, playing in our ballpark, that's all about executing your pitches, and he did."

One of the few Mariners prospects who has been allowed to develop more or less at his own pace, Balentien showed improvement across the board in his first taste of Triple-A. Most strikingly, he slashed his strikeout rate from one every 3.2 at-bats in 2006 to one every 4.5 for Tacoma. Though Balentien still will wildly chase pitches out of the zone, he did show increased selectivity in the first half, especially with regard to breaking balls off the plate. He has immense raw power to all fields and hit his first big league homer in September off Fausto Carmona. Balentien also has average speed and good baserunning instincts. He's an average defender with a plus arm in right field. He frequently has come under scrutiny for his lackadaisical play and though he still has lapses, he showed more focus and maturity in 2007.

After a dominant season in 2006, Meloan spent the first half of 2007 as Jacksonville's closer before climbing to Triple-A and the majors. Managers rated him the league's best reliever and he has the makings of a valuable late-inning man in the big leagues. Meloan has two speeds--hard and harder--and a tenacious attitude. He works primarily off an 89-94 mph fastball and a mid-80s slider that has touched 89. He also has feel for a curveball and changeup, but his slider and above-average command are his ticket. Meloan attacks both sides of the plate and pitches ahead in the count. His delivery is rigid and lacks fluidity, but he has shown resilience since arm soreness arose shortly after he was drafted in 2005.

If Young reaches the majors, his speed will be what gets him there. After leading the minors with 87 steals in 2006, he ranked second this year with 73. He became more efficient swiping bases, succeeding on 80 percent of his attempts, up from 74 percent a year ago. "He's a legitimate big league basestealer," Subero said. "He could go up on speed alone." Young uses his speed to get on base via bunts, though he still needs to improve his strike-zone judgment to be a tablesetter at the top of the order. He upgraded his total package by improving his defense at second base, showing better range and footwork.

Duran was an afterthought in the Texas system coming into 2007, but he stung the ball all season and ranked among the TL leaders in most offensive categories. He also represented the Rangers on the World team in the Futures Game. Scouts and managers see Duran as an offensive second baseman whose overall approach to hitting isn't as polished as Antonelli's, but he offers more power. Duran isn't big but has a strong body and a quick bat, with the ability to put a charge in the ball. Most managers regarded Duran as a solid second baseman. He's good around the bag and should be able to make the routine plays, with average range and an average arm. His speed is fringe-average.

Ambriz had shoulder surgery in 2004, then returned to star as a two-way player for UCLA the last two seasons. The Diamondbacks drafted him solely as a pitcher, and in his first pro summer he excelled as a swingman and earned the save in the clinching game of the Pioneer League playoffs. Arizona wants Ambriz to pitch off his fastball, and when he worked in shorter outings than he did as a college starter, his heater sat at 91-93 mph and touched 95. He also did a better job of keeping the ball down in the strike zone than he did at UCLA, with his mid-80s splitter resulting in a lot of groundballs. Ambriz also tightened his curveball. His curve and his changeup are still inconsistent, and he'll need to further develop them to succeed when he becomes a full-time starter next season.

While he's a college pitcher, Wagner isn't the average college product. A former North Dakota State player, he saw his draft stock fall in 2005 due to a left kneecap injury that altered his mechanics and sapped his velocity. Healthy again, he and Aberdeen's Luis Lebron were the NY-P's dominant relievers. Wagner had the league's best fastball, sitting at 95-97 mph in just about every outing. He was content to blow fastballs by hitters, and his above-average control of the pitch means he can throw it for strikes to all four quadrants of the strike zone. However, Wagner lacks a second pitch. He has tried both a curveball and a slider, showing little feel for spinning a breaking ball. He had more success late in the summer when he started throwing a splitter, but he lacked confidence in the pitch. It looked better in the bullpen than in games.

Cowart took the NWL by storm in his pro debut after the Giants drafted him in the 35th round as a Kansas State senior. He didn't allow an earned run in his first four starts and 21 innings, then reeled off an even longer stretch of five starts and 28 innings without yielding an earned run. On his way to winning NWL pitcher of the year honors, Cowart won his first 10 professional decisions before losing in his final regular-season outing. Cowart, who led the league with 10 wins and a 1.08 ERA, has impeccable control of underwhelming stuff, walking just eight batters in 83 innings. He also does a great job keeping the ball on the ground. The key to his success was the deception he creates with his funky submarine arm angle. He also has a very advanced feel for pitching, working both halves of the plate and leaving nothing above the knees. He has plenty of poise on the mound and fields his position well. But Cowart works in the 80-83 mph range with his fastball, topping out at 85, and he lacks a plus pitch. He also uses a slurvy breaking ball and a changeup. Cowart's future is in the bullpen, and his best-case scenario is that he can become a right-on-right specialist in the big leagues. Scouts are skeptical he'll be able to get hitters out at higher levels.

A star tailback who rushed for 2,183 yards as an Illinois high school senior and could have played college football, Benson committed to baseball after the Twins made him a second-round pick in June. He offered one of the better combinations of power and speed in the GCL. He also has the range and enough arm to play center field. Besides his physical tools, Benson has a knack for making adjustments and playing with a football mentality. He can get too aggressive at times and will have to tone down his approach at the plate and on the bases. He had the mental toughness to handle a jump to low Class A after injuries riddled the Twins' Beloit affiliate.

A guy who hit .224 in a return trip to low Class A doesn't seem like a prime candidate for the FSL Top 20. But Golson improved after a promotion to Clearwater and his ceiling remains high, even if he remains raw. "He's got all the tools," Legg said. Golson is a standout center fielder with plus range and arm strength, though his routes to the ball could use improvement. He's a plus-plus runner who's still learning how to pick his spots to steal. And he shows above-average power potential at the plate. Golson's only problem is a big one. He has yet to show the ability to make consistent contact, as evidenced by his .233 batting average and 160 strikeouts between two Class A stops this year. He doesn't recognize pitches well and he pulls off the ball too much. But he also has quick hands and a quick bat, which lead some to believe he'll figure it out. "He's young," Warner said. "He'll chase here and there, but if you make a mistake, it's a different sound coming off of his bat."

A revelation offensive and defensively in his 2005 pro debut, Lowrie suffered a high ankle sprain in May, missed a month and didn't find any rhythm at the plate until August. When he finally go healthy, he hit .325 with two of his three homers in the final month. While there are questions about Lowrie remaining at short because he lacks range and eye-popping arm strength, several scouts compared him to Jeff Blauser and Kevin Elster and gave him a chance to stay there. "He's kind of like David Eckstein with a lot better tools," an AL scout said. "You sit there and say to yourself, 'That guy's an everyday shortstop.' He makes the plays, nothing necessarily real flashy, but he's going to get it done."

The Padres won the league in part because of the ability of Durango and Hunter to get on base and the knack Carrasco and league RBI champ Ranyor Contreras had for driving them in. San Diego officials rave about Carrasco's raw power, though some managers questioned his defense and listed age of 19, preferring Contreras. A year younger and more physical, Carrasco earns the nod here for two big power tools. Besides his pop, he also has a plus throwing arm, as well as the range and hands to become an average defensive third baseman. "He's a legitimate switch-hitter, and when he got into one, it went a long way," one manager said. "He needs to improve his pitch recognition and he's pretty mature physically, but he has outstanding power."

Though Severino was repeating the league and is significantly older than the other pitchers on this list, his stuff stood out. He had arguably the best fastball in the league, a 92-93 mph heater that explodes on hitters and enabled him to lead the league with 90 strikeouts in 68 innings. Three times he struck out 10 or more batters in a start. At 5-foot-11 and 150 pounds, Severino doesn't resemble a power pitcher, but he attacks hitters and his stuff certainly plays that way. His quick arm action also makes his slider tough to hit, though the pitch is a work in progress. Severino has average command of a changeup he throws to keep hitters from sitting on his fastball. His inconsistent mechanics sometimes lead to lapses in control.

The league MVP, Baisley did it all. He led the MWL in runs (86) and RBIs (110, the second-highest total in the minors) and also was the circuit's best defensive third baseman. Baisley is a very good situational hitter who doesn't try to do too much. He has a balanced stance, sound swing and pitch-recognition skills, enabling him to drive balls from gap to gap. He moves better than most 6-foot-3, 210-pounders, showing range to both sides, and has a solid arm. The biggest knock against him was his age: 23, ancient for low Class A. The Athletics are also high on fellow third baseman Myron Leslie (Baisley's former South Florida teammate), who was ensconced in high Class A, so they left Baisley at Kane County. "It's an absolute crime that kid played there for the entire season," a second AL scout said.

Denorfia continued to do what he's always done--hit for average, get on base and play good defense--as he spent the season shuttling between the majors and the minors. He saw more time with the Reds after the mid-July trade of Austin Kearns, but Denorfia didn't hit enough to avoid a demotion. His future is probably as a fourth outfielder. Denorfia is a manager's delight because he's an overachiever who plays with passion. He has no one exceptional tool, but he's a disciplined, line-drive hitter who can take the ball up the middle or to the opposite field. He's probably no more than a 15-home run hitter in the majors. "He puts the ball in play and he's a good two-strike hitter," Cliburn said. "We played one series where we couldn't get him out. We'd pitch him away and he'd go the other way. Pitch him in and he'd drive it into the gap." Denorfia has average range in center field and enough arm to play in right. Above-average speed may be Denorfia's strongest tool, and he succeeded in 15 of 16 steal attempts.

Outman doesn't have the feel for pitching that his teammate Maloney does, but he throws significantly harder. He also put together one of the most dominant months any minor league pitcher had this year when he went 5-0, 0.28 in August. He won 13 of his final 15 decisions. A wiry 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Outman often catches hitters off guard with his 90-94 mph fastball. His 80-84 mph slider also has the potential to be a plus pitch. He throws a curveball as well, but the consensus is that he'd be better off scrapping it and sticking solely with his slider. The key to Outman's future will be his changeup, which is still fringy. If it doesn't improve, his fastball-slider combo alone should make him an effective reliever.

Olson climbed to Double-A in his first full pro season and displayed durability, consistency and solid-average stuff. If he improves his command and changeup, he could become a No. 3 or 4 starter. His fastball sits near 90 mph, and Olson has crafted a two-seamer that's slower but helps his cause against righthanders. His well above-average curveball is sharp with late, hard break and tight rotation. It's especially tough on lefties. He mixes his pitches well and moves them around, but he works deep in the count too often and tries to be too fine. His curve alone guarantees that he should become at least a dependable left-on-left reliever.

Guzman has yet to duplicate his breakout 2004 season, and the Dodgers finally decided to use him in a deadline deal for Julio Lugo in July. His days as a shortstop have come to an end, and is future now appears to be in the outfield or first base, with third base also a possibility. Guzman still stands out from a physical standpoint, as he's a 6-foot-6, 250-pounder loaded with athleticism. He still needs to tighten his strike zone and add more defensive polish at his new positions, but he has tape-measure power, above-average arm strength and solid speed. "I like his size and power potential," DeFrancesco said. "The length of his swing has to be shortened, though, in order to survive in the big leagues. I see him as a first baseman. He'd be a nice big target over there with above-average athleticism for the position."

Broadway started his season as strong as anyone in league, going 3-1, 1.74 in April. But then his delivery fell out of whack for two months, and hitters feasted on fastballs left up in the strike zone. He eventually fixed his mechanics and got back on track. The best pitch in Broadway's arsenal is a plus-plus spike curveball, which he commands to any part of the plate and will throw in any count. His average 89-90 mph fastball lacks consistent life and flattens out late in games. He seldom used a changeup in college and needs to increase arm speed to make it an effective third pitch. "He's polished and he's a fast-track guy," a NL scout said. "Whether he's fast-tracked as a pen guy or a starter depends on that changeup. It shows flashes, but sometimes it's very easy for hitters to pick up what's coming."

A former high school valedictorian, Headley stands out most for his headsy approach to the game. Multiple managers commented on how much they enjoyed talking to him while they coached third base and he played the field. Headley does everything fairly well but nothing exceptionally well. His biggest asset is his plate discipline and pitch recognition. A switch-hitter, he's much more effective as a lefty, though his swing is tailored more to hit line drives than home runs from both sides. Power is the biggest question mark, because he lacks physical projection and scouts doubt he'll have enough pop for third base. He's a solid defender at the hot corner, with soft hands, a fairly strong, very accurate arm and adequate range. He does a good job charging bunts and makes all the routine plays. One scout compared Headley to Greg Norton, and he could end up as a solid player off the bench.

Balentien drew comparisons to Manny Ramirez from league managers, both for his hitting potential and for his sometimes mystifying on-field behavior. Some managers called him a hot dog. He's one of the most intriguing power hitters in the minors--and represented the Mariners in the Futures Game in July--but his performance this season didn't match his potential. He has all the tools to be a middle-of-the-lineup force, including light-tower power. "My God, he can hit the ball a long way," Clark said. He has strength in his body and in his swing, with power from gap to gap, but his swing is big and he has not shown an ability to cut it down based on the count. He also struggled with breaking stuff, though he did show a willingness to hit the ball the other way this year. Balentien has a strong arm and runs well, though he's not a burner, and he played both right and center field for San Antonio. His long-term fit is in right, though. His attention sometimes wavered, and he led TL outfielders with 11 errors.

A preseason appendectomy nearly derailed Hynick's junior season at Birmingham-Southern, but he rebounded to post a 2.59 ERA this spring. The Rockies pounced on him in the eighth round, confident they could help crispen his secondary stuff behind his 90-93 mph fastball. He quickly bought into instruction and went on to capture the league's pitcher of the year award. Hynick has an unorthodox arm action, but it works for him and hasn't hampered his ability to fill the strike zone. He made a lot of progress with a splitter that one coach said was the league's best pitch. He still has more work to do with his curveball and changeup.

Pino was the best young Latin middle infielder in the league, though Aberdeen's Pedro Florimon received notice for his outstanding shortstop defense. Pino has more offensive upside and polish than Florimon, and his athletic ability stood out in a league dominated by college players. Pino ranked third in the league batting race, relying on a quick bat, contact-oriented approach and excellent hand-eye coordination. He fits best as a No. 2 hitter, though he needs to improve his bunting as well as his willingness to draw walks. He's an above-average runner and was caught just twice in 20 attempts. Pino's arm strength limits him to second base, but he has enough to be efficient at turning the double play.

A native of Montana, where there's no high school baseball, the 6-foot-9 Mickolio played only basketball until the summer before his senior year of high school, when he began playing American Legion ball. He showed enough promise in his first year at Eastern Utah JC in 2003 that the Cardinals drafted him in the 35th round, and he made even more progress after transferring to Utah Valley State. With his enormous size, Mickolio was an imposing bullpen arm for Everett this summer. His height allows him to pitch on a downward angle and induce plenty of groundballs, as evidenced by his 49-18 ground-fly ratio. He works in the low 90s with a heavy fastball that has plenty of life and touches 94 mph. Mickolio also flashes a decent slider now and then, though he still has plenty of work to do on it and his changeup. His slider lacks tight rotation and doesn't miss many bats, and he needs to do a better job commanding his stuff within the strike zone. But considering how far Mickolio has come in his short pitching career, it's not a huge stretch to project him as a major league reliever.

Another piece of the Abreu trade, Monasterios remained in the GCL with Sanchez, with both players moving across town from Tampa to Clearwater. As with most young pitchers, his best pitch is his fastball. He usually throws in the low 90s but was clocked as high as 96 mph. Monasterios pounds the strike zone and walked just six batters in 45 innings. He flashes a plus breaking ball, but it flattens out when he gets around the pitch in his delivery. He has shown some feel for a changeup, though it remains a distant third option for now.

Patterson never has wowed scouts, even when he was winning the Cape Cod League batting title or hitting 50 homers during his college career at Louisiana State. But he continues to hit, and he impressed FSL managers with his heady approach at the plate. He led the league with a .520 slugging percentage after topping the short-season New York-Penn League with a .595 mark in his pro debut a year ago. Patterson has quick hands and power to all fields. He hits breaking balls well, but there's some concern that he still has too much of an aluminum-bat swing, with his weight too far forward at contact, leaving him vulnerable to being busted inside. Though he has average speed and an average arm, Patterson was able to handle center field with few problems. He still profiles better on a corner, however.

Before he moved up to Double-A and made way for Lillibridge, Bixler was one of the most exciting players in the league. As with Lillibridge, speed is Bixler's best tool, though he's not quite as fast. A spray hitter with gap power, Bixler learned to work counts more effectively this season. He's surehanded, but his range and arm are average at best and may be better suited for second base. "His bat is really going to have to carry him because he's not going to be a shortstop in the big leagues," a NL scout said. "He has some instincts there, but not enough to get to balls he should get to. He's Tony Graffanino for me."

After signing for $150,000, Madrigal spent his first five seasons in pro ball as an outfielder. However, his above-average raw power didn't translate to games well enough because of his inability to recognize breaking balls. After getting off to a tough start in his third straight assignment to low Class A Cedar Rapids, Madrigal assented when the Angels asked him to move to the mound in late May. As a pitcher, Madrigal showed the same raw arm strength he had as an outfielder. His fastball touched 98 mph and he regularly sat at 94 mph when he maintained his mechanics. His slider also showed signs of being a reliable second pitch. Still just 22, he could move quickly if he continues to show aptitude in his new role. "What impressed me was the poise he showed for being new to pitching," Angels manager Ever Magallanes said. "He had pretty good mound presence for his level of experience."

After finishing second in the Missouri Valley Conference batting race with a .382 average, Ashley figured to tear up the Appy League--and he did by hitting .333 and leading the league with a .440 on-base percentage. The oldest player on this list, he made quick transition to wood bats and made hard contact to all fields. He's physically mature but still may have room for growth in the power department. While he is highly athletic for a catcher, Ashley still needs work behind the plate. In instructional league, the Devil Rays plan to address his mechanical flaws in terms of his setup, receiving and blocking. He does have good hands, shows a plus arm at times and threw out 52 percent of basestealers in his pro debut.

While Kelly is steady, Ciriaco is spectacular but also erratic. Though he had one of the MWL's strongest infield arms and was one of its fastest players, he stole just 19 bases in 27 attempts and led the minors with 45 errors. "He has God-given talent," Joyce said. "He might have the best arm strength in the league. It's right there with (2004 No. 1 overall pick) Matt Bush, and he's more accurate and gets to more balls than Bush." Still learning to apply that talent, Ciriaco plays out of control at the plate and in the field. He chases pitches out of the strike zone, gets his feet tangled up on defense and commits mental as well as physical mistakes. But he has the hand-eye coordination to hit, and the physical skills to excel in all aspects of the game if he slows himself down.

Haeger topped the IL with 14 wins and finished among the league leaders in nearly every category: 3.07 ERA (fourth), 170 innings (fourth), 130 strikeouts (fourth) and 78 walks (second). With uncanny command of a knuckleball for such a young pitcher, Haeger projects as an innings-eating No. 5 starter. Though Haeger still walked a lot of batters, he has improved the command of his lively knuckler to the point where he can go to either corner with the pitch. He can change speeds on the knuckler--ranging from 65-75 mph--depending on the effect it's having on batters. Some IL batters thought his knuckleball was the best they'd ever seen, and he reminded one scout of Tom Candiotti for the action he got on the pitch. When he falls behind, Haeger can go to a straight 84-86 mph fastball, a pitch that's easier to locate. It's strictly a get-me-over offering, which is problematic on days when his knuckler doesn't cooperate.

Until Will Inman qualified for the ERA title in his last start of the season, Matt Maloney was in line to capture the SAL pitching triple crown. He settled for leading the league in victories (16), innings (169) and strikeouts (180) while winning the league's pitch-of-the-year award. He's a classic soft-tossing lefty who relies on command and guile. His fastball sits at 85-87 mph and he compliments it with a slider, changeup and curveball. He locates all of his pitches well and his fastball the best, making it his go-to offering. With his advanced feel, he should move fast, but his lack of velocity will give him far less room for error as he advances. The 6-foot-4 Maloney has a tendency to stay upright in the finish to his delivery, causing him to leave the ball up in the zone, which could be a problem at higher levels.

Things really fell apart for Liz shortly after he was called up from high Class A in July. He overpowered hitters in the Carolina League but his below-average command doomed him in the EL. He left his stuff over the plate and fell behind in the count too often. Liz has a lightning-fast arm that generates 97-mph heat, but he struggles to repeat his delivery and release point. His curveball is inconsistent, as is his changeup. At times, both show the potential to be plus pitches. His upside is significant, and 2006 was just his second season in America, so with time Liz could develop into a starter in the mold of Orioles righty Daniel Cabrera. At worst, he moves to the bullpen and could become a closer.

Volquez entered the season rated as the Rangers' No. 1 prospect, based on his mid-90s fastball and well above-average changeup. He used those pitches to finish fourth in the PCL in strikeouts (130 in 121 innings) and fifth in ERA (3.21) while limiting Triple-A hitters to a .203 average. "His arm strength is outstanding," Sacramento manager Tony DeFrancesco said. "He was 94, 95 with his fastball against us. His slider was hard and he had a decent changeup. He just needs command. Right now, it's not there." Volquez, who ranked third in the PCL with 72 walks, had even more trouble locating his stuff in the majors. He has a 1-10, 9.20 record with Texas--the worst ERA in major league history for a pitcher who has made 10 starts. With the Rangers, he consistently has fallen behind hitters, gotten crushed when he has found the plate and failed to show a reliable breaking ball.

Sonnanstine's stuff isn't as good as Niemann's or Talbot's, but unlike them, he played a role in Montgomery's success all season long. He reeled off nine straight victories in June and July, and he led the minors with four complete games--all shutouts. Durable and resilient, he topped the SL in wins (15) and innings (186, which ranked second in the minors). Sonnanstine's plus-plus control and plus command are more notable than the quality of his pitches. His best offering is his changeup, as he worked hard with Biscuits pitching coach Xavier Hernandez to perfect his grip and arm action. He also throws an 89-92 mph fastball and a slurvy breaking ball, keeping hitters off balance by varying his arm angle and changing speeds. "This guy might be too smart for the game," an AL scout said. "He's confident, mixes his pitches well and always seems to have a plan."

Ramos wore down in his 2005 pro debut after pitching 126 innings at Long Beach State that spring, but he entered this season refreshed and it showed. He went 7-4, 2.93 over the season's first four months before fatigue set in once again, and he went 0-4, 8.27 in August. When he's at his best like he was in the first half, Ramos has very good command of a four-pitch mix. He has a solid-average fastball that sits at 88-91 mph and jumps up to 92-93 when he needs it, and he uses an average curveball and average slider. His best pitch is a plus changeup that's effective against righthanders. Ramos doesn't rack up many strikeouts, but works to all corners of the zone to keep hitters off balance. He left too many pitches up late in the season when his arm was tired. He has an easy, compact delivery and a physical 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame that should prove more durable as he gets acclimated to a pro workload.

You're excused if you had never heard of Evans before this year. No one else had, either. He spent 3½ seasons in obscurity in the Cardinals organization, and he returned to high Class A for the third time to open 2006. He hit 15 home runs in 60 games there to earn a promotion to Springfield, and then he was traded to the Angels in the July for Jeff Weaver, which kept him in the Texas League at Arkansas. He finished the season with a combined 33 home runs, 37 stolen bases and a .942 on-base plus slugging percentage. Evans always had been regarded as a hard worker with an intriguing combination of power and speed. This season he developed a more relaxed, consistent approach at the plate that kept him from getting himself out by chasing pitches and going into prolonged slumps. Evans played exclusively in right field while in Springfield, but he played mostly in center for Arkansas. While he has the speed to play center on occasion, his strong arm and power profile perfectly in right.

Chapman spent his third straight season in Rookie ball, but he showed enough this year to earn a late-season promotion to low Class A. PL observers liked his lefthanded bat, as he has good pitch recognition and uses the entire field. He should have at least doubles power as he advances, and he adjusted well after early-season struggles against southpaws. He's just an average runner, but has good instincts and can steal a base. He plays too shallow in center field, as balls get over his head and he doesn't always have enough speed to track them down.

The proverbial crafy lefty, Salamida's success was too much for league observers to ignore. After dropping his first start despite not giving up any earned runs, he won his final 10 decisions in the regular season before losing to Kontos in the league championship game. Salamida led the NY-P in wins (10) and ERA (1.06). A two-way player at Division II SUNY Oneonta, Salamida has average size, average stuff and well above-average control, as well as a knack for pitching and moxie. His fastball sat in the upper 80s and touched 90, and he threw his changeup (his best secondary pitch) and slider for strikes with maddening regularity. He's the kind of pitcher who will have to prove himself at every level, but so far, so good. "Most guys in the league were one-pitch guys," Greer said. "This was a four-pitch guy who could throw breaking balls for strikes in fastball counts, then freeze a hitter with an 0-2 fastball. He was impressive."

A year after being drafted in the fifth round out of high school and spending a summer in the Arizona League, Deal handled the jump to the Northwest League well and emerged as Vancouver's top starter. He struck out just 35 in 76 innings of work, but he doesn't ever figure to be a strikeout pitcher. He's a sinkerballer who posted a 106-80 ground-fly ratio and allowed just three homers in 76 innings. Deal has a tall, skinny frame with plenty of room to fill out, so he could increase the velocity on his 87-89 mph fastball that touches 91-92. It's a heavy pitch with good sink and life, and he commands it well most of the time. "He's very aggressive and he comes right at you," Gainer said. "Everyone knew he had that sinker and it didn't matter. He just got ground ball after ground ball." Deal also has a slider and changeup that can be average at times. He has cleaned up his arm action quite a bit since high school, and he now does a good job of repeating his fluid, easy delivery.

The Yankees used McAllister in a relief role piggybacking with Betances, and they were a tough duo to beat. The son of Diamondbacks crosschecker Steve McAllister, Zach pitches with the savvy of someone who grew up around the game. McAllister has added six inches and 60 pounds over the last two years, and he saw his heavy sinker climb to 90-92 this spring before gaining another tick of velocity during the summer. His secondary stuff is fringy, though he has shown feel for a slider that could be a plus pitch if learns to control it more effectively. Like Betances, McAllister pitched better as the summer went on. "He has a good, sinking fastball. It's a power sinker. It's his No. 1 pitch," Martin said. "He got lots of ground balls, and I could see him throwing harder as he matures."

In a league dominated by pitching, Casilla was one of the few middle infielders who stood out. Acquired from the Angels in the offseason for J.C. Romero, Casilla started the season in Fort Myers and finished it in Minnesota. At the plate, Casilla takes advantage of his plus-plus speed by employing a running, slashing swing. He profiles as a leadoff hitter. He controls the strike zone and makes pitchers work, and once he reaches base, he's always a threat to steal. He has a knack for getting good jumps and reading pitchers. His weakness at the plate is his utter lack of power. Casilla played both second base and shortstop with the Miracle, and he's more polished at short right now. He has above-average range and arm strength. He's still figuring out his footwork and double-play pivot at second base. "He's very intelligent," Boles said. "You tell him to do something one time, he puts it into the game that night. He makes adjustments very quickly."

Part of the talented Salem rotation, Reineke earned the win in the California-Carolina League all-star game. He has an intimidating presence on the mound, using his 6-foot-6 frame to unleash 93-94 mph fastballs on an extreme downward plane. He also throws a plus slider, with late sweeping life Reineke was more free and easy in his delivery this season, showing better overall balance and staying on a direct line toward home plate. He still lacks much feel for his changeup, part of the reason he was moved to the bullpen following a promotion to Double-A. It has good diving action at times but he has yet to find a comfortable grip or consistency with it.

Peguero teamed with Avila to give the Mariners a 1-2 punch unrivaled in the league. They tied with teammate Wellington Dotel for the home run lead with seven, and Peguero's .649 slugging percentage easily topped the AZL. He didn't fare as well after a promotion to short-season Everett, however, where his inexperience with breaking balls and somewhat long swing were exposed. Peguero has a big, projectable frame at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds and moves well for a big man, though he figures to slow down as he fills out. He showed more ability and willingness to use the whole field than Avila did, but he doesn't have quite as much raw power. Peguero's outfield arm is another plus tool.

The fact that Chavez, at age 17 and in his first year as a pro, bypassed the VSL for Pulaski suggests how highly the Blue Jays regard him. While he held his own in the Appalachian League, he's all projection at this point. Chavez has done well to adapt to a new culture and will continue to gain strength, though he is already physical at 6-foot-3 and 200 lbs. His swing has come a long way in a year, but he's still prone to chasing pitches out of the zone and is too pull-conscious. He'll be a corner outfielder because he doesn't have the instincts or range for center field, though he has average speed and arm strength.

Kelly succeeded 2004 first-round pick Trevor Plouffe as Beloit's shortstop, and MWL observers liked Kelly more. A 2005 second-rounder, Kelly has better physical tools and is a superior hitter. He kept getting better as the year wore on until a torn meniscus in his left knee ended his season in late July. Kelly is more advanced than most teenage hitters. He has a solid approach, recognizes breaking balls, uses the whole field and has a plan with two strikes. He didn't show much power this summer but will have some pop once he adds some strength and experience. He'll hit enough to be a regular, though at what position is uncertain. Kelly has fringe-average speed, which cuts down on his range, but his positioning and cannon arm--he was clocked at 94-95 mph as a high school pitcher--allow him to make plays. "I always judge a shortstop by if he has to use his arm or not," Beloit manager Jeff Smith said. "His glove is so good and he's always in position, so he never has to use it. And he has one of the best arms in the league, too."

Pedroia is the classic example of a player who plays above his tools. Opposing mangers described him as a pesky hitter and a tough out, but had reservations about his lack of power and range. Pedroia got results in Triple-A, though, batting .305 (fifth in the IL) with 30 doubles and nearly twice as many walks (48) as strikeouts (27). Pedroia makes up for below-average speed and raw power by maximizing his selectivity as a hitter and by using the whole field. He showed an aptitude for taking the breaking ball the other way, and he has the hand-eye coordination to make consistent contact while using a big swing. "Pitchers will always challenge Pedroia, and he will prove them wrong," a scout said. "He will put the ball in play. He'll use the first-base and third-base line. He's a kid you love to have on your club." Pedroia was a shortstop at Arizona State and spent the majority of his time there for Pawtucket, but he doesn't have the range to be a regular there in the majors. He spent a lot of time at second base, and his sure hands and strong arm play better at the keystone.

The fourth Greensboro starter on this list, Thompson ranks just behind Volstad in terms of polish but his stuff has the least upside among the group. Like Volstad, Thompson has above-average command of three pitches. His fastball sits consistently at 88 mph with natural tailing action, and he'll occasionally crack 90. His 80-81 mph slider is his best secondary offering. He also has a change with a late downward break that he uses as an out pitch against righthanders, and he'll flash a slow curveball to set up his slider. Because of his lack of velocity, command will continue to be paramount for Thompson. His fastball was clocked as high as 92 mph in high school, so there's also the chance he could get back to that point.

Part of the Jim Thome trade with the White Sox, Gonzalez had a productive first full season in the Phillies system. He showed durability by logging a career-high 155 innings as a 20-year-old and finished second in the league with 166 strikeouts. Gonzalez has a repeatable delivery and quick arm, but he's just 5-foot-11, which hinders to create good plane on his fastball. It sits at 87-91 mph and touches 93, but it lacks life and gets pounded when he leaves it up in the zone. He surrendered 24 home runs, tied for the most in the EL. Gonzalez possesses a well above-average downer curveball that remains his go-to offering. His changeup is a reliable third pitch. Without a plus fastball and fringy command--he led the league with 81 walks--he might move to the bullpen in the big leagues.

Easily the best catcher ever developed by the Rockies, Iannetta continued to shine at the plate following a promotion to Colorado Springs in late June. He controls the strike zone very well, waiting out pitchers until they give him a pitch he can hammer. He calls a good game and has an average arm, and while throwing out basestealers has been an issue at times, he erased 31 percent in Triple-A. "He really gives you quality at-bats for a catcher," Runnells said. "In fact, he led our organization in quality at-bats. Defensively, he's a sponge for knowledge and he tries so hard to improve. He's a humble kid and a guy who is going to be a frontline catcher for years to come."

Signed as a third baseman out of the Dominican Republic for $600,000 in 1998, Salas was converted to the mound midway through 2004 after hitting .264/.296/.361 over six seasons. He hasn't looked back, putting up ridiculous numbers in the SL this season and adding a Futures Game appearance to his resume. He didn't allow an earned run in 35 innings with the Biscuits and reached the majors in September. Salas has equally ridiculous stuff, starting with a fastball that sits at 93-96 mph, topping out at 98. While the velocity is plus-plus, so is the movement. One scout described his heater as "the best 95-mph slider I've ever seen," as it has sharp, cutting action away from righthanders. Salas also throws an actual 86-87 mph slider that has more pronounced depth and life, and it can be equally as devastating. As good as those two pitches are, he's still learning how to attack hitters. His mechanics dissolve at times, as he flies open with his front shoulder and his arm gets too far away from his body.

Deduno continued to be an enigma, finishing second in the Cal League to teammate Morales with 167 strikeouts, but also leading the minors with 34 wild pitches and finishing fourth in the minors with 92 walks. Clearly, command is his bugaboo, but when he's on, he's nasty. His best pitch is a sometimes plus-plus power curveball, and he also showed an above-average 92-94 mph fastball with so much movement that his catchers would sometimes struggle to catch it cleanly. "That breaking ball is devastating, but I don't know what to think of this guy," a National League scout said. "The breaking ball is unhittable when he commands it, but after two or three innings, he couldn't find the release point. He was lights out for three innings both times I saw him, then was an absolute thrower." Right now, Deduno is essentially a two-pitch guy who profiles as a potential dominant reliver if he can harness his stuff. He has a little feel for his changeup, but it has a long way to go if he's to remain a starter.

McBeth continued one of the most intriguing turnaround stories in the minors this season, reaching Triple-A in his first full season as a pitcher. Drafted by the Athletics as an outfielder in 2001, he turned to pitching in 2005 after a career .233 average kept him from getting out of Class A. On the mound, he has shown not only the stuff but also the makeup to be a successful reliever. He throws a fastball that tops out at 94-96 mph, and he backs it up with a slider that's particularly tough on righthanders. A's pitching instructor Ron Romanick also taught him a changeup that has become a put-away pitch because he does such a good job of maintaining his arm speed. He has also worked on a two-seam fastball that could become an out pitch if he can learn to control it. McBeth challenges hitters. He needs to refine his command, but he should be no worse than a setup man and has the raw stuff to close games if he continues to make strides.

The Rockies grew tired of Strop's struggles with the bat, and after he hit .212/.277/.299 in four seasons as an infielder, they decided a career change was in order. They moved him to the mound this year, and he immediately took to pitching. He dominated the Pioneer League in 11 appearances and continued to impress after a promotion to low Class A. As with many converted position players, arm strength is Strop's forte. He threw 93-95 mph in spring training and has good control of his fastball, though he leans too heavily on the pitch. He also has a low-80s slider but must stay on top of it more often so it doesn't flatten out, making him vulnerable to home runs. "I'd try to start him next year to add some pitchability to his plus stuff," Kotchman said. "If not, you know you have a solid reliever."

Hilligoss' track record says he'll hit. He batted .404 and .386 in his final two seasons at Purdue, .309 with wood bats in the Central Illinois Collegiate League in 2005, and .292 in his pro debut to finish 10th in the NY-P batting race. One scout who saw Hilligoss as an amateur compared his swing, offensive potential and overall game to Frank Catalanotto. As with Catalanotto, Hilligoss' forté is getting the barrel of the bat to the ball consistently, driving balls to the gaps and driving pitchers crazy with an advanced two-strike approach. He also hangs in well against lefthanders and hit .397 against them this summer. The Catalanotto comparisons extend to Hilligoss' defense as well. Though he profiles best as an infielder, he doesn't have the hands or range to stick in the middle of the diamond. He's a better fit at third base, but he doesn't project to hit for the power wanted there or on an outfield corner. Hilligoss will have to hit for a high average to be a factor--and he has done that at every level so far.

Bailey's workload at Wagner this spring was limited as he recovered from May 2005 Tommy John surgery, but the Athletics saw enough power stuff to draft him in the sixth round. He was very impressive in his pro debut despite his 2-5 record, and he would have ranked second in the NWL in ERA if he hadn't fallen three innings shy of qualifying. With a big, physical frame that invites comparisons to Joe Blanton, Bailey could develop into a workhorse as he gets further away from his surgery. His heavy sinker bores in on righthanders at 91-93 mph and touches 94-95. He also has a solid-average 11-to-5 curveball with good rotation and depth, and a developing changeup that could become an average pitch if he learns to command it more consistently. Bailey has an aggressive approach but remains more of a thrower than a pitcher. He struggles to repeat his arm path and delivery, which has a lot of moving parts, making it difficult for him to command the strike zone and execute his pitches. He sometimes gets distracted and tries to pitch too quickly with speedsters on the basepaths.

Myers figured to complement a banner 2006 recruiting class at Southern California until he accepted a $250,000 bonus as a fourth-round pick in June. That he signed was somewhat surprising, but even more so was his performance in his debut. Considered toolsy but extremely raw, he made significant strides in his swing and approach and tied for third in the GCL in batting. Myers' swing gets long but he showed above-average bat speed at times. He needs to improve his plate discipline and work counts more efficiently. He's wiry strong, and though he rarely showed power in games, he could hit 12-15 home runs annually. His well above-average speed is his best tool. Myers played all three outfield positions in the GCL and has the range to stay in center field. His reads and routes are raw, while his arm strength is average.

There's a lot not to like about Jose Mijares. Start with his 3.57 ERA as a reliever, which doesn't stand out. Take a look at his 5-foot-10, 220-pound body, which screams Rich Garces. Scouts have questioned his makeup and mound demeanor as well. But when he rears back and throws, it's hard to not get excited. When he was locked in, Mijares featured a 94-95 mph fastball and a filthy 77-78 mph slider that both ranked among the best in the league. He only showed that plus stuff in limited stretches, however. At other times, his velocity would dip to the low 90s and his command would fall apart. Part of the problem is that Mijares hasn't worked hard enough to stay in shape, which hampers his ability to repeat his delivery. He also has a below-average changeup that hasn't improved much because he rarely uses it when working out of the bullpen. He's a long ways from the majors, but the wait could be worth it.

For a player in just his second season at shortstop after playing center field for much of his college career, Lillibridge is very advanced with the glove. He has outstanding range and first-step quickness, with soft hands and an above-average arm that allows him to make plays from deep in the hole. With well above-average speed, Lillibridge profiles more as a tablesetter than a run producer. He incorporates very little of his lower half in his longish swing, with a pronounced drift in his hands and his feet spread wide apart. He made some adjustments to shorten his stroke, and his plate discipline was exceptional during his first full season. Energetic and driven, Lillibridge was one of the most consistent players in the league. He drew rave reviews from managers for his grind-it-out style.

While Van Stratten isn't a pure speedster like Royals outfield mates Robinson or Jarrod Dyson, he's quick, has plenty of tools and looks like a steal from the 10th round of the 2006 draft. He set a national junior college record with 14 triples this spring at St. Louis CC-Meramec, and hit seven more to rank second in the AZL. His mix of gap power and speed mix impressed managers. Van Stratten showed the ability to drop a bunt or to sting the ball to both gaps. His best tools are his bat, with a short swing and outstanding pitch recognition considering his experience, and his above-average throwing arm. His gritty, all-out approach also earned him praise.

Ramirez made a strong U.S. debut, finishing among the Appy League leaders in average (.314), hits (72), doubles (20) and triples (five) after spending three years in the Rookie-level Venezuelan Summer League. He has surprising pop for a 6-foot, 149-pounder, though he's more of a spray hitter now who takes the ball where it's pitched. He should add strength as he fills out. Ramirez spent most of the year at shortstop but also saw time at second base. He may profile better at second because while he has good range to his left, he has below-average range toward the shortstop hole. His footwork also needs improvement and he lacks the arm strength of a true shortstop. He's an average runner.

When he was at his very best, Morlan ranked with the top pitchers in the league. One scout said Morlan turned in one of the three best performances he saw all year, along with Adenhart and Cueto. Cedar Rapids manager Bobby Magallanes said Morlan touched 97 mph in the ninth inning of an 11-strikeout complete game. He began the season in the bullpen, and that may be his long-term destination. His fastball usually sits in the low 90s but he's still seeking a consistent second pitch. He owns a mid-80s slider that shows flashes of bite and a developing changeup. Morlan has a quick arm and a smooth delivery that he repeats easily. He tends to drop his elbow, which causes his pitches to flatten out and arrive higher in the strike zone. He missed most of July with a sore shoulder but returned to pitch 22 scoreless innings over his final four starts.

Bourn played for four teams this summer, ranging from Double-A Reading to the Phillies to Team USA, with perhaps his finest moment coming when he connected for two home runs in a victory against Cuba in the Olympic qualifying tournament. He spent just six weeks with Scranton, but made the most of his well above-average speed by stealing 15 bases in 16 tries and hitting seven triples, good for fourth in the league. Bourn has shown improvement with each promotion and he plays up to his strengths. He runs extremely well and is a smart baserunner capable of reading pitchers and using his raw speed. He has a good batting eye and projects as a solid-average major league hitter. He's also a plus defensive center fielder with a slightly above-average, accurate arm. His power is strictly gap-to-gap and is below average, but he can surprise opponents, as he did by taking Cuban flamethrower Pedro Luis Lazo deep. The Phillies want him to concentrate on hitting the ball in the air less and cutting down on his strikeouts, a byproduct of working deep counts.

Like Cain, Campbell built on a 2005 MVP award in Rookie ball (the Appalachian League in his case) with a strong 2006 campaign. A student of the game who kept a notebook on the pitchers in the league, he applied that knowledge by leading the league with 22 homer. Campbell is an aggressive hitter who swings early in the count and rarely misses when pitchers make mistakes. He has ample pull power, but his open stance often leads to him flying open on the front side of his swing, making it hard to drive pitches to the opposite field. Though his speed is average at best, Campbell has good instincts and is an excellent baserunner with a knack for stealing bases when the opportunity arises. He's solid at third base but has a slow first step to his right.

After a sensational first half in high Class A, Jurrjens moved up to the EL and continued to impress Tigers brass. He has thrown harder more consistently and shown more feel for pitching than Detroit anticipated when it signed him out of Curacao three years ago. Jurrjens' fastball ranges from 87-92 mph and touches 95, and he can spot it to both sides of the plate. His slider is below average, making his performance even more impressive considering he did it primarily off fastball command and a plus changeup. Jurrjens has a clean, simple delivery. Some scouts envision him moving to the bullpen, but if he develops a usable breaking ball, he could fill a role as a back-of-the-rotation starter in the big leagues.

Montero had a breakthrough season in 2005 and proved it was no fluke this year. He makes consistently hard contact with a short stroke and did a better job of using the entire field this season. He also does a fine job behind the plate, showing an average arm with a quick release to go with strong blocking and game-calling ability. "He really improved the second time we saw him," Brundage said. "He made some adjustments, especially on the offspeed stuff. He's a very aggressive hitter. But the thing I like most about him his is presence behind the plate, especially for such a young guy in this league. He has a good arm and seemed to call a good game."

With older brother Corey traded to the Orioles last offseason, there will be no Patterson brothers reunion in Chicago. But Eric is getting close to ready for Wrigley Field, recovering from a second-half slump to bat .358 following a mid-August promotion to Triple-A. Patterson's best tool is his speed, which rates as a 65-70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He also has surprising power for his size, though he sometimes gets caught up too much in trying to hit homers. He has made strides in shortening his swing for a more gap-to-gap approach. Patterson's speed aids his range at second-base, though his first-step quickness and body control are a bit disappointing. His footwork around the bag is questionable, though he does have soft hands.

Perez is a cerebral player, as one might expect from the highest-drafted player ever (seventh round, 2004) out of Columbia University. He learned how to switch-hit in the offseason, and while he struggled from the left side early in the year, he soon began hitting line drives and finished with a .303 average against righthanders. He's a dynamic player who led the minors with 123 runs scored. "He's a game-changer. You don't want to see him up in the ninth inning up by one or in a tie game, because he'll bunt, he'll slap one to left or hit it in the gap, and you're just praying you'll get the ball in fast enough before he gets to third," Steverson said. "He's just irritating. He roams the outfield like there are just floating pop-ups up there all day. I know for a fact he's taken 15 hits away from us." Perez has outstanding range in the outfield thanks to his plus-plus speed, though he's still working on his defensive instincts. He has a playable, if not strong, outfield arm. Perez has plenty of things to refine in his game--he strikes out too much for a top-of-the-order hitter, and he was thrown out in 16 of his 49 steal attempts--but he offers an intriguing leadoff package and enough strength at the plate to make him more than a one-dimensional Punch-and-Judy hitter.

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

Rated Best Defensive SS in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Control in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Reliever in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Baserunner in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Infield Arm in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 1B in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Batting Prospect in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 3B in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Power Prospect in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Fastball in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Most Exciting Player in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Florida State League in 2006

Rated Best Power Prospect in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Fastball in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive SS in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Reliever in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 1B in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Infield Arm in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 3B in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Control in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Baserunner in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Batting Prospect in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Most Exciting Player in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Carolina League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Control in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 1B in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 3B in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive SS in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Reliever in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Fastball in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Most Exciting Player in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Baserunner in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Infield Arm in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Power Prospect in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Batting Prospect in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the Midwest League in 2006

Rated Best Infield Arm in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 1B in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Power Prospect in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Control in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive SS in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Outfield Arm in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Baserunner in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Reliever in the International League in 2006

Rated Most Exciting Player in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 3B in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Fastball in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 2B in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Batting Prospect in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the International League in 2006

Rated Fastest Baserunner in the International League in 2006

Rated Best Batting Prospect in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Infield Arm in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 3B in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 1B in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Power Prospect in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive SS in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Most Exciting Player in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Control in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 2B in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Fastest Baserunner in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Baserunner in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Outfield Arm in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Fastball in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Reliever in the South Atlantic League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Eastern League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Eastern League in 2006

Rated Best Baserunner in the Eastern League in 2006

Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Eastern League in 2006

Rated Best Reliever in the Eastern League in 2006

Career Transactions

Sultanes de Monterrey placed IF Edgar Bravo on the reserve list.

1B Diosbel Arias assigned to Sultanes de Monterrey.

Algodoneros de Guasave placed RHP Juan Cossio on the reserve list.

Algodoneros de Guasave activated LHP Ian Medina from the reserve list.

Algodoneros de Guasave activated RHP Victor Buelna from the reserve list.

Algodoneros de Guasave placed LHP Jesus Broca on the reserve list.

ACL Dodgers placed SS Jose D. Hernandez on the restricted list.

RF Oscar Gonzalez assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas.

RHP Maicol Reyes assigned to DSL Rangers Red.

OF Diego Hernandez assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

LHP Kenny Hernandez assigned to Tigres de Aragua.

RHP Domingo Jimenez assigned to Aguilas del Zulia.

Venados de Mazatlan activated RHP Ernesto Borges from the reserve list.

Venados de Mazatlan placed RHP Oscar Rojas on the reserve list.

Venados de Mazatlan activated RHP Fernando Burgueno from the reserve list.

Venados de Mazatlan placed RHP Elkin Alcala on the reserve list.

Tomateros de Culiacan placed RHP Axel Sauceda on the reserve list.

Tomateros de Culiacan placed 2B Ichiro Cano on the reserve list.

SS Rosman Verdugo assigned to Tomateros de Culiacan.

Tomateros de Culiacan activated RHP Luis Aguayo from the reserve list.

Caneros de los Mochis activated RHP Victor Garcia from the reserve list.

Caneros de los Mochis placed LHP Manuel Valdez on the reserve list.

Charros de Jalisco activated IF Jose Angel Cecena from the reserve list.

Charros de Jalisco placed 2B Jack Mayfield on the reserve list.

Charros de Jalisco placed RHP Luis Payan on the reserve list.

Aguilas de Mexicali activated RHP Patricio Ress from the reserve list.

Aguilas de Mexicali placed RHP Jose Luis Reyes on the reserve list.

RHP Gerald Ogando assigned to Tigres del Licey.

Gigantes del Cibao activated RHP Yerry De Los Santos.

RHP Yerry De Los Santos assigned to Gigantes del Cibao.

LHP Thomas Pannone assigned to Nashville Sounds.

1B Joey Meneses assigned to Syracuse Mets.

RHP Ricky Vanasco assigned to Toledo Mud Hens.

RHP Alan Perdomo assigned to Spokane Indians.

LHP Felix Ramires assigned to Spokane Indians.

RHP Phil Bickford assigned to Iowa Cubs.

LHP Ray Kerr assigned to Gwinnett Stripers.

RHP Royber Salinas assigned to Gwinnett Stripers.

RHP Gustavo Rodriguez assigned to Midland RockHounds.

C Ricardo Genovés assigned to Durham Bulls.

Washington Nationals activated RHP Cade Cavalli.

Los Angeles Angels signed free agent LHP Yusei Kikuchi.

Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent LHP Thomas Pannone to a minor league contract.

Atlanta Braves signed free agent RHP Royber Salinas to a minor league contract.

Atlanta Braves signed free agent LHP Ray Kerr to a minor league contract.

Texas Rangers signed free agent RHP Maicol Reyes to a minor league contract.

Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent C Ricardo Genovés to a minor league contract.

San Diego Padres signed free agent RF Oscar Gonzalez to a minor league contract.

Athletics signed free agent RHP Gustavo Rodriguez to a minor league contract.

New York Mets signed free agent 1B Joey Meneses to a minor league contract.

Kansas City Royals signed free agent OF Diego Hernandez to a minor league contract.

Detroit Tigers signed free agent RHP Ricky Vanasco to a minor league contract.

Colorado Rockies signed free agent RHP Alan Perdomo to a minor league contract.

Colorado Rockies signed free agent LHP Felix Ramires to a minor league contract.

Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Phil Bickford to a minor league contract.

Cardenales de Lara activated RHP Gustavo Rodriguez.

Sultanes de Monterrey placed IF Joel Flores on the reserve list.

Sultanes de Monterrey activated RHP Juan Salas from the reserve list.

Algodoneros de Guasave placed RHP Juan Cossio on the reserve list.

Algodoneros de Guasave placed LHP Ariel Gracia on the reserve list.

OF Narciso Crook assigned to Algodoneros de Guasave.

Algodoneros de Guasave placed 3B Angel Erro on the reserve list.

Algodoneros de Guasave placed OF Yadir Drake on the reserve list.

Algodoneros de Guasave activated 1B Yael Romero from the reserve list.

Algodoneros de Guasave activated RHP Kevin Ribon from the reserve list.

Algodoneros de Guasave activated LHP Edwin Cervantes from the reserve list.

CF Odúbel Herrera assigned to Tigres de Aragua.

Venados de Mazatlan activated RHP Adolfo Ramirez from the reserve list.

Venados de Mazatlan placed RHP Victor Morales on the reserve list.

Venados de Mazatlan placed LHP Amilcar Gaxiola on the reserve list.

Venados de Mazatlan activated RHP Erick Casillas from the reserve list.

Tomateros de Culiacan activated RHP Fernando Olguin from the reserve list.

Tomateros de Culiacan activated RHP Axel Sauceda from the reserve list.

Tomateros de Culiacan placed RHP Carlos Machorro on the reserve list.

Tomateros de Culiacan placed LHP Manny Bañuelos on the reserve list.

Naranjeros de Hermosillo placed CF Alejandro Gonzalez on the reserve list.

RF Alex Robles assigned to Naranjeros de Hermosillo.

Mayos de Navojoa placed OF Asael Sanchez on the reserve list.

Mayos de Navojoa placed RHP Damian Mendoza on the reserve list.

Mayos de Navojoa activated LHP Denny Roman from the reserve list.

Mayos de Navojoa activated SS Edgar Lugo from the reserve list.

Caneros de los Mochis activated RHP Omar Araujo from the reserve list.

Caneros de los Mochis placed RHP Adrian Hernandez on the reserve list.

Caneros de los Mochis placed RHP Luis Gastelum on the reserve list.

Charros de Jalisco placed RHP Cristian Alvarado on the reserve list.

Charros de Jalisco activated RHP Dario Gardea from the reserve list.

SS Diomar Hidalgo assigned to DSL Red Sox Blue.

New York Yankees selected the contract of LF Taylor Trammell from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

New York Yankees selected the contract of RHP Yerry De Los Santos from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

New York Yankees selected the contract of C J.C. Escarra from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

RHP Lou Trivino elected free agency.

LHP Kyle Muller elected free agency.

Sultanes de Monterrey activated RHP Mario Perez from the reserve list.

Sultanes de Monterrey placed RHP Noah Bremer on the reserve list.

Sultanes de Monterrey activated IF Edgar Bravo from the reserve list.

Sultanes de Monterrey placed RHP Arturo Roque on the reserve list.

Sultanes de Monterrey activated RHP Mario Garcia from the reserve list.

Sultanes de Monterrey placed Carlos Medina on the reserve list.

Sultanes de Monterrey placed 3B Carter Aldrete on the reserve list.

2B Marcos Castañon assigned to Sultanes de Monterrey.

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