50 MLB Prospects Who Impressed Scouts On Spring Training Backfields

Kevin McGonigle, SS, Tigers

After a standout 2024 season was blunted by surgery to repair a wrist injury, McGonigle has re-emerged this spring looking as spectacular as ever. The Pennsylvania prep product does a little bit of everything and should hit for both average and power in near-equal measure. There’s no truly elite tool on his card, but evaluators strongly believe he’ll stick at shortstop thanks to good instincts that would also make him a potentially-plus defender at second base. His offensive game, which could see him hit about .280 with 15 or so home runs annually, give him a ceiling as one of the best prospects in the sport.

George Lombard Jr., SS, Yankees

Outfielder Jasson Dominguez should graduate from prospect status at some point in April. When he does, Lombard will reign as the system’s unquestioned top talent. Scouts gush about his combination of athleticism and polish, both of which should make him an easy pick to stick at shortstop. Lombard is a tireless worker who has made strides in each of his seasons as a pro, and this season he looks primed for a breakout. Scouts who have seen Lombard this spring reported a player who got stronger without sacrificing his athleticism, and those highest on him give him a chance to become a plus hitter with plus power, as well.

Didier Fuentes, RHP, Braves

Two seasons ago, Baseball America tabbed Fuentes as a potential riser before the season had even begun. We made the pick because the Braves jumped Fuentes over the complex league to begin the 2023 season, which, at 17 years old, made him the youngest player in the full-season minors. At the time, the Braves believed Fuentes could handle the jump and that his stuff would soon become a few ticks hotter. They were right. Fuentes was the star of Atlanta’s Spring Breakout tilt, where he flashed a double-plus fastball. The heater has never been a problem for Fuentes. Rather, he needed something to go with it. The potentially-plus slider he showed during the outing certainly qualifies, and his future would become brighter if he could bring his changeup forth a few notches, as well.

Aroon Escobar, 2B, Phillies

After two nondescript seasons in the Dominican Summer League, Escobar made a name for himself during a season in the Florida Complex League. About the only thing that put the brakes on his momentum was a pair of shin splints. Otherwise, he let his bat do the talking and put him in the mix as one of the purest hitters in Philly’s system. The same has been true this spring, when Escobar continued to show a knack for making exemplary swing decisions and finding the barrel. There’s little question that Escobar will hit. Where he winds up on the diamond is a bit more of a mystery. He’s gotten reps at both second and third base, and he looks better at the former because of an arm action that might not fit at the hot corner. If he keeps his body in check, he could be an average defender at the keystone.

Jonah Tong, RHP, Mets

Tong got the start in the Mets’ Spring Breakout game and showed continued flashes of the stuff that made him one of the bigger up-arrow arms of 2024. In the outing and in subsequent turns on the backfields, Tong showed a solid four-pitch mix fronted by a four-seam fastball that has clipped 96 mph, plus one of the best true curveballs in the minors. He has pitchability and feel for spin, both of which are amplified by the deception borne from the high front side in his delivery. There are questions about whether he can hold his best stuff deep into outings, but he has plenty of time to build strength and develop the durability required to reach his ceiling as a midrotation starter.

Arjun Nimmala, SS, Blue Jays

In 2024, the Blue Jays showed their confidence in Nimmala’s makeup not only by starting him in Low-A but by properly assessing that he could handle a move down to extended spring training without having his confidence shattered. When he returned to Dunedin, Nimmala was a new player. His swing decisions were better, and his offensive gifts were on full display. He finished the year with 16 home runs, tied for fourth in the Florida State League. This spring, he’s been added to the Top 100 Prospects list and looks ready for a full-fledged breakout. He’s a smooth defender with a strong arm at shortstop, and he looks like he’s added roughly 15 pounds of good weight since last season. The extra strength should equate to even more longballs, especially if he continues to improve his swing decision. There is some length to his cut that will need to be pared down if he is to become a complete hitter.

Boston Baro, 2B/3B, Mets

Baro immediately catches scouts’ eyes thanks to a long, loose frame that should have plenty of room to stack on more strength. While he has the feel to hit and a swing that keeps the barrel in the zone a long time, the power is going to need to come along if he is to profile at either second or third base. He showed big-time flashes off his current power during the Mets’ Spring Breakout game with the Nationals when he bopped one out backside off of a 97 mph fastball from Washington lefty Alex Clemmey. Later in the game, he shot a 93 mph heater through the right side in another left-on-left matchup. Baro is likely a utility player, which means the bulk of his value will come in the batter’s box. If he can add muscle, reaching his offensive ceiling should be much easier.

Luis Mey, RHP, Reds

By now, everyone in tune with prospects has heard about Mey. He’s a big man who throws the ball very, very hard. In 2024, his sinker sat between 97-99 mph and peaked at 103. He backed it with a slider that projected as a 60- or a 70-grade pitch, depending on the day. The problem was his stuff was rarely in the strike zone. Starting in the Arizona Fall League, Mey seems to have turned a corner in that department. With Glendale, he issued just two free passes in 8.2 innings while punching out eight. The control and command were a little bit looser this spring, but scouts still reported solid strikes with the same outstanding stuff. If he can get his control to even fringe-average, he should make his big league debut in 2025.

Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, RHP, Yankees

Rodriguez-Cruz came to the Yankees this past offseason in a deal that sent catcher Carlos Narvaez to Boston. The righthander is tall and projectable and boasts a pitch mix that is both deep and intriguing. He brings his fastball into the upper 90s and backs it with a sinker, a splitter, a gyro slider and a sweeper. The righthander also shows excellent body control and sound command of his entire mix, which can generate plenty of whiffs and grounders. If he reaches his ceiling, he could easily fit as a back-end starter with upside for a little bit more.

Joe Mack, C, Marlins

Mack was one of Miami’s shining stars in 2024, when he swatted 24 home runs in a season spent mostly at Double-A Pensacola. The 22 he hit with the Blue Wahoos were second in the Southern League, and he was the only player in the minors 21 years old or younger with 30 or more doubles and 20 or more home runs. Scouts attribute the breakout to a change in stance that has allowed him to be more balanced in the box. His old setup left him prone to getting out on his front foot and beating balls into the ground. Now, with a wider base, he can sweep the barrel through the zone quickly and let his strength do the rest. Combine his offensive talent with defense littered with potential plusses—he’s an outstanding receiver and blocker, and his throws to second usually arrive in less than 2.0 seconds—and you get a player with the potential to be one of the best backstops in the sport.

Kendry Rojas, LHP, Blue Jays

Rojas was one of the stars of Toronto’s Spring Breakout game with the Twins, when he faced seven hitters over two perfect innings and got seven grounders. Over those two frames, Rojas showed increased velocity, sitting between 95-97 mph with his fastball and pairing with a sharper slider and new splitter. If they hold during the regular season, the extra ticks of velocity and improved offspeed stuff could lead to a big season from a pitcher who has long teased at his potential.

Konnor Griffin, OF, Pirates

As an amateur and in his first tests as a pro, Griffin has earned a rep as one of the toolsiest prospects in the sport. His upside is matched by few in the minor leagues. He can fly around the bases, put huge jolts into balls and rip off laser-like throws with ease. The biggest question is: Will he hit? It’s very early, but the indicators are trending in the right direction. Scouts who saw him this spring noticed a much cleaner operation in the box and a much less severe arm bar to his swing. His gifts coalesced nicely in one backfield game against Tampa Bay, in which he went with a 98 mph fastball on the outer half of the plate and shocked it into right-center field. He cruised around the basepaths for an easy triple in a moment that married his speed and power and hinted at hittability. His speed will also serve him well in center field, where scouts believe he will one day land. If he does, he has the potential to be a lockdown defender.

Casey Steward, RHP, Phillies

Steward was a sneaky riser in the Phillies’ system in 2024. The 2023 19th-rounder showed whiff-worthy stuff but didn’t find the strike zone often enough, finishing with 50 walks in 102.2 innings. In the Phillies’ Spring Breakout game, Steward brought his fastball up to 99 mph and sat comfortably in the mid-to-upper 90s for the duration of his outing. The righthander paired his fastball with a slider that flashed plus and a changeup with a chance to be average. Scouts also have reported better strike-throwing this spring, which could lead to a season that allows him to put his name more firmly on the prospect map.

Owen Hall, RHP, Tigers

Hall was Detroit’s second-round pick in 2024 out of high school in Edmond, Okla. So far, he’s making the Tigers’ choice look wise. The righthander sports an ideal pitcher’s frame and generates mid-90s fastballs from a loose, easy arm action. He backs it with a hard splitter and a breaking ball that flashes above-average potential. Tie it all together, and you get a pitcher who adds another gem to a farm system that looks every bit like one of the best in baseball.

Nolan McLean, RHP, Mets

Now that he’s put the bat down, McLean’s stock has gone up. The righthander showed an electric arsenal on the backfields this spring, including four- and two-seam fastballs in the mid-to-upper 90s and a slider with the potential to be a double-plus pitch. His mix also includes a cutter, curveball and changeup, but the fastball-slider combination is more than enough to ride to the big leagues. He needs to add some more consistency—he’ll mix in a few 40-grade sliders, as well—and hone his command and control, but the early returns on McLean this spring are extremely positive.

David Sandlin, RHP, Red Sox

Sandlin came to Boston last year in the deal that sent John Schrieber to Kansas City. So far, the move looks like a steal. In an unofficial prospect showdown between Fort Myers foes, Sandlin mowed down Twins prospects for three innings with a powerful pitch mix. The righthander worked primarily with a blend of a four-seam fastball, a cutter and a slider and showed the ability to get whiffs with all three. Sandlin’s heater sat in the upper 90s for the early portion of the outing before dropping a few ticks in the third frame, but he commanded the pitch well and used it effectively at the top of the zone. The two offspeed pitches showed distinct movement patterns—the cutter bored in on righthanders while the slider had more depth—but they need a little more separation in velocity. If Sandlin can maintain his stuff deep into games, he has a chance to be a midrotation starter.

Juan Valera, RHP, Red Sox

Valera was a revelation in 2024, ranking among the best prospects in the Florida Complex League and then laying waste to the competition in the Carolina League over a dominant seven-start stretch. If his performance this spring is any indication, Valera has already taken his game up a couple of notches. In a two-inning spell against Twins prospects, the righthander kept his fastball in the upper 90s and regularly touched triple-digits. Its velocity and life combine to make it a nearly-elite pitch. Valera backed the fastball with two particularly nasty offspeed pitches. The first was a slider in the 88-92 mph range with serious teeth, and the other was a low-90s changeup with plenty of action despite its firm velocity. The biggest knock on Valera at the moment is the lack of a consistent release point on all of his pitches. Each comes out of its own slot, which more refined hitters will capitalize on quickly. If he can fix that aspect of his game, he could fit nicely toward the middle of a rotation.

Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays

Simpson has a serious case as the current fastest man in baseball. In the Spring Breakout game between Rays and Red Sox prospects, Simpson set the base paths aflame by going home to first on a bunt in 3.55 seconds. Another evaluator reported a previous flight time of 3.45 seconds earlier in the spring. If nothing else, Simpson’s speed alone could get him to the big leagues in a Terrance Gore-type of runner-for-hire role in the postseason. Thing is, Simpson’s got plenty else to his game. He’s the rare type of hitter who would be well served trying to lower his launch angles in an effort to turn and burn, and he’s a skilled bunter, as well. Simpson’s play in the outfield has improved, though he still has work to do on his routes and jumps. As one scout put it: He’s sometimes catching balls in stride that he should already be camped under. Simpson’s speed gives him an easy path to the big leagues. If the rest of his game comes together, it could help him stay there for a long time.

Brandon Clarke, LHP, Red Sox

There was plenty of heat on the mound during the Spring Breakout game between the Red Sox and the Rays, but the best bolts came out of Clarke’s left arm. Boston’s fifth-rounder from 2024 was the only pitcher in the game to touch 100 mph, and his fastball regularly sat in the upper 90s. His command wasn’t the sharpest—his heater got hit when he left it down and away—but his combination of velocity and lefthandedness gives him a long leash. Clarke backed the fastball with a nasty slider that chewed up same-side hitters, especially when preceded by a fastball up and in on their hands. Clarke also mixed in a couple of changeups, but the pitch was mostly for show. With further development, he could be a lightning-armed reliever who discards lefthanded hitters like yesterday’s news.

Connor Prielipp, LHP, Twins

If Prielipp can stay healthy, he might make the big leagues this season. He faced off against David Sandlin in the de facto Spring Breakout game against the Red Sox and spent three innings brutalizing opposing hitters in ways that made it seem fortunate that the game was not televised. Prielipp’s fastball sat between 96-97 mph and reached 99, and he backed it with a cutter and a slider that each had a chance to be plus and a changeup that could get to above-average. With average command, that pitch mix is enough to leave hitters in cold sweats. Prielipp’s command, however, is a couple of ticks better. His misses were minuscule, and they were always in areas that would not leave him prone to any damage. The biggest pockmark on Prielipp’s card is his health. The 2022 second-rounder has pitched just 30 innings as a pro, which is two more innings than he pitched as a collegian at Alabama. Stretching Prielipp into a starting role will take patience, caution and creativity, but the reward could be a starter who sits atop the rotation and dominates every fifth day.

Jimmy Crooks III, C, Cardinals

There are plenty of interesting catchers in the minor leagues, and Crooks deserves to have his name firmly in the mix with the best of them. The Oklahoma State product has made big strides with his defense and now has a chance to pair at least above-average glovework with a 55-grade arm. Those skills should keep him behind the plate, and he’ll provide plenty of value in the box, as well. Scouts who saw him this spring peg him as a fringe-average hitter with above-average power, and his 32 extra-base hits in 90 games last season backs up that prediction. He could be in St. Louis in short order this season.

Leonardo Bernal, C, Cardinals

Along with Jimmy Crooks, Berna gives the Cardinals another potential backstop of the future. The switch-hitter showed well in the 2024 Arizona Fall League, where he displayed hittability and on-base skills with hints of power mixed in. Scouts this spring saw a player who might wind up with plus power and a near-average hit tool to go along with average defense behind the dish. If those predictions come true, he and Crooks will give the Cardinals an excellent problem when it comes to finding their catcher of the future.

Ryan Sloan, RHP, Mariners

The Mariners are one of a handful of organizations which have become renowned in recent years for their pitching development program. Sloan could be their next victory. In fact, he’s already been tabbed as the top pitching prospect in Arizona by some scouts who spent their spring surveilling the best the desert had to offer. From an ideal pitcher’s frame, Sloan deploys three wicked offerings: a plus fastball in the mid-to-upper 90s, a slicing slider that also earns 60 grades on the 20-80 scouting scale and a changeup that is just a tick behind and projects as a potentially above-average third offering. Sloan’s delivery is clean and repeatable, and he already shows the polish necessary to attack hitters up, down, in and out. HE currently checks in as Seattle’s second-best pitching prospect. It shouldn’t be long before he snatches the crown.

Ryan Sloan pitched this morning for the #Mariners on the backfields. Check it out. pic.twitter.com/O3PqHf2HB7

— Josh Norris 🐻 (@jnorris427) March 27, 2025

Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, Mariners

Cijntje is famous for being the only switch-pitcher currently in the minor leagues. Thing is, he’s darn good with either arm. Righthanded, he deals fastballs that sit in the mid 90s and peak at 99 mph, and he pairs them with a powerful and sweepy potentially-plus slider. From the left side, he attacks hitters with a low-90s sinker and slider with similar shape but less power than its counterpart from the right side. He’ll mix in a changeup, too. He sticks out especially for his ability to land his fastball to his glove side. Simply having the coordination and athleticism to pitch with both hands is one thing, but having the aplomb to pitch well both as a righty and a lefty should make for a long big league career.

Emil Morales, SS, Dodgers

Morales was one of the toasts of the 2024 Dominican Summer League, and on the backfields this spring, he’s looked like a prime breakout candidate. There’s little question about the offensive force Morales can one day become, but he’s increased his chances to stick at shortstop, as well. So far, he’s shown strong instincts and quickness and decent enough range to give himself a longer leash at the position. If he can keep his growing body lean and lithe, he might defy the odds. If not, his offense, which should produce power and hittability in equal measure, will easily allow him to profile at the hot corner. Scouts also have raved about the leadership traits Morales has shown on the field during his first action stateside.

Cristian Hernandez, SS, Cubs

Some prospects take longer than others to develop, and it looks like Hernandez—once considered one of Chicago’s elite minor leaguers—might be beginning to bloom. Evaluators have reported a player who’s made hard contact against both velocity and spin while also continuing to show staying power up the middle. Hernandez sports a plus arm at shortstop and has just enough speed and quickness to keep him at the position. He could stand to tighten up the accuracy on some of his throws, but this might be the year Hernandez breaks out and returns to prospect prominence.

Alberto Barriga, C, Diamondbacks

Barriga was mentioned in this space last year as an up-arrow player, and the same is true this spring. The 20-year-old was solid in the Arizona Complex League a season ago and now has shown an increased knack for finding the barrel, resulting in a spate of home runs during minor league spring training. Even so, power is not likely to be a major piece of Barriga’s game. The biggest area of improvement has come behind the plate, where added strength has helped him improve his receiving by allowing him to stick pitches with ease and hold them steady. His throws also show plenty of zip and arrive in time to second like low line drives.

Demetrio Crisantes, 2B, Diamondbacks

The man can hit. Period. He showed it in the Cactus League, where one of his three hits came against future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander. The knock only reinforced the notion that Crisantes is one of the purest hitters in all the minor leagues. In particular, scouts were intrigued by the infielder’s ability to make adjustments from at-bat to at-bat and even pitch to pitch. He should be at least a plus hitter with a chance for solid-average power. Defensively, he could be a fringe-average defender at second base thanks to solid baseball instincts and enough quickness to lead to just enough range at the position.

Jesus Made, SS, Brewers

After one outstanding season in the Dominican Summer League, Made already has had his name whispered as a candidate to be the sport’s No. 1 overall prospect at this time next season. That kind of helium doesn’t come lightly, and he’s spent the spring backing up the hype. The 18-year-old’s body is mature and physical without sacrificing athleticism, and he has the quick hands, sound actions and strong arm to stick at shortstop. At the plate, he has the kind of game that should easily fill all three triple-slash categories. Both of the switch-hitting Made’s swings come with pronounced hitches, but his hands have the speed and strength to deliver the barrel through the zone with the kind of authority rarely seen from players his age. His performance was loud enough this spring to warrant a jump over the Arizona Complex League and earn a ticket directly to Low-A Carolina.

Jacob Bresnahan, LHP, Giants

Bresnahan came to San Francisco last summer in the deal that sent Alex Cobb to Cleveland. At the time, his stuff was a little softer, though his clean delivery and remaining projection hinted at some remaining ceiling. He spent the offseason getting stronger, and the result is a hotter heater that now sits in the low 90s and has peaked at 96 mph. Bresnahan complements his fastball with a kick-changeup with plenty of dive and a slider tweaked to create a sweepier shape. Both offspeed pitches show promise, but each could stand to develop a little more consistency. If he makes that happen, Bresnahan could fit toward the back of a rotation.

Joswa Lugo, SS, Angels

Lugo was the biggest jewel in the Angels’ international class for the period that opened on Jan. 15, 2024. He spent his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League, where he produced an .866 OPS and collected 19 extra-base hits, including five home runs. This spring on the backfields, Lugo has produced some of the loudest contact in his system. Scouts left his games dreaming on a player with sky-high offensive potential who already has a case for the highest upside in the entire organization. His swing is quick, powerful and shows the malleability to manipulate the barrel up and down the strike zone. There are some struggles with spin, as would be expected from a player who will spent all year as an 18-year-old. Lugo is also a bigger-framed player who does not look likely to stick at shortstop if he gets much bigger. Even so, his bat could be his ticket to a spot in the middle of a big league lineup.

Kyle Karros, 3B, Rockies

Karros is a sneaky good prospect and was one of the stars of a High-A Spokane team that took the Northwest League by storm last summer. His .311/.390/.485 line paced the league in all three triple-slash categories, as did his hits (147), doubles (33), extra-base hits (50) and total bases (229). This spring, he’s looked ready to prove himself in his first test at the upper levels. He’s got the bat speed to catch up to velocity and the savvy to stay back on breaking balls, leading to hard contact against plenty of pitch types. Karros’ also shows sound body control in the field and moves well enough at third base to stick there and eventually lay claim to the position in Denver.

Gerelmi Maldonado, RHP, Giants

Maldonado missed all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery but this spring has reintroduced himself in a big way. He touched triple-digits in San Francisco’s Spring Breakout game and has sat in the upper 90s in starts on the backfields. The big-bodied, high-energy righthander backs his heater with a solid two-plane slider that serves as his primary offspeed weapon. He has a changeup, as well, but the fastball-slider combo is his bread and butter. The Giants will continue to start him, but Maldonado could move quickly as a reliever.

Fun couple of innings from #Giants righthander Gerelmi Maldonado, who touched 99. Check it out. pic.twitter.com/aixF2lshf3

— Josh Norris 🐻 (@jnorris427) March 28, 2025

Angel Genao, SS, Guardians

Genao’s pro career has gone through plenty of ups and downs in the past few seasons. In 2022, he was one of the best prospects in the Arizona Complex League, but his chance at an encore performance was muted by knee surgery that ticked his tools down across the board. He bounced back in a big way in 2024, putting together one of the finest seasons by anyone in the lower levels of the minor leagues. Now, as he embarks on his first upper-level test, Genao’s game looks like it has advanced further. He’s doing a better job at the plate picking out pitches to damage and now looks like a pure hitter potentially capable of plus power. He’s retained his athleticism while adding strength and now gets on top of his throws better, which should up his chances to stick at shortstop.

JJ Wetherholt, SS, Cardinals

The Cardinals scored a coup when Wetherholt fell to them in the first round of last year’s draft. The West Virginia alum isn’t the most tooled-up prospect in the game, but he’s certainly among the most skilled-up. If he sticks at shortstop, he should be near-average at the position. In the batter’s box, Wetherholt is a pure hitter with a swing geared toward shooting line drives from gap to gap and could eventually produce plus hittability. He might also be good for roughly 15 home runs a year, though he’s shown a tendency this spring to get a little too big in an effort to aim for more power. If he sticks within his game, he should be a very valuable player who hits toward the top of a lineup.

Spencer Nivens, OF, Royals

The Royals popped Nivens in the fifth round of the 2023 draft out of Missouri State. After getting his feet wet in his draft year, Nivens blossomed in 2024. The lefty-swinging outfielder finished with 18 doubles, three triples and 21 home runs in a year spent mostly at High-A Quad Cities. On the precipice of his first upper-level test, Nivens spent the spring looking like a player who could back up his gaudy output from a year ago. Scouts believe he could be an above-average hitter who gets to plus numbers at his peak. Combine the hittability with 55-grade power and playable defense in the outfield and you get someone with a chance to reach the big leagues by season’s end.

Kyle Teel, C, White Sox

There’s little doubt that the White Sox received an outstanding return from the Red Sox when they shipped lefty Garrett Crochet east. Teel was one of the centerpieces of the deal, and he looks like he could be close to alleviating Chicago’s massive problems behind the plate. The Virginia alum is an offensive-minded player to be sure, but he has the stroke to hit for both average and power in near-equal portions. Teel is a serviceable catcher with a strong arm who should stick behind the dish. He also is a fringe-average runner, which makes him a flyer for his position. He and fellow trade acquisition Edgar Quero will duke it out at Triple-A Charlotte for the right to suit up behind the plate on the south side for the next decade.

Josue De Paula, OF, Dodgers

Make no mistake, De Paula can mash. The 19-year-old’s power potential hasn’t shown up in games quite yet, but scouts do not doubt it will one day reach prodigious heights. De Paula is big and physical and has a superlative understanding of the strike zone that belies his youth. He makes outstanding swing decisions, easily handles both velocity and spin and is adept at picking the correct pitches to attack. All those traits, plus his physical frame, mean he’s likely to show more and more thump as he matures. De Paula will never likely be better than below-average in the outfield and may one day have to move to first base, but his bat will profile anywhere on the diamond.

Braylon Doughty, RHP, Guardians

The Guardians landed a herd of talented prep arms in the 2024 draft, and Doughty was one of the contenders for the biggest prize of the group. The second-rounder out of high school in California showed well this spring thanks to a combination of tools and polish. He worked with a fastball in the low-to-mid 90s and backed it with a curveball and changeup that have a chance to settle in the 50- or 55-grade range. Scouts were also impressed by Doughty’s pitchability and his feel to land his stuff in the strike zone or bury it for chases.

Michael Arroyo, 2B, Mariners

The Everett AquaSox will begin the year with one of the most talented rosters in the minor leagues. Arroyo will be one of the centerpieces of a group that also includes infielder Colt Emerson, outfielder Lazaro Montes and switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje. Arroyo’s bat might be the purest of the group. His shorter body and levers allow him a swing with fewer holes than most and help him deliver the barrel on time even when facing premium velocity. He’s strong, athletic and surprisingly quick for a player of his build, though he’ll have to work to maintain that body composition as he matures. For now, he’s got the skills to be one of the best hitters in the minors and could one day produce both hittability and power that are better than MLB average.

And some sweet swingage from #Mariners prospect Michael Arroyo. pic.twitter.com/fHvhvclV3a

— Josh Norris 🐻 (@jnorris427) March 26, 2025

More Names To Keep An Eye On

— Marlins RHP Jake Faherty, the team’s eighth-rounder out of Arkansas in 2024, has brought his sinker up to 100 mph this spring. The pitch has solid life through the zone, but his slider and overall strike-throwing ability will need to improve.

— The Dodgers might have scored again in the draft with Cal Poly lefty Jakob Wright, whom they selected in the third round in 2024. The southpaw works with an intriguing pitch mix that includes a mid-90s fastball, as well as a slider, cutter, curveball and changeup. The last pitch is the key to his future. If he can show its best version more often, he’ll have a puncher’s chance at remaining a starter.

— Guardians OF Jaison Chourio appears to have gotten stronger over the offseason, meaning it’s more likely he moves off center field. Even so, he’s retained his outstanding sense of the strike zone and now is equipped to do more damage. If that prediction comes true, he’ll have a better chance of being a prototype offensive player for a corner-outfield spot.

— Cubs righthander JP Wheat—the team’s sixth-rounder from 2022 who had Tommy John surgery and didn’t make his pro debut until last season—has retained his high-end velocity and is touching 100 mph with his fastball once again.

— Tigers catcher Thayron Liranzo has long been known as an offensive-minded backstop with the potential for big-time juice from both sides of the plate, especially if he can become a hair more selective. Now, it’s looking more and more likely that he’ll stick behind the plate, too. Multiple scouts reported a player who was less noticeable—in a good way—behind the dish this spring.

— Phillies reliever Alex McFarlane missed the 2024 season with Tommy John surgery but has emerged from his recovery process as sharp as ever. The Miami alum’s sinker has returned to its previous mid-90s velocity, and his slider flashes the makings of a potentially-plus weapon. McFarlane has previously shown a nasty split-changeup, but it was rarely used in the early days of spring training.

— Brewers infielder Josh Adamczewski won’t get the hype of his fellow infielders with Low-A Carolina, but his output this spring makes him a player with monitoring. The 2023 15th-rounder and Indiana prep product has shown potentially-average defense at second base, as well as a knack for hanging in there while turning double plays. His hack is aggressive and slightly uphill, but he makes sound swing decisions and does all the right things on the diamond.

— The Guardians have a plethora of interesting players on their backfields, but 18-year-old Jonathan Martinez is quietly making a name for himself. The switch-hitter produced on-base percentages of better than .400 at both complex league stops over the past two seasons, and evaluators this spring were intrigued by his twitchy athleticism and standout range at shortstop. Moreover, Martinez does an excellent job finding the barrel and letting the ball naturally jump off his bat. Martinez has plenty of remaining projection and is a double-plus runner for now.

— D-backs RHP Yordin Chalas has long been known for his loose, live arm that produces mid-90s velocity and slicing sliders. Now, though, he’s begun flashing a high-80s changeup with solid drop and fade. If he turns those flashes into more consistent results, he’ll greatly increase his chances to stick as a starter.

— Cubs infielder Ronny Cruz has opened evaluators’ eyes with a swing geared for line drives and a knack for hard contact. He’s a bit too aggressive now, especially against spin, but his swing stays on plane and he does a good job keeping his hands inside the ball and being on time against velocity. With strength gains, he could get to plus raw power. Defensively, Cruz is a solid defender with impressive instincts at both shortstop and second base, though his fringy arm could push him to the right side of the infield as he moves up the ladder.