Scouting Every NL West No. 1 Prospect For 2025

Image credit: Leodalis De Vries (Photo by Bill Mitchell)

As part of the ramp up to the start of the season, Baseball America is going deep on each of the top prospects in the NL West.

Joined by Scott Braun, J.J. Cooper and Geoff Pontes provide analysis for the division’s top prospects, explaining how each respective player climbed to No. 1 in their system, running through their scouting reports and laying out what you should expect in 2025.

Read on below for each Prospect Profile, as well as a podcast combining all five No. 1 prospect breakdowns from the NL West.

More Prospect Profiles

Time Stamps

(0:00) — Roki Saksaki, Dodgers
(9:35) — Bryce Eldridge, Giants
(19:25) — Jordan Lawlar, Diamondbacks
(28:35) — Leodalis De Vries, Padres
(38:20) — Chase Dollander, Rockies

Enjoying our Prospect Profiles? A new one drops each day on our YouTube channel. You can see our Top 30s for each system here.

Roki Sasaki, RHP, Dodgers

Scouting Report: Sasaki, who just turned 23, projects to be a No. 1 starter as long as he stays healthy. In Japan, he boasted an explosive arsenal that rivals any in Major League Baseball. His fastball has sat 96-100 mph with remarkably little effort and jumps on hitters with late explosion. The only source of concern is his health. Sasaki’s velocity dropped last year as he battled arm soreness and he has never pitched more than.

Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants

Scouting Report: Eldridge reached Triple-A in 2024, but he did so after playing just eight games at Double-A Richmond before the Eastern League season ended. He could return to either upper-level affiliate to begin his 2025 season. No matter where he starts, Eldridge has a strong chance to end the year with his first taste of MLB action. When he arrives, he has the ceiling of a middle-order masher and a cornerstone of the Giants’ lineup for years to come.

Jordan Lawlar, SS, Diamondbacks

Scouting Report: Nothing has changed about Lawlar’s long-term upside: He still has the potential to be a cornerstone player for the Diamondbacks. He might have to once again prove he can stay on the field, while other questions have emerged in terms of his long-term position. Lawlar has seen time at third base, and second base and center field are also logical options as well. Whether Lawlar enters 2025 with a reasonable path to big league at-bats remains to be seen, but he figures to push his way into the mix assuming he can stay healthy.

Leodalis De Vries, SS, Padres

Scouting Report: De Vries has the look of a potential high-impact big leaguer. He should begin the 2025 season back with Lake Elsinore but figures to earn an eventual promotion to High-A Fort Wayne. There is no reason for the Padres to rush De Vries through the minors, and his MLB debut year projects to be 2027 with an outside shot at late 2026.

Chase Dollander, RHP, Rockies

Scouting Report: Dollander has the stuff, durability and pitchability of a future No. 2 starter. Despite concerns around his future home park in Denver, he has the ability to be an all-star in time. He will likely begin 2025 at Triple-A Albuquerque, with a legitimate chance at the Rockies rotation at some during the season.