The Top 15 Prospect Series: The AL East.
As the season draws closer & closer, it's time to give you an overview of the best prospects within each franchise, starting off with every team in the AL East.
The Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox’ future could be extremely bright. They have arguably five or six prospects that have great potential, and this is after they traded away Kyle Teel & Braden Montgomery. This lands the Red Sox on the number one spot in the AL East.
1. Roman Anthony: 20, CF (AA/AAA)
Despite Kristian Campbell’s surge to stardom, Anthony still remains the number one prospect on my list. He played 119 games between AA & AAA and finished the season with a .291/.396/.498 slash line, hit 18 HR & stole 21 bases. His 14.6% BB% in combination with his considerably low 23.5% K% is very impressive. At only 20 years old, Anthony has shown us he’s got all the tools to eventually be a potential star at the MLB level. I expect Anthony to start at AAA to start the season, but is likely going to be called up at some point.
2. Kristian Campbell: 22, 2B/SS/OF (A+/AA/AAA)
Kristian Campbell’s 2024 was the definition of a breakout year. He played 115 games split between A+, AA and AAA and finished the season with an insane .330/.439/.558 slash line, hit 20 HR & stole 24 bases. His BABIP of .395 has undoubtedly inflated his numbers, and I would expect some form of regression in the future. There’s doubts about his defensive qualities but they should be enough to make him an average fielder at the MLB level. He’s got the potential to be an above average infielder or corner outfielder in the future.
3. Marcelo Mayer: 22, SS (AA)
Marcelo Mayer is still considered an elite prospect, but his injuries & previous struggles have knocked him down just a little bit in my eyes. However, 2024 was a fantastic year for Mayer: He played 77 games at AA and finished the season with a .307/.370/.480 slash line, hit 8 HR & stole 13 bases. Smooth swing and hands, but his swing & miss in combination with his injury struggles worries me. You could argue Mayer is one of the more overrated prospects out there. He still has a lot to prove going into 2025, especially considering the extremely high stock he still has. I’m a fan, but let’s see it at AAA!
4. Mikey Romero: 20, SS (A+/AA)
Mikey Romero remains one of the most underrated prospects in the system. He played 78 games split between A+ & AA, finishing the season with a .271/.312/.509 slash line and 16 HR. Despite his smaller frame, Romero’s (pull) power can’t be underestimated. He’s an above average fielder with very quick hands and could be a real competitor for Mayer’s SS spot, despite some believing his lack of arm strength will move him over to second. He needs to work on his discipline & getting on base, as his 5% BB% is probably not translating well to the MLB level. But at only 20, Romero’s talent is undeniable.
5. Jedixson Paez: 20, SP (A/A+)
Jedixson Paez is a lot higher here than you will see him anywhere else. At only 20 years old, Paez split time between A & A+, pitching to a 3.17 ERA in 96.2 innings, 64 of which were in A+. His 29% K% and insane 3.1% BB% make him an incredibly intriguing prospect. His fastball sits 90-92, with a 75-79 curveball & 81-83 MPH changeup, which isn’t super impressive. However, Paez has added 7 MPH onto his fastball since 2021, and his low arm slot adds a ton of deception to his pitches. With elite command already, Paez’s development is one every Red Sox fan must follow.
6. Franklin Arias: 19, SS (CPX/A)
Franklin Arias played 87 games split between the CPX & Single-A, and finished the season with a .309/.409/.487 slash line, hit 9 HR & stole 35 bases. Arias is one of the best defenders at short and combines this with solid bat-to-ball skills, with some more power likely to come in the future. His Single-A numbers (.257/.331/.371 & only 5 SB in 36 games compared to 30 in 51 games at the CPX level) aren’t overly impressive, but Arias’ 17.5% K% & 9.6% BB% are impressive for a kid at that level. His profile reminds me a lot of Rafaela, albeit with a better bat & slightly worse defensive skills.
7. Jhostynxon Garcia: 22, OF (A/A+/AA)
If you read my previous article on Garcia, you know: I’m a fan. Garcia had a fantastic 2024, played 107 games and finished the season with a .286/.356/.536 slash line, 23 HR & 17 SB. His best stint came at A+ in which he utilized his plus power in combination with heavily pulling the baseball, resulting in a .627 SLG%.. Just like Romero, Garcia tends to be over-aggressive, which is a hole in his game. He’s an above average defender with plus speed & a strong arm, but is likely to end up in a corner in the future. He has put on a lot of muscle and weight already which will undoubtedly impact his range. Either way, Garcia is a fantastic prospect.
8. Yoellin Cespedes: 18, SS (DSL/CPX)
It’s always hard ranking highly touted prospects that only played DSL & CPX-ball. MLB has Cespedes at 5, but I can’t justify it. He only played 25 games in 2024 to a .319/.400/.615 slash line, hit 5 HR & stole 3 bases. But again, that’s 25 games of rookie ball. His 53.4% Pull% tells me he generates most of his power from a pull-heavy approach, although you’d assume he fills out a little more as he matures. He’s an average defender & runner at most and probbaly won’t stick at short, so I’m not fully on board the hype train just yet.
9. Luis Perales: 21, SP (A+/AA)
Perales would’ve been a lot higher on this list if it wasn’t for his TJ surgery that halted his season. He only pitched 33.2 innings, but did so to a fantastic 2.94 ERA with a 38.9% K% & 8.3% BB%. His pitch mix consists of a mid-90’s fastball that touches 99 regularly, a mid 80’s slider and a changeup that eventually became a splitter in the 86-90 MPH range. His control is still a in question, and his layoff is unlikely to help. We probably won’t see him pitch in 2025, but his raw stuff is fantastic.
10. Allan Castro: 21, OF (A+/AA)
Allan Castro’s 2024 wasn’t great. He played 123 games across A+ & AA and finished the season with a .229/.343/.400 slash line, hit 15 HR & stole 17 bases. He’s a switch-hitter, but his average has been going down & his K% up as he’s going up through the levels. His above-average eye & discipline, in combination with his power make him an interesting prospect. In my eyes, he’s a solid defender, but nothing more than that. His profile is interesting, but holds a lot of risk at the same time. His .180 BA & .230 SLG through his 28-game stretch at AA is a rightful reason to worry.
11. Justin Gonzalez: 18, 1B (DSL)
Despite only playing in the hyper-inflated DSL, Justin Gonzalez is my number 11 prospect. At 6’4”, 210 pounds, he’s everything you’d expect from your prototypical first baseman. He played 47 games in the DSL to a .320/.391/.517 slash line, hit 5 HR & stole 8 bases. What I particularly like about Gonzalez is the low K% - a 10.4% K% outperforms the likes of Robert Calaz, all while putting down very similar numbers & receiving a fraction of the hype. His 9.4% BB% shows his reasonably advanced discipline, although he’d need to prove it once he plays in the States. Either way, Gonzalez is one of my favourite under-the-radar prospects out there.
12. Jojo Ingrassia: 22, SP (A)
Jojo Ingrassia is a flip-a-coin prospect. Originally a reliever, the Red Sox stretched him out to be a starter from May onwards & he dominated, finishing the season with 58.1 IP, a 1.85 ERA, 39.6% K%, 8.5% BB% & a 0.99 WHIP. His 3-pitch mix includes a fastball that sits 91-93, a low-80’s slider & mid-80’s changeup. What makes Ingrassia special is his delivery, which creates a ton of deception due to his low arm slot, easily creating a crossfire-like delivery. Main question for Ingrassia is whether or not he will be able to handle a starter’s workload: His season ended early after his 12-game stretch of starting after struggling with elbow inflammation.
13. Miguel Bleis: 20, OF (A/A+)
Miguel Bleis’ 2024 wasn’t the best & I’m starting to worry. He played 95 games across both levels to a .220/.303/.324 slash line, hit 11 HR & stole 38 bases. Bleis is a scout’s darling according to the reports, but I’m currently struggling to see it. He hit .190 & had a sub-.600 OPS in his 52-game strech at A+ and hasn’t displayed any of his ‘well above average’ raw power he’s supposed to hold. He’s also quite injury prone, which might affect his future running game in the future. He’s young & an above average defender, but the holes in his hitting profile are at least worrying.
14. Juan Valera: 18, SP (CPX/A)
Juan Valera’s 2024 was a nice first impression to say the least. He pitched 63 innings to a 1.99 ERA with a 27.9% K%, 11.5% BB% & 0.85 WHIP. What especially stands out is the BAA against of .123 (!) across this stretch. Valera throws a mid-90’s fastball, a 82-85 MPH slider with good movement & high-80’s cutter. His changeup doesn’t look like a pitch ready to be used regularly at the moment, but Valera’s potential is immense. At 6’3”, 205, it’s possible he adds more velocity to his fastball. His 56.6% GB% makes him one of the best ground-ball pitchers in the minors & he’s a must-follow in 2025.
15. Johanfran Garcia: 20, C (A)
Johanfran Garcia unfortunately sustained a pretty nasty knee injury which dropped him down this list. His 14-game stretch was a hot one (.385/.467/.596) but it’s obviously way too small a sample to hold much value. Garcia’s 2023 numbers at A weren’t nearly as good (.203/.279/.305) but his short stint in 2024 is a step in the right direction. He does struggle with some swing-and-miss issues which will be something to monitor in the future. His arm is definitely a plus tool & he could eventually become a solid catching prospect. However, I’m not too optimistic considering the severity of his knee injury in combination with the position he plays.
The Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have truly established themselves as one of the best developers of talent in the MLB, and this is now being reflected in their farm system. It’s not just deep, the profiles of the players clearly fit the Rays’ developmental strategies, making them even more intriguing.
1. Carson Williams: 21, SS (AA)
Carson Williams’ 2024 showed us exactly what type of player he’s likely going to be, as it builds perfectly on his 2023 numbers. He played 115 games to a .256/.352/.469 slash line, hit 20 home runs & stole 33 bases. He decreased his 2023 strikeout rate by 3% while maintaining the same walk rate, showing improvement in his game. He’s the perfect package for shortstop & you could compare his ceiling with someone like Francisco Lindor - an elite defender with considerable power & pop that’s going to hit for league average.
2. Aidan Smith: 19, OF (A)
Smith was part of the Arozarena trade that moved him from Seattle to Tampa and he could turn out to be a fantastic addition to their farm. He played 97 games to a .288/.401/.473 slash line, hit 11 HR and stole 41 bases. He could be a real, five-tool outfielder if everything clicks & could add more power to his frame. He draws plenty of walks & doesn’t strike out at an alarming rate, but A+ & above will be where we can really asses just how talented this young man is. His defensive skill set is well-rounded with a very strong arm. Sky is the limit on his potential.
3. Chandler SImpson: 23, OF (A+/AA)
Chandler SImpson put together the best contact/speed season in MiLB history & it’s not even close. He played 110 games to a .355/.410/.397 slash line, hit one home run but stole 104(!) bases. Last player that stole 100 bases & hit over .350 was…Exactly, no one. Simpson’s contact skills are off the charts, striking out less than 10% of the time and hold a BB/K rate over 1.00. Ideally, he adds a little more pop, although I don’t believe this is necessary. He’s becoming an elite defender in CF, and I believe his combination of contact skills & speed could make him a feared leadoff hitter in the future, maybe even as soon as 2025.
4. Yoniel Curet: 22, SP (A+/AA)
Curet is one of the most undervalued prospect in the Rays farm. He pitched 119 innings to a 2.95 ERA with a 31.5% K%, 11.9% BB%, 1.20 WHIP & kept opponent to a .194 BAA. He works with a plus-plus fastball that sits in the mid-90’s and a strong slider and, has recently added a changeup to his arsenal. He decreased his BB% from 16.9% in 23’, which was the main issue in his path to being a full-time starter. His numbers over the last two years are insanely impressive, and the fact his command is trending the right way is an even better sign. The Rays know how to develop a pitcher, and Curet might be next in line.
5. Tre’ Morgan: 22, 1B (A/A+/AA)
Tre’ Morgan is an atypical first base prospect. Not his power, but his fantastic bat-to-ball skills, elite defense & above average speed define him. He played 100 games to a .324/.408/.483 slash line, hit 10 home runs & stole 20 bases. Despite the initial idea that he lacked true power, his 10 home runs are a promising sign. His stint at AA wasn’t as successful, but a 21 game stretch isn’t indicative of future success. Besides that, his skill set is one that is likely to translate well to any level he plays at, even if he struggles initially. Morgan’s bat & defense alone could turn him into an everyday player at the MLB level if he can perform at the higher levels.
6. Xavier Isaac: 21, 1B (A+/AA)
Isaac played 102 games to a .264/.370/.480 slash line, hit 18 home runs & stole 15 bases, which looks fantastic on the surface (and it is). Isaac’s power is off the charts & is believed to be some of the best in the minor leagues, which he combines with good plate discipline. However, Isaac’s red flag is the increasing swing & miss as he rises through the levels. He struck out at a 30% clip at A+ and a 40% one at AA. Isaac’s open stance & longer swing make him susceptible to a lot of swing & miss, something he will need to figure out in the future. In reality, Isaac’s ceiling is a lot higher than Tre’ Morgan’s, but the floor is a lot lower too. In reality, you could swap these two around in whatever order you personally believe is correct.
7. Brayden Taylor: 22, 3B (A+/AA)
Taylor played 114 games to a .250/365/.493 slash line, hit 20 home runs & stole 29 bases. He’s a very well-rounded player, especially praised for his defensive tools at the hot corner. His approach is advanced and well above average, but his bat-to-ball skills need work as he progresses up the levels. Taylor’s K% skyrocketed to 36.8% during his 30 game stint at AA, a 12% increase compared to A+. His power & defense will play at any level, but it’s unlikely he hits a lot higher than league average, despite being praised as a fantastic contact hitter in the early scouting reports.
8. Cooper Kinney: 21, 2B (A+)
Kinney was on a lot of people’s radar after his stellar 2023, and he continued to perform in 2024. He played 87 games to a .289/.352/.494 slash line, hit 10 home runs & stole 6 bases. Kinney’s profile is mainly focussed around his bat, although his defense has considerably improved compared to previous seasons. His approach is mature enough to carry him through the minors, but the combination of the two will be the only tools can rely on. Kinney is a below-average runner & doesn’t have a strong arm, so the pressure will remain on his bat as he progresses.
9. Gary Gill Hill: 20, SP (A)
Gill Hill is one of the more higher regarded pitching prospects, and for good reason. He pitched 108.2 innings to a 3.15 ERA, 24.2% K%, 6.2% BB%, 1.11 WHIP and had a 48% GB%. He’s developing a solid 5-pitch mix including a 92-96 fastball-sinker combo, slider, changeup & cutter. His slider is his best pitch, while his sinker generates a ton of ground balls. Command was believed to be an issue, but he decreased his BB% from 9.9 to 6.2%, which is a good initial start. Opponents still hit .233 against him, as locating them is the next step towards success. His frame remains projectable & he could become an absolute unit on the mound.
10. Brailer Guerrero: 18, OF (CPX)
Brailer Guerrero is one of the more hyped prospects out of last years’ international class, and he’s shown us flashes of why. He played 28 games to a .330/.452.466 slash line, hit 2 home runs & stole 13 bases. Guerrero’s 17.5% BB% & 25.4% K% are hard to value due to the small sample size & level he plays at, but he’s definitely a raw diamond. His swing is smooth but explosive from the left side, but there’s still a lot of questions surrounding the kid. He’s been struggling with a shoulder injury and I’m still undecided on most of his other tools outside of hitting. He could fly up the ranks throughout 2025 as he makes his professional debut.
11. Santiago Suarez: 19, SP (A)
Suarez quickly emerged onto people’s radar as he pitched professionally at 18 and did so with tremendous success. This trend mostly continued into 2024: He pitched 111.2 innings to a 4.11 ERA, 25.7% K%, 4.7% BB%, and 1.11 WHIP. He uses a solid 4-pitch mix with a 91-94 MPH fastball, although none of his pitches are real standouts at this point, making his future slightly harder to predict. His command might become the staple of his profile as Suarez progresses to the higher levels. Overall, he’s a vey well-rounded prospect that could probably become a back-end starter if everything clicks.
12. Dominic Keegan: 24, C (AA)
Keegan played 104 games and finished the season with a .284/.371/.435 slash line and hit 9 home runs and his offensive profile is incredibly well-rounded, combining contact & power effortlessly. Keegan’s main concern was his defensive work behind the dish, but this has improved drastically over the past few years, throwing out over 50% of runners in 2023. At 24 years old, Keegan’s time is coming up & I wouldn’t be suprised to see him at the majors at some point in the 2025 season.
13. Theo Gillen: 19, OF (A)
Gillen was the Rays’ first round pick and was one of the best bats available in the 2024 draft. He missed a lot of time with varying injuries which have severely impacted the available data we have from him. He needed shoulder surgery as a sophomore and sustained another heavy knee injury as a junior. His professional debut wasn’t impressive, but Gillen only played 8 games to a .154/.353.192 slash line, but you shouldn’t value these numbers all too much. He’s supposed to be an extremely well-rounded hitter with a feel for delivering power to all fields while being an above average runner on the bases. His defensive home is still in question, although the Rays have said they want to play him in center. 2025 will give us more information on what we can expect from the highly touted draft prospect.
14. Jackson Baumeister: 22, SP (A+)
Baumeister’s season had two sides to it: Before he got traded to Tampa, he pitched 70 innings to a 3.06 ERA but walked 14% of batters he faced. After the trade, he pitched 29 innings to a 1.24 ERA, decreased his BB% to 4% and improved his K% from 29.5% to 41%. Rays pitching lab in action once again. His two main pitches are his mid-90’s fastball & 72-75 curveball, although he’s trying to mix in a cutter & changeup as well. His 6’4”, 225 lbs frame is perfectly suited to a role as a starter, and with the command issues (partly) in the rear-view mirror, he could rise up the ranks in 2025.
15. Dylan Lesko: 21, SP (A+)
Lesko’s story is simple. He got TJ surgery and has struggled with commanding his pitches ever since. When the Padres had the pair of Snelling & Lesko, it was always believed Lesko’s stuff had the upper hand. However, his near-7.00 ERA and absurdly high BB% of 19.2% is an issue that’s been persistent since the start of 2023. His fastball, changeup & curveball are all plus offerings but are worthless when you can’t locate them. If he were with any other organization, he wouldn’t have made this list. But I’m giving him one final shot on the Rays in 2025. If they can make him click, they have themselves a potential Top 50 prospect.
The Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles system has seen a lot of graduations recently, taking away some of it’s depth below the MLB level. They’re notoriously good at finding international prospects, but it’s not the same, incredibly deep system we saw in previous years. The lack of data on their DSL prospects makes it even harder to judge.
1. Samuel Basallo: 20, C/1B (AA/AAA)
No surprise to see Basallo at 1. The 20-year old split time between AA & AAA and finished the season with a .278/.341/.449 slash line, hit 19 home runs & stole 10 bases. His AAA numbers aren’t that impressive, but that’s to be expected at that level. Basallo is a well-rounded hitter that makes contact consistently & hard without striking out too much & has good discipline to go with it. His catching has improved but most seem to believe he will eventually wind up at first base with Adley Rutschman at the MLB level. Give the kid time & he can absolutely develop into an MLB star.
2. Elvin Gacia: 17, 3B/SS (DSL)
Elvin Garcia is one of the most promising power-oriented hitters in an otherwise quite ‘short & tiny’ Orioles system. At 6’2”, 165, Garcia has an insanely projectable frame and is an intriguing switch-hitting prospect. He played 36 games to a .294/.439/.509 slash line, hit one home run & stole 12 bases. What makes Garcia stand out is his considerably ‘low’ BABIP of .369 (for the level) and BB/K ratio of 1.08. From the little tape I found, Garcia has a smooth swing from both sides & has solid hands at short. His footwork & coordination still need work to make him an above-average defender, but the talent is certainly there, and he’s a must-watch when he makes his pro debut in 2025.
3. Enrique Bradfield Jr.: 23, OF (A+/AA)
Bradfield Jr. is known as one of the fastest players in the minors and that’s what he’s all about. He played 108 games to a .272/.358/.371 slash line, hit 4 home runs & stole 74 bases. He is getting older & is still playing at the lower tiers of the minors. He’s a pure contact hitter, although his hit tool isn’t spectacular. His 10.7% BB% & 15.4% K% allow him to get on base as much as possible, where he does most of his damage. He’s an elite defender with a decent arm, but likely needs to make a step forward in 2025. Just like Simpson, Bradfield Jr. is a potential demon in the leadoff spot, and most of his skills should translate extermely well to the higher levels.
4. Elis Cuevas: 20, UTL (CPX/A)
Elis Cuevas is another prospect in the Orioles system that’s mainly built on speed & contact. He played 76 games to a .260.382/.408 slash line, hit 8 home runs & stole 47 bases. Cuevas has above average plate discipline & strikezone understanding, allowing him to get on base at such a high rate. His swing is quick & explosive from the left side and helps him tapping into pul-side power. He’s likely to fill out a little bit more and could eventually hit 10-15 HR/season, although his defensive home is still up in the air. Cuevas has played at nearly every position in 2024 & isn’t a plus defender at any of them, which could hamper his route to the MLB in the future.
5. Creed Willems: 21, C/1B (A+/AA)
Willems lost some of his stock due to his struggles in 2023, but made solid improvements, played 98 games in 2024 and finished the season with a .243/.322/.462 slash line and hit 18 home runs. He has lowered his K% from 27% to 20% which has helped him get on base more regularly. His best tools are his raw power & arm strength behind the dish. He spent some time at first, but I think his future is still at catcher. Willems has the classic less contact, more power combination we see from catcher and he could be a solid MLB-level player if he can manage the swing & miss at the higher levels.
6. Dylan Beavers: 23, OF (AA/AAA)
Dylan Beavers’ 2024 was quite the step down from his fantastic 2023 season, but he still performed well. Across 125 games, Beavers played to a .242/.342/.408 slash line & 15 HR & 31 stolen bases. All of his tools are plus, although I am a little worried about his bat-to-ball skills. In only a 6-game sample at AAA, Beavers struck out 45.5% of the time. Other than that, he’s a plus defender with a strong arm, plus power & good plate discipline. He could eventually feature at the MLB level at some point in 2025, depending on how he does early on.
7. Vance Honeycutt: 21, OF (A/A+)
Vance Honeycutt is a lot lower on my list than most. His college numbers are obviously fantastic, but has already shown, at the college level, that he’s susceptible to the strikeout. And this has continued into his short stint in the minors. His frame, potential plus power & above average defensive tools will remain useless if he can’t make contact consistently. He’s a draft prospect I’m lower on than most, and I’m interested to see how he does in 2025.
8. Felix Amparo: 18, SS (DSL)
Amparo is another international signing from the Orioles and everything he does relies on his bat-to-ball skills, defense & speed. Amparo’s DSL slash line of .313/383/.503 with 6 HR & 24 SB is good, but his improvement over a single year are what stands out. Ampara cut down his K% to a mere 8.2% over 50 games & looks to have profiled himself as a strong bat-to-ball hitter with decent pop & above average defensive tools. Don’t forget that you have to take these numbers with a grain of salt, and Amparo’s real test starts in 2025 when he likely makes his minor-league debut.
9. Luis De León: 21, SP (A/A+)
De León’s season was one of two tales: He started off really well at Single-A, pitching 28 innings to a 2.25 ERA with a 35% K% & 6% BB%, 0.96 WHIP and kept opponents to a .187 BAA. He got promoted to High-A and quite honestly, the wheels fell off. His K% went down by 14%, his BB% doubled & this made for a very ugly second half of the season. Overall, De León has the making of a future starter: 6’3” & 168 lbs, he throws a mid 90’s fastball, a devestating slider & sharp changeup. He could add a couple extra ticks to his fastball as he fills out, but all three pitches are plus already. He has mid-rotation potential, but the bullpen will end up being his home if he can’t figure out the command issues.
10. Austin Overn: 21, OF (A/A+)
Overn was the Orioles’ 3rd round pick and has impressed in 21 games, playing to a .280/.398/.467 slash line, hit a home run & stole 16(!) bases. Overn tries getting on base in whatever way possible in order to do damage there. He’s the 2024 version of Enrique Bradfield Jr., although Bradfield’s defense & arm are likely still a tick above Overn’s. His approach is centered around getting on base to do damage there, and this could make Overn one of the more interesting prospects out there, with a defensive-minded centerfield role potentially his home in the future.
11. Ethan Anderson: 20, C/1B (A/A+)
Anderson was picked before Overn in the 2024 draft & is right behind him in terms of potential quality. He played 20 games to a .288/.361/.438 slash line, hit a home run & stole 6 bases. As a switch-hitter, Anderson makes contact consistently from both sides of the plate & has shown off some impressive discipline in the short time we’ve seen him. He runs pretty well, but is likely to stop stealing sooner rather than later, with his power & bat being his primary tool. With the depth Baltimore have at catcher, I don’t believe Anderson will stick there considering he’s not a polished defender.
12. Stiven Martinez: 17, OF (DSL)
Martinez is rated very highly by MLB themselves, but there’s some massive red flags to his profile. He played 41 games to a .278/.417/466 slash line, hit 4 home runs & stole two bases. Worrying is the considerably low BA of .278, high BABIP of .413 & incredibly high K% of 30.4%. It’s not hard to understand why scouts love him - at only 17, Martinez’s 6’4”, 198lbs frame screams projectable power. He’s young & could develop into a fantastic power-hitter, but I’m not fully on board just yet. His plus arm strength is a great asset & could develop into a plus-plus tool, although his range will likely have him end up in a corner outfield spot.
13. Yeiber Cartaya: 21, SP (A)
Cartaya is a very raw, but very projectable prospect. He pitched 64 innings to a 2.92 ERA, but his Single-A numbers are the ones that stand out. He pitched 24 innings to a 1.11 ERA, 29.2% K%, 10.4% BB% & 1.11 WHIP, keeping opponents to a .174 BAA. He has a solid pitch mix, but will need to work on control. His 10.4% BB% is a near 6% increase on what he was averaging before, but he’ll need to keep improving in order to stick as a starter. His 6’5”, 165lbs frame makes him extremely projectable as a durable starter, but could also turn him into a flamethrower from the pen. We should get moe data & information on Cartaya throughout the 2025 season.
14. Cameron Weston: 24, SP (A+/AA)
Cameron Weston is one of the most under-the-radar prospects out there but his profile is extremely interesting. Weston pitched 109 innings to a 3.41 ERA with a 28.9% K% & 7.3% BB% and 1.01 WHIP. Weston is incredibly unique, throwing from a very low, sidearm slot which adds fantastic deception to his pitches. Weston throws a two-seamer that sits 90-94, a splitter & a changeup. His splitter & changeup are nasty, presumably returning a Whiff% well over 40%. His StatCast data is going to be interesting, as there isn’t all that much recent info about him.
15. Trey Gibson: 22, SP (A+)
Gibson’s story is nothing short of beautiful. He struggled in college, went undrafted in 2023, eventually got signed by the Orioles and has been working his way up the ladder ever since. He pitched 92 innings to a 3.72 ERA with a 30% K% & 10% BB%, 1.23 WHIP, 58.8% (!) GB% & kept opponent to a .217 BAA. He’s the definition of a future workhorse with his 6’5”, 240 lbs frame & solid 5-pitch mix. His fastball sits mid-90’s, but his curveball & slider are his plus pitches, both returning a whiff% over 40%. His 7 foot extension helps his fastball ever so slightly, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Gibson has a quick rise through the minors if he stays healthy.
The New York Yankees
After trading away the likes of Augustin Ramirez, Abrahan Ramirez, Drew Thorpe and others, the Yankees’ farm has lost a lot of potential quality, with not a real, standout number one prospect. Jasson Dominguez is the only player that’s really an elite prospect, but he won’t be included on this list. The Yankees are also notably slower than most promoting players, with a ton of older prospects still playing lower-level baseball.
1. George Lombard Jr.: 19, SS (A/A+)
It wasn’t easy picking a true number one prospect for the Yankees. Lombard Jr.’s 2024 wasn’t great - he played 110 games to a .231/.338/.334 slash line, hit 5 home runs & stole 39 bases. His well-rounded skill set in the field is what makes him stand out over others in the system. His arm strength, speed & defensive abilities are all plus tools, and his bat still has plenty of time to develop. Let it be clear that he isn’t close to the level of other #1 prospects on this list, but he could eventually become a solid, defensive-minded shortstop in the future.
2. Jesus Rodriguez: 22, C/3B (A+/AA)
Jesus Rodriguez has been one of the few consistent performers in the system, yet doesn’t get any recognition. His 2024 was fantastic once again: He played 79 games to a .302/.375/.481 slash line, hit 10 home runs & stole 9 bases. He hit over .300 in both 2023 & 2024!. Rodriguez never struck out more than 15.9% of the time and has lowered that to 14.7% in 2024, combining this with a 9.9% walk rate and being a very well-rounded hitter. The Yankees have tried him out in multiple position, and it’s unlikely he’s sticking at catcher in the future. Despite his initial struggles at AA this year, Rodriguez is an undervalued prospect going into 2025 with a lot of confidence after his fantastic 2023 & 2024 campaigns.
3. Chase Hampton: 23, SP (A+, AA)
Hampton missed most of 2024 with nagging injuries, but his 2023 numbers are solid. He pitched 106.2 innings to a 3.63 ERA, 33.1% K%, 8.4% BB%, 1.14 WHIP and kept opponents to a .214 BAA. Hampton has a solid pitch mix with a 92-95 fastball, slider, cutter and changeup, with the fastball, slider & cutter all being labeled as plus pitches. His arm angle & release further help him to create even more deception. Despite the injury concerns in 2024, Hampton is still an intriguing pitching prospect with a lot to prove going into 2025.
4. Roderick Arias: 19; SS (A)
Arias came into professional baseball with a lot of hype behind him, but has struggled to deliver so far. He played 124 games to a .233/.335/.393 slash line, hit 13 home runs & stole 37 bases. Arias’s strikeout rate has surpassed the 30% mark, which is a rightful reason for concern, but still walks at a good 12.3% rate. He’s a switch-hitter with considerable pop from both sides, although I believe his primary tool is defense. He’s a good defender with a (very) strong arm which is likely to carry his profile. Arias is promising, but his power-over-hit approach may hurt his value in the long run.
5. Spencer Jones: 22, OF (AA)
Jones played 122 games to a .259/.336/.452 slash line, hit 17 home runs & stole 25 bases. However, there are few holes in his profile that knock him down this list. Jones was already labelled as a strikeout risk in his early career, but saw his K% rise up to 36.8% in 2024, an 8% increase compared to his 2023 campaign. His power has been on display multiple times, but Jones struggles truly tapping into it fully throughout the season, which will further limit his future value. He’s an above average runner with solid defense & arm, but will need to improve his bat-to-ball skills to make it in pro ball.
6. Jackson Castillo: 21, OF (A/A+)
Jackson Castillo is yet another Yankees prospect that performs well yet doesn’t get any attention. He played 103 games to a .268/.386/.426 slash line, hit 9 home runs & stole 21 bases. Castillo’s approach is extremely advanced, walking north of 15% throughout his career. However, he has decreased his K% by more than 11%, which suddenly makes his profile a lot more interesting. He has tweaked his swing to make contact more consistently and had a great season overall. At his age, it’s time to make the step up to AA in 2025, and he has Top 100 potential if he replicates this year’s results at the higher levels.
7. Edgleen Perez: 18, C (CPX)
Perez was signed out of Venezuela and quickly showed that his approach was well above average at the DSL level, but he continued to prove this in rookie ball. He played 51 games to a .283/.444/.380 slash line, hit 2 home runs & stole 4 bases. His BB/K ratio of 1.29 is outstanding, and he combines this with a solid arm behind the plate, throwing out 37% of attempted base stealers. His approach, defensive skillset & bat-to-ball skills will likely have to carry his profile, as his 5’10”, 155 frame isn’t going to generate tons of power. His pro debut will tell us a lot more about what type of player he is.
8. Luis Escudero: 18, 2B (DSL)
Luis Escudero COULD be special. He played 44 games to a .287/.450/.418 slash line, hit one home run & stole 26 bases. What makes Escudero stand out is simply his BB/K ratio, even at the DSL level. His BB% of 21.3% (!) & K% of 7.5% (!) result in a BB/K ratio of 2.83, which is the best in the DSL by quite a margin. His BABIP of .309 is low for the level, and he’s going to be a fun prospect to follow. It’s extremely hard to find data and video on him, so it’s hard to fully judge his profile. We’ll need to see Escudero in the CPX to fully judge both his offensive and defensive profile, but his plate discipline & bat-to-ball skills look extremely promising.
9. Emmanuel Tejeda: 20, UTL (CPX/A)
Tejeda proved in rookie ball that he’s an interesting combination of discipline and speed, and continued this trend into 2024. He played 48 games to a .326/.371/.408 slash line, hit 2 home runs & stole 26 bases. His approach, speed & contact skills are what make him stand out. Tejeda has a below average arm & is an average or below-average defender depending on what position he plays. It’s likely he sticks at second base, with his bat being the most captivating factor about his profile. He’s not a special talent, but one to watch.
10. Ben Hess: 22, SP (DRAFT)
Hess was drafted by New York in the 2024 draft as the 26th overall pick and was one of the more intriguing pitching prospects of this draft class. He throws a strong mid-90’s fastball & fantastic curveball, throws a slider that still needs developing but stopped throwing a changeup, which wasn’t as reliable. His 6’5”, 255-pound frame perfectly suits the role of a durable starter, but Hess is going into 2025 without much experience and will still have everything to prove in pro ball. His potential is mid-rotation, but let’s see him pitch in the minors first.
11. Engelth Urena: 20, C/1B (CPX)
Urena played 40 games to a .301/.420/.564 slash line, hit 8 home runs & stole 5 bases. His primary tool is his bat - Urena played a lot of outfield when he was younger, and his defense behind the plate isn’t great. His power could continue to play up at the higher levels due to his 55% pull%, but he will need to avoid rolling over too often. His BB/K of 1.26 is impressive, but he’s older than most in the FCL and generally, still has a lot to prove going into 2025. If he does well, he could fly up this lsit, but it’s hard to fully judge a 20-year old based on CPX numbers.
12. Brock Selvidge: 22, SP (AA)
Brock Selvidge pitched 84 innings to a 4.25 ERA, 22.4% K%, 10.8% BB%, 1.39 WHIP and kept opponent to a .241 BAA. Not as successful as he was in previous seasons. Selvidge struggled to generate ground balls off of his pitches which has impacted his results. His four-pitch mix is solid, with the slider being his real standout pitch. Although the numbers don’t look amazing on face value, his 3.60 FIP indicates his ERA might be slightly inflated. He was only 21 throughout the season at AA, and could turn a lot of heads if he can take his performances up a notch in 2025.
13. Rafael Flores: 23, C/1B (A+/AA)
Rafael Flores played 122 games to a .279/.379/.495 slash line, hit 21 home runs & stole 8 bases. He’s a little old for the levels he played at, but his profile remains intriguing: He’s an above-average defender at first base and has a strong arm behind the dish, although I expect Flores to eventually stick at first base. His approach is advanced, boasting a 13% BB% over his 122-game stretch. His K% has gradually increased up to 26.7% at AA, but shouldn’t be too much of an issue as his bat-to-ball skills are impressive. Overall, Flores is a name to follow in 2025, but will need to prove himself at AA/AAA.
14. Cam Schlittler: 23, SP (A+/AA)
Schlittler had a, on the surface, fantastic 2024. He pitched 120 innings to a 3.36 ERA, 29.8% K%, 10.6% BB%, 1.27 WHIP & kept opponents to a .216 BAA. However, there’s a clear distinction in results between the levels: He did perform really well at A+, spent most of his time there, but his ERA flew up to 4.45 at AA, with his WHIP flying up to 1.55. His overall pitch mix is solid, but the fact he struggled slightly at AA as a 23 year old turning 24 in 4 weeks is worrying. He’s mainly a 3-pitch pitcher, with a 92-95 fastball, a mid-80’s slider & a sharp curveball. Schlittler could still end up being an impact prospect, but will need to perform at the higher levels in 2025.
15. Luis Puello: 18, C/OF (DSL)
And we finish the list with another potential DSL gem. Puello played 37 games to a .361/.439/.516 slash line, hit 4 home runs & stole 3 bases. On the surface, those numbers look impressive! However, scouts have mentioned that his catching skills are extremely rough, which means there will be an even bigger emphasis on his bat as he progresses through the levels. His considerably low BB% of 7.9% & K% of 19.4% make him an intriguing, but worrying prospect at the same time. They’re not in ideal spots for an 18-year old in the DSL, but his move to the CPX & potentially Single-A will tell us a lot about his skillset.
The Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are in a weird spot. Their MLB team isn’t ready to compete, is going to lose both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette after 2025 while having the worst farm system and arguably development history in the AL East. They have added solid prospects to the farm over the last year, but their development remains in question.
1. Trey Yesavage: 21, SP (DRAFT)
Yesavage was drafted by the Blue Jays as the 20th overall pick in the 2024 draft and instantly soared to the number one spot. His primary two pitches are his strong slider/cutter combo, followed by his 93-96 fastball. His splitter and curveball don’t get used nearly as often, but could end up being solid offerings he can lean on in the future. His 6’4”, 225 frame is one of a true starter and most scouts believe he has mid-rotation potential if he stays healthy and keeps his command in check. You won’t see a newly drafted player at 1 in these lists often. If this is because of Yesavage’s talent or the Blue Jays’ farm system is something I’ll leave you to decide.
2. Arjun Nimmala: 19, SS (A)
Nimmala spent most of his time at Single-A, played 82 games and finished the season with a .232/.313/.476 slash line, hit 16 home runs and stole 9 bases. Honestly, this is the most exciting prospect in their farm. He profiles himself as an extreme power-hitter, although he will need to keep his K% in check - 30% is likely not manageable in the future. His discipline is solid, but he does get fooled quite often (and badly) by breaking balls, something he will need to work on in the future. His arm is strong & footwork is solid, but, having made 15 errors at short in 75 games, it’s likely they play around with his position in the future. Overall, Nimmala is a prospect that could hit for a ton of power, but as of now, he’s a raw diamond that still has a lot of refining left.
3. Alan Roden: 25, OF (AA/AAA)
Alan Roden is likely, the first player from this list you will see at the MLB level. He played 125 games to a .293/.391/.475 slash line, hit 16 home runs & stole 14 bases. What makes him stand out is his AAA stint, which he finished with a .314 average and .916 OPS. Roden’s plate discipline & at-bats are extremely disciplined and makes good contact when swinging (83.8% Z-Contact%). He’s a bat-first outfielder that could fit in a corner outfield spot, and with the current state of the Blue Jays lineup, it wouldn’t be unthinkable to play Loperfide in center & Roden in left. He’s proven himself at the highest level possible, and all we can do now is wait for his MLB debut.
4. Kendry Rojas: 22, SP (A+)
Rojas is one of the more exciting pitching prospects in the Blue Jays system. He pitched 55.2 innings to a 2.43 ERA, 27% K%, 5.3% BB%, 1.11 WHIP and kept opponents to a .236 BAA. He’s a very well-rounded pitcher, with a fastball, slider, changeup combo. The fastball & slider are already plus pitches, but the changeup still requires some work, both in command and shape. What makes him even more interesting is the fact he added velocity to all his pitches, and he did so again in 2024, taking his fastball from 91-93 to 92-94. To put this in context: Rojas entered 2022 throwing 88-91.His 6’2”, 190 frame can still fill out a little more and Rojas could be the left-handed pitching prospect Blue Jays fans have been dreaming of for years.
5. Josh Kasevich: 23, SS (AA/AAA)
Despite being a little older, Kasevich remains one of the more MLB-likely prospects when his time comes. He played 128 games to a .296/.348/.385 slash line, hit 6 home runs and stole 13 bases. His 41-game stint at AAA was even better, in which he hit .325 and lifted his OBP over the .380 mark! He’s a contact and defene oriented shortstop, with ridiculously good contact metrics. His Z-Contact% of 96.4% is absurdly high, and he makes contact when he swings 90% of the time. He can play third but is likely to stick at short because of his defensive abilities, and with Bo Bichette likely leaving Toronto after 2025, Kasevich could be the next man in line.
6. Ricky Tiedemann: 22, SP (INJURED)
How do you rank one of the most highly regarded pitching prospects of recent years if he hasn’t pitched more than 61 innings over two years? Well it’s tough. It’s obvious that when Tiedemann is healthy, his stuff is fantastic, and he has the ability to be a frontline starter for the Jays, despite some control and command issues. But he hasn’t pitched more than 78 innings in a single season, underwent TJ surgery and is now recovering. It’s unlikely we see him pitch in 2025, and he will be 24 entering 2026. It’s not just his health, but also the quality he will deliver - Dylan Lesko, a similarly aged pitching prospect and just as talented, has lost all feel for the baseball since coming back from that same surgery. I’m a big Tiedemann fan, but there’s just too much uncertainty at this point. If healthy, Tiedemann would be the number one on this list.
7. Khal Stephen: 22, SP (DRAFT)
Khal Stephen was the Jays’ second round pick in the 2025 draft & further adds depth to a system with quite a few solid pitching prospects. What makes Stephen stand out is his supposed control and feel for all four of his pitches: The fastball, slider, curveball & changeup are all above average offerings that Stephen controls & commands well. Although he won’t blow batters away with extreme velocity, it’s the movement & placement of his pitches that generate whiffs & strikeouts. I will need to see some more from him in the minors to fully be on board, but Stephen’s overall profile is one of a well-rounded starter that could outperform most projections.
8. Charles McAdoo: 22, 3B (AA)
McAdoo was part of the IKF deal that sent him from Pittsburgh to Toronto, and he’s an interesting prospect to say the least. in 2024, he played 124 games to a .279/.364/.479 slash line, hit 17 home runs & stole 21 bases. He was doing extremely well up until his move to Toronto. In 37 games for Toronto’s AA affiliate, McAdoo hit just .185, saw his K% fly up by over 6% and BB% drop by over 2%, contrasting his .269 average & .837 OPS for the Pirates’ AA affiliate. He’s a solid, maybe even above average defender, but I expect his running game to slow down as he climbs the minor-league ladder. McAdoo’s stock took a small hit, but he could fly up this list if he returns back to form in 2025.
9. Andres Arias: 18, OF (DSL)
Arias played 16 games to a .309/.441/.418 slash line and stole two bases - that’s it. Not super-impressive considering it’s the DSL & it was only 16 games. He was the 34th ranked international prospect and his makeup shows why. At 17, Arias’ 6’4”, 180 frame is a sight to behold, and results in tons of potential for both raw power & defensive ability. His arm is already an above-average tool, and it’s going to be extremely interesting to see how he develops as he makes the jump to the CPX in 2025. Profiled as a hitter that can generate both high contact & power rates, Arias could be an absolute gem hidden deep in the farm system. At this moment, there’s just too many unknowns to rank him any higher, but a breakout 2025 could land him on Top 100 lists by the end of the season.
10. Adam Macko: 24, SP (A/AA/AAA)
Macko is one of the more highly regarded pitching prospects in the Blue Jays’ farm system, but lost some of his stock in 2024. He pitched 93 innings to a 4.63 ERA, 26.9% K%, 9% BB%, 1.21 WHIP and kept opponents to a .225 BAA. His FIP of 3.96 indicates his ERA might be a little inflated, but it’s still not the best look for a 24 year old pitcher that mainly pitched at the AA level. His pitches are all solid offerings, with a fastball that can get as high as 94-97 consistently, a sharp curveball and a decent slider. Macko’s down year could be due to some nagging injuries from the previous season, but overall, he’s going to need to improve in 2025 in order to stay inside the Top 10.
11. RJ Schreck: 24, OF (AA)
RJ Schreck’s 2024 was a big upgrade on his 2023, playing 114 games to a .251/.388/.462 slash line in which he hit 17 home runs and stole 13 bases. His standout skill is his plate discipline, resulting in a 15.7% BB%, allowing him to get on base at a near .400 clip. What’s most important for Schreck is how he will perform at the higher levels: He only played 28 games at AA this year as a 23-year old and has already turned 24, so ideally, he makes the step up to AA and AAA in 2025. His power is above average and will have to carry his profile in the future. Despite his potentially elite discipline, it’s hard to rank Schreck any higher due to age/level concerns.
12. Carson Pierce: 22, SP (A/A+)
Pierce started his career as a reliever, but has been stretched out as a starter towards the end of the season and was extremely successful. He pitched a total of 64 innings to a 2.95 ERA, 24.3% K%, 9.6% BB%, 1.23 WHIP and kept opponents to a .218 BAA. Last-known data states that Pierce throws a fastball, curveball and changeup combination, although his velocity has improved since, with his fastball sitting around 92 MPH. It’s hard to fully judge Pierce as he’s a little older for the level and has little data publicly available, but his recent success as a starter makes him an interesting prospect to say the least.
13. Adrian Pinto: 21, 2B (A/A+)
Adrian Pinto is extremely hard to rank, having only played 61 games over the last two years. In 2024, he played 26 games to a .330/.378/.573 slash line, hit 4 home runs and stole two bases. He then went on to play in the AFL and absolutely crushed it there, playing another 25 games to a .274/.392/.357 slash line with a home run and 7 steals. Pinto’s 5’6”, 160 frame isn’t going to generate much power at the higher levels, but he’s proven to be a good runner with solid defensive tools across the board. All that matters is him staying healthy in 2025: Not every player makes the AFL All-Star game, and Pinto’s 2024 numbers indicate a good 2025 season could land him inside the Top 5.
14. Johnny King: 18, SP (DRAFT)
The Jays went pitching-heavy early on and this is evident, but Johnny King might be the best one of the group in the future. The 6’4”, 210 lefty is only 18 years old and that instantly gives you a ton of hope for his future. His fastball sits 91-93 but is likely to improve as he physically matures and he combines it with a fantastic mid-70’s curveball and 82-85 MPH slurve. His delivery still needs work, as it’s likely too explosive to repeat consistently as a starter. However, King’s potential is off the charts if the Blue Jays can successfully help him develop throughout the years, something we haven’t seen them do very often, unfortunately.
15. Juaron Watts-Brown: 22, SP (A/A+)
Juaron Watts-Brown pitched 103 innings to a 4.72 ERA, 28.9% K%, 13.2% BB%, 1.43 WHIP & kept opponents to a .223 BAA. Not very exciting. Under the hood, he has a fantastic slider & changeup that are potentially elite-level pitches, but for now, his focus should be on adding velocity and command. You can have below average velocity if you can locate extremely well, but you can’t have neither one of the two. His 6’3”, 190 lbs frame indicates he COULD add muscle and potential velocity in the future, although this is something that was expected to improve in 2024. His BB% spiked up to 14.8% in A+ which further adds some worry to his developmental process. Having two great pitches is a fantastic start, but he will need to prove in 2025 that he can land them consistently for strikes, otherwise his future might be in middle-inning relief roles.
The AL Central is up next
This article is only the start of the series. By next week, you should see the AL Central up next. These articles take a long time to make and tons of research ,so bare with me as I try to get one per week pushed out! If you want to see some video of each prospect, I will be doing team-specific threads over on X (@LouisAnalysis) where I’ll include a video for each prospect.
Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on the next editions! Thank you for reading and I will see you again next week!
Louis