The Top 15 Prospect Series: The AL Central
After the AL East comes the AL Central. Let's dive in to all the exciting prospects that the AL Central has to offer, starting off with the best farm in the division and working our way down.
1. The Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians have the best farm system in the AL Central and one of the best in baseball. They have incredible depth, and this Top 15 doesn’t do it justice.
1. Angel Genao: 20, SS (A/A+)
Angel Genao’s 2024 was fantastic. He played 110 games to a .330/.379/.479 slash line, hit 10 home runs & stole 25 bases. His 15.5% K% and 7.7% BB% further indicate Genao is extremely good at making consistent contact. Despite his more petite frame, Genao delivers pop and could eventually develop into a short, stocky shortstop with solid power in his bat. He’s an above-average defender with a good arm, and overall, he has a very well-rounded profile that’s likely going to play at all minor-league levels. The only thing I expect to regress ever so slightly in the future is his running game.
2. Chase DeLauter: 23, OF (AA/AAA)
The only reason DeLauter isn’t on number 1 is injury concerns. He played 57 games in 2023 and only 39 in 2024, struggling with nagging injuries throughout his young career. However, his 39-game stint was great - he played to a .261/.341/. He hit a 500-slash line, hit eight home runs, and walked nearly as much as he struck out, with a BB/K rate of 0.86. His 12-game stint in the AFL resulted in a .340 average and .985 OPS. DeLauter’s primary tool is hit bat, but his defensive skill set is well-rounded enough to make him a solid defender in the future. He’s a highly talented player, but he hasn’t played over 50% of games in a single season once. If he can stay healthy, there’s a valid chance we will see DeLauter make his debut in 2025.
3. Matt Wilkinson: 22, SP (A/A+)
Matt Wilkinson put down the best numbers across the minors for qualified starting pitchers, yet they won’t appear on most Top 100 or Top 30s. He pitched 118 innings to a 1.90 (!) ERA, 37.6% K%, 8% BB%, and 0.91 WHIP kept opponents to a ridiculous .168 BAA. Wilkinson commands his low-90 fastball extremely well and combines it with a strong slider & curveball, and his arm slot creates even more deception. He’s durable, put together a fantastic season, and is (still) not getting the attention he deserves. All that’s left is the step up to AA baseball. Wilkinson could be an atypical breakout pitcher, with spin & command being his primary skills instead of blasting hitters away with velocity.
4. Travis Bazzana: 22, 2B (A+)
Bazana is an exciting prospect. He crushed it at the NCAA level, but he still has much to prove when entering professional baseball. He played 27 games in 2024 to a .238/.369/.396 slash line, hit three home runs & stole five bases. His 25.4% K% is higher than most expected, but he still got on base at a reasonable rate because of his 13.9% BB%. His swing is compact & quick, but I doubt we will see much of his ‘plus raw power’ on display as he progresses through the levels. He’s a good defender with a weaker arm, which will limit him to second base, and a good runner, although not extremely quick. He’s a great player, but I don’t believe he was the best player available in this year’s class and is slightly overrated as the #1 overall pick.
5. C.J. Kayfus: 23, 1B (A+/AA)
C.J. Kayfus was on quite the run at A+, keeping up with the numbers of MiLB’s top slugger Deyvison De Los Santos, and eventually finished the season with a .291/.393/.511 slash line, hit 17 home runs & stole five bases in 107 games. He developed into a fantastic power hitter at first base, combining this with above-average defense and solid arm strength, allowing him to get playing time in the outfield corners as well. He’s highly disciplined, as shown by his 12.3% BB%, but his 10% increase in K% and 6% drop in Contact% between A+ and AA is worrying and something he will need to work on if he wants to keep tapping into his power at the highest level.
6. Welbyn Francisca: 18, SS (CPX/A)
Francisca has the potential to be number one on this list by the end of 2025. He played 74 games in 2024 to a .326/.411/.474 slash line, hit seven home runs & stole 19 bases. He was the only player in the CPX with a BB/K over 1.00 and a SLG% over .500, making him stand out at that level. His K% took an 8% jump up to 20%, which isn’t unsurprising for an 18-year-old switch-hitter at that level. He’s a plus runner with solid defense and arm strength for a shortstop. The fact he hit seven home runs already at 5’8”, 150 lbs is a good indicator that Francisca could be a 15-20 home run guy once he matures and further has all the skills needed to be a top prospect.
7. Cooper Ingle: 22, C (A+/AA)
Ingle had a fantastic 2024 season, finishing the season with a .305/.419/.478 slash line, hit 11 home runs & stole seven bases in 93 games. Ingle’s standout skills are his bat-to-ball skills & plate discipline, shown by his BB/K ratio of 1.16. He rarely swings and misses, as indicated by his 5.2% SwStr%, and he has a bat I’d consider noteworthy for the position. His catching skills are currently average at best, and he will still need work as he progresses up the levels. Overall, Ingle could become a hit-over-defense catcher similar to someone like Tyler Stephenson.
8. Jaison Chourio: 19, OF (A)
Jackson’s younger, switch-hitting brother burst onto the scene in 2023 and stepped up to Single-A in 2024, playing 98 games to a .269/.414/.398 slash line, hit five home runs & stole 44 bases. Jaison doesn’t have the pop of his older brother in his bat (yet) and is likely to be a different type of player. His 19.9% BB% helps him to get on base and get the best out of his plus-plus speed. He’s a solid defender with good arm strength and currently has all the tools to be a dangerous leadoff hitter. His 6’1”, 160 lbs does have room for more muscle & potential power, but this might come at the cost of his agility & speed.
9. Luis Merejo: 18, 1B (CPX/A)
Luis Merejo is a prospect who burst onto the scene in 2024 despite his good 2023 numbers in the DSL. He played 77 games to a .263/.400/.439 slash line, hit seven home runs & stole 11 bases. Merejo’s discipline & pitch recognition are highly advanced for an 18-year-old kid with a very projectable frame at 6’2”, 185 lbs. His bat & discipline will have to carry him through the minors, with currently average defense at most and the steals likely to dwindle as he progresses through the levels. Merejo’s focus will have to be on keeping his 25% K% in check, but at 18 years old, Merejo has loads of quality to become an impact player in the future.
10. Juan Brito: 23, 2B (AAA)
Juan Brito played 144 games to a .256/.365/.443 slash line, hit 21 home runs & stole 13 bases. He’s another switch-hitter, bringing the total of switch-hitters in the Guardians’ system to 10, which is most likely by design. His plate discipline is highly advanced, ranking in the 71st percentile or higher for Chase%, Whiff%, K%, & BB%. How his power plays at the MLB level is still to be seen, although his tendency to pull the ball will help deliver at least 10-15 home runs over an entire season. Brito will probably be a starter for Cleveland in 2025 with the departure of Gimenez and could develop into an above-average second baseman with development time at the MLB level.
11. Daniel Espino: 24, SP/RP (INJURED)
Daniel Espino’s last entire season dates all the way back to 2021, and he has been struggling with injuries ever since. But Espino’s skillset is undeniable - His fastball hit 103 with plenty of carries, he regularly dialed his slider up to 93 MPH, and he has a mid-80s curveball & changeup with plenty of depth. Espino should return to competition in 2025, but he might become a lights-out closer instead of the potential ace he was destined to be. We will get more information on his future as the season draws closer. He started a throwing program in early December, and no updates have been provided since.
12. George Valera: 24, OF (AAA)
George Valera’s career has been derailed by injuries but played a career-high 90 games in 2024 to a .248/.337/.452 slash line, hit 17 home runs & stole six bases. Valera’s skill set is well known, with plus power, defense & arm strength, and a questionable hit tool. He struck out 27% of the time and saw a 4% decrease in BB%, but the advanced metrics remain solid. He’s disciplined and doesn’t chase often, with swing & miss being more of an issue. He underwent surgery on his knee in September, which further pushed back his timeline and could further impact his ability in the outfield in the future. He won’t be back before April at the earliest, and 2025 might end up being a make-or-break for Valera.
13. Ralphy Velazguez: 19, 1B (A/A+)
Ralphy Velazquez’s 2024 wasn’t the best - he played 101 games to a .231/.347/.385 slash line, hit 11 home runs & stole eight bases. His plate discipline and pitch recognition are highly advanced, as shown by his 14.6% BB%. His 6’3”, 215 lbs frame is highly projectable to power at first base, but we haven’t seen much of it so far, likely due to his inability to make good contact consistently. There is plenty of swing & miss at the moment, shown by his 12.5% SwStr%. He’s not fast but a solid defender at first base, and I hope to see more of his power on display in 2025.
14. Juneiker Caceres: 17, OF (DSL)
Caceres played most of the 2024 season at 16(!) years old, playing 40 games to a .340/.425/.504 slash line, hit no home runs, but stole nine bases. Most of his SLG% comes from his 11 doubles and six triples during this stretch. His fantastic K% of 10.8% & BB% of 11.4% further indicate just how good his eye & discipline are for a 16-year-old kid. He noted EVs as high as 108 MPH and could be a home-run threat once he pulls the ball more often. DSL numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt, but the skillset is quite unique for his age, and he could fly up the ranks if he confirms in 2025.
15. Braylon Doughty: 22, SP (DRAFT)
Doughty was the Guardian’s second pick in the 2024 draft, and given their track record with developing pitchers, Doughty could be a Top 10 Prospect when the 2025 season is over. His 92-95 mph fastball has significant run with good command, and his mid-80s curveball has regularly topped 3,000 rpm. His slider is just as good, but his changeup still needs work. All we need now is for him to do the same at the minor-league level. He’s got the command & pitches to develop into a number 3 starter in the future.
The Chicago White Sox
The White Sox might be baseball's worst team at the major league level, but they have done a good job of restocking their system with high-profile talent. The future could be extremely bright if they can develop these talents successfully.
1. Noah Schultz: 21, SP (A+/AA)
Schultz is one of the best pitching prospects out there. In 2024, he pitched 88.1 innings to a 2.24 ERA, 32.1% K%, 6.7% BB%, 0.98 WHIP and kept opponents to a .196 BAA. Despite having a solid mid-90s fastball, his slider and sweeper stand out. He’s been working on a sinker & changeup, but both still need work to become solid offerings. He’s found plenty of success already as a mainly two-pitch starter, so imagine how good he can be if he has four. He’s not a guaranteed front-end starter, but he’s shown plenty of signs he could be.
2. Edgar Quero: 21, C (AA/AAA)
Edgar Quero remains incredibly young for the level but keeps performing. He played 98 games to a .280/.366/.463 slash line, hit 16 home runs & stole one base. Quero’s bat is likely the best among catching prospects - his 9.7% BB%, 17.4% K% & 87% Z-Contact% prove how talented Quero is at getting his bat to the ball. His defense has steadily improved - Quero threw out 27% of base stealers in 2024 and has significantly improved his blocking & framing skills. Although Quero might never be more than an average defender, his bat alone makes him one of the best prospects behind the dish.
3. Kyle Teel: 22, C (AA/AAA)
Teel was moved to the White Sox in the Garret Crochet trade and was the main piece in this deal. His 2024 was great - he played 112 games to a .288/.386/.433 slash line, hit 13 home runs & stole 12 bases. Teel stands out in the position for his patient approach and above-average bat in combination with his defensive skill set. He further decreased his 2023 AA K% by 5% and is developing really well. His arm strength might rank out a little worse than expected, as Teel threw out 24% of base stealers in 2024, a 5% decrease compared to 2023. Teel is a better defender than Quero, but Quero is a year younger and has delivered more power from a position dominated by power hitters.
4. Hagen Smith: 21, SP (DRAFT/A+)
Hagen Smith has the potential to form a deadly duo with Noah Shultz. He only pitched 7.2 innings at A+, gave up seven hits & struck out seven while walking two, but his stuff is arguably some of the best we’ve seen. He throws a 95-97 fastball that has touched 100 before and combines this with a devastating slider that he can ramp up to play as a cutter. His splitter misses bats regularly, but he struggles to locate it, and it will be crucial he develops it further. He adds further deception from his arm slot, quickly drawing comparisons to other LHP Noah Schultz. Let’s see how he does in 2025.
5. Colson Montgomery: 22, SS (AAA)
Montgomery had a little bit of a down year in 2024 - he played 130 games to a .214/.329/.381 slash line, hit 18 home runs and stole eight bases. Montgomery’s problem in 2024 was likely being too aggressive - he swung at 66% of pitches inside the zone, resulting in more whiffs and strikeouts. This further limits him from making hard contact consistently - his hard hit is below average, but his 90th MaxEV is elite. He still pulls a ton of fly balls and could easily hit his ceiling with a few adjustments. Montgomery made 19 errors at short but hasn’t played anywhere else all year, so for now, it looks like the White Sox see him as a shortstop. He’s likely to be part of the MLB roster in 2025.
6. Braden Montgomery: 21, OF (DRAFT)
Braden Montgomery was the second piece in the Garret Crochet trade. He was the 12th pick in the 2024 draft by Boston and caught a lot of people’s attention. He’s a switch-hitter that can generate power to all fields, with an extremely strong arm and average to solid speed. He’s already shown us a tendency to swing and miss on fastballs and chase breaking balls, resulting in more strikeouts. Montgomery does have a lot of potential, but let’s see how he fares in his first professional season.
7. William Bergolla: 2B/SS (A+)
William Bergolla is a fantastic contact prospect with solid defense. He played 89 games to a .300/.359/.381 slash line, hit one home run, and stole 27 bases. He’s got a quick, left-handed swing, allowing him to make contact at an elite rate, walks at a solid 8.1% clip, and only strikes out 10.6% of the time. He’s drawn some comparisons to Luis Arraez, who put together fairly similar numbers and was a year older. Bergolla’s arm and range are good enough to keep him at short, although most expect him to end up at second base in the future. He’s a plus runner, too, and could become a nice contact-speed combination if he continues his development.
8. Juan Carela: 23, SP (A+/AA)
Carla came into the season as the 28th overall prospect in the system, according to MLB.com, but has made leaps forward in 2024. He pitched 106 innings to a 3.71 ERA, 25.2% K%, 9.9% BB%, 1.24 WHIP and kept opponents to a .221 BAA. His fastball, curveball, changeup, and slider all grade out as solid to plus pitches, with his slider having both a low-80s sweeping version and a mid-80s traditional slider. His fastball sits 92-96, and Carela has consistently improved his pitch selection. He will still have to prove that he can throw all his offerings for strikes, but Carela made tons of improvements and is set for a big 2025 if he can keep his command in check.
9. George Wolkow: 18, OF (CPX/A)
George Wolkow’s 2024 was good for an 18-year-old in his first season. He played 91 games to a .257/.357/.451 slash line, hit 13 home runs & stole nine bases. Wolkow’s 6’7”, 240 lbs frame quickly led to comparisons with Spencer Jones & Aaron Judge, although Wolkow’s ceiling might be somewhere in between. His height and swing path results in a 40% K%, which isn’t sustainable in the long run, but he combines this with solid plate discipline, as shown by his 12% BB%. Wolkow is a solid defender on the right and is likely to stick there. He’s going to be a challenge to develop, but the power potential is off the charts. We might see improvements in his K% as Wolkow matures and becomes more in control of his body, but for now, he’s still a raw diamond that needs a lot of polishing.
10. Chase Meidroth: 23, UTIL (AAA)
Meidroth was part of the Garret Crochet trade in December and is coming off a fantastic 2024 season at AAA. He played 122 games to a .293/.437/.400 slash line, hit seven home runs and stole 13 bases. Meidroth’s 18.8% BB% and 12.7% K% are extremely impressive and carry the rest of his profile. He’s a solid fielder but is held back by his lack of speed & arm strength. Meidroth’s future could be in a super-utility role in the infield, but he could stick at second base if he performs similarly at the AA level. It’s likely we'll see him on the 2025 Opening Day Roster.
11. Mason Adams: 24, SP (AA/AAA)
Mason Adams had a fantastic 2024 campaign. He pitched 120 innings to a 2.92 ERA, 22.2% K%, 5.7% BB%, 1.15 WHIP and kept opponents to a .243 BAA. His low-80s curveball is his primary pitch and is definitely a plus pitch. He combines this with a mid-80s slider and a low-90s fastball & sinker. Apart from the curveball, none of his pitches have really missed bats as much as you’d want to see, and he spent most of his season at AA. It’s likely Adams will end up as a 5th starter or middle reliever, focused on his curveball and command.
12. Grant Taylor: 22, SP (A+)
Taylor only pitched 19 innings in 2024 to a 2.33 ERA, 44% K% & 2.8% BB%, 0.72 WHIP, and kept opponents to a .171 BAA. He missed most of the season with a lat injury and returned for the Arizona Fall League, in which he got absolutely shelled in 7 innings. He throws a mid-90s fastball and a low-90s cutter and combines these with a solid slider & curveball. His fastball & cutter grade out well, although his fastball can get a little too straight, similar to Dylan Cease’s fastball. Taylor has had his fair share of elbow issues as well, so it’s still in question whether or not he sticks as a starter. A 22-year-old with lat & elbow injuries before his first full professional season isn’t a good sign.
13. Jeral Perz: 20, 2B/SS (A)
Perez played 105 games to a .262/.370/.423 slash line, hit 12 home runs, and stole four bases. His swing is fast & explosive, resulting in quite a lot of hard contact. This works extremely well with his +50% Pull% and 45% FB%, allowing him to tap into his power more consistently. He moves well but doesn’t have the speed to steal bases and is likely going to stick at second base. His discipline is advanced, shown by his 13% BB%, although he does have a tendency to chase sharp-breaking balls, resulting in a 23% K%. If he can keep the strikeouts under control and deliver similar power at the higher levels, Perez might be a Top 5-10 2B prospect by the end of the season.
14. Rikuu Nishida: 23, 2B/OF (A/A+/AA)
Nishida is one of the tougher prospects to truly profile. He played 127 games to a .304/.418/.362 slash line, hit one home run, and stole 49 bases. He spent most of the season at Single-A but performed well in both 26 games at A+ and 11 at AA, although the sample is too small to judge. He’s an extremely fast runner and a good fielder, but he lacks the pop to really drive balls into the gaps and do damage. However, his recent interview tells us he’s going to work on adding weight without changing his baseball style and that he wants to hit the 80-90 stolen bases mark. Promising signs and Nishida are some of the most fun prospects to watch as we enter 2025.
15. Samuel Zavala: 20, OF (A+)
Samuel Zavala is a head-scratcher. He played 111 games to a .187/.340/.301 slash line, eight home runs & 14 stolen bases. Zavala’s discipline is extremely advanced, with his BB% steadily above 17% throughout the season. He did extremely well for the Padres in both 2022 and 2023. His pitch recognition and swing selection are some of the best in the minors, but his big leg kick results in timing issues and, therefore, results in plenty of swings and misses inside the zone. I’m currently working on an interview with Samuel Zavala and his coach, so keep an eye out for that, as it will contain a lot of crucial information on his future.
The Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have done a fantastic job of developing some of their younger players, have Colt Keith, Jace Jung and Jackson Jobe up at the MLB level already and still have some top-tier talent. It’s one of the more underrated farm systems.
1. Max Clark: 20, OF (A/A+)
Max Clark was one of the most highly rated prospects in the 2023 draft and is starting to show us why. He played 107 games to a .279/.372/.421 slash line, hit nine home runs, and stole 29 bases. He’s an extremely quick runner with great discipline and pitch selection and could easily steal 40 bags in 2025. He’s a solid defender with a very strong arm and makes good contact consistently. Ideally, Clark delivers a little more power, but his current skill set in contact, discipline, speed, defense, and gap power make him a fantastic prospect.
2. Kevin McGonigle: 20, 2B/SS (A/A+)
McGonigle had a fantastic 2024 campaign. He played 74 games to a .309/.401/.452 slash line, hit five home runs, and stole 22 bases. McGonigle’s 14% BB% and 8.5% K% perfectly emphasize just how disciplined he is without sacrificing contact when he sees a strike. His power potential remains in question with a frame that leaves little room for more physical projection. He’s proven to be a solid defender at short but is likely going to stick at second base. His season ended early with hand surgery in August, but it was a very nice first impression, and he’s set for a huge 2025.
3. Hao-Yu Lee: 21, 2B (AA)
Hao-Yu Lee remains an underrated prospect. He played 87 games to a .298/.363/.488 slash line, hit 12 home runs, and stole 16 bases. He ranked in the Top 5 in most categories for AA hitters 21 or younger and set career highs across the board. He increased his Pull% from 32% to 44%, which further helped him to tap into more power without sacrificing too much contact. He’s a solid defender, an average but opportunistic runner, and is set for a huge 2025. He will get a lot more attention if he manages to replicate his AA performance at AAA.
4. Jaden Hamm: 22, SP (A+)
Jaden Hamm was a fifth-rounder in 2023, didn’t give up a single run in 12 innings in his short 2023 campaign, and stormed onto the scene in 2024. He pitched 99 innings to a 2.64 ERA, 30.6% K%, 7.6% BB%, 1.05 WHIP and kept opponents to a .201 BAA. His fastball has tons of ‘rise’ up in the zone, partly due to his high release point, but it is a plus, potential plus-plus pitch. His curveball drops off the table, and he’s been improving both his slider and changeup. Just like Guardians’ Matt Wilkinson, Hamm’s AA stint is going to tell us a lot more about who he is. But from what we’ve seen so far, the Tigers might have another top pitching prospect on their hands.
5. Josue Briceño: C/1B (A)
Josue Briceño played 40 games to a .278/.381/.377 slash line, hit two home runs, and stole a single base before going down with a nasty knee injury that kept him off the field for 3 months. However, he announced to the world that he’s fully healthy in the Arizona Fall League, in which he played 25 games to a .433/.509/.867 slash line, hit 10 home runs, five doubles, two triples, and drove in 27 runs, subsequently winning the MVP award despite being 3 years younger than the average age. Despite his bigger frame, Briceno hasn’t shown much strikeout risk and couples this with advanced discipline. The pressure remains on his bat, as it’s unlikely Briceno sticks behind the dish. He spent more time at DH and 1B than at catcher in 2024. A fully healthy Briceno in 2025 is something to look forward to.
6. Bryce Rainer: 19, SS (DRAFT)
Rainer was the 11th overall pick in the 2024 draft and could be one of the best ones in his class. Despite his 6’3”, 195 lbs frame, Rainer moves extremely well at short and has been rated as a solid fielder at the premium position. He’s got a cannon arm and records solid run times, but Rainer’s best skill is his bat. He generates tons of power in all fields, rarely chases, and avoids strikeouts. Entering 2025, Rainer is looking to take this skill set, improve it, and show off his talent at the professional level.
7. Rayner Castillo: 20, SP (A)
Castillo pitched 70 innings to a 2.56 ERA, 20.2% K%, 8.3% BB%, 1.02 WHIP and kept opponents to a .196 BAA. He’s an old-school ground-ball machine, with a GB% of 55.8%! His 94-96 MPH fastball and sinker are both plus pitches, and he pairs this with a solid slider. His changeup still needs work. He’s got the frame and pitch-mix to stick as a starter and could be one of the more under-the-radar pitching prospects out there. The move up to stronger competition will tell us if his ground-ball approach is reliable enough.
8. Thayron Liranzo: 21, C/1B (A+)
Liranzo was part of the Jack Flaherty trade, and this had a huge impact on his season. His 74-game stretch with LA at A+ wasn’t fantastic, but after the trade to Detroit, he completely went crazy. He played 26 games to a .315/.470/.562 slash line and hit five home runs. He made ridiculous improvements across the board, but the question is whether or not these will stick. The switch-hitter’s pull-heavy approach helps him to tap into all of his power, with solid plate discipline to go with it. His K% decreased by 8%, his BB% increased by 8%, and he’s a better defender than he was given credit for. Overall, Liranzo has made very promising changes since moving to Detroit.
9. Jospeh Montalvo: 22, SP (A+)
Montalvo moved to the Tigers in the trade that sent Andrew Chafin to Texas and had a solid 2024 campaign. He pitched 78 innings to a 3.00 ERA, 27.2% K%, 8% BB%, 1.17 WHIP and kept opponents to a .221 BAA. He throws a low-90 fastball, but his changeup and slider are his best pitches. His delivery is extremely smooth and repeatable. Montalvo’s fastball might lack the velocity to make him a true mid-rotation starter, but he still misses a solid amount of bats because of its cutting action. Overall, Montalvo will look to make a step forward in 2025 as one of the more underrated pitching prospects in the Tigers’ system.
10. Owen Hall: 19, SP (DRAFT)
Hall was Detroit’s second-round pick in the 2024 draft and does show a lot of promise. His fastball touches 98 but sits low-to-mid 90’s, and he pairs this with a slider, curveball, and changeup. Hall’s fastball plays extremely well because of his arm slot, resulting in a lot of IVB. However, Hall’s command and shape of his secondary pitches remain in question - only his slider has shown potential plus quality, with both the curveball and changeup currently grading out average at best. His 6’3”, 185 frame makes him extremely projectable as a starter, but he will need to find a better feel for his secondary pitches to succeed in the future.
11. Carlos Marcano: 20, SP (A+)
Carlos Marcano made a HUGE leap forward in 2024. He pitched 112 innings to a 3.86 ERA, 19.9% K%, 7.4% BB%, 1.41 WHIP but still had opponents averaging .272 against him. Surprisingly, Marcano’s FIP of 3.36 is lower than you’d expect it to be. He throws a sinker/fastball combination that sits low-to-mid 90s and pairs these with a slider, curveball, AND changeup. He’s only 20 years old and spent the entire season at A+, which is incredibly impressive for such a young pitcher. At 6’2”, 150 lbs, you’d expect him to add more power & muscle to his frame, which might result in more velocity. His arm slot further adds deception. He’s consistently improving year after year, and the former reliever might be a breakout prospect in 2025.
12. Roberto Campos, 21, OF (A+)
Campos played 118 games to a .272/.342/.425 slash line, hit 10 home runs and stole 11 bases. Despite his 6’3”, 200 lbs frame, Campos hasn’t profiled himself as much of a power hitter just yet, although the sound coming off his bat when he does fully turn on a pitch is…majestic. He’s an average defender in center and is likely to end up in a corner. Even the MLB doesn’t really know what to think of Campos due to his developmental issues in the past, but the fact the Tigers signed him for a franchise record at the time tells you they saw something special. He might just need longer to develop, considering the fact he didn’t play professional baseball for 3 years after defecting from Cuba.
13. Franyerber Montilla: 19, 2B/SS (CPX/A)
Montilla’s CPX numbers were promising (.279/.408/.449), but he struggled with the step to Single-A, only slashing .095/.278/.127 in his 20 games there. Montilla is a switch-hitter and has good discipline, but he has shown there is some swing-and-miss in his game. He can play anywhere in the infield, being considered as a plus defender by scouts. His arm strength should allow him to play both shortstop and third base in the future. Montilla’s 30 stolen bases and BB% over 15% adds another angle to his profile. He looks promising, and a full season at the professional level will tell us a lot more.
14. Yosber Sanchez: 23, RP (A/A+)
Sanchez is the first reliever to make one of these lists, and for good reason. He pitched 61 innings to a 1.92 ERA, 31.5% K%, 11.5% BB%, 1.28 WHIP and kept opponents to a .212 BAA. He also collected nine saves and five holds in this period. He works an upper-90s fastball and low-90s cutter and pairs these with a slider and occasional changeup. The ‘failed starter’ label is slowly becoming a thing of the past, with more and more young arms focussing on a reliever career as soon as they leave the rookie ball. Sanchez’s pitches could be late-inning MLB material, but he will need to improve his command to fully utilize them to the best of their ability.
15. Ronald Ramirez: 18, 2B/SS (DSL)
Ramirez was signed by the Tigers and made a good impression in his first season in the DSL. He played 42 games to a .343/.451/.429 slash line, hit one home run and stole six bases. His contact skills are already quite impressive, with a BB/K rate of 0.83 and K% below 17%. His 5’10” frame doesn’t scream power, but he could still fill out more as he physically matures. His tendency to pull fly balls further helps him get to power, which could help him with future power production. According to the scouts, his defense isn’t all there yet, and his questionable footwork messes up his timing. His numbers look great on the surface, but CPX and A-ball numbers will tell us a lot more about what type of hitter Ramirez is.
The Minnesota Twins
The Twins arguably have the best pair of prospects in baseball with Emmanuel Rodriguez and Walker Jenkins. It’s an interesting system with a lot of depth to it, and you could argue it should be ranked above the Tigers. Overall, their Top 5 carries the farm system.
1. Emmanuel Rodriguez: 21, OF (AA/AAA)
Emmanuel Rodriguez played 47 games to a .280/.459/.567 slash line, hit nine home runs and stole nine bases. Rodriguez has the highest ceiling of all prospects in baseball. His strikezone understanding and discipline is some of the best we’ve ever seen, combines this with good speed and defense and has elite raw power. His 24.6% BB% is quite literally insane. He still has a few holes in his game, such as his two-strike approach and strikeout numbers. If Rodriguez can stay healthy, he has the chance to become an MLB superstar.
2. Walker Jenkins: 19, OF (A/A+/AA)
Walker Jenkins is the second elite prospect the Twins have in their system! He played 82 games to a .282/.394/.439 slash line, hit six home runs, and stole 17 bases. Jenkins is an extremely mature hitter and makes contact very consistently, as shown by his 15.2% BB% and incredibly low 12.8% K%. His 6’3”, 210 lbs frame screams projectable power, and most believe he will become an even bigger power threat as he physically fully grows into his body. He’s considered a solid defender in center and has split his time there with the DH spot. Overall, Jenkins is one of the best prospects in baseball, and there’s not much between him and Rodriguez other than personal opinion.
3. Andrew Morris: 23, SP (A+/AA/AAA)
Andrew Morris remains one of the more underrated pitching prospects out there. He pitched 133 innings to a 2.37 ERA, 24.5% K%, 5.9% BB%, 1.08 WHIP and kept opponents to a .219 BAA. He regularly deals in the mid-90s with his rising fastball and has a good mid-80s slider, curveball, cutter, and changeup. Three out of five pitches are already considered plus, and Morris creates a ton of deception with his over-the-top delivery. He’s a real strike-thrower, minimizing walks when possible. His K% gradually went down as he progressed through the levels, but this has, according to scouts, more to do with pitch selection than stuff. Morris is a pitcher we could see at the MLB level at some point in 2025.
4. Luke Keaschall: 22, 1B/2B (A+/AA)
Keaschall played 102 games to a .303/.420/.483 slash line, hit 15 home runs, and stole 23 bases. He stands out for his approach and discipline - Keaschall’s BB/K rate was steadily over 1.00 until his promotion to AA. Both his contact skills and strike zone understanding are excellent, with his power coming more into play in 2024. He’s a good runner and could remain a threat on the bases as he gets older. However, Keaschall underwent Tommy John surgery. Elbow surgeries have affected the post-surgery power output of hitters like Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, so it will be something to watch for as Keaschall returns to the field. His defensive home is still in question, with him spending more time at first and DH than he did at second.
5. Eduardo Beltre: 18, OF (DSL)
Beltre played 43 games to a .326/.453/.618 slash line, hit 11 home runs and stole 10 bases. Obviously, these DSL numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt, but Beltre ranks second in home runs behind highly regarded Dodgers prospect Emil Morales and has the third-highest OPS of qualified players. His 15.5% BB% and 23.8% K% perfectly describe the type of hitter he is: his explosive swing does carry some swing-and-miss tendencies. He outperformed the initial expectations scouts had, and Beltre is coming into 2025 with a lot to like. His CPX and potentially Single-A numbers will tell us just how good Beltre could potentially be.
6. Marco Raya: 22, SP (AA/AAA)
Raya pitched 97 innings to a 4.05 ERA, 24.6% K%, 10.5% BB%, 1.36 WHIP and kept opponents to a .241 BAA. Raya’s fastball sits in the mid-90s, but his best pitch is his slider, which has elite spin rates and a lot of movement. He does have a curveball, changeup, and cutter, but all those pitches are still a work in progress. The main concern around him was durability, considering his injury history. Raya was promoted quickly and faced older competition throughout his career, so his numbers don’t always stand out. He’ll be 22 for most of the 2025 season, and I would expect him to start returning some better numbers in the upper minors to fully deliver on the promise he has shown early in his career. But don’t be mistaken - Raya has time.
7. Payton Eeles: 25, 2B (A/A+/AAA)
Eeles was signed by the Twins as a Non-drafted free agent in May of 2024 and absolutely flew through the minor league system. He played 111 games to a .306/.435/.497 slash line, hit 12 home runs and stole 41 bases. His 64-game stretch at AAA was fantastic - .299/.419/.500, eight home runs, and 20 stolen bases with a 12.7% BB% and 14.6% K%. He led the Twins in ISO and was second in WRC+ while also leading them in stolen bases! He’s a good defender at second and short, although it’s likely he sticks at second base. Eeles was signed for as little as $500(!) and has a chance to make the MLB roster out of Spring Training.
8. Dameury Pena: 19, 2B (CPX)
Pena played 36 games to a .282/.386/.410 slash line, hit three home runs and stole four bases. It isn’t eye-catching, right? Well, Pena walked 13.6% of the time and kept his K% to an unreal 6.4%, which perfectly builds on his 6.5% K% the year before. He’s already been compared to another former Twins prospect - Luis Arraez. He rarely whiffs, has great bat control, and can put the ball in play on all fields. He’s a decent runner and defender, but his contact skills are what makes his profile so unique. 2025 will be extremely interesting, as it will tell us more about how well those contact skills translate to the higher levels in the minors.
9. Kaelen Culpepper: 22, SS (DRAFT/A/A+)
Culpepper was the 21st overall pick in the 2024 draft and immediately got some playing time in the minors. He played 26 games to a .242/.330/.394 slash line, hit three home runs and stole four bases. Culpepper is another guy who barely strikes out, as shown by his 13.4% K% and 4.9% K% in his short, 9-game stretch at Single-A. He’s an average defender at short, but his skill set might help him become an above-average defender at third because of his strong arm. His power hasn’t really shined at any level he’s played at, and I doubt he will be anything more than a 10-15 HR hitter. He’s a solid prospect, but his questionable power production and defense knock him down just a little bit.
10. Brandon Winokur: 19, SS/OF (A)
Winokur played 94 games to a .249/.327/.434 slash line, hit 14 home runs and stole 23 bases. He’s an extremely gifted athlete with a 6’6”, 210 lbs frame, great speed, and a very strong arm. His obvious struggles are making contact consistently and striking out, which isn’t a surprise considering his big frame. However, Winokur has decreased his K% by 4% and improved his BB% by 3% in a single season, which are extremely promising signs for the future. His power could turn out to be plus-plus once he starts making contact consistently, and his 2025 could shoot him up this list if he’s able to further work on some of his shortcomings in the offseason.
11. Gabriel Gonzalez: 21, OF (A+)
Gonzalez played 76 games to a .255/.327/.279 slash line, hit four home runs and stole five bases. Those numbers are quite disappointing, considering his strong start earlier in his career with the Mariners. His muscular build further helps Gonzalez to generate solid power, although we did see a major decrease in home-run power, going from hitting 18 in 2023 to 5 in 2024. He’s not a good runner, isn’t very mobile, and has solid defensive instincts, which puts even more pressure on his bat. His contact skills are fantastic, and Gonzalez is an expert at minimizing strikeouts, as shown by his 14.5% K% in 2024. His absolute hose of an arm and potential power could land him in the corner outfield in the future, but the power decline is worrying, to say the least.
12. Rayne Doncon: 21, 3B/SS (A/A+)
Doncon played 94 games to a .254/.342/.431 slash line, hit 11 home runs and stole six bases. He did really well at Single-A: He hit .283 and finished his stint there with an .838 OPS. The move to High-A was slightly more difficult, although his .277 BABIP wasn’t in his favor as well. He’s strong with above-average power and arm but still has some work to do defensively. He’s pull-happy, which is fine as long as this doesn’t lead to rolling over too often, and it helps him generate more home runs than you’d expect. Despite the struggles at A+, Doncon decreased his K% by 3%. Doncon will be 21 for the rest of the 2025 season and is one to follow closely.
13. Ricardo Olivar; 23, C/OF (A+/AA)
Olivar played 100 games to a .275/.381/.441 slash line, hit 12 home runs, and stole six bases. His profile is pretty unique - despite being a catcher, Olivar is athletic enough to combine this with an outfield corner position as well. He has improved both his discipline and swing decisions and has average power in a bat focused on contact over power. His catching and game-calling have improved year after year, but his arm holds him back, with solid defense likely being his ceiling. Olivar has been playing in the lower minors for much of his young career and struggled in his short AA stint, so whether or not he can translate his skills to the higher levels remains to be seen.
14. Cory Lewis: 24, SP (A+/AA/AAA)
Lewis pitched 79 innings to a 2.51 ERA, 27.9% K%, 12.1% BB%, 1.32 WHIP and kept opponents to a .221 BAA. Despite his massive frame, Lewis’s fastball sits in the 89-92 region, something he will need to work on in the future. His slider, curveball, and changeup are all solid pitches, but none of them are a plus. And he does throw a legit knuckleball that’s a lot harder than most, ranging anywhere from 84 to 86 MPH. His command will need to improve as he spends more time against better hitters, as none of his stuff is truly exceptional. However, Lewis has the makings of a potential back-end of the rotation starter that can eat innings for fun.
15. Eiberson Castellano: 23, SP (A+/AA)
Castellano spent the entire 2024 campaign with the Phillies and was picked up by the Twins in the Rule 5 draft, which could turn out to be a massive steal. He pitched 103 innings to a 3.99 ERA, 31.3% K%, 6.7% BB%, 1.14 WHIP and kept opponents to a .226 BAA. His mid-90s fastball and high-80s changeup combination miss a lot of bats, and his developing curveball has further been labeled as a potential plus pitch. Because he has to stick on the Twins’ roster, it’s not unlikely we see Castellano out of the bullpen for now, although his build and repertoire could make him a reliable starter in the future.
The Kansas City Royals
The Royals are still bottom of the list, but have made solid improvements to their farm system in the last two years. They have a solid crop of prospects, but no real top prospect that looks like a future All-Star. Royals will have their work cut out for them, but it’s a step in the right direction.
1. Carter Jensen: 21, C (A+/AA)
Jensen played 125 games to a .259/.359/.450 slash line, hit 18 home runs and stole 17 bases. He combined this offensive production with a solid season behind the dish, throwing out 36% of attempted base stealers in 2024. He’s got a smooth swing, a fantastic eye, and solid power to go with it. However, Jensen has shown he can get too passive, putting him in positions to chase and strike out or make weak contact. He’s been improving steadily as a defensive catcher and could be a well-rounded backstop in the future
2. Blake Mitchell: 20, C (A/A+)
Blake Mitchell played 111 games to a .232/.368/.424 slash line, hit 18 home runs, and stole 26 bases. Mitchell hasn’t delivered on all his scouting grades just yet. His supposedly extremely strong arm has only thrown out 17% of attempted base stealers this year, and his 50-grade hit tool hasn’t shown up just yet. He has a good approach, allowing him to walk more than 16% of the time, but he pairs this with ample swing and misses in his bat, resulting in a 30.7% K%. He’s been clocked as a below-average runner, so it’s likely the steals dry up over time as well. Overall, Mitchell’s stock was extremely high when he entered the scene, but he might be second best behind fellow catcher Carter Jensen.
3. Emmanuel Reyes: 20, SP (A)
Reyes is a true sleeper prospect. He pitched 107 innings to a 3.62 ERA, 19.3% K%, 7.3% BB%, 1.15 WHIP and kept opponents to a .225 BAA. Reyes is still extremely young and previously struggled to maintain velocity deeper into starts, something he has worked on in 2024. His fastball sits 91-94, but its horizontal break makes it a tough pitch to hit already. His slider, when he’s 100%, is a plus-plus pitch with tons of break, and he has improved his changeup from ‘usable’ to ‘good.’ He has increased his K% ever so slightly compared to 2023, and the command remains rock solid, making Reyes one of the more fun prospects to follow entering 2025.
4. Gavin Cross: 23, OF (AA)
Cross spent the entire season at AA and played 101 games to a .261/.342/.428 slash line, hit 15 home runs and stole 30 bases. He delivers solid power to all fields, is an aggressive baserunner, and has a good arm to go with it. Cross has a tendency to sell out for power, which has vastly decreased his BB% from nearly 18% in 2022 to 10% in 2024. This resulted in more strikeouts, but this is something he has worked on diligently and subsequently decreased his K% by 3.5% compared to the 2023 season. We’ve seen a fantastic 2022, an awful 2023, and a solid 2024, so it’s interesting to see what happens in 2025. He could be an organizational talent if everything clicks once more.
5. Jac Caglianone: 21, 1B (DRAFT/A+)
Caglianone has some of the best raw power in the 2024 draft class, but there are still some questions surrounding his profile. He played 29 games to a .241/.302/.388 slash line, hit two home runs, and stole two bases. He’s aggressive in the box, resulting in a lot of chases, resulting in weak contact. His 20.6% K% is lower than some expected it to be, but his 5% BB% remains worrying when looking at his future. Once he gets more disciplined, he will be able to get to his plus-plus power more consistently and be a consistent home-run threat. He’s a good fielder with a very strong arm. The two-way player could also pitch in 2025, but it remains to be seen. His profile is intriguing, but a classic power bat at first isn’t a regular, developmental success story.
6. Javier Vaz: 24, 2B/OF (AA)
Vaz put together a great season, playing 115 games to a .263/.375/379 slash line, hit eight home runs, and stole 16 bases. What makes him stand out is his 14% BB% and 11.5% K%, something quite special from AA onwards. He rarely swings and misses, as shown by his ridiculous 4.1% SwSt%. He’s a versatile defender who can play short, second, and an outfield corner, grading out well defensively in all three positions. Second base suits him best because of a below-average arm, but he’s solid everywhere. He’s a plus runner who could steal more as time goes on. He’s loved for his leadership and clubhouse presence, has won awards for it, and screams for the future super-utility man. He’s 24, so it’s likely we see him up at the MLB level at some point if his AAA stint goes well.
7. Callan Moss: 21, 1B (A)
Callan Moss went undrafted and was signed by the Royals as a non-drafted free agent in August 2024. After that, he surprised everyone. Granted, it’s a small sample size, but he played 22 games to a .339/.488/.452 slash line, hit two home runs, and stole three bases while walking more than he struck out. He doesn’t have the strongest arm, which is fine, and his defense remains in question for now due to a lack of game time, but is an incredibly interesting profile. Again, it’s a small sample size, he was old for the level, but it’s a fun story and he could potentially be a diamond in the rough. Let’s hope he continues on the same path in 2025.
8. Noah Cameron: 25, SP (AA/AAA)
Noah Cameron had a great bounce-back season in 2024. He pitched 128 innings to a 3.08 ERA, 27.8% K%, 6.7% BB%, 1.21 WHIP and kept opponents to a .241 BAA. He’s a strike thrower with a solid 91-93 MPH fastball, a fantastic changeup, and a solid curveball and cutter. Cameron reportedly struggled in 2023 due to a lack of physical conditioning, something he has clearly worked on in 2024. Both his AA and AAA numbers stand out, making him a potential standout prospect. In fact, he did his best work at AAA, which was an extremely promising sign. His delivery is clean and without much effort, and Cameron could find his way on the MLB roster at some point in the future.
9. Blake Wolters: 20, SP (A)
Wolters pitched 55 innings to a 4.20 ERA, 18.6% K%, 10.1% BB%, 1.47 WHIP and kept opponents to a .259 BAA. Wolters’ GB% of 46.5% is worth mentioning as well. His fastball sits in the mid-90s but can touch 99, and he has a sharp, mid-80s slider. However, Wolters hasn’t really shown much feel for changeup or another third pitch, which remains a massive gap in his profile if he wants to stick as a starter. His delivery is extremely clean and repeatable, so a lot will depend on how his arsenal evolves throughout the upcoming years. He could be a top prospect in the organization in a year from now. He’s still very young, so he has tons of time to develop.
10. Ben Kudrna: 21, SP (A+/AA)
Kudrna is a tough prospect to rank. He pitched 115 innings to a 4.21 ERA, 24.2% K%, 10.8% BB%, 1.38 WHIP and kept opponents to a .246 BAA. He performed well at A+, which is a good sign, but struggled badly at AA. His fastball sits between 93-95 MPH and further has a gyro slider and, plus, mid-80s changeup. He’s always pitched at a high level for his age, which does impact his numbers. However, there’s some worry that Kudrna doesn’t miss enough bats, which is likely to translate poorly to the upper minors and majors. But he’s still young and has, just like Wolters, plenty of time to develop. Hopefully, he can take a few steps forward in 2025.
11. Jhonayker Ugarte: 14, 3B (DSL)
Ugarte is one of the youngest players in the circuit and stood out immediately. He played 46 games to a .299/.423/.395 slash line, hit one home run, and stole 11 bases. Despite being extremely young, Ugarte’s 16.4% BB% and 19.7% K% show he’s able to hold his own while staying disciplined. His 6’2”, 180 lbs frame has tons of room for projection, and some believe he could be a real home run threat once he physically matures. His arm strength is already plus and could be plus-plus in the future with solid defense at the hot corner. He’s young but has an extremely promising profile.
12. David Shields: 18, SP (DRAFT)
Shields was the Royals’ second-round pick and was an interesting pitcher from high school. Despite being young, Shields’ fastball sat 91-92 already, and he paired it with a solid, mid-80s sweeper and a changeup. The changeup might still need some work, but it is an important part of his pitch mix if he wants to stick as a starter. His 6’2”, 210 lbs frame isn’t only projectable, it’s also extremely athletic. Most expect the velocity to creep up a little more as he gets older, and his smooth and effortless delivery helps him bring consistency to his game. 2025 will be his first season in professional baseball, and it will be exciting to watch Shields develop.
13. Ramon Ramirez: 19, C (CPX)
Ramirez played 49 games to a .265/.379/.459 slash line, hit seven home runs and stole a single base. These are still impressive numbers, but quite a knockdown from his .344 BA and 1.055 OPS the year prior. Furthermore, his K% increased by 8%, and his BB% decreased by 2% after the jump from the DSL to the CPX. His catching foundation looks promising, but he still has some work to be done. His arm strength is rated plus, despite throwing out only 17% of attempted base stealers in 2025, which is more likely a mechanical thing rather than a pure power issue. Overall, Ramirez is another promising catcher in a system stacked with them, and his A-ball numbers will tell us a lot more about what to expect.
14. Asbel Gonzalez: 19, OF (CPX/OF)
Asbel Gonzalez played 45 games to a .280/.397/.376 slash line and stole 23 bases. He spent most of his time in the complex league but got a quick promotion to AA for the last four games. His power remains a big question mark - he has the build to project plenty of power (6’2”, 170 pounds) but has only hit one home run in 2 seasons. This is, however, still something he can work on, as the 50% GB% is one issue that could be fixed with some focused training. He’s a plus defender with great speed and a solid arm, which still makes him an interesting profile. Paired with his contact skills and discipline, Gonzalez could develop into a defense-first centerfielder.
15. Drew Beam: 21, SP (DRAFT)
Beam was the Royals’ third-round pick and was considered a safe pick for his back-end starter floor. He throws a mid-90s fastball, although his best pitch is supposedly his changeup that has tons of sink to it. He throws a depthy curveball and high-80s cutter as well. He throws hard and finds the strike zone but could lack the movement on his pitches to make him a real strikeout machine. It’s much more likely Beam turns into a ground-ball pitcher. If he can miss bats more consistently at the minor-league levels, Beam could have one of the highest floors in the Royals farm, and I look forward to seeing him pitch in 2025.
The AL West is up next.
Thank you all for reading! This one took a little longer, but I will continue to aim for one-week intervals between these.
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Louis