2025 MLB Draft: Top 30 Prep Prospects

It’s finally August and the 2024 MLB Draft signing deadline has passed, so it’s time to dig further into next year’s class. We’ve already put out our Top 30 College prospects list a month ago, and as we’ve gotten our live looks in on the prep class, we meticulously built our Top 30 Prep list.

There is a disclaimer to be said here: the summer circuit is still underway. East Coast Pro is currently ongoing and Area Codes start up in short order. There’s a lot that will change between now and the next rankings update and the same will be said about the college list when we update it. Those updates will come in due time. Until then, we’re proud to release our first rendition of our 2025 prep list to give our readers an early glimpse into our rankings for the new draft cycle.


1. 3B Ethan Holliday, Stillwater (OK)

Height: 6’4

Weight: 210

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 yr 4 mo

Commitment: Oklahoma State

Hometown: Stillwater, OK

The younger brother of 2022 first overall pick Jackson, Ethan is already more physical and displaying louder tools than Jackson did at this stage. Offensively, Holliday's toolset is as loud as it gets. He has excellent pitch recognition and mature plate discipline, paired with a buttery smooth left-handed swing. Holliday is relatively passive and stays within the zone, garnering walks at a frequent rate, plus he's gotten better at shortening his swing and becoming more direct to the baseball. He's already posted triple-digit exit velocities on the regular in-game, too, including a 111 MPH bolt during 18U trials. Scouts expect Holliday to add more muscle to his frame as he matures physically, enhancing his power potential. There's not much to hate on that side of the ball. As a defender, many believe his ultimate home will be third base, as his physical frame is better suited for the position. He's shown solid range and fluidity in his game on the dirt and his strong arm would fit perfectly at the hot corner. He's looking like the lead candidate for 1.1 at this point. If Holliday elects to attend school, he'll stay home and attend Oklahoma State.


2. 3B/OF Xavier Neyens, Mount Vernon (WA)

Height: 6’4

Weight: 205

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 8 MO

Commitment: Oregon State

Hometown: Mount Vernon, WA

It's not too often that the state of Washington is home to one of the top prospects in the country, but Neyens is putting himself in rare territory with his tools and performance. With an advanced approach, top of the scale bat-to-ball skills, and loud power from the left side, Neyens' offensive potential is sky-high. His approach is very mature for his age, staying inside the zone and racking up walks in the process. The power itself grades out as plus with natural loft and loud bat speed, playing to all fields. He creates a tight coil with his core during his load, allowing his body to rotate rapidly and allowing his hands to explode through the zone. Against premier pitching, he's already tattooed baseballs at 108 MPH. It's loud. Neyens has the tools to stick at the hot corner, though some scouts express concern about the footwork at the position, as it can get rather clunky. With that note out of the way, Neyens has the soft hands and strong arm to handle the position. If he moves off third base, he'd get a chance in a corner outfield position. Neyens is currently committed to the West Coast powerhouse of Oregon State.


3. RHP Seth Hernandez, Corona (CA)

Height: 6’4

Weight: 195

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 19 YR

Commitment: Vanderbilt

Hometown: Chino, CA

At this stage of the 2025 cycle, there's no better arm in the class than Hernandez. At 6'4, 195 pounds, Hernandez has plenty of projection remaining to his frame and his operation is as easy as they come. He's very athletic and moves fluidly down the mound with loud arm speed. His fastball has sat in the low-to-mid 90s thus far, though he's gotten up to 96-98 MPH in shorter stints and projects to sit closer to that mark as he fills out his frame. He gets solid extension and fills up the strike zone, as well as showing a tendency to miss bats on the top rail. His change-up is one of the best in the country, a low-80s parachute that flashes plus with a ton of sinking action and velocity separation from the heater. He'll mix in a bigger curveball in the upper-70s and a firmer cutter/slider hybrid in the mid-to-upper-80s, both of which possess spin rates near 2,700 RPMs. The mix of pure stuff, projection, and athleticism make him the best arm in a prep class that lacks dynamic arms. Hernandez is on the older side of the class and will be 19 on draft day. If he gets to campus, he'd be eligible as a sophomore at Vanderbilt.


4. SS Eli Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK)

Height: 6’1

Weight: 175

b/t: S/R

Draft Day Age: 17 YR 7 MO

Commitment: Oklahoma

Hometown: Fort Cobb, OK

A recent reclass from the 2026 ranks, the switch-hitting Willits projects to fit at the top of lists with a very solid toolset at his disposal. The son of former Angels outfielder Reggie, Eli has the chance to be a legitimate switch-hitter at the next level, as he's shown quality polish from both sides of the plate. Both swings are compact and short to the baseball with the right side featuring more bat speed and pop while the left side has more hitter-ish traits on display. He'll split the gaps on a regular basis from both sides with flatter swing planes, but he's shown an ability to lift the baseball. It's a very polished approach, too. He's an athletic specimen in the field, as well, showcasing solid range and enough tools to stick at shortstop long-term. Willits has even had some run in center field this summer at the 18U Trials. He's an average to above-average runner on the basepaths and has the chance to be a base-stealing threat. He is committed to attending Oklahoma, where his dad is a coach.


5. OF Ty Peeples, Franklin County (GA)

Height: 6’2

Weight: 185

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 yr 8 mo

Commitment: Georgia

Hometown: Lavonia, GA

There may not be a bigger rise over the past year in this class than Peeples. He's gotten more physical and there's more on the way, as his 6'2, 185 pound frame is still rather projectable. We'll start with the tools at the plate, which are as smooth as they come. It's a gorgeous left-handed swing with quick hands, budding bat speed, and whippiness through the zone. He keeps it simple with little movement pre-pitch and he utilizes an optimized bat path and great rotation in his swing. Adjustability to off-speed pitches isn't a problem for him, either. As he continues to grow, he'll add more power, though there's already present thump in the stick. There's a good chance that he'll hit for average and power at the next level. Peeples has the tools to be a center fielder right now, though he's destined for a corner outfield spot as he matures physically. He has very solid route running, above-average speed, and a strong, accurate arm. Peeples is committed to Georgia, less than an hour from his hometown of Lavonia.


6. OF Brock Sell, Tokay (CA)

Height: 6’1

Weight: 185

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 8 MO

Commitment: Stanford

Hometown: Stockton, CA

While his last name may tell you otherwise, now's a great time to begin buying stock in Brock Sell. Sell is an exceptionally twitchy athlete on the field and his game has blossomed over the past year, turning into one of the highest upside profiles in this class. His swing is as simple as they come. There's very few wasted movements in his load and the bat explodes through the zone, lacing line drives to all fields. He can be aggressive and expand the zone a bit, but there's minimal swing-and-miss to his game and he does a great job of consistently getting the barrel to the baseball. It's a hit-over-power profile right now, though he's begun to tap into more pull-side juice. His hands are very quick and there's impressive bat speed there. Sell has been clocked as an above-average to plus runner and has the defensive chops to make a legitimate case to stay in center field. The arm strength is certainly there, getting into the low-90s from the outfield, plus he's hovered around 90 MPH on the bump. He is older for the class and committed to Stanford, which is something to keep an eye on, but the tools look too good to pass up right now.


7. SS Lucas Franco, Cinco Ranch (TX)

Height: 6’3

Weight: 175

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 2 MO

Commitment: Texas Christian

Hometown: Katy, TX

An athletic and projectable infielder, Franco has risen up the ranks over the past year thanks to a solid toolset. Franco is a great athlete with a long, lean body type that oozes projection. Franco has very quick hands and rotates well, displaying budding bat speed and fluidity throughout his left-handed swing. There's some loft already present and utilizes his lower half well, meaning there's a solid chance that he achieves average or better power as he grows into his body. His contact quality is improving as time goes on and his plate discipline is already advanced for his age, keeping whiffs and chases to a minimum. He's got the defensive chops to stay at shortstop, as he has soft hands, fluid motions, and a strong arm across the diamond. As he fills out, he may have to move to the hot corner. He's an above-average runner, as well. Franco is committed to attending Texas Christian.


8. OF Dean Moss, IMG Academy (FL)

Height: 6’0

Weight: 182

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 19 YR 2 MO

Commitment: Louisiana State

Hometown: Atherton, CA

After traveling across the country to attend IMG Academy, Moss has put himself at the top of the pecking order for outfielders in this class. While he's smaller-statured, don't let the size fool you. Moss possesses loud power to his pull side with excellent bat speed and very quick hands. His left-handed swing is tightly wound, allowing him to burst through the zone and turn on pitches to right field with authority, as well as some opposite-field pop. While the power itself is impressive, Moss' plate discipline is advanced for his age and he loves to take his walks. Moss' pure hit tool is rather polished and he displays very little warts, staying within the zone and adjusting to off-speed pitches very well. He's done a great job of keeping the strikeouts at bay this summer. With average speed and an average arm in the outfield, Moss is destined for a corner outfield position at the next level. He is on the older side of the class, as he'll turn 19 a couple of months prior to the draft, making him eligible as a sophomore at Louisiana State if he chooses to attend classes.


9. SS/OF Coy James, Davie County (NC)

Height: 6’0

Weight: 185

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 4 MO

Commitment: Mississippi

Hometown: Advance, NC

James is one of the more potent offensive profiles in this draft class. A potential leadoff sparkplug type of bat, James has torched opposing pitching this summer, including a record performance at 17U WWBA in Georgia, where he set a record with 22 hits throughout the tournament. While he can be aggressive and reluctant to take walks, James has excellent barrel consistency and outstanding bat-to-ball skills that will allow him to hit for average at the next level. He's beginning to grow into legitimate juice, too. He'll show the ability to lift the ball to his pull side with very quick hands, giving him a chance to hit 15+ home runs as a professional. There's a solid chance he can stick at shortstop, as he's shown off great range, smooth actions, and a sound internal clock at the position. In the off chance that he moves off the position, he'll likely end up at second base, though he's gotten some run in center field this summer. James is currently committed to attending Ole Miss.


10. SS/RHP Billy Carlson, Corona (CA)

Height: 6’1

Weight: 175

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 11 MO

Commitment: Vanderbilt

Hometown: Corona, CA

A two-way athlete out of the loaded Corona High School roster, Carlson may just be the best shortstop defender in the class. Carlson possesses smooth, rangy actions at the "six" with bounce, soft hands, and a quick release across the infield. His arm is very stout and grades out as plus or better at the position, too, leaving little doubt that he'll stick at the position long term. At the plate, his swing can get a bit steep, but there's not a ton of whiff concerns, and stays within the strike zone. He's beginning to lift the ball more and there's robust power in the bat thanks to loud bat speed. His athleticism and arm strength translate on the mound, as he's been up to 96-97 MPH already with fluidity down the mound. The secondaries are promising, as he throws a quality mid-70s curveball with depth and a mid-80s change-up with solid fading life. He's thrown strikes at a solid clip, too. There's a ton of upside if everything works out with Carlson. He is currently committed to attending Vanderbilt and projects to be on the older side of the class.


11. LHP/1B Kruz Schoolcraft, Sunset (OR)

Height: 6’8

Weight: 215

b/t: L/L

Draft Day Age: 18 yr 2 mo

Commitment: N/A

Hometown: Beaverton, OR

A gangly, uber-projectable southpaw from Oregon, Schoolcraft reclassed from the 2026 class and now projects as one of the best two-way players in the class. There's more upside on the mound right now, as the 6'8, 215 pound lefty has exquisite body control and projects to throw much harder as he grows into his frame. He's primarily sat in the low-90s, though he's maxed out at 97 MPH, with solid extension down the hill and a heater that jumps on hitters quickly. He'll miss a bevy of bats during outings with it thanks to a lower release and hop at the top of the zone. He had a grip change with his slider that now sits in the mid-80s with cutter-esque firmness and an ability to command it gloveside. The change-up has solid feel and shape, too. As he learns to sync up his frame more, expect more strikes. He's also a power-hitting first baseman with legit feel for the barrel and loud power potential given the projection. Schoolcraft remains uncommitted as he enters his senior year.


12. SS/OF Sean Gamble, IMG Academy (FL)

Height: 6’2

Weight: 185

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 19 YR

Commitment: Vanderbilt

Hometown: Des Moines, IA

If you're looking for the best pure athlete in this class, look no further than Sean Gamble. An Iowa native who resides at IMG Academy, Gamble is incredibly twitchy on both sides of the ball. We'll start at the plate, where he's got some of the loudest bat speed and power in this prep class. His hips explode open, allowing his hands to race through the zone with impressive barrel lag. He's had exit velocities with wood up to 108 MPH in-game settings already this summer and given the frame, it wouldn't be a shock to see higher numbers. He has excellent torque and rotation in his swing, though the hit tool does lag behind a bit. He's working on refining his approach and becoming more patient, especially on breaking balls. In the field, Gamble has the tools to be a potential corner outfielder, though his plus speed gives him a chance in center field with a strong arm. If the outfield doesn't work, Gamble has seen time in the infield, projecting best at second or third base. He is committed to Vanderbilt.


13. SS Kayson Cunningham, Johnson (TX)

Height: 5’10

Weight: 178

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 19 YR

Commitment: Texas

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Despite the smaller stature that Cunningham possesses, he has a case for having the best pure contact hitter in the entire prep class. Cunningham covers the zone exceptionally well, keeping the whiffs and chases at bay. It's a smooth, direct left-handed swing with a good bit of bat speed and an all-fields approach at the dish. There is some pop in the bat, mainly to the pull side and he'll work the gaps for extra bases, but his swing is more suited for line drives right now. He should add some lift to his swing in due time, but he'll profile best as a power-over-hit type. Cunningham is a plus runner underway and has good range at shortstop with smooth hands and a strong arm. There's a chance he could move to the other side of the second base bag, but it's hard to envision him leaving the dirt up the middle. Cunningham recently flipped his commitment from Texas Tech to Texas.


14. OF Slater De Brun, Summit (OR)

Height: 5’9

Weight: 180

b/t: L/L

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 1 MO

Commitment: Vanderbilt

Hometown: Bend, OR

Slade Caldwell was just taken in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft, but it looks like he's been cloned and moved to Oregon as Slater de Brun. de Brun's body is very similar to what Caldwell is, as he's a smaller, yet physical outfielder with exceptional speed and an excellent approach at the plate. There's very little to hate at the plate, as de Brun has posted incredibly healthy contact rates and rarely expands the zone, getting on base frequently where he can be a basepath menace. His bat speed is top-notch, though the swing plane is more suited for line drives to the gaps than fly balls over the fence. His speed is double-plus, if not better. He's had home-to-first times clocked between 4.05-4.15 seconds on the regular, displaying an incredible second gear and he has the makings of a very difficult out. That speed translates to center field, where he figures to stick long-term with strong route-running, instincts, and a strong arm. There's a lot to love here and it would not be a shock to envision this profile in the first round in 2025. He is younger for the class at 18.1 years old and is committed to attending Vanderbilt.


15. RHP Josh Hammond, Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC)

Height: 6’1

Weight: 215

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 9 MO

Commitment: Wake Forest

Hometown: High Point, NC

The son of High Point skipper Joey Hammond, Josh burst onto the scene as an arm after a loud showing during the 2023 summer circuit. While the command itself is a work in progress and will need refinement, he has the makings of a true power pitcher. He has a very strong lower half down the mound, as well as extremely quick arm speed and fluidity down the mound. The low-90s heater has touched 96 MPH in the past calendar year, coming in like a bowling ball and boring in on right-handed hitters. He'll change the shape slightly and add more riding life, too. However, it's the low-80s slider that has the most upside. It's a beast of a pitch, featuring nasty sweep and bite that has left hitters floundering on occasion. It may be a plus pitch at the end of the day. The CH has heavy fade and there's feel to throw strikes, too. Hammond also has tools at the plate, including impressive juice in the stick. He is committed to attending Wake Forest.


16. LHP Cameron Appenzeller, Glenwood (IL)

Height: 6’5

Weight: 180

b/t: L/L

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 5 MO

Commitment: South Carolina

Hometown: Springfield, IL

At 6'5, 180 pounds, Appenzeller is insanely projectable and projects to be one of the best southpaws in the class. Appenzeller's delivery is incredibly easy and he oozes athleticism on the bump, creating fast arm speed and a slingy action to a lower release. As a result of the low release, he generates quite a bit of armside run on the fastball, sitting in the 88-92 MPH bucket and tickling 93-94 MPH in shorter spurts. When in the zone, the pitch jumps on batters and he'll execute on the top rail for whiffs. Given the projection, there's a good chance Appenzeller could reach 95+ MPH in due time. His upper-70s sweeper flashes solid bite and spin traits and his low-80s change-up has heavy fade against right-handed hitters, too. He commands all three pitches well and may ultimately need a firmer breaker to give himself a "bridge pitch." He's a legitimate data darling who should continue to garner interest as he adds muscle to his lanky frame. Appenzeller is currently committed to attending South Carolina.


17. SS Brady Ebel, Corona (CA)

Height: 6’3

Weight: 190

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 17 YR 11 MO

Commitment: Louisiana State

Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA

The son of longtime Angels third base coach Dino Ebel, Brady is one of the more famous bats in this class. Ebel is renowned for his maturity and contact prowess at the dish, though he's had some issues with contact and chases this summer. His sweet left-handed swing is very repeatable with a quick, direct path to the baseball that is built for line drives presently. He doesn't sell out for a ton of power and while it's a hit-over-power profile now, he'll grow into more power as he begins to fill out his lean frame. He's got the defensive chops to stick on the left side of the dirt, too. He may grow off of shortstop once he physically matures, but Ebel has excellent hands, rangy actions, and a strong arm to handle the position. If he outgrows shortstop, he'll fit in at third base. He will be one of the youngest bats in the class, too, as he won't turn 18 until late July. He is committed to attending Louisiana State.


18. C/UTL Jaden Fauske, Nazareth Academy (IL)

Height: 6’2

Weight: 205

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 7 MO

Commitment: N/A

Hometown: Willowbrook, IL

An infielder from the state of Illinois, Fauske boasts one of our favorite swings in the whole class. It's a lovely left-handed swing with loose wrists, quick hands, and a whippy barrel through the zone. There's very few flaws in his approach, as he's got excellent barrel control and will utilize the whole field to his advantage. It's hit-over-power right now, but as Fauske continues to grow into his body, we should see higher power output. He's already beginning to register exit velocities into the triple digits and he's shown some pull side power in game with quality bat speed. Expect the bat to be the money-maker in his profile. Defensively, he's logged a ton of innings behind the plate, where he's an average defender with a quick exchange and average arm strength. He's gotten more run in the dirt recently, mostly as a utility type when he's not catching. He's currently one of the top uncommitted bats in the country.


19. RHP Angel Cervantes, Warren (CA)

Height: 6’3

Weight: 193

b/t: r/r

Draft Day Age: 17 YR 10 MO

Commitment: UCLA

Hometown: Lynwood, CA

One of the youngest players in the class, Cervantes is an intriguing arm out of southern California. Cervantes is a great athlete with a fluid delivery and a clean arm swing with little to no effort down the mound. It's led by a low-90s fastball that has a downhill plane with some ride and run to it. Given the projection of Cervantes' frame, he could reach the mid-90s in due time. The change-up is the best pitch in his arsenal and it's a contender for the best cambio in the class. It's a higher spin offering that hits the brakes halfway to home plate in the upper-70s to low-80s, diving away from lefties. He'll throw in a curveball with high spin and shape manipulation, throwing both a vertical and sweepy curveball. Cervantes projects to be one of the youngest players in this class, as well. He is committed to attending UCLA.


20. 2B/SS Josh Gibbs, Forsyth County (GA)

Height: 6’0

Weight: 180

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 7 MO

Commitment: Georgia

Hometown: Cumming, GA

Gibbs is a lean, athletic infielder out of the state of Georgia who is really explosive on both sides of the ball. An XBH machine to start the 2024 summer circuit, there's quite a bit of noise ongoing during his load, but the timing of his swing is exquisite and the twitchiness in his profile really stands out. Gibbs possesses electric bat speed as a result of uber-quick, whippy hands, and loud body coil during his swing. Despite how noisy everything is, Gibbs stays in the zone and waits for his pitch, drawing walks and getting to the barrel often. As he fills out his frame, expect more power gains. There's a really good likelihood that Gibbs is capable of staying on the left side of the dirt, namely at shortstop. He's a great runner and utilizes his range on the dirt, showcasing soft hands and a rather strong arm across the diamond. The overall upside here is super enticing. Should Gibbs go to school, he'd enroll at Georgia.


21. C Brayden Jaksa, Irvington (CA)

Height: 6’6

Weight: 210

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 5 MO

Commitment: Oregon

Hometown: Fremont, CA

At 6'6, 210 pounds, Jaksa is not your typical catching prospect. Jaksa has an extra large frame with proportionate strength and long levers to his body, giving him ample projection to his figure. While he's gangly, he does a great job of controlling his limbs and body on both sides of the ball. At the plate, his plate discipline has very little warts and there's a ton of power projection in the stick. He stays within the strike zone and maintains a high contact rate thanks to a consistent bat path through the zone. He has a heavy barrel through the zone with natural loft and leverage, allowing him to tap into legitimate all fields power that should grade out as above-average or plus when all is said and done. Behind the dish, Jaksa is rather mobile for his size thanks to quality athleticism. He's a good receiver with a strong arm, as well. He's got a good shot to stick back there, but if he has to move positions, he fits as a first baseman or corner outfielder. Jaksa is committed to attending Oregon.


22. 3B/OF Quentin Young, Oaks Christian (CA)

Height: 6’5

Weight: 215

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 4 MO

Commitment: Louisiana State

Hometown: Camarillo, CA

Another reclassification from the 2026 ranks, Young is as tooled up as they come. Young is an extremely tall, lanky prospect with a ton of projection remaining to his frame, plus he's an excellent athlete on the field. The raw power in his profile is one of the more enticing in the class, grading out as easily plus and some may even put a double-plus grade on it. It's a heavy barrel with a ton of bat speed and torque in the swing, allowing the ball to fly off the bat. The hit tool is a work-in-progress, as an inconsistent bat path and whiffs hamper him. He'll need to iron out the kinks to live up to the sky-high offensive potential. Defensively, he has loud arm strength and projects best as a third baseman or right fielder as a result. His footwork at third base needs some work, but he has good range and actions at the position. Young is related to former big leaguers Delmon and Dmitri Young and will now be on the younger side of the class. He is committed to Louisiana State.


23. RHP Landon Harmon, East Union Attendance Center (MS)

Height: 6’5

Weight: 188

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 10 MO

Commitment: Mississippi State

Hometown: New Albany, MS

One of the biggest risers in this year's summer circuit, Harmon possesses one of the best fastballs in the entire class. The heater jumps out of the hand from a wide angle thanks to Harmon's crossfire and catches hitters by surprise, darting away from righties with slight cutting action and some riding life. He's already been up to 98 MPH in brief stints, quickly settling into the low/mid-90s across longer outings. He has electric arm speed and controls his body well down the mound, allowing him to throw a solid amount of strikes that should get better as he becomes more polished. His breaking ball has been a bit inconsistent, jumping between an upper-70s slurve and a firmer low-80s slider, but there's upside in the pitch as there's some late depth and sweep when it's on. As he develops further, there's a good chance he'll generate a power slider. There is a change-up in there, though it's rarely used. Harmon is currently committed to attending Mississippi State.


24. OF Anthony Pack Jr., Millikan (CA)

Height: 5’10

Weight: 175

b/t: L/L

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 6 MO

Commitment: Texas

Hometown: Lakewood, CA

If you're looking for a Dillon Head/Braylon Payne clone in this class, look no further than Anthony Pack Jr. Pack is an exceptional athlete with a ton of twitch on both sides of the ball. At the plate, Pack is a bit more of a slasher profile, though he's got extremely quick hands, tight rotation, and bat speed that separates him a bit from his peers. He's employed more of a line-drive approach in recent viewings and while there's some swing-and-miss, Pack is patient and racks up his walks. He'll attack the gaps and utilize his plus speed to his advantage, plus there's some pull side juice, too. He's a fit in center field long term thanks to the aforementioned plus speed, which enables him to get excellent reads off the bat and chase down fly balls with ease. He has the chance to be an exceptional defender when all is said and done. Overall, there's a lot to like with the profile and there's a good chance he's a Day 1 prospect. Pack is committed to the University of Texas.


25. RHP Marcos Paz, Hebron (TX)

Height: 6’2

Weight: 220

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 7 MO

Commitment: Louisiana State

Hometown: Carrollton, TX

Paz is a Texas arm with a ton of traits that lead to a starting role as a professional player. Unfortunately, Paz underwent Tommy John surgery in early July, taking him out through next summer and clouding his future a bit. He's more of a physical specimen at 6'2, 220 pounds, Paz has a low-effort delivery with a lightning-quick right arm and an arm swing that's a bit reminiscent of Chase Burns, allowing him to command gloveside with ease. His stuff is very impressive, led by a fastball that has been up to 97 MPH this spring. He'll usually sit in the 91-95 MPH pail and the pitch has solid carry upstairs, as well as good command. His slider profiles as one of, if not the best, breaking ball in the class. Sitting in the low-80s, Paz generates loud spin numbers and hitters struggle to connect thanks to the late bite and sweep out of the zone. There's a mid-80s change-up that has solid fade and tumble, projecting as average or better. More strikes will come as he gets more consistent with his delivery. Paz is committed to attending Louisiana State.


26. 1B/OF Josiah Hartshorn, Orange Lutheran (CA)

Height: 6’2

Weight: 220

b/t: S/l

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 5 MO

Commitment: Texas A&M

Hometown: Anaheim, CA

Orange Lutheran continues to churn out quality prospects, as Hartshorn is the next in a long line of top prospects to hail from the school. A physical figure in the box, Hartshorn is incredibly athletic for his size and projects to be on the younger side of the class at 18.5 on draft day. Hartshorn hit exclusively as a right-handed hitter last summer and decided to flip to the left side in 2024, strictly hitting as a lefty this summer. Hartshorn's bat speed stands out and while the swing can get a bit handsy, he coils his body very well and produces loud power off the bat. There's very little whiffs in his profile, as well, especially against heaters. He's a solid average or better runner and has the athleticism to handle a corner outfield spot, where he's shown the arm strength to handle right field. Should he outgrow his athleticism, he would fit best at first base, though that doesn't seem to be in the cards just yet. Should he make it to campus, he'll attend Texas A&M.


27. RHP River Hamilton, Sam Barlow (OR)

Height: 6’3

Weight: 185

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 9 MO

Commitment: Oregon State

Hometown: Woodvillage, OR

Could Hamilton become the next big arm out of Oregon? There's a chance it could happen, as the uber-projectable right-hander has a lot to like. Built like a twig, Hamilton's entire delivery is rather loose and athletic, moving fluidly down the mound with a bit of effort at release. It reminds us of Cole Schoenwetter's delivery a bit. The fastball has a chance to be very, very loud. Already sitting in the low-90s consistently, Hamilton's heater generates a ton of vertical carry, averaging close to twenty inches of ride and he's shown an ability to add run down in the zone. He's been throwing strikes with it, too. There's a chance for a plus offering here as it jumps out of his hand. The low-80s breaking ball can get inconsistent, but at its best, he generates solid sweeping action with late bite away from righties. His mid-80s change-up has solid fading life, too. Command can come and go, though given the athleticism, there's a good chance it'll continue to improve. Hamilton is committed to attending Oregon State.


28. OF Brock Ketelsen, Valley Christian Schools (CA)

Height: 6’4

Weight: 195

b/t: L/L

Draft Day Age: 17 YR 11 MO

Commitment: Stanford

Hometown: Scotts Valley, CA

Ketelsen is a bit of an unknown, but his mix of tools and projection makes him a quality prospect at this stage in the cycle. At 6'4, 195 pounds, Ketelsen is rather lanky and features a lot of twitchy actions in his game. A left-handed bat, Ketelsen has very impressive bat speed and displays accuracy with his barrel through the zone, staying short and direct to the baseball. There's already present strength and power in the profile, mainly to the gaps and pull side, though as he adds weight to his frame, expect the power to tick up. His hips open up violently and there's natural loft to the swing. In the field, he's likely a corner outfielder at the next level, though he's able to cover a ton of ground thanks to his lengthy stride and quality speed. He runs like a gazelle in the outfield and shows defensive maturity, giving him a solid outlook with the glove. He has also seen time on the bump, getting up to 92 MPH from the left side. Ketelsen is one of the youngest players in the class, too. With that said, he is a Stanford commit, which is something to keep an eye on come draft day.


29. C Trent Grindlinger, Huntington Beach (CA)

Height: 6’3

Weight: 195

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 11 MO

Commitment: Mississippi State

Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA

Grindlinger has quietly had one of the better summer circuits of anyone in the class, hitting at every stop he's been at. A physical catching prospect from Huntington Beach, Grindlinger is one of the best catch-and-throw guys in this class. He has solid athleticism and moves well behind the dish with a very strong arm, throwing out would-be base stealers with ease on numerous occasions. He's a near-lock to stay behind the plate long term. At the plate, he does expand the zone a bit, but he does a great job of fighting off strikeouts. It's a powerful swing with solid bat speed and he's shown an ability to adjust to off-speed pitches, handling them well this summer. He'll pepper the gaps with line drives and there's considerable raw juice in the bat during his BP rounds, primarily targeting his pull side. It's a fun profile to dive into. He'll be on the older side, as he'll turn 19 during All-Star Weekend in 2025, though he's got the tools to be signed away from his Mississippi State commitment.


30. RHP Grayson Boles, Saint Augustine (CA)

Height: 6’4

Weight: 215

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 9 MO

Commitment: Texas

Hometown: San Diego, CA

At 6'4, 215 pounds, Boles looks every bit like a future workhorse starter. A projectable athlete on the bump, Boles moves fluidly down the bump and repeats his delivery well. While he's more of a low-90s arm currently, he's shown mid-90s velocity in shorter stints this summer and the pitch possesses a lively nature, especially on the top rail. There's some flatness with his approach angle and as he matures, the expectation is that he may sit more in the mid-90s. That's an excellent recipe for a heater that projects to miss quite a bit of bats. He's flip-flopped between an upper-70s curveball and a low/mid-80s gyro slider, both of which have quality depth and project well. He's used more of the slider this summer, flashing short shape with nasty bite when he's on. There's a fading mid-80s cambio in there, too. Given the athleticism and repetition of his delivery, there's a good chance he'll grow into more strike-throwing. A SoCal native, Boles is committed to attending Texas.

2024 MLB Draft Recap: Staff Picks

BEST OVERALL DRAFT CLASSES

Jared’s Pick: Colorado Rockies

The entire world thought the Cincinnati Reds would take Georgia 3B/OF Charlie Condon with the second overall pick after the Guardians took Travis Bazzana. But they shocked everyone and took Chase Burns. This allowed for Condon to fall right into the Rockies' lap. Condon put up video game numbers during the entire year, hitting 37 home runs while driving in 78 in 60 games. Just absurd. They followed that pick by taking RHP Brody Brecht, who has some of the best stuff in this draft class. The only knock on him is his command and control issues.

They continued their surge of solid players by taking OF Jared Thomas (one of the best pure hitters in the class) and C Cole Messina (3rd Round), an excellent clubhouse presence and is a complete gamer. They then took a tremendous senior sign, Blake Wright (4th Round), out of Clemson. The third baseman has power to all fields and improved his contact rates this year. They also took a couple of intriguing mid-major arms in LHP Konner Eaton (6th Round) out of George Mason and LHP Everett Catlett (12th Round) out of Georgetown. Eaton has an excellent fastball with great life to it and two good secondaries in his slider and changeup. A team should be able to build off of those. Catlett is a tall, lanky southpaw who has a presence on the mound. He hasn’t had a lot of miles on his arm due to some injuries. It's a good fastball that has been up to 96 and a solid slider to go with it. The Rockies have to be very happy with this draft class. 


Tyler’s Pick: Cincinnati Reds

Adding an arm like Chase Burns will always create excitement around a draft class, especially after we’ve seen a somewhat comparable talent in Paul Skenes at the major league level less than a year after being drafted. Though the Burns pick--especially the lack of savings--was surprising, the Reds soaked up value the rest of the way, apparently not needing any extra money to work with. In the end, they blended some high upside dart throws with a sturdy group of pro-ready collegiate performers. 


Tyson Lewis stands out as arguably the most toolsy non-Konnor Griffin player from this draft and they really hammered home a strong class of hitters adding plate discipline-maestro Mike Sirota (3rd Round), ultra-rounded Peyton Stovall (4th Round), intriguing backstop in Jacob Friend (6th Round), and a huge sleeper in Myles Smith (7th Round)--a twitchy outfield bat with excellent hitting aptitude. Adding quality and low-risk collegiate pitching in Luke Holman (CB-B) and Tristan Smith (5th Round) gives Cincinnati a real chance to produce more than one MLB rotation arm. Assuming the club can also sign prep shortstop Adrian Areizaga (14th Round), they’ll have a really fun blend of proximate MLB talents and projectable middle infield athletes.

Harris’ Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates had several quality options with the ninth overall pick, and went with the prep shortstop Konnor Griffin. Griffin is big and athletic with off-the-chart tools. His hit tool is less certain than that of a typical top-10 pick, but he has superstar potential.


The rest of Day 1 saw Pittsburgh go after a pair of surprisingly high-floor high school guys. Levi Sterling is a long, athletic right-hander with excellent strike-throwing ability and tons of projection, while Wyatt Sanford is arguably the best defensive shortstop in the class.


Third-rounder Josh Hartle was a top prep prospect in 2021 and had an up-and-down career at Wake Forest. His fastball lacks the necessary movement, but he throws tons of strikes and has two secondary pitches that flash plus. It isn’t crazy to imagine him being one of the better pitchers in the entire class— especially given how well Pittsburgh has developed arms in recent years.


Will Taylor is a toolsy outfielder who spent two years moonlighting as a wide receiver for the Clemson football team. As a result, he’s incredibly raw and unpolished at the plate, but he is super athletic and profiles as an above-average center fielder. He showed some improved power in 2024, as well. He’s a worthwhile dart throw in the fifth round.

Finally, eighth-round right-hander Gavin Adams is one of the more intriguing late-round selections. The JuCo transfer never got a chance to prove himself at the D1 level, as he underwent Tommy John surgery before taking the mound for Florida State. Adams is athletic and projectable with a triple-digits fastball, so it goes without saying that he comes with upside.

Overall, Pittsburgh built well for the future, adding plenty of talent to an already strong crop of prospects.


Switz’s Pick: Cleveland Guardians

I know picking the team with the number 1 overall pick and the most pool money as the best overall draft is very cliche. However, it's how the Guardians worked their money and pulled off the ability to land four prep arms with high ceilings for one of baseball's best pitching development systems while still taking the best dude in the draft by most rankings in Bazzana.

Further, when they didn't take a prep arm, they showed their usual tendencies of staying up the middle throughout the draft by taking one of the top catchers in this cycle of Cozart, a sleeper backstop in Thompson, and multiple college arms with distinctive attributes and stuff. After everything ended, the Guardians walked away with seven dudes inside Prospect Live's top 200 and reloaded their pitching depth (which is their bread and butter). Everyone knew that the Guardians were looking under slot with the first pick; however, no one knew the abilities they were planning with the saved money throughout the other two days of the draft. 


Patrick’s Pick: Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox had Braden Montgomery fall into their lap at the 12th overall pick. While there may be some question marks about whether he still switch-hits in pro ball and his defense, getting this type of player at pick 12 is certainly something to be excited about. After Montgomery, the Red Sox took an approach I love, going after data-friendly arms and hitters with on-base and defensive ability. Peyton Tolle was their 2nd round pick, who throws an elevator ball of a four-seamer and will flash a plus changeup, followed by Gators stopper Brandon Neely in the 3rd.

Blake Aita features a frisbee slider with a well-shaped fastball, and Brandon Clarke has crazy arm speed and a flashed feel for secondaries. Devin Futrell is a big-bodied left-hander with a good carry and a good velo fastball. On the bat side, Zach Ehrhard is a twitchy center fielder with on-base skills and will play a nice center field. Will Turner had a down season in 2024 after a career year at the plate in 2023, but can still play a plus centerfield. Conrad Cason was drafted as a two-way player and has the discipline and crazy pop at the plate to go with hellacious arm speed on the mound. 


Jeff’s Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks

A lot of the value in this class comes from day one. They grabbed two of my top 15 with their first two selections. While teams worried about Slade Caldwell's size and Ryan Waldschimdt's knees, the Diamondbacks snapped up fantastic talent. Caldwell would have been the top prep player if he was 6 inches taller. There are questions about power, but no doubt he can handle centerfield and has some of the best physical traits in the class.


Wadschimdt's batted ball data was excellent across the board. He didn't chase, had excellent exit velocity, and great contact data. The bat will play wherever. I was the high one on JD Dix, and I think if he had been healthy, he would have gone much earlier. I saw some JJ Wetherholt in the profile. Daniel Eagen looks like a potential back-end starter who got better all year. Tytus Cissell has a lot of similar traits to Dix but with more athleticism and less of a chance to stick at short. Conor Foley is a considerable risk, both literally and figuratively. Indiana has quietly become a pitching factory, and Foley stood out for his fastball this year. He is a plus athlete with two plus offerings. If his command can be worked on, there is a lot of upside with a nice reliever floor. I was not super familiar with Ivan Luciano, but there are worse coaches for a young Puerto Rican catcher than Yadier Molina. They let the draft come to them and came away with an excellent mix of players. 


As a bonus, they also made the best name selection in the entire class when, with pick 254 of the 10th round, they took Trent Youngblood from Transylvania University. He became the first pick ever from Transylvania University. I don't believe in draft grades, but they are auto A. 

FAVORITE PICKS

Jared’s Pick: RHP Drew Beam (3rd Round, 76th Pick, Kansas City Royals)

Now I know what you’re thinking… “Jared is being a homer here,” but I promise I’m not! Beam came in as Prospects Live’s #47 overall prospect, and it is not hard to see why. Sure, there’s nothing flashy in his pitch mix, but he has been one of the SEC's most reliable and top-performing arms for three years. It is about as safe of a floor as you can find and one of the safest bets to make it to the major leagues as a back-of-the-rotation starter. It’s a polished pitcher who throws many strikes with a decent four-pitch mix. Maybe the Royals can unlock a bit more in Beam with their new way of pitching development. The Royals have to be happy with him falling to them at 76.

Patrick’s Pick: BHP Jurrangelo Cijntje (1st Round, 15th Pick, Seattle Mariners)

Cijntje is famous for being a both-handed pitcher. However, he exclusively threw right-handed for most of the season for Mississippi State. From the right side, Cijntje is 93-96 and up to 98 with a high carry, low release fastball. His slider is his go-to secondary, which is generally in the mid 80’s with an average sweep. However, the Mariners’ pitching factory has shown they can develop breakers just as well as anyone, and Cijntje has the ideal arm path for a sweeper. On top of this, the newly exclusive right-hander will flash an above-average changeup. There’s a lot to like here, and given Cijntje has spent his whole career throwing with both hands, focusing on one side may give a

developmental boost, on top of the Mariners’ midas touch pitching development.

Tyler’s Pick: Ariel Armas (5th Round, 153rd Pick, Chicago Cubs)

Maybe I’ll look like a homer for going out on a limb with a lesser-known 5th rounder, but Armas flew under the radar as one of the best defensive backstops I’ve seen at the amateur level. The San Diego product is a legit pro defender and should need little refinement on that end to reach the big leagues; he’s a gunner with his arm, an excellent blocker, and has smooth framing skills. Armas isn’t going to light up box scores with his bat, but there are above average bat-to-ball skills here with a quality approach. Should Armas emerge as an average hitter, he has the upside of a high-end backup catcher.


Switz’s Pick: LHP Cam Caminiti (1st Round, 24th Pick, Atlanta Braves)

Many teams will look back on this pick and ask why we let him fall to Atlanta. The Braves have been notorious for some time now within their pitching development, to the point that agents are very comfortable having their dudes fall in the draft to see them get selected by the Braves. This seems like another scenario, as many mocked Caminiti as a first-half-of-the-first-round type of dude and ended up being a dream situation for Atlanta. 


A big-league bloodline prodigy, Cam has been a must-watch arm within the prep circuit for some time now by lighting up the radar guns with an FB in the mid-90s topping up to 98 and possessing two breaking balls that look like they could become plus offerings in the near future. He displays advanced mechanics, good balance, and desired repeatability of his fluid operation for his age (the reason for his reclassification). He’s been a wrecking ball against LHHs and seems to be on the trajectory that he could momentarily be a high-upside starting arm in Truist Park when the dust settles on his development. 


Jeff's Pick: RHP Luke Sinnard (3rd Round, 99th Pick, Atlanta Braves)

Luke Sinnard had some travels and travails in college. He started at Western Kentucky, then transferred to Indiana, and then needed Tommy John Surgery, but he didn't pitch this past season. Yet when he did get to pitch it was at the combine where he posted some of the best spin rates of any pitcher at the entire combine. The year before, he broke a nearly 90-year-old strikeout record at Indiana. He is a massive kid at 6'8" and 250 pounds. Yet he also posted excellent control numbers in school. His size and extension make his velocity play up, which pairs with the high spin rates on his curve and slider, making him a player I kept moving up boards. While the injury cost him his season, he might be able to pitch in the minors for Atlanta this year, helping him recover time. I see a large pitcher who missed bats, had excellent walk rates, and had two pitches with exceptional spin data, and I still feel like he could have gone higher. 


Harris’ Pick: RHP Trey Yesavage (1st Round, 20th Pick, Toronto Blue Jays)

Yesavage had some buzz in the top 10 but fell all the way down to the 20th overall pick, likely due to a lung injury. East Carolina’s Friday night starter turned in back-to-back dominant seasons in 2023 and 2024, striking out 250 hitters while walking just 55 over 169.1 innings. His collegiate career ended with a win over Wake Forest — the same Wake Forest team that turned out three top-10 picks earlier this month — out dueling Chase Burns and limiting Nick Kurtz and Seaver King to one combined hit in six plate appearances.

Yesavage has a prototypical starter’s frame and a dangerous four-pitch mix. His slider and splitter are especially dangerous, and he commands his entire arsenal very well. He’s a high-floor prospect with a No. 2 starter upside and could be one of the first big leaguers from this class. Compared to the highest-drafted college arms — Chase Burns and Hagen Smith — Yesavage is a fairly sure thing, given his strike-throwing ability.

As of this writing, Yesavage and the Blue Jays have yet to finalize a contract, but that will presumably happen before the Aug. 1 deadline and likely for over-slot value. Regardless of what the signing bonus ends up being, Yesavage could end up being the steal of the draft.

BIGGEST SURPRISE PICKS

Jared’s Pick: OF PJ Morlando (1st Round,16th Pick, Miami Marlins)

This wasn’t a surprise pick because it was bad; I expected Morlando to go near the back half of the first or during the comp rounds. The Marlins saw something they liked, and there might be a slight chance they could under-slot him, though it could be tough to do so given his commitment to South Carolina). Morlando possesses a ton of raw power but has struggled to tap into it during games. He’s got a patient approach at the plate, but he could be too patient, so he hasn’t fully tapped into his power. He showed off his massive pop at the MLB Draft Combine by hitting four balls over 110 mph. That showing could be part of the reason he flew up boards for some teams. He has great athleticism and average speed/arm, so he’s likely manning a corner outfield position. While a shocking pick, it is still not a bad one for the Marlins, especially with how the rest of their draft ended. 

Switz’s Pick: RHP Chase Burns (1st Round, 2nd Pick. Cincinnati Reds)

My heart has to go with the Reds here, as all noise indicated they would take a bat profile. Since Krall took over the helm of the Reds' front office, he has stated that the Reds' plan is to rejuvenate their pitching development and provide a consistent pipeline of fresh young arms to the major leagues. This has been apparent in recent years due to their acquisitions and draft strategies. Burns complements the young pitching talent well and should be an exciting, high-octane arm to watch for the Reds in a few years.

Patrick’s Pick: 3B Billy Amick (2nd Round, 60th Pick, Minnesota Twins)

I was surprised to see Amick go about 10-20 picks later than I anticipated for him, but what surprised me most was seeing a generally model-driven team in the Twins jump on him. Amick is a guy who expands the zone a bit and doesn’t make a lot of contact, which grades poorly on many models. However, he’s made strides at 3rd base, looking like an everyday guy there, and the power is outrageous to all fields. Getting this type of power at pick 60 was an opportunity the Twins couldn’t pass up on. 

Jeff's Pick: OF Braylon Payne (1st Round, 17th Pick, Milwaukee Brewers)

I don't think I saw a mock mentioning Payne before the Competitive Balance Picks, and rarely then. For Locked On, I was asked to make 40 draft videos for the players who could go in round one. Honestly, I never considered Payne. It's not just that, though. It's the Brewers also making this pick. The most conservative team in the first round of the draft. They had not taken a prep player since Brice Turang; since that has worked out, maybe they felt more comfortable doing it here. It's a combination of a team that doesn't draft high school players with their top pick and a player that I didn't ever think would go in the teens that made this one an audible gasp for me on draft night.

Harris’ Pick: SS/OF Seaver King (1st Round, 10th Pick, Washington Nationals)

Seaver King can run. There’s no question about that. But his other four tools are less of a sure thing.

He’s a free swinger who frequently chases out of the zone and falls behind in the count. There is some power potential, given his bat speed and impressive top-end exit velocities, but he doesn’t have much strength or any physical projection remaining, plus his swing path is geared more for line drives.


While he has displayed some defensive versatility this year, his hands and defensive actions are not up to par for playing on the dirt at the next level. The Nationals left plenty of superior college bats on the board, and it’s not even as if King was a significant money saver— he received a signing bonus north of $5 million, more than that of both Christian Moore and Cam Smith.

BIGGEST SLEEPER PICKS

Jared’s Pick: OF Casey Cook (3rd Round, 103rd Pick, Texas Rangers)

I talked about Beam having one of the safest floors as a pitcher earlier, but Cook might be one of the safest floors you can find from a bat in this draft. It’s a beautiful left-handed swing, and he controls the strike zone well. He is definitely hit over power, but he’s been able to drive the ball a bit more and saw an increase in power this year as he hit 18 home runs. He also has some defensive concerns due to limited speed. He will likely end up a left fielder. Regardless, Cook flew up a lot of teams’ boards due to his bat, and while he doesn’t have the hype of a first-rounder, Cook could be a quick riser in the minors, and he could find a lot of success. 

Patrick’s Pick: Brandon Neely (3rd round, 86th pick, Boston Red Sox)

Neely probably teeters the line of sleeper, given his fame as Florida’s stopper during their run to the College World Series the past two seasons, but I was a little surprised to see him fall this far. Neely excelled out of the bullpen for the Gators, but I think Boston will give him a chance to start, similar to the career path of current Mets prospect and former Gator Christian Scott. Neely has been up to 97, and is generally 92-95 in his longer bullpen appearances. His fastball doesn’t have outlier movement, but his low release height allows it to play better than the movement profile would expect.

On top of this, Neely hides the ball incredibly well, starting with his front shoulder closed and coming across his body at the foot plant. While this crossfire delivery may create injury concerns, it’s possible Neely can tone it down a tad while still keeping the same deception. Neely’s go to secondary is a tight spinning, 84-87 MPH slider. This pitch gets an average sweep, but given its velocity, it’s really above-average sweep. Neely has shown the ability to manipulate the shape of this pitch given the batters’s handiness, and land it in the zone consistently. Compared to left-handed hitters, Neely mainly uses his slider but has mixed in a 78 MPH sweeping curveball and will even flash an above-average changeup in the high 80s. What I think a pro team will do with his arsenal, if starting is the path they decide to take, is make his slider even tighter and harder.

Neely looks like he’d be a prime candidate for a sweeper. He has the arm path that teams look for, and has shown the ability to supinate given his ability to mix in a more bigger curveball. While he’s flashed an above-average changeup, finding a way to spin to left-handed hitters seems like the better path for Neely.

Jeff's Pick: 3B Sean Keys (Round 4, 125th Pick, Toronto Blue Jays)

If one lists everything that would make a player a sleeper, it would all come together in Sean Keys. He is a small school, cold weather player with elite data and stats. He was one of the best hitters on the Cape a year ago, showing power and an ability to face the best of the best and fit right in. He is also a young junior not having turned 21 until the very end of May. He was one of five players who had the highest distribution scores for chase, 90th percentile exit velocity, and contact rates in college baseball. On top of this all he is an incredibly smart kid who is a mechanical engineering student with videos out there on robotics. The only things he is missing from the upside bingo chart are bloodlines and an elite position. If not for the Cape I would be more concerned but he was one of the best even when he faced the best.

Harris’ Pick: OF Casey Saucke (Round 3, 107th Pick, Chicago White Sox)

Casey Saucke arrived in Charlottesville as a projectable, bat-first player with tons of power potential. He never quite tapped into that power at Virginia, but he still possesses impressive bat speed and raw strength, so there’s reason to believe he can become a dangerous power hitter at the next level with some mechanical adjustments. The strikeout numbers aren’t concerning, and while no one would describe him as overly patient, he is willing to draw the occasional walk. He’s limited to a corner outfield spot, but his strong arm would play well in right.

Now, it’s hard to give the White Sox the benefit of the doubt in terms of player development, but Saucke does have the tools to turn into an everyday corner outfielder on the back of a typical power/arm combination.

FAVORITE LATE ROUND PICKS

Jared’s Pick: OF Ian Petrutz (12th Round, 351st Pick, St. Louis Cardinals)

Petrutz was a highly touted prospect during his freshman and sophomore years at Maryland. He followed when his Head Coach, Rob Vaughn, went to Alabama. The jump to the SEC didn’t seem to phase Petrut either. Contact is the name of the game for him, as he has an impressive approach at the plate and an excellent feel for the strike zone. When he makes contact, he also hits the ball hard. He’s the type of bat you draft, hoping that he can tweak his swing to tap into more of his power. Petrutz gets dinged mostly for his lack of defensive positioning, and he’s likely to be manning left field in the future due to his limited speed and lack of an arm—a fun late pick for the Cardinals, who has some upside. 

Switz’s Pick: RHP Titan Hayes (11th round, 342nd Pick, Philadelphia Phillies)

I love the day three value of Hayes here for Philly by taking a data darling arm that can spin the ball very well. It all starts with an upper-90s FB that topped 99 this summer on the Cape with easy life and desirable movement that Hayes loves to attack in the zone. He already has a plus putaway pitch in his SL. When you watch him play, the dude consistently generates whiffs and has a desirable bulldog mentality on the bump. I could easily see him as a fast-rising RP within the Phillies system to look out for.


Patrick’s Pick: RHP Caedmon Parker (11th Round, 335th Pick, Milwaukee Brewers)

Parker was highly touted out of high school for his projectability and delivery, so much that it almost got him a few million dollars. Parker elected to go to TCU where he battled injuries and lack of strike-throwing. His draft year however, Parker looks to have turned a page. He showed a great ability to command his hard gyro slider and big low 80’s sweeping curveball out of the Horned Frogs bullpen. Parker still has plenty of room to fill out, and at 92-94 and a nice cut carry action, Parker’s fastball can get even better. You may even see the Brewers implement a seam shifted wake sinker, something that is possible with the way Parker cuts his fastball. With feel for spin, projectability, and a strong prospect pedigree, Parker is a fun developmental piece to follow.


Jeff's Pick: 1B Jeremiah Jenkins (14th Round, 418th Pick, San Francisco Giants)

The fact Jeremiah Jenkins slid to the 14th round and only got slot still boggles my mind. When I was trying to decide on my favorite late pick I started looking at 90th percentile exit velocities and then trying to find players who weren't a net negative with contact or chase while having elite exit velocity. There were two players, Jackson and Lyle Miller-Green. It was easy to separate the two as there was a three-year age gap between them. With Jenkins having just turned 21 at the start of May and Miller turning 24 in September. Jenkins is a small school player but he did what was needed to perform at a high level, access his power, and not strike out too much. There are reasons for concern. I wish we had seen him in one of the upper-tier summer leagues and that he had not struggled in a lesser one a year ago. Yet power is the most expensive trait to acquire in baseball, and finding a power hitter late with growth potential whose batted ball profile did not have red flags, especially for slot, is a fantastic get for the Giants. 

Harris’ Pick: LHP Dalton Pence (11th Round, 345th Pick, Texas Rangers)

Sure, this is a bit of a homer pick. But I also have the benefit of seeing Dalton Pence live more than a dozen times over the last two years. The left-hander was easily Carolina’s best reliever in 2024, and especially showed up in some big moments against LSU, West Virginia and Virginia in the NCAA tournament.

Pence has flashed a quality slider and changeup, but his repertoire is incredibly fastball-heavy. The heater sits in the 92-94 range with excellent carry, and profiles as a real swing-and-miss pitch. He’s clearly a reliever — a limited pitch mix, average-at-best control and no track record of starting in college don’t point to a guy starting in pro ball — but he’s been one of the nation’s best over the last two seasons. An 11th-rounder on a potential big league reliever is a bargain.

FAST MOVERS

Jared’s Pick: RHP Tyson Neighbors (Round 4, 118th Pick, San Diego Padres)

Tyson Neighbors is your guy if you were looking for a reliever who could quickly ascend to the big leagues. The Kansas State closer has been a force for the Wildcats in the back end of their bullpen. He dealt with some injuries this year, but in 2023, he struck out an insane 86 batters in 48.2 innings. It’s a mid-90s fastball that has reached 99 mph with insane IVB. The crazier part is that it isn’t even his best pitch. He has two breaking balls, a slider that is in the upper-80s which is his primary pitch for swing and miss, and a curveball that has insane bite. Both have crazy spin rates to them. It’s three-plus pitches, and he will likely not need much time in the minor leagues to develop. Padres fans will be excited to have Neighbors in their bullpen very soon! 

Patrick’s Pick: Blake Burke (CB-A, 32nd Pick, Milwaukee Brewers)

Burke might be a step towards a trend of the Brewers drafting crazy power early in the draft, after taking Brock Wilken in the first last year. Picking a power-over-hit bat to move fast may be a little crazy, but Burke was one of the most polished hitters in the country in 2024, and possesses double plus raw power. While the chase numbers are high, Burke has shown the ability to pick up on a pitchers approach, as well as limit his strikeouts with a nice two strike approach. This type of skill set should move him up the ladder quickly, and if he’s able to continue to cut down on his swings outside of the zone, he may be up even quicker. While a power over hit guy may not be considered a fast mover, I believe Burke’s experience combined with the Brewers player development machine are a good combination. 

Switz’s Pick: RHP Louis-Philippe Langevin (Round 4, 105th Pick, KC Royals)

Earlier, I mentioned that Hayes could be a fast riser due to his pure stuff, and he could also fit here. Instead, I'm going to pivot to Canada's greatest export in this draft class of L.P Langevin. A dude who could have easily been selected last year out of Wabash, who displayed filthy stuff within the MLB Draft League with the WV Black Bears in 2023 that later ended up with the Ragin Cajuns this spring. Langevin has some of the most fascinating fastball traits and metrics in this class and is a dude that, if chosen as a reliever arm for the next level (and is most likely a possibility), could skyrocket through the Royals system, similarly as we saw in Orion Kerkering in the Phillies system. Who similarly mostly pitches off a fastball/slider combination. However, L.P. has started incorporating a CUT and a CH more often in his offerings from this spring as he first bounced back and forth between the starting rotation and bullpen before ending up as their reliable back-end arm (“cough-cough” Kierking at South Florida). 


Langevin's fastball is in the low 90s and touches 96 MPH. It has a good combo of riding life and arm-side run, which overwhelms hitters in the box. I'm higher on his slider than most analysis and draft gurus are; however, it's a mid-80s slider with a high spin (2,500-2,800 rpm) and sharp action. It's a potential plus offering that could be a consistent swing-and-miss pitch at the next level, as he carved up a 70% whiff rate in his short stint in the Draft League last summer and over 38% with the SL this spring, with the hopes the Royals develop it further as a putaway pitch within their developmental level. 


Langevin emerged this spring as one of the most effective back-end arms in college baseball for the Ragin Cajuns. I envision him carrying this momentum and success into the Royals system and skyrocketing as a fast mover to help the back end of the depleted Royals major league squad very soon. 

Jeff's Pick: Travis Bazzana (Round 1, 1st Pick, Cleveland Guardians)

I started this out by talking about the Angels trio of relief arms but then it kind of felt like cheating so instead let's look at the first pick in the draft. The detractors for Travis Bazzana were focused on him being physically maxed out and his swing also being already maxed. He has done the work already so the bigger focus is for him to get used to velocity and advanced secondary pitches. While there is some truth to this, telling Bazzana he can’t do something never works out. Right now though it is less about his skills and more about exposure for him. The Guardians placed him right into High A, and some of the talk has made it sound like he could be on a path similar to Wyatt Lanford a year ago. Plus I had to talk about a Guardians player somewhere. 

TOP GUYS HEADING OR RETURNING TO CAMPUS

Jared’s Pick: OF Harrison Didawick (Virginia)

Didawick was someone I came away extremely impressed with during my live looks. He was a draft-eligible sophomore but will return to campus for his junior year at Virginia. He hit 23 long balls and drove in 68 while stealing 14 bags for the Cavaliers At the plate, Didawick was able to showcase his power to all fields from the left side, but he did struggle with strikeouts. The power comes from his bat speed coupled with his strength. Despite his strong, well-built frame, he still holds own defensively and on the base paths. Virginia, who made a run to the College World Series, have to be excited about getting Didawick back to campus. 

Patrick’s Pick: Jalin Flores (Texas)

Flores is a lanky glove first shortstop that was a draft eligible sophomore this past season. It’s plus arm strength and utility to go with plus range and actions and a pro ball body. While he put up some stupid numbers in the Big 12 and was likely to go in the pick 100 range, proving himself at the plate in the SEC could boost him into Day 1 territory. While his plate skills aren’t great (big chase rates, average contact rates), the power and bat speed is real to go along with a demonstrated ability to pull the ball in the air. The new Longhorns staff has to be pretty excited about getting their everyday shortstop back to campus.

Switz’s Pick: INF Luis Hernandez (Indiana St. to LSU)

He's not a guy who was considered a top dude going into the draft, as many teams removed his name after he transferred to LSU. However, Luis was a dynamic contact hitter for the Sycamores this spring and was a guy I thought would generate late day 2 - early day 3 consideration before Jay Johnson swooped in and landed him for the 2025 season. Below is a report I wrote on Hernandez before he was removed from most boards. 


One of the few prospects in this class that hails from the island of Puerto Rico, Hernandez is an offensive piece within the Indiana State lineup that busted out this spring with an impressive 21 home runs, 70 RBIs, and an OPS over 1.000 heading into the NCAA Tourney while displaying an impressive 26-game on-base streak early this spring. During his time with the Sycamores, Hernandez has always found a way to get into the lineup with his consistent offensive prowess and contact abilities. However, he has jumped around within the program as the Sycamores coaching staff have tried to find the best way to maximize his value. As an underclassman, he was recruited as a catcher and, after his first year, made the change to full-time as a DH and 1B. 

Offensively, we see a lot of Yandy Diaz in Hernandez's offensive profile for the next level as a low swing/miss type hitter that can spray bullets all over the park with backspin for line drive base hits (average over power type hitter). Luis has the ability to control the strike zone well and drive up pitch counts during ABs on pitchers. In the box, he presents a straight stance with a wide lower half and a hitch in his back leg that plays tight to the dish. Before contact, Hernandez stays in his lower half and back hip longer, which helps him generate more bat speed. He's a short-stroke swinger with a good feel for the barrel and a disciplined approach. The breakout in power this spring shows some healthy signs that the developing raw power is on its way, but his approach is not geared toward creating the loft necessary to hit homers. 

Defensively, he is limited, as seen at the college level. Pro teams may test out his versatility due to his strong arm, quick actions, and good footwork in the field. He does an awesome job charging the baseball and gaining ground for a corner player, and he could project into a Spencer Steer defensive profile at the next level."

Jeff's Pick: LHP Ryan Prager (Texas A&M)

Now this one feels like cheating as he was drafted but announced he is returning to school. It is very rare for a player to be taken on the first two days and not sign. Prager was one of the best pitchers in the NCAA in his first year back from Tommy John Surgery excelling in environments that almost no one excelled in. He should be all the way back from his injury next year, and if he can add some velocity then he could potentially improve his draft position. The big knock on Prager has been the lack of added mph since high school. Either way, he stands with Jaime Arnold as the top two arms I can't wait to see pitch next year. If he can level up next year he could be the best pitcher in the NCAA next year.

Harris’ Pick: LHP Cade Obermueller (Iowa)

As of this moment, it’s undetermined whether Cade Obermueller will sign with the Texas Rangers or return to Iowa. But a draft-eligible sophomore falling to the end of the 19th round usually points in the direction of a return to school. Obermueller impressed in his first season in Iowa’s rotation, and were he to return to campus, he would undoubtedly become the Hawkeyes’ Friday night guy.

Obermueller is an undersized southpaw with a low arm slot, two plus secondaries and major control issues. He rarely gets hit hard, and generates tons of whiffs on his slider. There’s certainly reliever risk given a lack of control, but any sort of improvement in that area would make Obermueller an intriguing option in next year’s class.

2024 MLB Draft: Which Teams Had the Best Draft Class?

It’s wild that the 2024 MLB Draft has come to an end. It feels like Tyler and I were launching the On The Clock podcast yesterday, and fall-ball was just starting. Now that we’ve come down from the high of the draft, it’s time to do some recaps and break down some of the picks and team hauls. We will continue our breakdown by going through the teams that had some of the best hauls on draft day.  


Draft Live Stream | Top 300 Prospects | Regional Board Rankings 

Day One Recap | Final Recap | Best Value Picks 


Cleveland Guardians 

You will likely do well in the draft when you have the most money. The Guardians took full advantage of having the largest bonus pool. They kicked off the start of the draft by taking Travis Bazzana out of Oregon State. It was rumored leading up to the draft that it would be him or West Virginia shortstop JJ Wetherholt. Bazzana came in around $1.6 million underslot, giving the Guardians plenty of money to spend later in the draft. They continued their day one, drafting highly-touted prep right-hander Braylon Doughty and possibly the second-best catcher in the draft in Jacob Cozart. Doughty is an arm that has already had his fastball up to 96 mph and a breaking ball that hovers around an insane 3,000 RPM. Cozart offensively offers a ton of upside and is one of the best defensive catchers behind the plate.

2B Travis Bazzana

Cleveland's excitement didn’t stop on day one. To start day two, they took another high-upside prep arm, Joey Oakie, out of the state of Iowa. He’s another arm with loud stuff, as his fastball is in the mid-90s and has topped at 97 mph. They followed by taking two more highly touted prep arms, Cameron Sullivan in the 7th round and Chase Mobley in the 10th round. Sullivan features a fastball up to 97 mph and a power slider in the high-80s to low-90s. Mobley is full of projection and an outstanding athlete. His electric fastball has topped out at 97 mph with a ton of two-seam action. They rounded out their draft with other intriguing arms, including RHP Aidan Major out of West Virginia, LHP Rafe Schlesinger out of Miami, and RHP Cam Schuelke out of Mississippi State. Sixteen of the Guardians' 21 picks were pitchers. This is a good sign for a team that has been successful in developing arms. 

SS Konnor Griffin

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled together a draft class with some fun upside. Every time the Pirates' pick was announced for the first three rounds of the draft, I just thought, “Ohhh I like that!”. The Pirates had the ninth overall pick and seemed to strike gold when Konnor Griffin fell to them. There were talks that Griffin might go as high as the Chicago White Sox or Kansas City Royals pick. Griffin was the consensus best prep player in the 2024 MLB Draft, and he’s full of upside and projection. The guy oozes tools. He’s got a ton of bat speed and power combined with a reasonably mature approach at the plate. He also stole an insane 85 bases this spring. The Pirates seemed exactatic to land him at number nine.

The Pirates followed that pick with two more prep guys full of upside in RHP Levi Sterling out of California and SS Wyatt Sanford out of Texas. They took Sterling with their Comp-A pick. Sterling already has a four-pitch mix with an effortless delivery on the mound. He’s already in the low 90s with his fastball, and he pairs it with solid low-to-mid 80s changeup and a very effective sweeper. He’s an athletic kid with great potential, given his ability to throw strikes and room for growth. Sanford is about as exciting as they come for a prep bat. He ranked #28 overall for us, and there was some thought he might go in the first round or comp picks, but he fell to the Pirates in the second. It’s a beautiful left-handed swing, and he can utilize it in the entire field. He battles at the plate and draws some high walk rates. He’s also athletic enough to play anywhere on the field. The athleticism and mature approach are exciting things for the Pirates to build on. 

LHP Josh Hartle

They didn’t stop there. The Pirates got some interesting college players to help counteract the upside prep guys they drafted. In the fourth round, they took LHP Josh Hartle out of Wake Forest; in the 5th round, they took OF Will Taylor out of Clemson; in the 6th round, they took RHP Matt Ager out of UC Santa Barbara; in the 10th round, they took C Derek Berg out of Army, and in the 16th round they took RHP Brian Curley out of VCU. All of these guys are intriguing players in my eyes. Hartle faced some struggles this past year, but his dominant 2023, where he struck out 140 batters over 102.1 innings pitched, lets you know that more is in the tank. Taylor was a two-sport star at Clemson and is a hit-over-power profile; although he struggles against lefties, he has plenty of athleticism and upside. Berg and Curley are two interesting mid-majors who succeeded at Army and VCU.

OF PJ Morlando

Miami Marlins

This was one of my favorite day hauls from day one. There is lots of upside and a fun arm in Aiden May. They started with Morlando, who came in at #27 on our top 300 board. He puts up insane power numbers in BP, shown off at the MLB Draft Combine (4 balls over 110mp EV), but he has struggled to get into that power in the game (somewhat due to being intentionally walked a lot). Lots of upside with this pick. They followed that pick with even more upside by taking Carter Johnson at 56, who is #32 on our board. The Alabama shortstop has a ton of upside at the plate due to his mature approach. The Marlins rounded out by taking right-handed pitcher Aiden May out of Oregon State. May got on the map when he went toe-to-toe with Arkansas lefty Hagen Smith during his seventeen-strikeout game.

Colorado Rockies

3B/OF Charlie Condon

The entire world thought the Cincinnati Reds would take Georgia 3B/OF Charlie Condon with the second overall pick after the Guardians took Travis Bazzana. But they shocked everyone and took Chase Burns. This allowed for Condon to fall right into the Rockies' lap. Condon put up video game numbers during the entire year, hitting 37 home runs while driving in 78 in 60 games. Just absurd. They followed that pick by taking RHP Brody Brecht, who has some of the best stuff in this draft class. The only knock on him is his command and control issues. 


They continued their surge of solid players by taking OF Jared Thomas (one of the best pure hitters in the class) and C Cole Messina (3rd Round), an excellent clubhouse presence and is a complete gamer. They then took a tremendous senior sign, Blake Wright (4th Round), out of Clemson. The third baseman has power to all fields and improved his contact rates this year. They also took a couple of intriguing mid-major arms in LHP Konner Eaton (6th Round) out of George Mason and LHP Everett Catlett (12th Round) out of Georgetown.

Eaton has an excellent fastball with great life and two good secondaries in his slider and changeup. A team should be able to build off of those. Catlett is a tall, lanky southpaw with a presence on the mound. He hasn’t had a lot of miles on his arm due to some injuries. It's a good fastball that has been up to 96 and a solid slider to go with it. The Rockies have to be very happy with this draft class. 

SS Bryce Rainer

Detroit Tigers

Man, do the Detroit Tigers have an enjoyable class of players They kicked things off by taking the second-best prep player not named Konnor Griffin in this draft. SS Bryce Rainer is full of tons of upside. Although he has two-way abilities, the Tigers took Rainer just as a shortstop. It’s easy to see why they love the bat so much. It’s a beautiful left-handed swing, and he has the potential to develop some pop. He did have some swing-and-miss issues, and he might need to change his approach at the plate. But the upside is immense. Even though he won’t be on the mound, he’s been up to 96 mph from there, so you know he’s got some solid arm strength on the field. He could fit at shortstop or quickly shift to third if he grows in size as projected—just an enjoyable first pick. 

The Tigers closed out day one, continuing their prep trend by taking RHP Owen Hall in the second round and LHP Ethan Schiefelbein in the CB-B. We had Owen Hall on our On The Clock podcast, and what an incredible kid. On top of that, he has a lot of projectability on the mound. The fastball sits around 92-95 but has been up to 98 mph. He pairs that with two breaking balls. The stuff needs some polishing as it is inconsistent from time to time, but there is a lot to love with his profile. Schiefelbein is another guy that is projectable as the fastball velocity hasn’t been great (upper-80s/lower-90s), but he has been up to 94 mph. He’s got more of a feel for his pitches and should be a fun project for the Tigers. 

OF Jackson Strong

The Tigers paired all those prep guys with some fun college guys, including RHP Michael Massey out of Wake Forest, SS Woody Hadeen out of UC Irvine, RHP Josh Randall out of the University of San Diego, and OF Jackson Strong out of Canisius College. I saw Strong in the MLB Draft League, and man, it is an impressive approach at the plate. He has great barrel-to-ball skills that doesn’t come with a ton of Whiff or Chase. Woody Hadeen is a guy who skyrocketed up boards. Joe Doyle was one of the first guys on him. Hadeen is older for the class, but it is some of the best bat-to-ball skills. In our write up, we had him with an overall contact rate ~90% and a chase rate under 15%. Michael Massey was an electric arm for Wake Forest before suffering from some injuries this year. 

1B/LHP Jac Caglianone

Kansas City Royals 

The Royals didn’t have extra draft bonus pool money after trading their 39th overall pick to the Washington Nationals for big-league reliever Hunter Harvey. Despite that lack of extra bonus pool money, they did a heck of a job getting a good haul on draft day. Their day one started with college superstar Jac Caglianone falling into their laps at 6. The Royals took him as a two-way player and plan to develop him at both. The upside at the plate is enormous. It’s plus-plus power, and for a guy who swings at everything, it is insane to think he only struck out 8.2% of the time last year. His walk rate skyrocketed to 18.4% this year, but that has a lot to do with being intentionally walked. He had more intentional walks than strikeouts. The Royals wrapped up day one, taking left-handed prep pitcher David Shields out of Pennsylvania. He was a guy they wanted at 39, but he still fell to them at 41. 

Going into day two, they went with some arms with a safer floor than their high-upside pick in David Shields. They started with two fantastic adds, RHP Drew Beam and RHP LP Langevin. Beam might be one of the safest floor picks in the draft as a guy who can make the major leagues. He has been one of the SEC's most consistent and reliable starters over the last few years. Langevin has an electric fastball with nutty data, including a 45% overall whiff rate and 42% in-zone whiff rate. They took three more intriguing college arms, including AJ Causey out of Tennessee, Dennis Colleran out of Northeastern, and Tommy Molsky out of Oklahoma State. All have really good data on their fastballs or offspeed pitches. 

A lot of those college arm and bat picks were for one reason… RHP Kyle DeGroat. The Royals took the right-handed prep arm from Wallkill Senior HS in New York in the 14th round. They’ll likely need significant money to persuade him away from his commitment to Texas. He was one of the biggest risers this year, seeing a substantial velocity increase in his high-spin fastball. He has some solid secondaries to go along with it. There is lot to build on, and development is still needed, but DeGroat has tons of upside, significantly if he can improve on his velocity gains and control. 

2024 Midseason Top 100 Prospects

In recent years, we have had more evaluators contribute to the Top 100 list. However, this year we have decided to combine Matt Thompson and Rhys White's lists to create the midseason Top 100 list. This update reflects how we view the prospects as things stand, with their fit within their organizations to be reflected at a later time.


We have included the 2024 draftees in this updated version, with the assumption that everyone here will sign and play some form of affiliated baseball this season for the team that drafted them. This year’s draft was not known for its strength or depth, leading to a record low number of recent draftees making the midseason list. It is not easy to properly assess how recent college players will slot into their respective organizations, but we believe we did a good job of comparing them to their new peers. Evaluating high school/prep talent through the same prism is harder, but we are confident in the way we stacked them up against other fellow minor leaguers.


There was no debate for the top prospect this year; it was clearly James Wood, who provides eye-popping power and more than enough plate skills to make us confident in him atop our list. He has overtaken Jackson Holliday for us. While we believe Holliday will be a really good major leaguer and have him right behind Wood, we are more confident in Wood being the better player short and long-term. Rhys and Matt had a pretty similar top 10, with Dylan Crews and Junior Caminero being flipped on their lists. The same goes for Samuel Basallo and Jackson Jobe, who were also flip-flopped on their respective lists.


The biggest riser this year is recent major leaguer Jacob Wilson. He has hit the ground running this season, and a year after being drafted, he is now a big leaguer. He has shown that minor league pitching is no match for him. He doesn’t hit the ball hard, but he has enough power that opposing pitchers have to respect him. He is one of the highest-floor prospects to come out in a while and was fast-tracked through the Athletics’ system.


On the flip side, one of the biggest fallers is Colson Montgomery. He is still a top 60 prospect for us, but he was viewed as someone who was going to break into the top 10. Things for him as a hitter have gone backward. He isn’t hitting like he has before this season, and his power has taken a step back as well. The encouraging development in Montgomery’s game is that he has taken a big step forward as a shortstop defender. However, the building blocks of his skill set have regressed this season, pushing him down our list.


It is important to note that the minor leagues as a whole are weaker. This is a result of several factors. Teams are more aggressive than ever in promoting prospects to the majors. Plus, we have a cutdown of the minor league spots in general, lessening the pool. This is one of the weaker crops of top 100 prospects in recent memory.


All this to say, here is the Prospects Live Midseason Top 100 Prospects list.

1. James Wood, OF Washington Nationals

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 10

2. Jackson Holliday, SS/2B Baltimore Orioles

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 1

3. Junior Caminero, 3B Tampa Bay Rays

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 4

4. Dylan Crews, OF Washington Nationals

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 6

5. Samuel Basallo, C Baltimore Orioles

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 7

6. Jackson Jobe, RHP Detroit Tigers

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 13

7. Coby Mayo, 3B Baltimore Orioles

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 25

8. Carson Williams, SS Tampa Bay Rays

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 35

9. Jasson Dominguez, OF New York Yankees

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 27

10. Walker Jenkins, OF Minnesota Twins

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 8

11. Brooks Lee, 3B Minnesota Twins

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 23

12. Noah Schultz, LHP Chicago White Sox

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 62

13. Andrew Painter, RHP Philadelphia Phillies

Highest Level: INJ | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 11

14. Marcelo Mayer, SS Boston Red Sox

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 36

15. Colt Emerson, SS Seattle Mariners

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 41

16. Travis Bazzana, 2B Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

17. Jacob Wilson, SS Oakland Athletics

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

18. Lazaro Montes, OF Seattle Mariners

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 53

19. Xavier Isaac, 1B Tampa Bay Rays

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 74

20. Jordan Lawlar, SS Arizona Diamondbacks

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 15

21. Kyle Teel, C Boston Red Sox

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 45

22. Roman Anthony, OF Boston Red Sox

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 33

23. Charlie Condon, OF Colorado Rockies

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

24. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF Minnesota Twins

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 24

25. JJ Wetherholt, SS St. Louis Cardinals

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

26. Tink Hence, RHP St. Louis Cardinals

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 81

27. Heston Kjerstad, OF Baltimore Orioles

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 61

28. Chase Dollander, RHP Colorado Rockies

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 60

29. Adael Amador, 2B Colorado Rockies

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 21

30. Kevin McGonigle, SS/2B Detroit Tigers

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

31. Cole Young, SS/2B Seattle Mariners

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 38

32. Chase Burns, RHP Cincinnati Reds

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

33. Aidan Miller, SS Philadelphia Phillies

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

34. Cade Horton, RHP Chicago Cubs

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 17

35. Hagen Smith, LHP Chicago White Sox

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

36. Owen Caissie, OF Chicago Cubs

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 68


37. Max Clark, OF Detroit Tigers

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 30

38. Dalton Rushing, C Los Angeles Dodgers

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 63

39. Ethan Salas, C San Diego Padres

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 12

40. Bubba Chandler, RHP Pittsburgh Pirates

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 76

41. Matt Shaw, 3B/2B Chicago Cubs

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 29

42. Quinn Mathews, LHP St. Louis Cardinals

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

43. Spencer Jones, OF New York Yankees

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 32

44. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

45. Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B Texas Rangers

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 99

46. Bryce Eldridge, 1B San Francisco Giants

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 64

47. Moises Ballesteros, C/1B Chicago Cubs

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

48. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP Milwaukee Brewers

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 40

49. Luke Keaschall, 2B Minnesota Twins

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

50. Brandon Sproat, RHP New York Mets

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

51. Colson Montgomery, SS Chicago White Sox

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 18

52. Thomas White, LHP Miami Marlins

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

53. Rhett Lowder, RHP Cincinnati Reds

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 52

54. Jett Williams, SS New York Mets

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 34

55. Chase DeLauter, OF Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 31

56. Starlyn Caba, SS Philadelphia Phillies

Highest Level: CPX | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

57. Kyle Manzardo, 1B Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 69

58. Angel Genao, SS Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

59. Justin Crawford, OF Philadelphia Phillies

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

60. David Festa, RHP Minnesota Twins

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

61. Zebby Matthews, RHP Minnesota Twins

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

62. Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP Kansas City Royals

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

63. Leodalis De Vries, SS San Diego Padres

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 71

64. Josue De Paula, OF Los Angeles Dodgers

Highest Level: High-A| 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 50

65. Braden Montgomery, OF Boston Red Sox

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

66. Jonny Farmelo, OF Seattle Mariners

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

67. Drew Gilbert, OF New York Mets

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 48

68. Caden Dana, RHP Los Angeles Angels

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

69. Brayden Taylor, SS/3B Tampa Bay Rays

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

70. Max Meyer, RHP Miami Marlins

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

71. Jefferson Rojas, SS Chicago Cubs

Highest Level: high-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

72. Jace Jung, 3B/2B Detroit Tigers

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 91

73. Jeferson Quero, C Milwaukee Brewers

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 44

74. Felnin Celesten, SS Seattle Mariners

Highest Level: CPX | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

75. Jaison Chourio, OF Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED


76. Tyler Black, 1B Milwaukee Brewers

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 70

77. Victor Scott II, OF St. Louis Cardinals

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 47

78. Luis Morales, RHP Oakland Athletics

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

79. Agustin Ramirez, C New York Yankees

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

80. Emiliano Teodo, RHP Texas Rangers

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

81. Santiago Suarez, RHP Tampa Bay Rays

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

82. Bryce Rainer, SS Detroit Tigers

Highest Level: HS | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

83. Konnor Griffin, OF Pittsburgh Pirates

Highest Level: HS | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A


84. Chandler Simpson, OF Tampa Bay Rays

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

85. Brock Wilken, 3B Milwaukee Brewers

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 72

86. Justin Wrobleski, LHP Los Angeles Dodgers

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

87. Cade Povich, LHP Baltimore Orioles

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

88. Edgar Quero, C Chicago White Sox

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 100

89. Kristian Campbell, 3B Boston Red Sox

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

90. Cooper Pratt, SS Milwaukee Brewers

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED


91. Brady House, 3B Washington Nationals

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 66

92. C.J. Kayfus, 1B Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

93. George Klassen, RHP Philadelphia Phillies

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED


94. Termarr Johnson, 2B Pittsburgh Pirates

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 42

95. Henry Bolte, OF Oakland Athletics 

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

96. Alfredo Duno, C Cincinnati Reds

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

97. Thayron Liranzo, C Los Angeles Dodgers

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 97

98. Drew Thorpe, RHP Chicago White Sox

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 43

99. Nacho Alvarez Jr., SS/3B Atlanta Braves

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

100. Hayden Birdsong, RHP San Francisco Giants

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED


2025 MLB Draft: Too Early Players to Watch

As the old saying goes, on to the next. The 2024 MLB Draft wrapped up just a few days ago, and everyone on the MLB Draft team at Prospects Live is working hard to prepare you all for the 2025 MLB Draft! We will have plenty of content coming your way, even during the summer and fall. Our fearless leader, Tyler Jennings, is already out catching some of the top prep guys at the USA 18u. We hope to have some coverage of fall ball for you as well and we are planning to interview coaches from across the NCAA to bring you insights on what to expect for some teams and draft prospects for the 2025 season!



With that said, I thought now would be a good time to bring you some way-too-early MLB Draft prospects to watch for 2025. Most people know about the Ethan Holliday’s and Jace LaViolette’s of the world, but here are a few other top guys to keep your eye on.


Top 30 Collegiate Players | Top 30 Prep Players

COLLEGE

OF Devin Taylor - University of Indiana 

Athlete with legitimate power. That’s the best way to describe Taylor. The Indiana outfielder has etched himself as one of the best college bats in the NCAA. He hit 20 home runs and drove in 54 to the tune of a .357/.449/.660 slash line. The power comes from his bat speed and strength, and he isn’t afraid to show it to all parts of the field. When I caught Taylor last year in live looks, he struggled at the plate due to issues with chasing out of the zone and velocity up. He rolled over a lot of pitches or popped things up. But that could’ve been weather-related, as both days were insanely cold with massive wind gusts. Despite his struggles, he was trying to make things happen for his team, whether bunting for a base hit, taking a walk, or trying to cause chaos on the base paths. Even though he’s a below-average runner, he wasn’t afraid to try and take an extra base. There is a good chance he mans centerfield in 2025, but he likely ends up at as a left-field type at the next level. 


1B Henry Ford - University of Virginia

Henry Ford was by far the most fun bat I saw last year. All the kid does is hit and hit the ball hard. In a stacked Virginia lineup, he was arguably the best bat as a freshman. He’s a towering presence in the box with his 6’5, 220lb frame. It’s a tall, muscular build with broad shoulders. Even more, he’s super athletic for his size. What stuck out to me most at the plate was how patient he was. He doesn’t let that patience make him overmatched, and he doesn’t strikeout a ton. There is excellent barrel control as he gets barrel-to-ball with ease. It’s a very mature and polished approach at the plate. He played at first base for the Cavaliers since they were stacked, but he is athletic enough that a move to third base could be in his future. He has a powerful arm that would play well over there. He could find himself flying up even higher on draft boards with another strong spring. 


RHP Tyler Bremner - UC Santa Barbara

FUN. That’s the main word I can come up with to describe Bremner’s stuff. It’s an electric factory on the mound. During the season, Bremner was mid-90s with his fastball. Tyler caught him at USA Collegiate National Team, where he was sitting 96-98. Shorter stint, but it lets you know that the upper-90s might be achievable in longer stints in due time. He pairs that fastball with a couple of plus secondaries. The slider is disgusting, and his low-to-mid 80s changeup has a ton of spin and depth. He throws all his pitches with confidence and excellent command. He’ll embark on a junior campaign where he will continue building on an already fantastic pitch mix. Bremner has all the makings you want to be one of the best arms in the 2025 MLB Draft class. He’ll get some solid competition from Florida State’s Jamie Arnold and prep-arm Seth Hernandez, though. 


LHP Shane Sdao - Texas A&M

I always love a projectable left-hander and Sdao has that written all over him. He’s got a solid fastball that has been up to 96 MPH but lives mostly in the low-90s. He pairs it with a slider that has some incredible sweep. Tyler was on the case this year and reported that it got a 44% whiff rate in 2024. He’s got a mid-80s change-up to round out his three-pitch arsenal. After a stellar sophomore campaign where he struck out 55 batters across 48.2 innings to the tune of a 2.96 ERA, he is likely headed to the rotation for the Aggies in 2025. He’ll look to see if he can get his stuff to tick up a bit. 

HIGH SCHOOL

3B/OF Xavier Neyens,  Mount Vernon (WA)

It’s quite easy to start with Xavier Neyens on this list. Many see Ethan Holliday as the country's consensus number-one overall prep player, but Neyens is making a ton of noise to take his spot. We caught him at the MLB All-Star High School Home Run Derby, where he launched absolute nukes (with loaded bats for the record). It’s a beautiful left-handed swing and just fun to watch him take hacks. As I mentioned, our Tyler Jennings was at the USA Complex to catch 18u, and Neyens may have hit the longest wood bat HR from a prep he’s ever seen. The ball went out at a 108 mph EV and went 440 feet. Those are some absurd numbers from a prep bat. The tools outside of the power are elite as well. It’s a very mature approach at the plate with a unique ability to get barrel-to-ball. On top of that, he’s got a powerful arm, giving you the hope he can stick at third. He’s committed to Oregon State, but another strong spring, and he’ll likely be hearing his name called at the top of the MLB Draft, possibly even 1.1. 


OF Ty Peeples - Franklin County (GA)

We talked about Neyens's nice swing, but Peeples also has a smooth swing that is fun to watch. He’s risen up MLB Draft boards for 2025 fairly quickly, and we aren’t even into the next high school season. Peeples has a good approach at the plate and a feel for the strike zone. He can get good barrel-to-ball thanks to his bat control and quick hands. He’s already got a good power presence, but with his frame, there is still tons of room to grow, which gives you a lot to project in the future. Peeples has an accurate and on-point arm in the outfield and gets good reads on balls. He’s likely projected to be a corner outfield as he has the tools and athleticism to stick out there and be a presence. 



RHP Seth Hernandez - Corona (CA)

Budgeoning stuff. That’s the name of the game for Seth Hernandez. He’s eclipsed himself as the number one arm in the country, and it is easy to see why. Tyler caught him at USA 18u just recently, and the fastball was 96-98 mph with tons of carry. It was a shorter stint, and he usually is in his low to mid-90s. That’s fantastic for a prep arm with much room to grow and a very buttery operation. He pairs that fastball with a slider and a changeup. The slider has spin rates above 2,700 RPMs, and Tyler saw it with a ton of velocity that was 85-98 mph, giving it the action of a cutter. His changeup is even filthier and creates great deception off his fastball. It drops out of zone and has a ton of depth to it. As of now, Hernandez is committed to Vanderbilt, but he expects to be one of the first arms off the board. It seems highly unlikely that he will make his way to campus. 

RHP Angel Cervantes - Warren (CA)

Projection, Projection, projection. That’s the name of the game for Cervantes, who is one of the youngest players in the 2025 MLB Draft class. He’s got a low-90s fastball that is usually around 92-93 mph. He can work it down in the zone on both sides of the plate. There is a lot of room for growth in his frame, leading you to believe that he could reach the mid-90s soon. He’s got an advanced feel for his secondaries, especially his changeup, which is probably his best pitch. He tops his pitch mix off with a curveball that varies shape occasionally. It’s got plenty of spin. The delivery is fairly smooth and polished for a kid his age.  


2024 MLB Draft: Best Value Picks

It’s wild that the 2024 MLB Draft has come to an end. It feels like Tyler and I were launching the On The Clock podcast yesterday, and fall-ball was just starting. Now that we’ve come down from the high of the draft, it’s time to do some recaps and break down some of the picks and team hauls. We will first start with the best value picks in each round. 


Draft Live Stream | Top 300 Prospects | Regional Board Rankings 

Day One Recap | Final Recap | Best Classes by Team



Round 1 - LHP Cam Caminiti, Atlanta Braves (Pick No. 24, Prospects Live Rank No. 16)

I think every analyst you talk to will tell you that Caminiti was the biggest steal of the first round. He and William Schmidt were considered the top two prep arms in the draft. Schmidt announced he was heading to LSU a few hours before the draft, leaving Caminiti as the best prep arm on the board. The left-handed Caminiti reclassified and was one of the youngest players in the draft and already had a fastball that could reach up to 98. It’s the potential for a solid four-pitch mix. The Braves have to be ecstatic to get him here. 



Round CB-A - RHP Brody Brecht, Colorado Rockies (Pick No. 38, Prospects Live Rank No. 27)

Brecht might have the best pure stuff outside of Chase Burns and Hagen Smith in the 2024 MLB Draft. The biggest knock on him has always been his command and control as he’s sported BB% of 21.2%, 18.4%, and 14.2% over his last three college seasons. The good news is he’s improved each year, especially after he decided to leave football and focus solely on baseball last March. It’s a 96-99 mph fastball that has touched 101 mph with a wipeout slider that sits in the upper 80s. Brecht is undoubtedly a project due to his control issues, but it’s hard to turn a blind eye to the stuff. He could skyrocket with development in the pros. 



Round 2 - RHP Ryan Sloan, Seattle Mariners (Pick No. 55, Prospects Live Rank No. 21)

Sloan just kept creeping up draft boards all year long. He was easily the next best prep pitcher after Caminiti and Schmidt. The Mariners got a college arm in the first round, likely under slot, which may have saved them enough money to take Sloan. He’s gotten his fastball up to 99 mph in shorter stints and has the makings of a power arm. While there are some concerns with command, he’s super young and just a little bit of development could have him becoming a top prospect in the future. 




Round 3 - RHP Drew Beam, Kansas City Royals (Pick No. 76, Prospects Live Rank No. 47)

While Drew Beam doesn’t have the sexiest arsenal of pitches, he has been one of the SEC's most consistent and reliable starters over the last three years. One of our top 50 prospects in this draft, Beam has a solid four-pitch mix with a 92-96 mph fastball. He’s been an innings eater and workhorse starter despite lacking the strikeout numbers. Beam could be a guy who moves quickly through the minors and if he’s able to learn a outpitch he could end up having a ceiling higher than back-of-the-rotation type starter.




Round 4 - RHP Tyson Neighbors, San Diego Padres (Pick. No. 118, Prospects Live Rank No. 80)

Most people would probably take Dakota Jordan as the most outstanding value pick in the fourth round, and they aren’t wrong, but I have to give some love to Tyson Neighbors here. Neighbors has an electric three-pitch mix that consists of a plus fastball, slider, and curveball. It’s some of the most “big league ready” stuff in the draft. Although he is likely a reliever only, he could be a quick riser through the minor leagues and soon find his way to the show. He’s got all the makings to be a high-leverage reliever at the next level. 



Round 5 - RHP Connor Foley, Arizona Diamondbacks (Pick No. 164, Prospects Live Rank No. 108)

The Indiana right-hander started in the bullpen as a freshman but transitioned to the rotation, where he found some success. He’s missed bats at a high rate and has a pretty electric fastball in the mid-90s. He’s gotten it to the upper 90s, but that was in shorter stints. He struggles holding his velocity deep into starts. Still, this is excellent value for the DBacks, who might be able to build on his fastball and two off-speed pitches, which are about average. He likely ends up in the bullpen but could be a big-league reliever if his stuff continues to tick up in shorter stints. 



Round 7 -  RHP Dennis Colleran, Kansas City Royals (Pick No. 197, Prospects Live Rank No. 141)

The Royals did it again with another college arm. This time, they took Colleran out of Northeastern. Colleran had Tommy John surgery in 2022 and came back in 2023, so he’s been working through command issues. Although he struggled with command, his arm was strong, as he had an electric fastball that topped out at 99 mph at the MLB Draft Combine in June. He usually sits 96-100 mph. He has a power slider to go with his fastball, and he gives me some Dylan Coleman vibes. Based on his stuff, he could be a quick riser as a reliever. 


Round 8 - TWP Conrad Cason, Boston Red Sox (Pick No. 237, Prospects Live Rank No. 167)

After going pretty college heavy in the early rounds, the Red Sox landed a fairly good prep prospect in Round 8. Cason is a two way prospect out of Georgia and was one of the youngest players in the class. There is lots of athleticism here and he is explosive on both sides of the ball. On the mound, he’s gotten his fastball up to 96 mph, which he pairs with a really good slider. It’ll be interesting to see how long the Red Sox let him be a two-way player, but they must be very happy with this pick in Round 8.



Round 9 - RHP Marcus Morgan, Philadelphia Phillies (Pick N0. 282, Prospects Live Rank No. 218)

Another college arm out of Iowa, Morgan had some of the most interesting pure stuff in the college game. Somewhat overlooked by Brecht, Morgan has a fastball that has reached 96 mph, but reports this fall had him in the upper 90s, including touching 99 mph in a bullpen. He has a good sweeper to pair with it. It’s three-plus offerings, and he can potentially be a mid-rotation type pitcher if he can hone in on some of the control issues he has had to date. 


Round 10 - RHP Chase Mobley, Cleveland Guardians (Pick No. 295, Prospects Live Rank No. 95)

There is no doubt almost everyone is picking Chase Mobley as the round ten best value pick. The Guardians had a lot of money to spend this draft and knew they could get Mobley to sign in the 10th round for overslot. It’s a fastball that has already topped out at 97 mph with some reports saying it has touched 99 mph. There is lot to project and tons of room for growth for Mobley who just turned 18 before draft day. There is tons to build on here and the Guardians have to be excited about this pick. 



Round 11 - RHP Trey Gregory-Alford, Los Angeles Angels (Pick No. 322, Prospects Live Rank No. 84)

Based on the Angels' earlier picks, they were obviously saving money to take a significant prep arm after the first ten rounds and boy, did they get their guy in Trey Gregory-Alford. He threw the seven fastest pitches at the MLB Draft Combine, topping out at 99.7 mph. The 6’5 right-hander is a towering presence on the mound with a very large and physical frame. He is everything you think of when you think of a power pitcher. A great pick for the Angels and falls in line with their recent drafting of guys like Caden Dana. 



Round 12 - 3B Zander Darby, San Francisco Giants (Pick No. 358, Prospects Live Rank No. 124)

You could’ve chosen between two college players in the 12th round for the best value. RHP Brady Tygart out of Arkansas who went to the Boston Red Sox would’ve also been a great choice, but it is hard to ignore the great value on Darby here. Darby flew up draft after a strong showing in the Cape. He had a hit-or-miss spring this year, but Darby still has the tools you want to bank on. He has improved his patience at the plate and grew into more in-game power. He truly shows off raw power in batting practice. A lot is needed in the development department, but it is still a steal here for the Giants. 


Round 14 - RHP Kyle DeGroat, Kansas City Royals (Pick No. 407, Prospects Live Rank No. 138)

The Royals went through a slate of older college arms and bats for about ten rounds until they reached round 14. It was apparent that those picks were related to wanting to sign DeGroat. Given his commitment to Texas, it wouldn't be easy, but their plan worked, as DeGroat has already announced that he plans to sign with the Royals. DeGroat has a big frame that should be able to get stronger. Despite his height, he’s able to use that attribute to his advantage. It’s a high-spin fastball that sits 93-94 mph with some solid offspeed pitches. A lot of the velo increases are new to DeGroat, so lots to build on, but the Royals have to be happy to get their guy. 

This Week in Baseball Cards - 7/15 - 7/21

This Week in Baseball Cards - 7/15 - 7/21

Covering the major product releases and news in the baseball card hobby for the week of July 15th through July 21st, 2024. There are four releases covered this week - 2024 Topps Chrome Baseball, 2024 Panini Donruss Baseball, 2023 Leaf Eclectic Baesball, and 2024 Wild Card Five Card Draw Baseball.

2024 MLB Draft: Day One Recap

DAY ONE WINNERS

Tyler’s Pick

Colorado Rockies

OF Charlie Condon (#3), RHP Brody Brecht (#38), OF Jared Thomas (#42)

Long story short, I felt like the Rockies did an exceptional job at locking down college talent/value. Condon not going to Cincinnati felt a bit shocking for us and I'm sure Colorado was super giddy to have that kind of power land right in their laps. Snatching Brecht at 38 was a great value pick. Yes, there’s a ton of warts here, but the Rockies development team has gotten better and I trust them to find a way to help Brecht tap into his upside more. Lastly, Thomas is a very underrated selection. He was set to play OF before the departure of Luke Storm, but he's got the tools to stick in a corner spot and the bat itself has a ton of offensive upside with a high contact, burgeoning power label slapped on him. 


Minnesota Twins

SS Kaelen Culpepper (#21), SS Kyle DeBarge (#33), 3B Billy Amick (#60), LHP Dasan Hill (#69)

Of the teams that had four picks on the first day, I think the Twins did an exceptional job at evaluating talent and securing it. Culpepper is a solid up the middle talent with a ton of athleticism, but the DeBarge pick really stands out to me. He's got the hit tool, power, and chops at shortstop to be a solid major leaguer if everything clicks. It's a fun analytical pick. Grabbing Amick at 60 is solid value, especially since he had suitors in the back of the first round, but the cherry on top was Hill. Hill is an incredibly lanky, projectable southpaw that's already tickled the mid-90s this spring and has the spin traits to project a solid slider. I really think highly of this class.


Detroit Tigers 

SS Bryce Rainer (#11), RHP Owen Hall (#49), LHP Ethan Schiefelbein (#72)

Upside galore here. Rainer falling to 11 was a dream come true for Scott Harris and company. There's Corey Seager comps with his profile and he'll learn to pull the ball and tap more into his power as he matures physically. However, Hall's selection at 49 might be my favorite of the class. He's exceptionally athletic with a big fastball that's already touched 98-99 MPH this spring and budding secondaries that he'll get better command of. Schiefelbein is another upside southpaw with innate tunneling traits and a fun 1-2 punch with deception and ease. It's a very fun class and even though it might be expensive, the upside buys are great to see.


Jared's Picks 

Miami Marlins 

OF PJ Morlando (#16), SS Carter Johnson (#56), RHP Aiden May (#70)

This was one of my favorite day hauls for day one. Lots of upside and a really fun arm in Aiden May. They started with Morlando who came in at #27 on our top 300 board. He puts up insane power numbers in BP, which was shown off at the MLB Draft Combine (4 balls over 110mp EV), but he has struggled to get into that power in game (somewhat due to being intentionally walked a lot). Lots of upside with this pick. They followed that picked with even more upside by taking Carter Johnson at 56, who comes in #32 on our board. The Alabama shortstop has a ton of upside at the plate due to his mature approach. The Marlins rounded out with taking right-handed pitcher Aiden May out of Oregon State. May really got himself on the map when he went toe-to-toe with Arkansas lefty Hagen Smith during his seventeen strikeout game. The Marlins have to be pretty happy with this day one haul. 


Pittsburgh Pirates

SS Konnor Griffin (#9), RHP Levi Sterling (#37), SS Wyatt Sanford (#47)

The Pirates might have one of the most exciting hauls that has plenty of upside. They started with Konnor Griffin who was basically the consensus top prep bat in the entire class. He’s got five tool upside that includes electric bat speed and tons of strength. The followed Griffin by taking right handed prep arm Levi Sterling who’s full of plenty of upside as well. He’s got a fastball with a ton of ride and run that goes along with his plus curveball and a very good slider. He repeats his delivery well. The rounded things off by taking another prep shortstop in Wyatt Sanford who some thought might go higher than 47. Sanford is one of the best defensive shortstops and will stick up the middle. There are some concerns with the hit tool, but plenty of room for growth and lots of time to rework his swing a bit once he gets to pro ball, 


Boston Red Sox

OF Braden Montgomery (#12), LHP Payon Tolle (#50)

If you’re a Red Sox fan, you have to love the value of Braden Montgomery here. Our #7 overall prospect feel right into Boston’s lap and it was likely easy for them to make this selection. He’s a switch hitter but has performed much better from the left side and there is a solid chance he’s a lefty only in the future. He’s got easy plus power he can tap into to all parts of the field. He threw 96 mph as a pitcher so likely ends up as a RF due to his cannon or an arm. They followed that by taking TCU lefty Payton Tolle who’s got some of the most insane metrics on his fastball. Tolle was a two-way guy in college, but the bat really struggled this year and he won’t be hitting at the next level. Regardless, it’s a great one-two punch on established college players who still have some upside left in them. 

DAY ONE LOSERS

Tyler’s Pick

Texas Longhorns/Virginia Cavaliers 

Unfortunately for these two college teams, their recruiting classes were raided at the top. The Longhorns lost Bryce Rainer, Theo Gillen, and Levi Sterling, as well as Jared Thomas. Virginia lost three recruits, too. Caleb Bonemer, Luke Dickerson, and Bryce Meccage were all selected, plus their lineup was hit hard with Griff O'Ferrall and Ethan Anderson going to the Orioles. It's a tough pill to swallow for both teams, though both are well-known for their development. It still stings, though.


Oakland Athletics

1B Nick Kurtz (#4), 3B Tommy White (#40), LHP Gage Jump (#73)

I'm a bit confused on what the A's draft strategy is right now. I'd imagine there's going to be an overslot third rounder coming later today, but I felt like they could've squeezed out more from their first three picks. Kurtz is a fine addition at an underslot price, but Tommy White felt like a weird fit and Gage Jump follows the same line. I'm curious to see how Oakland develops both, but it left a weird taste in our mouth. Let's see how today goes for them, but this is a disappointing class thus far. 

Jared’s Pick

Philadelphia Phillies

OF Dante Nori (#27), OF Griffin Burkholder (#63)

Well, Dante Nori was a pick. No one can argue with the Phillies there. Nori wasn’t a guy I expected to see have his name called in the first round. While Nori has a ton of athleticism and speed, there are definitely some concerns given him being almost 20 years old and mostly being filled out in his 5’10, 190lbs frame. The pick made more sense when they took Griffin Burkholder at pick 63. Burkholder is an incredible runner with tons of upside on the offensive side of the ball. He has insane bat speed and does much damage at the plate, coupled with solid plate discipline. So, if you’re a Phillies fan disappointed with the first-round pick, there is at least some upside with what they did next that you can be excited about. 

BIGGEST SHOCK

Tyler’s Pick

OF Braylon Payne

Circle this as a pick that I wasn't expecting. We had a feeling Milwaukee would go for a bat and they would make a strategy call, but Payne wasn't too high up on my board of guys who could surprise us. With that said, seeing what the Brewers did the rest of Day 1, it's not a bad pick. It screams underslot at 17 with Bryce Meccage and Chris Levonas expecting to garner big deals and Payne himself has a ton of upside. A toolsy outfielder with youth and athleticism on his side, he's a fun development get.


Jared’s Pick

RHP Chase Burns (Cincinnati Reds)

Reds fans, don’t worry. This isn’t an “I’m shocked” because it was a bad pick. I just thought Cincinnati was a lock to take Charlie Condon wi22th the second-overall pick. Many Reds fans were dreaming of Condon hitting homers at Great American Ballpark. But there is no reason not to like Chase Burns's pick. It’s three plus pitches from Burns that comes with a bulldog mentality on the mound. Burns was easily one of the top two arms, if not the top arm in this draft class and he could be a quick riser to the big leagues. Burns started what turned out to be a very intriguing day one of the draft by the Reds that included SS Tyson Lewis in the second and RHP Luke Holman in the CB-B round. 

BIGGEST REACH

Tyler’s Pick

OF Dante Nori (Philadelphia Phillies)

I think Jared hit the nail on the head above, but I'll still provide insight myself. It's a weird, weird pick. It makes more sense with Burkholder at 63, but we had Nori as a fifth rounder. He's a maxed out body type with a hit-over-power bat with speed that is an interesting archetype, but how much more can you squeeze out here? That's why he was lower for us and it's definitely a head-scratcher. I'd rather have Slade Caldwell if I'm the Phillies. 


Jared’s Pick 

C Ivan Luciano (Arizona Diamondbacks)

While this pick is a head-scratcher, it likely makes sense, given the guys the Diamondbacks took before that. Luciano wasn’t high on many’s rankings, including coming in at 220th with MLB Pipeline. He’s a defensive first type player as he pretty good behind the dish. It’s hit over power as he has a good approach at the plate. Given the DBacks took Slade Caldwell (prep), Ryan Waldschmidt (college), and JD Nix (prep) with the first three picks, they are likely spending significant money on them which led to the pick of Luciano who will likely be underslot to save them some money. He’s still got some upside. 


BEST VALUE

Tyler’s Picks

SS Tyler Bell (Tampa Bay Rays)

We had Bell as the 43rd best prospect in this class and while he's older for the class, it's a ton of bat speed and power potential with the switch-hitting shortstop. Him falling a bit led us to think that he might go to Kentucky, but the Rays got incredible value at 66. There's a solid chance he can stick as a switch-hitter and stay at shortstop long term. I really, really love this for Tampa Bay.


RHP Ryan Sloan (Seattle Mariners)

Sloan had legitimate first round value. I could just say that and walk away from my phone, but Seattle did an excellent job buying Sloan down to 55 after taking Jurrangelo Cijntje at 15. Sloan is a burly, yet projectable right-hander that's been up to 99 MPH this spring and has an excellent change-up and slider. It may just be the best value pick of Day 1.


SS Luke Dickerson (Washington Nationals)

Dickerson was another player with back of the first talent. I would've thought he was a comp pick at worst, but Washington got incredible value at 44. Dickerson's bat had a ton of helium this spring and there's a great mix of pure contact and power, which grades out above-average or better. He may not be a shortstop long term, but the bat was more of a selling point and many thought he wouldn't get this far. 


Jared’s Pick

LHP Cam Caminiti (Atlanta Braves)

The Braves front office have to be giddy that Caminiti fell into their laps at 24. Our 16th overall prospect in the 2024 MLB Draft is considered the best prep prospect pitcher on the board. Caminiti reclassified this year and is one of the youngest players in the class who’s already been up to 98 mph with his fastball. He’s super athletic and has a very easy, repeatable delivery. His secondary offerings are still a work in progress, but they have plenty of upside to them. This is a great pick for the Braves and there is lots to dream on with the potential of Caminiti 


OF Ryan Waldschmidt (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Waldschmidt might be my favorite OF bat in this class not named Condon or Montgomery. He fell a bit on boards as he started late this season due to an injury, but he came out fine blazing as soon as he was back. He’s posted some insane batted ball data and the tools speak for themselves. He pairs those high exit velos with an incredible approach at the plate and very good ability to make contact. The Diamondbacks have to be very happy with their one-two punch of Slade Caldwell and Waldschmidt to start day one of the draft.

2024 MLB Draft Prospect Profile: 1B /LHP Jac Caglianone

B: Left   T: Left 

HT: 6 ‘5  WT: 250 lbs

Hometown: Tampa, FL

School: University of Florida

2024 Stats

Hitting: 66 G, .419 BA .544 OBP, .875 SLG 83 R, 35 HR, 72 RBI, 4 SB, 58 BB, 26 SO

Pitching: 73.2 IP, 5-2, 4.76 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 50 BB, 83 K

Caglianone might have the best power tool in this draft class; he produces elite exit velocities to all fields. His transition to wood should be smooth, as this tool will play at the professional level. His hands are quick, and his bat speed is top of the class, producing an elite amount of hard contact. He produced a 42% ground ball rate in 2024, which will need to improve to fully maximize his massive power potential.


Coming from Tampa, Florida, Caglianone's wide setup at the plate provides him with excellent balance, enabling him to effectively handle off-speed pitches. Notably, he significantly reduced his strikeouts this season, from 18.1% in '23 to 8.2% in '24, by lowering both his chase and miss rates. This is impressive, given the high level of pitching he faced in the SEC. While his chase rate remains in the mid-thirties, it is an area he is actively working on. 


Caglianone is a below-average runner but gets out of the box well and shows good instincts on the basepaths. He is limited defensively to first base but can handle himself on the dirt competently and moves well around the bag for his size. Caglianone has a strong throwing arm; however, scouts are mixed on his ability to play in the outfield. 

Caglianone was a two-way player for UF but will probably have to give up pitching at some point early in his professional career due to spotty command. He pitched in the mid to upper 90's in 2024 (up a couple of ticks from 2023) with his fastball, touching 100 at times; his velocity dropped to 2023 levels near the end of this Junior season. His second-best pitch is his plus change-up, which produces swing-and-miss due to its late life. He also throws a gyro-spinning slider and a cutter that can touch 90 mph; both produce moderate results and are graded as average offerings. He pitched a career-high 73.2 innings for the Gators in 2024, as they relied on him to get outs. His ceiling as an arm is a fringe reliever if he can significantly improve his control. 


Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 250 pounds, Caglianone is a physical specimen who commands attention both at the plate and on the mound. His dedication to maintaining his physique is evident in his performance. Caglianone is a high-risk, high-reward player, and is a projected top 5 pick in this year's draft.

The State of Georgia: 2024 Georgia MLB Draft Outlook

60 FV tier

3B/OF Charlie Condon, University of Georgia

Hit: 55, Game Power: 70, Glove: 50, Arm: 60, Run: 45

Has done nothing but hit bombs, rockets and missiles at UGA. Top end bat speed, juice to all fields on the strength of double plus barrel feel. Plus understanding of the strike zone, vulnerable to sharp breaking stuff but can nut up in two strike counts. Average range and first step at 3B, zips the ball across the diamond. Posts fringe to average run times to 1B. Should have Kris Bryant/Brian Anderson style defensive versatility going between 3B and OF corner, with Bryant-esque offensive production. Elite draft talent, should get the largest bonus in the 2025 class.

45+ FV tier

RHP Jackson Barberi, Brookwood HS

Fastball: 60, Slider: 60, Changeup: 55, Cutter: 50, Command: 50

Long and loose RHP, whippy arm from 3Q slot. Decent mover, average to above avg. athlete. Fastball at its peak sits 92-95 touching 96-97, above average carry with low release height creating plus plane. Low 80s slider is consistently snappy, but will guide it with his arm when he tires. Mid 80s changeup has above average fade that breaks off the fastball plane late. Will mix in a cutter at 87-88 that has sharp break but lacks conviction at this stage. Projects to have starting caliber command of his arsenal. #2 starter upside if he gets more consistent with his breaking balls and continues to develop his changeup. Fits comfortably in the 2nd round, could sneak into the comp.


40+ FV Tier

SS Erik Parker, North Gwinnett HS

Hit: 55, Game Power: 50, Glove: 55, Arm: 55, Run: 50

Big body, prototypical frame and build for big league shortstop. Quick trigger, line drive oriented swing that can put the ball over the fence on occasion. Aggressive to a fault early and in the summer, settled in as spring went along and showed patience and aggression on his pitch. Pull side home run power now, projectable body should add more strength and allow him to be a threat to all fields. Above average runner at present, will likely slow down a bit to average at full maturation. Above average arm strength and range, smooth actions all around at the shortstop position and projects to stick there at highest level. Bounty of average to above average tools that can carry a big league profile, but lacks a plus carrying tool to get into the top 50 picks.


CF Terrence Kiel II, Pace Academy

Hit: 55, Game Power: 45, Glove: 55, Arm: 55, Run: 70

Medium sized frame, strong at present and possesses necessary physicality for professional baseball. Above average bat speed, hands are a bit indirect in his regular right handed swing. In 2 strike counts and in sparing looks from the left side, his hands work straight to the ball. As a result, his standard swing has more power, but his shorter swing has more barrel feel. Routinely posts 70 grade run times home to first. Defensively, he covers a lot of ground in center field and glides towards the ball, and should be plenty capable of handling it at the major league level. High level athleticism, feel for hitting and potential as a switch hitter gets him into 2nd-3rd round conversations.



40 FV Tier

2B/OF Rustan Rigdon, Metter HS

Hit: 60, Game Power: 50, Glove: 45, Arm: 45, Run: 50

Smooth swing from both sides of the plate with above average bat speed, finds barrels often against the full gamut of summer and spring high school pitching. Pullside power from both sides, able to elevate and backspin the ball well. Elbow injury raises questions about long term defensive home, showed average range and arm strength at middle infield positions during the summer. Incredibly determined kid, played center field in the spring by throwing with his left hand. Showed potential for defensive utility there down the road, but long term plan of development should be at second base once his right elbow heals. Uncertainty about defensive ability bumps him into 3rd to 4th round consideration. 

C Chase Fralick, McIntosh HS

Hit: 50, Game Power: 60, Glove: 45, Arm: 50, Run: 30

Really whippy bat from the left side, drives balls hard to center and right field. Capable of driving pitches that he’s fooled on, advanced barrel feel. Vulnerable to elevated fastballs, wants to get the barrel out in front and do damage. Possesses above average arm strength, but is slow to get out of the crouch and plays down when in game scenarios. Shows average ability to receive and block out of the one knee stance. Fralick’s grown man strength, summer track record and flashes of an advanced hit tool fit best around the 4th and 5th rounds, with some upward mobility if a team is confident about improving his receiving and footwork behind the plate.


RHP Nate Taylor, Buford HS

Fastball: 55, Slider: 60, Command: 50

Physical build at 6-2, 210 lbs. Rhythmic and loose with plus arm speed. High 3Q slot, moving great downmound. Some room on frame to add strength, athletic ability aids projection. Fastball is 88-93 touching 94 with above average carry life, slider at 80-86 with plus snap and vertical break. Shows changeup on occasion but most looks come during warmups, decent armside fade and low feel at this stage of his development. Strong command of his fastball and slider, even when arm speed and stuff was down early in the spring. Mid rotation starter upside, fits around the 4th-5th round in a standard draft.

C Levi Clark, Walton HS

Hit: 50, Game Power: 60, Glove: 40, Arm: 50, Run: 30

Big body that has matured early, low projection remaining. Plus bat speed and creates great stretch in his swing. When he finds the barrel, there’s significant impact behind it. Has been vulnerable against high fastballs due to the length of his swing, but is able to shorten up and defend in two strike counts--without sacrificing significant power. Strong arm behind the plate, inconsistent ability to get to it and struggles with receiving and blocking. Likely a 1B at the end of his development pattern, but as with most HS catchers it’s a fool’s errand to run anyone off the position given how variable the defensive outcomes are. Fits around round 5.

 

LHP Charlie Foster, Brookwood HS

Fastball: 50, Slider: 50, Changeup: 55, Command: 55

Large body with high projection. Loose arm, medium effort. Above avg. athlete, moves well. Strong torso rotation. Fastball was up 90-93 early in two to three inning stints, but as a starter he settled into 88-91. Smooth mechanics, command of all three of his pitches. Slurvy breaking ball at 76-78, intermittent sharpness that flashes above average. Changeup in the low 80s shows consistent above average depth. Shows command of all three pitches, recent recommitment to Mississippi State has reopened his draft market. Epitome of a projection lefty, stuff just isn’t quite at the level of his prep draft peers. Grades out as a 5th rounder, but could go up a round or two if a bidding war ensures.


35+ FV Tier

1B/DH Corey Collins, University of Georgia

Hit: 45, Game Power: 55, Glove: 40, Arm: 50, Run: 30

Compact stance with plus bat speed and plus raw power, length has caused issues with breaking stuff throughout his tenure at UGA. Has tamed some swing and miss and gotten to more of that raw power, high level performer that is rivaled by few in college baseball this Spring. Lacks the glove to play at catcher or an outfield corner, likely a 1B/DH type throughout his pro career. Top senior sign candidate, mid day 2 value that could be pushed up to accommodate draft pool budgets. 

3B Cade Brown, Parkview HS

Hit: 50, Game Power: 60, Glove: 45, Arm: 50, Run: 40

Stout frame, minimal projection remaining on body. Big bat speed, fastest amongst GA high school bats in this class. Has a knack for finding the barrel, can go out to all fields and puts balls in places that most kids dream about. Relatively agile for his size, can post average run times and shows average twitch at 3B. Has a decent shot to stick at the hot corner, but hard to say how much offensive growth occurred over the Spring based on middling summer performance. Will get the most out of his raw talent, fits around the 5th to 6th rounds.

RHP Cole Royer, Pierce County HS

Fastball: 50, Curveball: 60, Slider: 50, Command: 45

Extra large frame, lean and high waisted. Plus arm speed and above average mover, high projection. Fastball sits around 89-93 with above average arm side run, primary breaking ball is a 76-80 MPH curveball with plus vertical break and snap late off his fastball plane. Mixes in a 81-83 MPH slider that flashed above average bite, but shows it rarely in games and is mostly comfortable with a fastball+curveball approach at this stage. Command of offerings is developing, Royer is slow in his gather phase then his hips fire quickly with his arm coming behind it. Fastball command is scattershot and breaking balls can back up on him, consistent repetitions and athleticism will be key to grow into his body and mechanics. A long term projection project with mid rotation starter upside, 5th to 6th round value right now.


CF Bo Walker, Starr’s Mill HS

Hit: 40, Game Power: 55, Glove: 50, Arm: 50, Run: 60

Big body, present physicality. Drops hands and creates big stretch at footplant, if he finds the barrel the ball will disappear over the left field wall. Long swing path creates issues with catching up to velocity and pitchers that can effectively mix. Tantalizing combination of plus raw power and plus run creates intrigue as a prep. Should be able to handle CF, flashes above average arm in game settings with plus arm strength. Tool bet in the 4th to 5th round for some teams, lackluster hit tool could take him out of conversations for others.


SS AJ Abernathy, North Cobb HS

Hit: 45, Game Power: 40, Glove: 55, Arm: 50, Run: 70

Smaller body that has some room for muscle, but shouldn’t be sacrificing speed for strength if he can help it. Flat planed swing, can really carry the ball despite light impact in bat overall. True 70 grade runner, changes games with his legs. Inconsistent with his ability to read spin, can often be late on the fastball. Has above average arm strength despite small stature, can throw some sinkers to 1B but has enough to stick at shortstop in conjunction with smooth actions, soft hands and above average range. Mid day 2 value, possibility of going earlier if teams believe they have a true shortstop that can get more hit out of.


35 FV Tier

SS Kolby Branch, University of Georgia

Hit: 50, Game Power: 45, Glove: 50, Arm: 50, Run: 50

Transfer from Baylor, smallish medium frame that has requisite arm strength, bounce and hands to handle shortstop, but is unlikely to make an impact there on defense. Above average bat speed, can handle fastballs and has pullside home run power, but will run into struggles with secondaries. Chance to develop into a first division starter up the middle, but more than likely settles into a utility/bench role at the highest level. Mid to late Day 2 value.

RHP Blake Aita, Kennesaw State University

Fastball: 45, Cutter: 60, Slider: 55, Command: 50

Large frame, low to medium projection. H3Q slot, arm works. Medium effort with head whack. Fastball sits in the low 90s with average 4S plane, above average carry. Slider averages in the low 80s with consistent above average sweep. Cutter in the mid to high 80s has plus bite, difference making pitch that was added in the fall. Shows a changeup that rolls off the hand in warmups, not mandatory to stick as a starter but further development would go a long way. Above average ability to throw fastball for strikes, average command as some leak into the middle of the zone. Will occasionally overcook cutters, shows an ability to pitch backwards and in plus counts with the slider--and locate it. #4 starter upside, cutter heavy relief role is the floor. 6th to 8th round value.

SS Peyton Green, Georgia Tech

Hit: 45, Game Power: 50, Glove: 50, Arm: 55, Run: 50

Big bodied and lean, prototypical shortstop build. Shows average lateral range and above average arm strength at SS, should be able to handle himself there as a pro. Some length to swing, above average bat speed. Can hit the fastball and does fine vs. breaking stuff, has struggled against changeups. Profiles on the left side of the infield and can produce in a part time role for a 1st division team or be a 2nd division regular. 6th to 8th round value.


RHP Conrad Cason, Greater Atlanta Christian HS

Fastball: 60, Splitter: 50, Curveball: 40, Command: 45

Long and lean frame, works out of high 3Q slot and has a repeatable, downhill delivery. Arm length has caused command issues, will need to tap into his plus athletic ability to shore up that concern. Fastball sits around 92-96 and will touch 97-98 with above average cut life, doesn’t miss as many bats as you would expect. Splitter in the low to mid 80s shows flashes of above average dive, but feel for it is still developing and break profile is inconsistent. Will occasionally go to a high 70s curveball that’s lacking in break and sharpness. Lot of work to be done, but arm talent and athleticism leads you to dream on a #2-#3 starter, but there’s tons of risk as well. Mid day 2 value with high variance.

RHP Dane Moehler, Walton HS

Fastball: 45, Slider: 55, Changeup: 55, Curveball: 50, Command: 55

Long and loose righty, athletic with repeatable mechanics. Bet to add stuff at some point down the line. Blend of fastball at 88-91, four seam has above average carry and two seam has above average sink. High 70s to low 80s slider has above average depth and sharpness, low 80s changeup has above average fade. Curveball at 73-76 shows average depth and is developed enough to differentiate from slider. Command is very sharp for his age, routinely hits his spots with fastballs and lands his secondaries in good places. Stuff never really upticked from his summer performances, mid to late Day 2 value.


CF Michael Mullinax, North Cobb Christian HS

Hit: 45, Game Power: 50, Glove: 50, Arm: 50, Run: 60

Medium body, fair bit of projection remaining. Very awkward swing path from both sides over the summer that he worked to get shorter and more fluid in the Spring, a work in progress but his prognosis to hit has improved. Above average raw power that he shows an ability to get to from the left side. Above average to plus arm strength, but big winding over the top arm action causes a lot of missed targets and plays it down to average in games. Posts plus home to first times and routinely impacts the running game. Everyday centerfielder ceiling, but definitely a project at this stage. 6th to 8th round value.



30+ FV Tier

RHP Alex Hernandez, Forsyth Central HS

Fastball: 50, Slider: 55, Changeup: 50, Command: 40


SS Bryce Clavon, Kell HS

Hit: 40, Game Power: 45, Glove: 45, Arm: 50, Run: 60


RHP Jordan Stephens, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Fastball: 55, Slider: 50, Changeup: 40, Command: 40


RHP Clinton Harris, Brookwood HS

Fastball: 50, Splitter: 55, Curveball: 45, Command: 35


RHP Thorpe Musci, Parkview HS

Fastball: 50, Curveball: 50, Changeup: 50, Command: 40


RHP Logan McGuire, Georgia Tech

Fastball: 45, Changeup: 55, Slider: 40, Command: 45


LHP Camron Hill, Georgia Tech

Fastball: 45, Slider: 50, Changeup: 50, Splitter: 50, Command: 40


2B/3B/OF Slate Alford, University of Georgia

Hit: 40, Game Power: 55, Glove: 40, Arm: 50, Run: 30

2024 MLB Mock Draft 3.0

While everything in Texas is bigger, this introduction won’t be. This is a practice in futility and there’s a lot of rumors and potential chaos abound. Prepare for mayhem accordingly!

The Draft Team Staff at Prospects Live is very thankful for everyone we have interacted and worked with this cycle and we appreciate the readers and viewers alike! Please make sure to join our draft stream tonight at 6:30 PM EST/5:30 PM CST.


1. Cleveland Guardians - INF JJ Wetherholt

Slot Value: $10,570,600

Sitting from this chair, it seems the running for 1.1 has come down to JJ Wetherholt and Travis Bazzana. Given the consideration for draft strategy with two more Top 50 picks, the likelihood that Cleveland gets a significant haircut is high and I would be shocked to see otherwise. With that said, who is more likely to give you that out of those two? Our guess is Wetherholt and it mainly comes down to the fact that he'd provide the bigger haircut and fits on the left side of the infield more than Bazzana. The savings that Wetherholt would provide allow Cleveland to float a prep down to #36 and even #48 if the money works out in their favor. Expect this situation to be fluid throughout the day and there is a good likelihood that the pool of players in consideration is higher than these two.


2. Cincinnati Reds - 3B/OF Charlie Condon

Slot Value: $9,785,000

The gut feeling right now is that Cincinnati prefers a power bat over a power arm, though there's been a Chase Burns connection recently. However, Charlie Condon appears to be the name linked the most with the Reds. This is, of course, assuming Cleveland doesn't go haywire. Caglianone makes sense here, too.


3. Colorado Rockies - RHP Chase BUrns

Slot Value: $9,070,800

There's been heat around a few guys here, including Burns, Condon, and Caglianone. This seems to be an early pivotal pick in this draft considering that Colorado could be in a wait-and-see mode with the two picks above them, but Burns makes the most sense in our eyes. They've quietly done a good job with Chase Dollander and Sean Sullivan, among others, in last year's draft and Burns has arguably the highest upside of any arm available. This seems to be Condon's floor, too.


4. Oakland AThletics - INF Travis Bazzana

Slot Value: $8,370,800

If Bazzana isn't the first overall pick, this is his likely ending spot. It's hard to envision this kind of bat slipping out of the top five and Oakland would be giddy to get a great value pick early. Now, if Bazzana is the first overall pick, expect a myriad of players to be in discussion here, including Nick Kurtz and Jac Caglianone.


5. Chicago White Sox - 1B/LHP Jac CAglianone

Slot Value: $7,763,700

To us, Caglianone feels like the leader in the clubhouse right now, though this may be a more pivotal pick than the Rockies at #3. If Caglianone is gone here, there's an expectation that the two prep bats in Konnor Griffin and Bryce Rainer would be in heavy consideration. Consider this one more of a toss-up in all seriousness.


6. Kansas City Royals - INF Bryce Rainer

Slot Value: $7,213,800

Kansas City really threw us a curveball the night before the draft by trading pick #39 to the Nationals in the Hunter Henry deal. They lose $2,395,000 of their bonus pool, giving them closer to $13,000,000 now to sign their allotted picks. They do still have an early second-round selection, so maybe their strategy doesn't change much. Who knows. As of right now, it feels like it'll come down to one of the prep bats or Hagen Smith. We'll go with Rainer for right now, and maybe there's a slight haircut, but again, who knows? This could very well be where Smith ends up.


7. St. Louis Cardinals - LHP Hagen Smith

Slot Value: $6,823,700

Assuming the Royals end up taking a prep bat, Smith makes a ton of sense for the Cardinals and I'd be shocked if they let him slip past them. Pairing him with 2023 draftee Quinn Mathews would be a fun southpaw duo. If Smith is taken before this pick, we'd expect either Rainer or Griffin here, more so Rainer.


8. Los Angeles Angels - INF Christian Moore

Slot Value: $6,502,800

The Angels are always tricky to identify a specific player in a mock. We know their recent demographic, a fast-moving college guy, but who could that be this year? Braden Montgomery is hurt and while I think he's got a chance here, the injury he sustained in Super Regionals may play a factor in their decision-making, unless they turn a new leaf. Look no further than Christian Moore, Tennessee's offensive catalyst in their CWS run. He has the chance to move quickly in their system and likely comes at a discount, as the Angels have liked to pay a prep in later rounds (i.e. Caden Dana, Barrett Kent).


9. Pittsburgh Pirates - 1B Nick Kurtz

Slot Value: $6,216,600

This pick likely comes down to whichever prep bat is still available (in this case, it's Griffin) and Nick Kurtz. Kurtz is a Pennsylvania native and may present a discount for Pittsburgh's competitive balance pick, though that feeling is not set in stone for us. We'll mock Kurtz for now, but expect an appearance from Griffin.


10. Washington Nationals - OF Braden Montgomery

Slot Value: $5,953,800

Things may get a bit hectic here, but in this scenario, Montgomery's fall comes to an end. He may need to ditch switch-hitting and perform as a left-handed bat, but that's fine. Kurtz makes a ton of sense here if the order changes, plus there's a good chance we could see someone else here. I wouldn't say expect potential chaos, but expect the boards to open up a bit here.


11. Detroit Tigers - INF/OF Konnor Griffin

Slot Value: $5,712,100

Detroit's brass would be pretty happy with Griffin falling into their lap at #11. There's a big link to Cam Caminiti at this spot and I'd imagine that's the likely route, but this is a scenario where the other half of the best prep bats is available. There's some Caleb Lomavita smoke here, too, but that's a rumor we don't feel too confident in. It's still worth noting, nonetheless.


12. Boston REd Sox - RHP Trey Yesavage

Slot Value: $5,484,600

Given Craig Breslow's arrival in Boston, our gut still tells us that ECU's Trey Yesavage is the best fit and would more than likely be available here. He's the last of the premier college arms in this class and fits Boston's organizational needs to a tee. If a top ten player falls to #12, though, expect Boston to pounce.


13. San Francisco Giants - LHP Cam Caminiti

Slot Value: $5,272,300

Assuming Caminiti isn't a Tiger, the next best fit would be the Giants at #13. It'd likely be his absolute floor and that's exactly what happens in this mock scenario. We're prepared to be wrong, though if Yesavage and Cam Smith are available here, we'd expect them to be in consideration.


14. Chicago Cubs - 3B Cameron Smith

Slot Value: $5,070,700

Speaking of Cam Smith, I'd expect the Cubs to pull the trigger if he's available. There's a plethora of college performeres available here and we'd imagine that the Cubs dive into that player pool. Smith's approach changes and power really stand out and he can handle the hot corner.


15. Seattle Mariners - SHP Jurrangelo Cijntje

Slot Value: $4,880,900

The expectation from Seattle is that this pick will likely be pitching. Many, including ourselves, view Jurrangelo Cijntje as SP4 in the college ranks, especially as a right-hander. Yes, there's uniqueness with the switch-pitching, but the stuff from the right side is bringing plenty of suitors to his doorstep. This would likely be Yesavage's floor and we can envision names like Carson Benge to be in consideration here if they go for a bat.


16. Miami Marlins - INF Seaver King

Slot Value: $4,704,700

New Marlins GM Peter Bendix was in Charlotte during the ACC Championship to get eyes on the likes of Seaver King and others. Miami's approach may go bat-heavy now and King seems like an excellent fit at this range, so we'll trust our gut and say he's the pick here.


17. Milwaukee Brewers - OF Ryan Waldschmidt

Slot Value: $4,534,100

Our expectation is that Milwaukee will look for a bat at this spot, though who that is isn't set in stone. Benge makes sense here, though we like Kentucky OF Ryan Waldschmidt more. He's a solid mold of clay for the organization to play with and most believe his best baseball is yet to come. It's a fun analytical fit.


18. Tampa Bay Rays - RHP Ryan Sloan

Slot Value: $4,372,900

There's a plethora of routes that Tampa Bay could go here, but I'd imagine some of the prep arms begin to get some notice here. Ryan Sloan makes the most sense of those arms. The burly right-hander has an excellent three-pitch mix with loud secondaries and has been into the upper-90s this spring. If it's not an arm, we wouldn't be shocked by a prep bat.


19. New YOrk Mets - INF Kaelen Culpepper

Slot Value: $4,219,200

The Mets have a preference for an up-the-middle type of bat and Kaelen Culpepper has the chops to stick at shortstop long term. Vance Honeycutt's name could make an appearance here, too. However, the link between the Mets and Culpepper is too strong to go that route at this time.


20. Toronto Blue Jays - C Malcolm Moore

Slot Value: $4,073,400

The expectation is that Toronto will take a college catcher here, though the real question is which one that'll be. In our eyes, Malcolm Moore is the best available catcher of that group and has solid underlying data to boot. Of course, if it's not Moore, Lomavita, and Walker Janek make the most sense.


21. Minnesota Twins - OF James Tibbs III

Slot Value: $3,934,400

Do we expect James Tibbs III to slip this far? No. In all honesty, there's a good likelihood that he goes way higher. There is some worry about his platoon splits and if he falls like we think he will in this mock, the Twins would be more than happy to scoop him up. He fits their recent trends to a tee.


22. Baltimore Orioles - OF Carson Benge

Slot Value: $3,802,200

Baltimore has liked Culpepper and Honeycutt, though, with one gone and the other having legitimate hit tool concerns, the Orioles may pivot to Benge. Benge's swing is a bit of a project, though Baltimore's hitting development would be perfect for him. It's an extremely fun fit.


23. Los Angeles Dodgers - INF/OF Theo Gillen

Slot Value: $3,676,400

Our expectation is that the Dodgers will go after one of the prep shortstops available in the backend of the first round. Theo Gillen makes the most sense in our eyes right now. Luke Dickerson, Wyatt Sanford, and others are potential fits, too. This is legitimate toss-up territory for us.


24. Atlanta Braves - RHP Dax Whitney

Slot Value: $3,556,300

Dax Whitney has the most helium of any prospect at this present time. It's a projectable frame with budding secondaries and a potentially loud heater. The Braves seem to have an eye on a prep arm and while Kash Mayfield makes a ton of sense, the heat around Whitney is too hard to ignore.


25. San Diego Padres - LHP Kash Mayfield

Slot Value: $3,442,100

The Padres love their preps, that's no secret. There's a grouping of prep guys here, though Mayfield seems like the best fit of that gaggle and would be a fun get for Preller and company. If it's not Mayfield, Kellon Lindsey's name gets some run here.


26. New York Yankees - 1B/3B Tommy White

Slot Value: $3,332,900

The likelihood that the Yankees go with a bat is pretty high and while this may end up being a prep selection, the Yankees may target a performing college bat. That includes Billy Amick, Tommy White, and others. White's bat is the best of that group and our gut tells us he'd be the pick here if it works out that way.


27. philadelphia Phillies - RHP Brody Brecht

Slot Value: $3,228,300

Depending on how you feel about Brody Brecht, this could be in the middle of his potential range or it could be near the top of it. Either which way, the Phillies have the pitching development to at least help Brecht clean up the delivery and improve the strikes necessary to start.


28. HOuston Astros - C Walker Janek

Slot Value: $3,132,500

The Astros have the lowest bonus pool total and it's hard to envision a prep player being the pick here, especially this slot alone is over half of Houston's total pool. Our gut tells us it will likely be one of the college catchers. Janek would be a bit of a surprise since he has suitors higher up on this board, but he'd help Houston save some money if they wanna utilize the most of their money later on.


29. Arizona Diamondbacks - SS Kellon Lindsey

Slot Value: $3,045,500

This is the first of three Arizona picks in the next six. Arizona likes high-contact bats and Lindsey certainly profiles as such. He's also a very impressive runner and many believe he has the chops to stick at shortstop. Expect Arizona to maximize their money over the next couple of picks. Slade Caldwell could be the pick here, as well.


30. Texas Rangers - C Caleb Lomavita

Slot Value: $2,971,300

Whichever college catcher becomes available to Texas at #30, whether it be Janek or Lomavita, makes the most sense to us. Lomavita's got some more raw tools, but the upside is high if everything clicks.


31. Arizona Diamondbacks - RHP Braylon Doughty

Slot Value: $2,904,000

Arizona is back on the clock and this time, our gut feel says it's a prep arm. There's a few options available to them, including Joey Oakie and Dasan Hill, but it's hard to see Doughty falling much further than this. Teams love the feel to spin and there's a good chance he adds more velocity in due time.


32. Baltimore Orioles - INF Wyatt SAnford

Slot Value: $2,835,400

This pick is a bit of wild card. The Orioles have the cash to splurge a little and there's a good chance a prep player is taken here. Dickerson, Caldwell, and Carter Johnson make sense, but it's hard to ignore the projection and tools surrounding Sanford.


33. Minnesota Twins - OF Slade Caldwell

Slot Value: $2,766,100

A potential high-OBP kind of bat for the Twins? Yeah, that's got Caldwell's bat written all over it. It feels like a solid match from this desk.


34. Milwaukee Brewers - OF Vance Honeycutt

Slot Value: $2,698,300

Is it possible that Honeycutt falls this far? Maybe. In this scenario, he does and Milwaukee is as good of a fit as it can get for him. It's a bit of a toss-up if Honeycutt is not available.


35. Arizona Diamondbacks - INF Carter Johnson

Slot Value: $2,632,500

It's time for the last Arizona pick in this mock and we will continue the expectation that they'll utilize as much of their change as humanly possible. Johnson may command a bit of an over-slot deal here, but it's hard to not love the bat path and potential power.


36. Cleveland Guardians - 1B/OF PJ Morlando

Slot Value: $2,569,200

Well, with William Schmidt pulling himself from the draft at the eleventh hour, there's some changes here. There was a plan B to this scenario and for us, it's hard to ignore the availability and tools with Morlando. We'll see what ultimately happens.


37. Pittsburgh Pirates - RHP Bryce Meccage

Slot Value: $2,511,400

There's a bloodline link here, as Meccage's uncle is a bullpen coach in Pittsburgh. Many teams have preferred Meccage over the likes of other prominent Northeast arms and it's easy to see why. Starter traits, a budding arsenal with two banger breaking balls, plus he's been up to 96 MPH this spring.


38. Colorado Rockies - RHP Luke Holman

Slot Value: $2,452,200

Colorado's likely searching for a college arm at this point and things begin to get a bit murky this deep. Ben Hess has been tossed around, as well as Drew Beam. Luke Holman's more of a safer pick, but there's some upside here if he can throw harder and command the baseball better.


39. Washington Nationals - SS Tyson Lewis

Slot Value: $2,395,000

There's a good likelihood that Lewis finds himself higher on this board, but given the Nationals' additional pool money now, could they buy him down? That scenario plays out in our minds and could ultimately happen.

2024 Futures Game Preview

This preview is my favorite type of piece I like to write, where I just get to unload my internal notes, both written and from memory, and talk about prospects. All the information in this article is sourced from contacts, inside and outside of Prospects Live, as well as things I’ve heard in various discussions with people in the industry. There’s also a sizable portion of video looks here from this season and some AFL call backs. All of the grades are my own and might differ from what you see on the site now or in the future. I’m just a part of our pro coverage, so my grades aren’t the end all be all. 

American League Roster

Pitchers

A.J. Blubaugh, RHP Astros - 45 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 7th round, 223rd overall in the 2022 draft out of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Report: Blubaugh was a reliever in college but is now on the cusp of the big leagues here for the Astros. He’s coming off of a strong 2023 season which began in High-A and Double-A before ending with an Arizona Fall League stint, and he showed he could consistently miss bats as he adjusted to his new role as a starter. He’s spent all of 2024 in Triple-A averaging 92 with the four-seamer, sitting 91-95 with good ride. His best secondary is his change but his newly found cutter gives him another weapon against left-handers. He also throws the full kitchen sink of breaking balls, with a sweeper, slider and a big vertical curveball rounding out the arsenal.

Future Role: Injuries have hit the Astros pitching staff hard this season and Blubaugh looks like the next man up at this point off of the Sugar Land squad. That’s selling him a bit short as he’s pitched really well this season in a difficult Pacific Coast League environment and has earned his opportunity, whenever it comes. Blubaugh has good enough stuff and a deep enough arsenal to remain as a starter long term, but his previous experience as a bullpen arm could shift him into the bullpen if the Astros arms ever get healthy.

Pitch Grades: Fastball (50), Cutter (55), Changeup (50), Curveball (45), Command (45)

Caden Dana, RHP Angels - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 11th round, 328th overall in the 2022 draft out Don Bosco Preparatory High School in New Jersey.

Report: Dana was given $1.5 million to sign in the eleventh round which was the highest bonus in history for someone picked later than the tenth round. The Angels admired his physicality and had to sign Dana away from a strong commitment to the University of Kentucky. His fastball sits 93-95 and touches 97 with excellent ride at the top of the zone. His big developed frame allows him to hold his velocity through his starts and it’s a true bat missing pitch. His slider has become his best secondary, getting whiffs against left and right-handed hitters and it gets set up by the fastball. They work in tandem together and he just overpowers hitters. His third pitch is a slow 12-to-6 breaker that he uses to steal strikes. He’s shelved his changeup it appears and that was projected to be his best secondary when he was drafted. Dana is showing the best command of his career to this point, and the Angels have made a point to say that they have no innings limit for Dana this year despite him throwing 68 innings last year and getting shut down in July.

Future Role: Dana very much looks like a future starter with a developed frame and strong lower half. He’s improved across the board in 2024, showing improved sequencing and setting hitters up. The lack of depth to his arsenal and only having two above-average offerings in his fastball and slider could push him into the bullpen if the Angels are looking for immediate impact, which they shouldn’t be. Dana would succeed in that role due to his fastball and slider, but the Angels have no reason to make that swap. He’s consistently going deep in game in Double-A and is routinely up over 90 pitches a start. He leads the Southern League in innings pitched as I type this. 

Pitch Grades: Fastball (55), Slider (60), Curveball (45), Changeup (40), Command (50)


Ben Kudrna, RHP Royals - 45 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round, 43rd overall in the 2021 draft out of Blue Valley Southwest HS in Kansas.

Report: The Royals gave Kudrna a $3 million dollar bonus to sign and forego his commitment to LSU. He’s added mass to his already advanced frame since signing and has the look of a future big league starter. Kudrna has been pitching for High-A Quad Cities in 2024, which is where he ended his 2023 campaign. His fastball sits 92-94 and touches 97, and he compliments it with a changeup and a slider. Both secondary pitches have improved their sharpness this year and it shows in the numbers as opposing hitters are only hitting .204 against him this season. His changeup has excellent shape, with sharp downward movement and arm-side run. It’s a plus pitch and hitters are having a tough time lifting the pitch. His slider has added some break and he’s getting more whiffs against right-handers. His command remains average.

Future Role: Kudrna has the look of a future backend starter due to his three pitch arsenal and average command. He has a big sturdy frame and could be more than an innings eater if the changeup and/or slider continue on an upward trajectory. The fastball lacks the ideal shape to be a consistent swing and miss option and he’s going to have to continue to rely on his secondaries for whiffs as he moves up the ladder.

Pitch Grades: Fastball (50), Changeup (55), Slider (50), Command (50)

Luis Morales, RHP Athletics - 50 OFP

Acquired: Signed out of Cuba in 2023 for $3 million.

Report: Morales was a big ticket international signee by the A’s in the 2023 signing period. He has some of the best stuff by any pitcher in this event and will really shine in his one inning burst because of his premium velocity and athleticism. He sits at 96-97 with the fastball and reportedly has hit 100 at his peak. He has a pair of loud breaking balls, a big sweeper and a heavy curveball with two-plane depth. His changeup is still developing and likely won’t be used in this event. The command is still coming along, but he’s still young and is tracking as a future starter.

Future Role: Morales’ command issues could ultimately push him to the pen but the hope is his athleticism and stuff can help him get past that and keep him in the rotation long term. He’s more of a thrower than a pitcher right now, and that, coupled with his longer arm action are enough to cast at least some doubt on his future role. 

Pitch Grades: Fastball (70), Sweeper (60), Curveball (55), Changeup (30) Command (40)

Fernando Perez, RHP Blue Jays - 45 OFP

Acquired: Signed out of Nicaragua in 2022 for $10,000

Report: Fernando Perez is one of the breakout arms of 2024, befuddling Single-A hitters with his above-average command, sequencing and plus changeup. That combination typically leads to success at the lower levels but Perez lacks the typical pedigree that comes with it. He’s only 20 but moves the ball around the zone and mixes in his whole arsenal very well. The delivery has some abruptness to it, with some starts and stops that could get ironed out but he controls himself so well and still fills up the zone as is. 

Future Role: Perez looks like a solid bet to remain a starting pitcher and the only real question here is his ultimate ceiling. The plus changeup and command alone will get him through the lower levels with a high rate of success so his first real test will come as he advances. He looks like a future SP 4 with some room for a bit more. If he can find more velocity (he sits 92-93) or gets more from his gyro slider, he can find another gear.

Pitch Grades: Fastball (50), Changeup (60), Slider (50), Curveball (40) Command (55)

Noah Schultz, LHP White Sox - 60 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 26th overall in the 2022 draft out of Oswego East HS in Illinois.

Report: Schultz is our second ranked pitching prospect on our mid-season T100 list, ranking only behind Jackson Jobe. The biggest knock against Schultz was his durability after missing his senior year in high school due to an illness and most of 2023 due to a flexor strain. He’s healthy now and has already doubled his 2023 innings total in 2024, and he has bulked up, adding mass to his stringbean frame. The stuff is premium, with his plus fastball and slider combination as well as plus command, this is a rare front of the rotation starter. He sits 93-95 and touches 98 with run, and it plays up due to his low release. His sweeper is in the low 80s with insane horizontal movement and he even has a changeup that has flashed above-average. 

Future Role: Schultz is one of the higher upside starters in the game with two plus offerings in his pocket and a changeup that could also get there. He’s working on dispelling the durability concerns that could prevent him from becoming that future number one starter type, and will move as fast as the White Sox choose to push him. 

Pitch Grades: Fastball (60), Slider (60), Changeup (50), Command (60)

Winston Santos, RHP Rangers - 45 OFP

Acquired: Signed out of Dominican Republic in 2019 for $10,000

Report: Santos signed with the Rangers for $10,000 in 2019 but then had to wait two years to make his professional debut due to the Covid pandemic. He showed an ability to miss bats in the past but has really found another level this season, in his 40-man roster evaluation season. He’s added ride to his 95-96 MPH heater and the optimized shape has also added some run. His best secondary is a 85-86 MPH gyro slider and an improved changeup. His arm action is a little whippy and he doesn’t repeat as often as you’d like but he throws enough strikes that you shouldn’t be concerned about it. 

Future Role: Santos started 2024 in High-A, which is where he finished 2023. But this time around he came with improved stuff and after 12 starts he was bumped up to Double-A. Santos has the stuff and command to stick as a starter but the biggest thing working against him is the clock. He’s got seven innings under his belt in Double-A so far but will need to be added to the 40-man roster after the season. That could push him to the bullpen. 

Pitch Grades: Fastball (60), Slider (50), Changeup (50), Command (50)

Brock Selvidge, LHP Yankees - 45 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 3rd round, 92nd overall in the 2021 draft out of Hamilton HS in Arizona.

Report: Selvidge got a $1.5 million bonus from the Yankees despite coming off the board in the third round. The fastball is a high spin offering in the 90-92 range but he has at times lived more in the 93-94 range early in his starts before the velocity drifts. His best secondary pitch is his slider, a gyro slider which is difficult for the hitters to pick up out of the hand due to its unique spin. His changeup and cutter are both in the mid-to-high 80s and are fringe pitches at present. He has a unique delivery and with his hands held very high and he often looks off balanced and falls off hard to the third base side. 

Future Role: Selvidge’s command has fallen off a bit this year and the walks are piling up in Double-A. He had a reputation as a strike thrower with his fastball and slider, but he won’t last as a starter with his current command profile and only a two pitch mix. He will need one of his cutter or change to evolve and become a more trustworthy part of his arsenal. His fastball and slider should play well out of the bullpen though and we will get a glimpse of that in his one inning stint.

Pitch Grades: Fastball (55), Slider (60), Changeup (40), Cutter (40), Command (45)


Emiliano Teodo, RHP Rangers - 50 OFP

Acquired: Signed out of Dominican Republic in 2020 for $10,000

Report: Teodo was another low dollar bonus find by the Rangers, and he might be the most electric arm in this showcase event. As a starter Teodo is sitting 97-98, sometimes higher, with a slider that gets whiffs and generates groundballs. It’s pure filth. In a one inning stint in the Arizona Fall League he was up to 102, and he is going to be must see TV in his one inning of work.

Future Role: The Rangers should absolutely keep using Teodo as a starter because it’s working. He has a 1.71 ERA through 14 starts in the Texas League and really should get a bump to either Triple-A or the big leagues later this year. This is his 40-man evaluation year so a big league promotion could be valuable as he should be in the Rangers plans next year. 

Pitch Grades: Fastball (70), Slider (60), Changeup (40), Command (45)

Hitters

Samuel Basallo, C Orioles - 60 OFP

Acquired: Signed out of Dominican Republic in 2021 for $1.3 million.

Report: Not even a stress fracture in his right (throwing) elbow could keep Basallo down to start 2024. He played through the injury for the season’s first month, mostly just DH’ing while also playing first occasionally. He was on a throwing program and resumed catching again in the middle of May, but that story gets buried a bit by the offensive production here as a teenager in Double-A. He’s hitting everything, and is even getting a slight reputation as a bit of a free swinger, but he’s been doing damage even on pitches out of the zone. Mechanically the swing reminds me of Rafael Devers with the deep load and controlled chaos that ensues afterwards. He’s fringy behind the plate, and he had plus arm strength prior to the injury, but the verdict is still out on if he can catch or not. With two plus offensive tools in the hit and power, I’d say it might not matter too much where he plays? Just find him a lineup spot.

Future Role: Basallo looks like a solid bet to be the future designated hitter in Baltimore, so the presence of Adley Rutschman won’t matter as much here. He’s a future middle of the lineup hitter though and one you can build your future lineup around. He’s likely going to make his big league debut sometime in 2025, but if there was a need in Baltimore he could likely hold his own.

Tool Grades: Hit (60), Power (70), Defense (45), Arm (60), Speed (40)

Harry Ford, C Mariners - 45 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 12th overall of the 2021 draft out of North Cobb HS in Georgia.

Report: Athleticism is the ticket here with Harry Ford, and not many players at the catching position in affiliated ball are in the same ballpark as he is athletically. Ford is has recently asked to start playing some outfield instead of DH’ing on his off days as he wants to be more involved in the game. He’s a plus runner with a quick first step and twitchy actions. The speed should translate as he climbs the ladder. He’s more of a gap to gap guy as the power is below-average. It hasn’t taken the jump I expected due to his frame and athleticism. Instead he’s more of a gap to gap hitter whose home run power is limited to his pull-side. He’s a low ball hitter and also struggles handling pitches at the top of the zone, so big league pitchers will exploit that. The approach is passive, and the swing decisions are solid, but the walk rate is inflated a bit by his passivity. Defensively he has a cannon for an arm and has improved immensely behind the plate with his receiving and framing but still struggles blocking pitches in the dirt.

Future Role: Ford is a future big league catcher in my eyes as the defense has improved enough and his arm is a weapon. I do have some concerns about if he hits enough though. He’s going to get beat up in the zone unless he’s able to adjust but should still be able to go gap to gap while also stealing a healthy amount of bases. He’s likely an average hitter in the future that shows flashes of more than that due to his athleticism. 

Tool Grades: Hit (50), Power (40), Defense (50), Arm (60), Speed (60)


Kyle Teel, C Red Sox - 55 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 14th overall of the 2023 draft out of the University of Virginia.

Report: Teel ascended all the way up to Double-A in his draft year after just 17 games and ended up finishing the year there. He started 2024 in Double-A and quickly proved the collegiate numbers and the brief pro success weren’t a fluke. His hit tool and on-base skills are more developed than the power but he’s still going to pop somewhere between 18-25 homers at peak with plenty of doubles boosting his power numbers. His defensive skills are solidly above-average across the board and he’s a great athlete.  

Future Role: Teel might be the most well rounded catching prospect in all of the minor leagues, and when it is all said and done 13 teams might regret passing on him in the 2023 draft. Teel is part of the trio in Portland that seemingly will move to Worcester by the end of the month. Teel should be in the mix to win the Red Sox catching job out of spring next year.  

Tool Grades: Hit (55), Power (45), Defense (55), Arm (55), Speed (55)


Xavier Isaac, 1B Rays - 55 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 29th overall of the 2022 draft out of East Forsyth HS in North Carolina

Report: A surprise first rounder when he was selected due to injuries costing him most of his draft summer, people aren’t questioning the pick anymore. Isaac had a true breakout in 2023, hitting .285/.395/.521 with 19 homers over 102 games. He really put things into high gear when he was bumped up to High-A and hit .408/.491/.808 with six homers over just 12 games. Isaac has really done a fantastic job improving the body while maintaining the easy power, but its the power with the on-base abilities that sets himself apart. He’s a future middle of the lineup bat that should post strong OBP’s while swatting 30+ homers at peak. His improvised physique has also allowed him to be an average defender at first base and staying on the field seemingly has helped him in the box. 

Future Role: I’m as anti-first base prospect as it gets but even Isaac has managed to win me over with his offensive production and upside. He’s a complete hitter with an above-average hit tool (plus if you include his eye) and plus power with plus-plus raw. I expect him to spend the second half of the season in Double-A with a possible eye towards the big leagues in 2025, more likely 2026.

Tool Grades: Hit (55), Power (60), Defense (50), Arm (50), Speed (40)


Luke Keaschall, 2B Twins - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round, 49th overall of the 2023 draft out of Arizona State University

Report: Keaschall looks like a potential steal for the Twins, getting him 49th overall in the 2023 draft. He’s been one of the more impressive hitters across the minor leagues, and that’s despite him dealing with an elbow injury that has forced him to DH duties more often than he’d like. His swing is direct to the ball and the contact rates have been impressive, hovering around the 84-85% range while also not expanding the zone. He’s added some loft to his swing and has already hit ten homers this year because of his ability to back spin the baseball. He’s going to be a high on-base guy with mostly gap power and above-average speed. He is fine at second base but his arm will limit him on the high effort plays. 

Future Role: Keaschall can hit, and that’s the most important thing. Ideally he’s the Twins second baseman of the future, but as currently constructed he might have to learn some corner outfield or learn to get more comfortable as a DH. He’s not going to be good enough defensively to chase off a young infielder that’s already established himself there, but the bat is the type that you push people out of the way for. He’s spent sometime this year at second and in centerfield primarily but has also played some first base in 2024. It’s likely a mid-to-late 2025 timetable for Keaschall though and he will be fun to watch move through the minors. 

Tool Grades: Hit (60), Power (45), Defense (50), Arm (40), Speed (55)

Hao-Yu Lee, 2B Tigers - 45 OFP

Acquired: Signed out of Taiwan in 2021 by the Phillies for $650,000. Traded to Detroit for P Michael Lorenzen in 2023.

Report: Lee is enjoying the best year of his career here in 2024 as he’s managed to stay healthy and is hitting a strong .297/.367/.503 with 12 homers, 15 doubles and 4 triples in 72 games. In about a week’s time he will be setting a new career high for games played in a season while showing everyone what it looks like when he does put everything together. He’s hitting for average and power while also showing some savviness on the bases despite below-average speed. He’s greatly improved his prospect stock this year and is a solid all-around player at the keystone. 

Future Role: Lee has flashed a pair of average or better tools in 2024 with his hit and power tools, and he’s really starting to get into his power, especially to the pull side. The raw might be plus here and I’m not ruling out Lee getting to it in games because the eye and approach are good. He’s already blown past his career high for homers in a season this year, and it looks like he could hit 20+ homers at his peak. Before the season I would’ve said he was a future utility man or second division regular, but now it looks like he can be an average second baseman with above-average offensive upside.  

Tool Grades: Hit (55), Power (50) Defense (50), Arm (50), Speed (45)

Marcelo Mayer, SS Red Sox - 60 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 4th overall of the 2021 draft from Eastlake HS in California

Report: Mayer looks to be over the injuries that really slowed him down in 2023 and he’s back to his spot near the top of prospect lists as a result. He’s a 20-25 homer infielder that is going to stick at shortstop. That’s a very good player and with the Red Sox glaring need at the position it’s easy to see a clear path to the show for Mayer. He’s an aggressive hitter and will jump on hittable pitches early in the count, but he’s also been more selective this season. He’s repeating Double-A in 2024 but the walk rate is up while also reducing the strikeouts and hitting for more power. Doing exactly what you want and getting positive results. 

Future Role: I’d expect Mayer to get bumped to Triple-A shortly after the Future’s Game and he will be given an opportunity early in 2025 to grab a hold of that everyday shortstop job and run with it. Mayer is an above-average bat with above-average power and above-average defensive abilities at shortstop. That can be a franchise building block, and very worthy of a top prospect spot.

Tool Grades: Hit (55), Power (55) Defense (55), Arm (55), Speed (45)

Colson Montgomery, SS White Sox - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 22nd overall of the 2021 draft from Southridge HS in Indiana

Report: Montgomery is big for shortstop but despite the size he has good defensive actions at shortstop and will likely stick at the position. His athleticism is underrated but the former Indiana basketball recruit was also the quarterback on his high school football team. Offensively is where the upside lies with Montgomery but it's also been the source of frustration this year. The strikeouts have piled up for him in Triple-A and he’s trying to lift everything to right field, even the pitches he shouldn’t. Speed isn’t part of his game so he needs to hit to be a key piece for the White Sox.

Future Role: Originally I thought Montgomery was a slam dunk to make his big league debut sometime this year but the struggles this year likely pushes that to 2025 for me. There’s significant power upside here but he’s having difficulties getting to it in Triple-A because he’s not making enough contact. Pitchers are staying away from him as well and he’s still trying to pull pitches on the outer half. His approach is sound though and when he gets going it should be a nice power and OBP dual threat. 

Tool Grades: Hit (45), Power (55) Defense (50), Arm (55), Speed (45)


Ralphy Velazquez, 1B Guardians - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 23rd overall of the 2023 draft from Huntington Beach HS in California

Report: Ralphy has hung up his catcher’s gear for the time being as the Guardians are focused on drawing as much talent from the bat as they possibly can. The 2023 draftee has been a pleasant surprise with the bat and it appears the Guardians have made the correct call here. Despite the fringy defense he’s actually a good athlete that moves well for his size. His bat is strong enough to stick at first base and his combination of contact and power give him a middle of the lineup profile. It’s natural power, he’s not selling out for it and he doesn’t swing and miss or chase all that much. 

Future Role: So far Ralphy has caught one game as a professional, none since 2023 and also spent two games in left this year. Everything else has either been as a first baseman or designated hitter. The offensive potential here is as high as anyone’s and I’d bet on the move to first base being a permanent one since he’s been crushing the ball in the lower minors. The bat here is always going to be the carrying tool though and he could move relatively briskly through the minors if they elect to keep him at first and/or DH. 

Tool Grades: Hit (60), Power (60) Defense (40), Arm (60), Speed (30)


Sebastian Walcott, SS Rangers - 50 OFP

Acquired: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2023 for $3,200,000.

Report: Walcott has immense upside but he’s also one of the riskiest profiles in this event. He strikes out at a near 28% clip which is actually an improvement over a 30% strikeout rate he has been rocking over his last two stops. The power is plus and the raw is plus-plus, but none of that matters as much if he’s not making enough contact. His power comes from his twitchy, strong wiry build and his top end bat speed. He’s going to have to adjust to the pitching as he climbs the ladder, and he’s struggling with recognizing spin which is an age appropriate problem and we need to see how he adjusts. The Rangers have pushed him fairly aggressively, so they believe he can make the necessary changes.

Future Role: Walcott is probably going to play third base as he climbs the ladder due to his physical projection but he’s also had some lapses at shortstop and made some fairly routine errors. The arm will play on the left side and he should eventually be average or better no matter where he plays once he cleans up the actions and the focus. At the end of the day the ceiling here is the sort of stuff you dream about and the issues are all things you typically see from a guy that’s only 18 years old. 

Tool Grades: Hit (45), Power (60) Defense (45), Arm (60), Speed (55)

Cole Young, SS Mariners - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 21st overall of the 2022 draft from North Allegheny HS in Pennsylvania

Report: What Young lacks in flash and pizazz and loud tools he makes up for with his on-base skills and overall high floor. Young has a plus hit tool and strong pitch recognition skills and he’s putting them on display in Double-A. He uses all fields and has a true knack for finding the barrel. The power is mostly gap to gap but he is more than capable of leaving the yard to the pull side. Defensively he’s going to stick up the middle and on the dirt. He’s steady and shows great instincts in the field, but his arm is a little stretched at short, making him an ideal second baseman. 

Future Role: Young is going to hit at or near the top of the lineup and will be a pest for opposing teams due to his contact, approach and stolen base skills. He’s likely going to hit somewhere between 12-18 homers a year at peak, with 15-20 stolen bases and strong ratios. Young will be in Seattle at some point in 2025.

Tool Grades: Hit (60), Power (40) Defense (55), Arm (45), Speed (60)

Jaison Chourio, OF Guardians - 50 OFP

Acquired: Signed out of Venezuela in 2022 for $1,200,000.

Report: Jaison Chourio has had a very solid year in Single-A, picking up where he left off in 2023 showing an excellent approach and gap to gap power which should soon grow into the over the fence variety. He’s not as polished as his brother Jackson, but there aren’t many 20 year olds that are making their debut either, so it’s a bit unfair to keep making the comparison but he’s gotta be used to that by now. He’s a hit over power type with a good feel for finding the barrel. He’s a switch hitter and the frame makes it easy to project power from both sides. It’s going to be a slower burn than most guys in this event, but Chourio is trending upwards.  

Future Role: Chourio projects to be more of a top of the lineup, everyday centerfielder. He will get on base at a strong clip, which is what he’s done at every minor league stop thus far. He’s a plus runner and sharp on the bases, and a strong defender, providing other elements to his game. He will eventually add that power tool to the belt and when he does he can be a perennial all-star.

Tool Grades: Hit (55), Power (45) Defense (55), Arm (50), Speed (60)

Max Clark, OF Tigers - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 3rd overall of the 2023 draft from Franklin HS in Indiana

Report: Clark seems like a very divisive prospect and he really shouldn’t be. After all he didn’t draft himself third overall over guys like Langford and even Walker Jenkins, which seems to be the biggest complaint. There are also some concerns over the power projections for Clark, and they are understandable. He’s a heavy ground ball hitter so while I think on pure impact ability I think he can be a 20-25 homer threat, the inability to add consistent loft likely makes him more of a 15-18 homer guy? Adding loft can be one of the more difficult things for hitters so it's far from a sure thing. The rest of his offensive game is solid, he makes contact, draws a good amount of walks and will be a top of the lineup type guy when he develops. Defensively he’s above-average to plus in center with a plus arm, and obviously his plus wheels are an asset on that side of the ball as well. 

Future Role: There’s some risk here in the profile due to the lack of above-average projectable power, but everything else for Clark is trending in the positive direction. If that power does come he can be the rare five tool player, and to take it a step further than that he can be a guy with five plus tools. He’s lowered his hands some in an effort to get to that power so we will just have to see when he escapes High-A.

Tool Grades: Hit (55), Power (45) Defense (60), Arm (70), Speed (70)


Gavin Cross, OF Royals - 45 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 9th overall of the 2022 draft from Virginia Tech

Report: When Cross was drafted ninth overall in 2022 he was supposed to be the safe college bat, but a rough stint at Quad Cities changed that. He hit .203/.298/.378 last year with all but two of his games in High-A. He was sent to Double-A in 2024 and it’s gone much better across the board. He’s hitting for more power, striking out less and walking more. As it turns out you can blame his down 2023 on a tick-borne illness called Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. With that behind him his prospect stock has rebounded and things are looking up.

Future Role: His signature plate skills and above-average power have returned, and Cross may even be ready for the next challenge after this stint in Double-A. Cross looks like a league average right fielder where his above-average arm will play. He won’t need a platoon partner either, and has separated himself from the other Royals upper minors bats. 

Tool Grades: Hit (50), Power (50) Defense (55), Arm (60), Speed (50)

Spencer Jones, OF Yankees - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 25th overall in the 2022 draft from Vanderbilt

Report: We saw what it could look like this spring when Spencer Jones put it all together and was mashing everything in sight. He’s a unique prospect with the raw tools to put up some impressive stat lines, but the strikeouts are the wet blanket. His chase rates are poor and a concern. He hits the ball harder than pretty much everyone playing in this game, but he also lacks the launch to fully tap into the plus-plus power. For his size he’s such an athletic freak and he could put up some 25/25 or even 30/30 seasons if he makes enough contact. It’s unlikely, but that’s the ceiling here.

Future Role: For Jones it all comes down to the hit tool and health. A neck injury delayed the start of his season by a few weeks and also cut his spring training short. He’s come back for Double-A Somerset and has struck out in just under 37% of his at-bats. Jones will always have higher strikeout rates, but he needs to get them down closer to 30% to have success. I’m rooting for him because it could be really entertaining if he does.

Tool Grades: Hit (40), Power (60), Defense (50), Arm (50), Speed (60)


Chandler Simpson, OF Rays - 45 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in Competitive Balance Round B, 70th overall in the 2022 draft from Georgia Tech

Report: Simpson is a fun throwback. He’s a slash and dash hitter who is already running towards first base at the point of contact. He’s not trying to hit the ball in the air, instead he’s looking to find a hole somewhere with a groundball. He’s one of the fastest runners in the sport so a lot of the weak contact and mishits can actually turn into hits. He knows who he is and is allergic to hitting the ball in the air. Last season he led the minors with 94 steals, and this year he’s leading the minor leagues once again. Simpson has one career homer to his name and it was an inside the parker. He’s also a plus center because his speed simply allows him to cover so much ground. His routes do need some improvement though but he has incredible speed to bounce back.

Future Role: Simpson is a rabbit by true definition of the word, and while that is an exciting style of play I’m a little concerned he doesn’t have enough power to keep pitchers from just challenging him. The hit tool here has also improved enough to where he may not have to worry about that as much because of how often he simply puts the bat on the ball. If he gets on base he’s likely to be on third very quickly.

Tool Grades: Hit (50), Power (20), Defense (60), Arm (30), Speed (80)

National League Roster

Pitchers

Bubba Chandler, RHP Pirates - 55 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 3rd round, 72nd overall in the 2021 draft from North Oconee HS in Georgia

Report: The Pirates have developed a nice pitching factory and Chandler is the poster boy. Chandler was a very different development story than someone like Skenes who came through the Pirates system in a flash and did not need much development. Chandler was a switch-hitting, two-way multi-sport athlete who was finally just focusing on strictly one thing and the Pirates have done a fantastic job of taming that athleticism and funneling it to the mound. He is sitting in the 92-96 range with the fastball and it gets more life on the lower end of the velocity scale. He heavily leans on his upper 80s slider as his top secondary, and he will also mix in a changeup that has shown promise that he needs to trust more. Chandler is currently pitching in Double-A. He’s a sneaky candidate to touch 100 in a short one inning burst.

Future Role: Chandler projects as a mid-rotation arm but there’s a chance at more than that if his changeup becomes a viable third pitch. He learned how to command his secondaries in 2023 and can now drop those pitches in for strikes when needed. The delivery is clean and he lacks much, if any bullpen risk at this point. He projects as a solid number three starter.

Pitch Grades: Fastball (60), Slider (55), Changeup (50), Command (50)


Chase Dollander, RHP Rockies - 55 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 9th overall in the 2023 draft out of the University of Tennessee.

Report: Dollander possesses the ideal pitcher’s frame; lean, strong, and athletic. The delivery is picturesque, and repeatable. He moves well, its a clean operation and he really gets down the mound with above-average extension from a ¾ arm slot giving him a low release point. His primary pitch is his fastball. It sits 94-96 and he touches 98-99 with regularity. It eats up in the zone and generates a high rate of swing-and-miss. His best secondary is his high-spin slider that has returned to being a plus pitch and one of the main reasons for his resurgence. He will throw his changeup exclusively against left-handers and will also throw a curveball. The command has improved as well and if you remove the Coors Field element that lingers in the background he might be the top pitching prospect in baseball. 

Future Role: Dollander looks fantastic and gives the Rockies an arm with true number one potential which is exciting. He misses bats at a high rate with his entire arsenal and throws strikes. He looks just like the version of himself that was the SEC pitcher of the year in 2022 as opposed to the one that struggled as a junior in 2023. He didn’t make his professional debut until 2024 and the Rockies are being rewarded for their patience. There’s a chance Dollander has three plus pitches when it’s all said and done, and it’s a true top of the rotation profile.

Pitch Grades: Fastball (60), Slider (55), Changeup (50), Command (50)


Tink Hence, RHP Cardinals - 55 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in Competitive Balance Round B, 63rd overall in the 2020 draft from Watson Chapel HS in Arkansas.

Report: Tink Hence was having a strong 2023 but he struggled after his promotion to Double-A. Naturally he was sent to Double-A again to open 2024 and he’s flipped the script. He’s looked sharp and the velocity that would taper off as he got deeper in starts last year is staying with him longer this year as he’s also working deeper in games. For the first time in his career Hence has gone six innings in a start this year, which he’s now done multiple times and he even turned in a seven inning start to end April. The Cardinals have taken it easy with Hence to this point and they are getting rewarded for their patience. He’s sitting 95-96 and holding it deeper in games. His fastball is a swing and miss pitch up in the zone and at that velocity band. He runs into some trouble when it’s his typical 95-96. His slider is his primary weapon against right-handers, and the changeup is his primary secondary against lefties. Both pitches rely on the fastball being 95-96 and are at their best when they are used as chase pitches.

Future Role: It’s been a strong developmental year for Hence and he’s managed to check the boxes showing his durability, but he’s only thrown three innings since the end of May due to some cramping issues. He will likely not pitch in the event as he’s working back into game action. He looks like a solid mid-rotation starter with a few seasons of number two like production.

Pitch Grades: Fastball (55), Slider (55), Changeup (55), Curveball (45), Command (50)


Rhett Lowder, RHP Reds - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 7th overall in the 2023 draft out of Wake Forest University.

Report: Rhett Lowder was drafted seventh overall in 2023 and didn’t make his professional debut until this season but is already moved up to Double-A. He’s run into some issues being too hittable in the Southern League. Lowder is a strike thrower that fills up the zone with all three pitches. His fastball is 93-95 and he can touch 97 with life. He has a two-seamer that’s a few ticks below his four-seamer and works well off of the changeup that is 5-to-7 MPH off of the two-seamer. His slider is his best secondary at 85-88 with good depth. He has a soldi arsenal but is more floor than ceiling here and should move quickly through the minors. Wake Forest does a tremendous job maximizing their arms and it helps them move quickly through pro ball.

Future Role: Lowder is a solid mid-rotation arm and he could move through the minors quickly with his four-pitch mix and plus overall command. He lacks the ceiling of most arms on this list but makes up for it with his athleticism and plus command. He sequences well and can throw any of his four pitches for strikes in any count. 

Pitch Grades: Fastball (55), Slider (55), Changeup (55), Command (60)


Quinn Mathews, LHP Cardinals - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 4th round, 122nd overall in the 2023 draft out of Stanford.

Report: Mathews will probably always be most famous for striking out 16 hitters in a 156-pitch  complete game in his NCAA tournament game against Texas. He’s doing a good job of trying to change the narrative with a very strong start to 2024. The stuff has taken a jump forward and credit goes to Mathews for strong off-season work. It could be the benefits of pitching once a week now and also having more managed work loads. When he was drafted he was viewed as more of a pitchability left-hander that could be a back of the rotation type arm, but now he’s added velocity. His fastball has become a bit of an outlier, not many others can match his mid 90s velocity, low VAA and high iVB combo. The slider gets whiffs at a high clip and his changeup is a pitch he is confident in and he will use it against right-handed bats. He has risen all the way to Double-A after not making his professional debut until 2024. 

Future Role: Mathews has been one of the better stories of the year transforming himself from what was perceived to be a soft-tossing back end starter into a higher end starter with serious swing and miss upside. The fastball is a big one, averaging 94-95 with those unicorn traits and it will carry him through the minors. He has the most swing and miss upside in the Cardinals system.

Pitch Grades: Fastball (70), Slider (50), Changeup (50), Command (60)


Noble Meyer, RHP Marlins - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 10th overall in the 2023 draft from Jesuit HS in Oregon.

Report: Meyer was the top prep arm taken in the 2023 draft and he has already experienced some ups and downs during his limited professional career. In April he couldn’t throw strikes and was walking for too many hitters. He’s drastically trimmed his walk rate every month and while his command is still fringy it is much better than the unplayable level it was at to start the year. It’s not unusual for taller arms to struggle with command at times, but the 6’5” Meyer is in good control of his frame and repeats well. His best pitch is his sinker which he uses to both sides of the plate. Not sure how intentional it is all the time but he was running the sinker in against right-handers, making for an uncomfortable experience. He gets a healthy amount of armside run on the pitch and that’s the main reason its so tough to command. His slider is his best secondary. It’s typically around 2700-2800 RPMs but has been higher at times. It has tight, horizontal break and it will be a true out pitch when he gets his sinker aligned. His changeup has the armside fade but otherwise it’s inconsistent. It should be an average pitch, maybe even better than that with time. His mechanics are ok, he falls off the mound hard towards the first base side at times which can hinder his command. There’s some work to do here, and he’s not as polished as originally projected, but he does have some nasty stuff. 

Future Role: Meyer has the ingredients here to possibly be in the conversation for best starting pitching prospect in all of baseball eventually. The frame, the nastiness of his sinker and slider, and what his changeup and command could become is something fun to speculate on. He’s not there yet though. Give him some time.

Pitch Grades: Fastball (60), Slider (60), Changeup (45), Command (40)


Robby Snelling, LHP Padres - 45 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in Competitive Balance Round A, 39th overall in the 2022 draft from McQueen HS in Nevada.

Report: A two sport star in high school, Snelling was also a highly recruited linebacker. The Padres saw the potential here and paid him $3 million, one million over slot, to sign him away from a commitment at LSU. His first professional season, which was also his first focusing exclusively on baseball, went about as well as one could hope, blowing through both levels of A-ball and getting to Double-A and pitching to a 1.82 ERA in over 100 innings for the season. Snelling is a big dude, pretty advanced physically for his age with a thick and muscular lower half. Snelling gets the fastball up to 95-96 with regularity and that comes with good ride up in the zone. His best secondary is his curveball and he has also recently introduced a slider to his arsenal. His changeup is a firm offering that is still developing. Snelling’s command has backed up this year and he’s also been way to hittable at Double-A. 

Future Role: The Padres have been pushing Snelling aggressively and while it worked out well in 2023 he has stumbled a bit in 2024. I don’t love either of his breaking balls and don’t think they will be future swing and miss offerings consistently enough. He looks like a solid SP 4 to me with his two breaking balls and changeup in addition to mid-90s heat. He’s a bulldog on the mound though and is very vocal and animated at times. 

Pitch Grades: Fastball (55), Curveball (55), Changeup (45), Slider (45)  Command (45)


Brandon Sproat, RHP Mets - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round, 56th overall in the 2023 draft out of the University of Florida.

Report: Yet another 2023 draft pick that didn’t make his professional debut until 2024. Sproat has a big fastball that sits 95-96 and can touch 100. He had this big fastball while at the University of Florida but it wasn’t optimized to miss bats like it is now. His changeup is his best secondary in my opinion and it gets a lot of swing and miss due to the arm side fade. He commands his slider well and it's an above-average pitch in its own right. He still working on the finer points of sequencing and building up stamina. He’s been able to go seven innings a handful of times this year and run up the pitch counts, which has been a goal of his.

Future Role: The Mets liked Sproat so much they drafted him twice and I think it has worked out well for both sides to this point. The Mets have altered the fastball shape and tapped into Sproat’s athleticism and he looks like a viable long term starter going forward. He has a deep four-pitch mix and his command has been solid. 

Pitch Grades: Fastball (60), Changeup (60), Slider (55), Curveball (45), Command (50)


Thomas White, LHP Marlins - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in Competitive Balance Round A, 35th overall in the 2023 draft out of Phillips Academy in Massachusetts.

Report: Thomas White came into the draft as one of the more accomplished amateur left-handers in recent memory. He’s a tall, projectable left-hander with a big fastball that can touch 97 with carry. His curveball is a plus offering but needs some refinement. The delivery is solid and the young lefty repeats it well. He’s doing everything a young lefty his age needs to do and it’s easy to dream on a future one-two punch with White and Noble Meyer.

Future Role: White has the ingredients to be one of the top pitching prospects in the game very soon if he isn’t already. The tall lanky lefty is sitting on a pair of plus offerings and also throws an average changeup. White has climbed all the way to High-A so far in 2024 despite fringy command, but in watching him and speaking to contacts the command is likely improving as he moves up and matures. White has solid mid-rotation upside here with a chance at being a number two. 

Pitch Grades: Fastball (60), Curveball (60), Changeup (50), Command (45)


Hitters

Drake Baldwin, C Braves - 40 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 3rd round, 96th overall in the 2022 draft out of Missouri State University.

Report: Baldwin has emerged as a serious pop-up prospect for the Braves. The Missouri State product has a solid offensive approach and above-average pop. He has built a reputation for hitting fastballs well but he struggles against the soft stuff. 

Future Role: Baldwin has moved quickly since getting drafted in 2022 and now finds himself on the doorstep to the big leagues. He’s a quality defender but needs to improve his throwing still. Offensively he has a nice combination of on-base skills and power, and as a left-handed bat he can provide slightly more value offensively. He’s in Triple-A now and is just waiting for the call.

Tool Grades: Hit (45), Power (50), Defense (50), Arm (50), Speed (30)

Thayron Liranzo, C Dodgers - 50 OFP

Acquired: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2021 for $30,000.

Report: Liranzo arrived on the scene as a prospect after a breakout 2023 in which he hit for average and power while also drawing rave reviews for how well he was handling the pitching staff while at Rancho. The switch-hitting catcher is very much power over hit and led the California League with 24 homers last season. He has shown more power from the left-side of the plate so far in his career. He’s an average defender with a plus arm that lacks consistency. It’s a crowded situation when talking about the catching options for the Dodgers but Liranzo did enough in 2023 to separate himself from the pack. He’s come back down to earth as a hitter in 2024 but he’s still getting on-base and hitting for some power. 

Future Role: Liranzo will ultimately go as far as the hit tool and contact abilities take him. He’s been a little sluggish so far in 2024 but he’s still getting on-base and hitting for some power which gives you an idea of what he’s capable of. It’s strength based power so it’s fairly sticky from year to year

Tool Grades: Hit (40), Power (50), Defense (50), Arm (60), Speed (30)


Ethan Salas, C Padres - 50 OFP

Acquired: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2023 for $5,600,000.

Report: Ethan Salas started his professional career in Single-A at the age of 16, which is still crazy to even think about and he was also one of the league’s more productive players, hitting .267/.350/.487 in 48 games. He was aggressively bumped to High-A after that, and played in nine games before being promoted once again to Double-A. His season ended after a knee sprain after just nine games and even though he didn’t hit much after leaving the California League he was still being trusted to handle the staffs at those levels. Salas at 16 and 17 years old was playing plus defense while also handling velocity and hitting for power. 

Future Role: Salas was assigned to the Midwest League to start this season and he didn’t turn 18 until June. The numbers aren’t pretty and he’s looked overmatched but this was a guy who hit nine homers when he should’ve been a sophomore in high school, so it’s impossible to evaluate him without factoring that in to the equation. Despite the 2024 struggles this is still someone who can become an everyday big league catcher at 20 or 21 which doesn’t really ever happen. At his peak he could be a high OBP, 20-homer backstop that plays plus defense. Every team in the league would take that.

Tool Grades: Hit (45), Power (50), Defense (60), Arm (60), Speed (30)


Cam Collier, 3B Reds - 45 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 18th overall in the 2022 draft out of Chipola JC. 

Report: By all accounts Collier had a disappointing season in the Florida State League in 2023 but much like Ethan Salas we need to apply proper context here. Collier graduated high school after his Sophomore season and then enrolled at Chipola where he played one season, and did one season on the Cape, before getting selected by the Reds. He played all of 2023 as an 18 year-old. He started off scorching hot in 2024 but has since cooled back down, but you can see the potential here. Offensively he has shown above-average power to the pull-side and plus contact abilities, it's just that the swing lacks consistency. He also doesn’t lift the ball enough to fully tap into the power and he may also be out growing third base, which puts even more pressure on the bat. 

Future Role: Collier is sort of at a crossroads despite just being 19 years old. His mobility is waning as he’s filling out but his offensive production also hasn’t matched the tools to this point. There’s still time to turn it all around and show off the potential above-average hit and power that he could have, but it’s difficult to project those as there are multiple issues standing in his way. Issues such as pounding the ball into the ground, striking out a little more than advertised, rapidly filling out and having to move to first base, inconsistent swing paths, etc. The bat will be challenged even more if he needs to move to first base so he needs to maintain that athleticism. 

Tool Grades: Hit (45), Power (50), Defense (40), Arm (60), Speed (40)


Deyvison De Los Santos, 3B Diamondbacks - 45 OFP

Acquired: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2019 for $200,000.

Report: Deyvison De Los Santos was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Cleveland Guardians but was returned to the Diamondbacks late in spring training after failing to make the club. It was a worthwhile gamble because all he’s done in his minor league career is hit, and hit for power. His raw power and exit velocities are some of the best in all of the minor leagues but he had some previous issues with pitch selection and hitting the ball on the ground. He’s improved both of those metrics in 2024 and has been one of the most productive hitters in the minors bringing a .331/.380/.650 slashline with 27 homers split between Double-A and Triple-A so far in 2024.

Future Role: De Los Santos is just 21 years old and appears ready for a big league look with the Diamondbacks. He put in some work this off-season and made himself leaner and more athletic and he’s being rewarded by having the best season of his professional career. Defensively he’s still likely going to move to first base, while he’s leaner and more athletic he’s still just error prone and still has below-average speed and lacks quickness. He just plain mashes though and that’s really all that matters at first base.

Tool Grades: Hit (60), Power (60), Defense (40), Arm (50), Speed (40)


Bryce Eldridge, 1B Giants - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 16th overall in the 2023 draft out of Madison HS in Virginia. 

Report: Eldridge is massive, standing 6’7” and was a true two way prospect coming out of high school. The Giants selected him as a two-way guy but those plans quickly changed after seeing him hit at the Complex. His combination of power and his ability to control the zone are his best assets. The power is massive, and he showed it off right away hitting five homers in just 16 games out at the complex. While I was out in Arizona covering the Fall League instructs had just wrapped up and there was significant buzz surrounding him and his power potential. 

Future Role: Eldridge is one of the most exciting young power bats in the minor leagues and he’s been as advertised thus far in the lower minors. The power is real but he’s also going to strike out. It’s just a matter of managing the strikeouts. Most of his struggles came against non-fastballs which is typical for a young hitter. He also showed strong chase rates which bodes well for his future on-base skills. He’s probably going to play first base full time due to his size, and it looks like that’s already started to happen for him in the minors this year, and there also won’t be any real speed component to his game. It’s plus power though with plus-plus raw, so you’ll take some of the limitations if he can max out on the power.

Tool Grades: Hit (50), Power (60), Defense (45), Arm (55), Speed (30)


Termarr Johnson, 2B Pirates - 45 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 4th overall in the 2022 draft from Mays HS in Georgia. 

Report: Termarr Johnson had some brief 1-1 buzz in his draft year and many thought that he could go first overall to the Orioles. He was sold as having one of the best prep hit tools we’ve seen and was getting double-plus hit tool grades as an amateur but those grades look a little silly now. Only one time has he hit higher than .245 in a minor league stop and that was a 14-game sample in 2022 in the Florida State League where he hit .275. While the hit tool may not have shown up Johnson is still producing high on-base percentages and has pretty consistently been over a .400 OBP despite hitting in the .230-.240 range. His current 17.5% walk rate is the lowest he’s ever had in his career. There’s a little passivity here that’s certainly spiking the walk and strikeout rates but he generally makes contact at a solid clip. Defensively he looks locked into second base. The arm won’t be an asset on the left side of the infield and he’s got a thicker lower half so he lacks the range for shortstop. 

Future Role: Despite the batting averages not really being there Johnson has still been a very productive minor league hitter because he gets on-base and has some pull-side power. He’s probably a 20-25 homer bat at his peak while running strong on-base percentages. If he hits .260 he should post big league OBP’s up over .400 and will also chip in some steals. Not many, but he’s been able to pick his spots at times. He’s dealt with some nagging injuries also so that needs to be said. I still like him as an above-average offensive player.

Tool Grades: Hit (50), Power (50), Defense (50), Arm (45), Speed (45)


Aidan Miller, SS Phillies - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 27th overall in the 2023 draft from Mitchell HS in Florida. 

Report: All Aidan Miller has done throughout his career is hit and with the full benefit of hindsight it is a little shocking someone with his amateur track record lasted until pick 27. Miller has superb feel for the strike zone, plus bat speed and strong contact and power metrics. He’s checking every box. He had a very strong professional debut at the complex but did slow down a bit in the Florida State League. He was assigned back to the Florida State League to start 2024 and he’s already been promoted due to his production. He had an OBP of over .401 while popping 21 extra base hits in 39 games in notoriously tough offensive parks. He makes excellent swing decisions and is a solid bet to contend for batting titles in the future. He’s going to have to add some loft to his flat swing to fully reach that power potential. 

Future Role: Miller is likely going to shift to third base as he ages and adds to his frame. He already has the plus arm strength and I’m confident enough to say that the bat will play. Miller is a solid bet to be an above-average offensive contributor wherever he ends up. Hitters this talented and that possess this strong of feel and instincts don’t come around all that often.

Tool Grades: Hit (60), Power (55), Defense (50), Arm (60), Speed (50)


Jeral Perez, 2B Dodgers - 45 OFP

Acquired: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2022 for $397,500.

Report: Perez burst onto the scene in 2023, mashing eleven homers at the complex in just over 50 games. He’s got a projectable frame that should add more size and strength and posted strong power numbers while also displaying a strong plate approach. He didn’t fare as well offensively after a late 2023 California League look but showed excellent plate skills there too which have also carried over into 2024. He’s also still hitting for power while working the gaps as well. It’s been an impressive start to pro ball for Perez.

Future Role: Perez is probably the guy in those showcase event that I’m most interested in seeing because I haven’t seen much of him coming into this game. The numbers and feedback on him have all been impressive and while he isn’t the most tooled up prospect you’ll find he’s also not really lacking anywhere either. A well rounded prospect. Seems like he’s more likely to end up at third base but he’s been playing mostly second base for now.

Tool Grades: Hit (50), Power (55), Defense (50), Arm (50), Speed (50)


Cooper Pratt, SS Brewers - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 6th round, 182nd overall in the 2023 draft from Magnolia Heights HS in Mississippi. 

Report: Pratt is a big physical presence and was an impressive find by the Brewers in the sixth round. They signed him for $1.35 million and he made them look smart by producing at the complex by hitting .356/.426/.444 right out of the gate. Pratt has a knack for finding the barrel and controlling the zone but the lack of power this year for someone his size is unusual. 

Future Role: I do believe there is at least average power here but it doesn’t stick out in game yet. The high level swing decisions and contact rate combined with his 6’4” frame are all signs that the power is coming. He’s not the toolsiest guy but he’s a steady infielder that should stick at short. There will always be a faster guy with a quicker first step or a better arm, but Pratt is just solid and his high baseball acumen really helps him on the defensive side as well. He could simply outgrow shortstop though and if that is the case he will just slide over to third. Not meant to be a hot take here or anything but when the power arrives Pratt could be a top ten prospect in all of baseball.

Tool Grades: Hit (55), Power (45), Defense (50), Arm (55), Speed (50)

Matt Shaw, 3B Cubs - 55 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 13th overall in the 2023 draft out of the University of Maryland

Report: Matt Shaw got a brief taste of Double-A to end last year with a 15-game sample to close out the season. He was sent back there for 2024 and he’s still there, hitting .247/.352/.416 which is admittedly a bit disappointing for someone we thought could move quickly and play a role on the 2024 Chicago Cubs. He’s still finding ways to produce, and he’s still far from a zero with the bat as he’s hit ten homers and chipped in 20 steals already. He’s seen his walk rates spike, which comes from swinging the bat less and becoming more selective. Shaw was a swing early and often guy and he’s toned that down significantly this season and clearly has a directive to work counts before attacking. He’s a high energy dude that’s also played through some minor ailments all season so I’m still very much in. 

Future Role: Drafted as a second baseman, Shaw has shifted to third as his primary position this year due to an organizational need on the big club and he’s looked so good defensively that he may just stay there long term. Shaw was advertised as a quick mover and after hitting Double-A in his draft year it might be a little disappointing for him to still be there, but as we know development isn’t linear and he’s still likely to be a big league contributor for most of 2025. The Cubs are on the fringes of the playoff race right now and if they get back in the mix they still have a need at third, so this book isn’t closed on 2024 yet. There’s still some big time skills here and he’s learned to control the zone and could be a 20/20 dude or more with strong on-base skills.

Tool Grades: Hit (55), Power (50), Defense (55), Arm (45), Speed (50)


Justin Crawford, OF PHI - 50 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 17th overall in the 2022 draft from Bishop Gorman HS in Nevada.

Report: Not much has changed with Crawford since we saw him in this event last season. He still has that strong offensive foundation with his above-average hit tool and double-plus speed. He has improved his launch angle and is hitting less balls on the ground now, and we’ve seen a direct impact on his power numbers as a result. He already has six homers this season which doubled his total homers from last year and we are roughly 50% into his season. The bottom hand dominant swing still tells me there’s more power here if he is able to continue to add some loft. He’s still tall and skinny with projection in the frame and seems likely to stick in center despite the fringy arm. 

Future Role: The improved power numbers add even another way Crawford can impact the game. The double-plus speed and solid contact skills work hand-in-hand and he seems destined to find a spot at the top of a lineup. Defensively he projects to be above-average and 

Tool Grades: Hit (55), Power (40), Defense (55), Arm (45), Speed (70)


Dylan Crews, OF Nationals - 60 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 2nd overall in the 2023 draft out of LSU.

Report: One of the headliners of this showcase event, Dylan Crews has climbed all the way to Triple-A and is on the cusp of his big league debut. He’s done a terrific job of managing the strikeouts which were a big story early in the season. His strikeout rate is down under 20% in Triple-A and was under 24% during his Double-A stint. It has taken him some time to adjust but he’s been hitting well since. He’s been working on pulling the ball in Triple-A and while the results aren’t where he would like, he’s been more effective. He’s hitting the ball on the ground a tad bit more than you’d like to see as well but we are dealing with a 20 game sample in Triple-A, so I’m not concerned. It’s obviously preferable if he’s elevating with more consistency but Crews is going to be an extra base hit machine either way. His hit tool is above-average as he is an aggressive hitter. He will attack pitches early in the count and while the in-zone miss rate is a little higher than you want from an elite hitter he does make up for it by rarely expanding the zone. He hunts fastballs though and looks to do damage. When he connects he often does, with routinely high exit velocities. Defensively he should stick in center due to his plus wheels. His reads and jumps are solid and his arm is plus. 

Future Role: Crews likely isn’t going to be the franchise cornerstone player he’s expected to be, but can still be a very good core piece for the Nationals moving forward. I think there are a few things he needs to iron out offensively which I discussed above for him to fully reach his ceiling. We need to see more games with this improved pull rate, and at the same time he needs to get back to elevating more as well. He’s more likely a 25-30 homer bat because of the lack of pull and the groundball issues, which is a step down from the 30-40 homer bat that some think he could become. That’s obviously still a very good player. 

Tool Grades: Hit (55), Power (60), Defense (50), Arm (60), Speed (60)


Druw Jones, OF Diamondbacks - 45 OFP

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 2nd overall in the 2022 draft from Wesleyan HS in Georgia.

Report: It has been quite the roller coaster for Druw Jones so far after getting picked second overall in 2022. He’s dealt with some serious injuries as well as some nagging ones and also essentially had to rebuild his swing on the fly. It’s an unusual development path for someone so vital to their organization but these are the type of expectations that come with being the number two pick in the draft. When you watch him you still see it and very quickly get why he was drafted so highly, and that doesn’t even include the bloodlines aspect of it. The elite bat speed is still there and honestly was the primary thing saving him for a while. The decisions are still solid as well but mechanically he was so out of sync he needed every bit of bat speed to get into hitting position. He’s been severely off-balance in his swing and most of the early at-bats had his upper and lower halves almost fighting each other and going in different directions. Teh groundball rate spiked because he wasn’t using his lower half and just rolling over balls. The groundball rate is still very high now but the swing has improved. He’s hitting the ball hard consistently and can still go get it defensively so there’s a clear path to the big leagues ahead of him still.

Future Role: Putting Jones in the fish bowl of an event like this probably isn’t something I would do with someone who has been going through the ups and downs like Jones has, but on the flip side it does speak highly of the kid that the organization believes he can handle it. Jones' focus for the rest of 2024 should be getting healthy and getting the swing back to where it was as an amateur. I’m not sure how much the mechanical issues and health issues have been related, if at all, but it wouldn’t surprise me if we find out later on that there was a link there. Getting the swing back will make the difference on whether or not he’s an everyday guy or just a defensive first fourth outfielder.

Tool Grades: Hit (45), Power (55), Defense (70), Arm (60), Speed (60)











2024 MLB Draft Prospect Profile: OF Slade Caldwell

CF Slade Caldwell

Age: 18                             

B: Left   T: Left

HT: 5 ‘9   WT: 182

Hometown: Jonesboro, AR (Valley View High School)

2024 Stats: 33 G, .485 BA, 708 OBP, 58 R, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 51 SB, 49 BB, 10 SO

Caldwell's approach in the batter's box sets him apart; he adeptly works counts and capitalizes on mistakes with his exceptional bat speed. Despite his below-average power, he consistently sprays line drives around the diamond, showcasing his excellent contact skills (84% contact rate). He’s fearlessness in deep counts and his ability to draw walks to set the table for his team stands out. His adept barrel control, solid two-strike approach, and ability to fend off tough pitches further highlight his unique skills. 


He uses his double-plus running ability to cause havoc on the bases; he stole 51 bases in his Senior season. He has great baserunning instincts and can swipe second or third at any given time. He gets out of the box well and hustles on every play. In one sequence at the game I attended, Caldwell walked, stole second, and scored from second base on a groundout to second base. His baseball IQ is off the charts, and he uses his tools very effectively to maximize his skill set.


He is listed at 5 '9, 182, but is very well built for his height with strong levers; there isn't much projection left in his frame. Gets good jumps on fly balls to the outfield and takes efficient routes. Caldwell has solid range and enough arm strength to stick in center field. 

Caldwell did pitch this season but will not be a two-way player moving forward. His final pitching stats for this season include a 5-0 record with a 1.63 ERA and 53 K's in 34.1 innings. 

His relentless work ethic and constant drive for self-improvement are evident in his game. He is a natural leader on and off the field for his Valley View team, earning the respect of his teammates. His leadership was instrumental in leading the Valley View Blazers to a 31-2 record and a 5A State Championship. His back-to-back titles as the Gatorade Arkansas Player of the Year and his inclusion in the Baseball America, Perfect Game, and MaxPreps All-First Teams further underscore his influence and respect among his peers. 


Caldwell has the build and skill set of Corbin Carroll; he does many things very well. Caldwell is a projected 1st-round selection in this summer's MLB Draft and would be a great fit in most lineups looking for a table-setter. 

2024 MLB Draft: Top 300 Players Final Update

2024 MLB Draft: Top 300 Players Final Update

After a long, tedious construction of our board, the Prospects Live Draft Team is excited to unveil the final iteration of our 2024 board. This update takes in a lot of factors: our live looks, film studies, and industry rumblings. There’s been quite a bit of movement, especially at the top of this class, as the likes of Christian Moore and Jurrangle Cijntje have had helium down the stretch. There are also a few new names on our board, including Nathan Flewelling and Ryan Verdugo, both of whom are intriguing pieces to take on the second day of the draft. There’s a new #1, too.

MLB Draft Prospects Out West | Part 3

Happy draft week! It’s time to put the ribbon on west coast draft coverage and present the top players set to be drafted from the West Coast Conference and the Mountain West Conference. The West Coast Conference boasts a handful of arms that should become solid professionals with a couple of positional players mixed in.

West Coast Conference

Blake Shepardson, RHP, San Francisco

Shepardson didn’t have a strong year, battling fits of control and inconsistency. Still, the raw tools here are undeniable. Shepardson touched 100 this year and typically sits 95-97 with his fastballs. Shepardson can either throw a flatter 4-seam with some run or a less effective 2-seam. Shepardson’s 4-seam fastball is easily plus because of its velocity and above-average run, though the pitch needs to be spotted better.

The 6-foot-5 righty backs his fastballs up with a power slider in the mid-80s, usually 84-86, with a devastating two-plane break. The slider is another easy plus pitch that gives Shepardson substantial pro upside. Expect a team to find themselves a promising relief prospect late on day 2; with development, there’s legit late-inning potential here.

Sam Stuhr, RHP, Portland

With a case as the conference’s best arm, Stuhr features a powerful arsenal capable of dominating games. Though his frame is on the smaller end, Stuhr sits 93-96--touching 98--and gets some low launch on his fastball to make it an above-average offering. Where he’s going to make his money in July is with two average or better breakers. While the slider doesn’t break a ton, it sits 86-89 and can be an overpowering pitch.

Stuhr’s curveball has the upside of being his best pitch. It’s a true north-south breaking ball with limited glove-side break that can get up to 83. The curveball unlocks the ability to better attack left-handed bats and create starter upside. Overall, the arm talent here is great, and it’s fair to assume Stuhr could eventually sit a tick higher with his fastball and the two solid-breaking balls. He may find a taker early on day 2.

Nick Brink, RHP, Portland

As the true leader of the Portland pitching staff, Brink may be a better pro than Stuhr despite less flashy stuff. The 6-foot-2 righty will be 23 later this season and won’t land as highly in the draft, but his developed 4-pitch arsenal gives him legitimate backend upside. Brink sits 91-94 with a metrically standard fastball. It looks like an average offering, but his command of the pitch allows it to be very effective.

Backing it up, Brink’s slider misses a ton of bats as a tight mid-80s offering that he pinpoints away to hitters, and his ability to command the pitch to both sides of the zone is advanced. There’s also a promising curveball here with good drop, but Brink’s changeup ties the profile together and makes him a nightmare for left-handed bats. It’s a super deceptive pitch with excellent arm action and just subtle fade to get plenty of weak contact and mistimed swings. A sum of several quality parts, Brink will surely rise through an organization as a starter.

Spencer Scott, 2B, Portland

Offering one of the best contact (92.6% z-contact rate) and plate discipline (12.2% chase rate) combos in this class, Scott, with his line-drive approach, is sure to contribute in the pros. He’s a well-below-average power guy and a below-average runner, which throws a wrench into the equation, but Scott will be an average defender either at the hot corner or second base.

Likely a day-three option, Scott is sure to run low strikeout rates and quality walk rates and provide good depth to a minor-league lineup with true utility upside.

Dalton Mashore, OF, Saint Mary’s

Mashore is a box checker with few flaws. There’s above-average raw power (106.2 mph 90th EV), swing decisions, and a feel for contact. He’s got it all on the offensive side. Throw in above-average speed, legit capability in center field, and solid twitch in his swing, and the upside is very apparent with Mashore.

Digging for flaws, his swing can get a bit like a chop without much flexibility in his wrists. While his bat path is primed for generating backspin, his barrel accuracy leaves some to be desired, and he frequently gets on top of the baseball. There are also concerns about his ability to handle velocity. All in all, potential 5-tool centerfielders don’t grow on trees, and Mashore profiles to be average or better across the board.

Josh Randall, RHP, San Diego

Likely to be the WCC’s highest-drafted player this year, Randall offers a unique look and profile that assures interest. Throwing from what’s a sidearm slot, Randall sits 92-96 with a pair of fastballs; his primary is a quality sinker with a heavy run that can gear up to 98, while he also throws a 4-seamer with one of the flattest approach angles in the class because of his slot. Both are above-average offerings and will allow Randall to be somewhat splits-proof.

Randall also has a pair of above-average secondaries. The pitch he leans on most heavily is a slider with a heavy drop that can touch 89. He throws a potentially plus power changeup to help him truly dominate left-handed hitters. It’s an upper 80s to low 90s offering with a plus run and some fade that’s difficult to pick up because of his low slot. Having 4 legitimate offerings, pitchabilty, and a low slot makes Randall truly one of a kind in this year’s class and the mix of traits could get him to the back of day 1.

Ariel Armas, C, San Diego

Armas can catch. The 6-foot backstop is agile behind the dish, serving as a premium blocker (credited with 0 passed balls in 2024) with good framing ability and very quick exchanges behind the dish--I’ve clocked low 1.7 pop times. This looks like a plus defender already.

To help his case, Armas brings a capable bat with an 89.5 zone contact rate and a rock-solid 18.4 chase rate. His swing is very compact and short, giving him some certainty as he enters the pros. Armas reads spin and velocity excellently, though he’s not a great fastball hitter. Armas also has real power with a 104.4 90th percentile EV, equating to fringe-average pop. When you least expect it, Armas can get up the line in under 4.3 seconds, giving him a legit average or better speed. It would be shocking if Armas isn’t a solid pro, and there’s legitimate backup catcher potential here or more.

Drake Frize, RHP, San Diego

Frize is uniquely effective despite his limited power and otherwise traditional delivery. Hitters managed just a .559 OPS all year against Frize and his low-power arsenal. His fastball sits 88-91, though it features elite carry to deceive hitters’ eyes. The 23-year-old backs the heater up with a mid-70s curveball and a low-80s changeup.

Frize’s curveball gets an enormous drop and is thrown with intention, making it a solid average pitch. His changeup is a prototypical tempo killer, as he throws it with deception through hard downhill and with a 10 mph difference from his fastball. Frize also reaps the benefits of above-average command and could be a unique senior-sign middle relief prospect because of his three usable pitches and command.

Owen Hackman, RHP, Loyola Marymount

Hackman carries multiple tools to entice clubs with a carrying fastball that gets 21.4 IVB from a 91-93 mph range. It’s an average or better pitch that will keep him afloat in the pros. However, Hackman’s pair of solid breaking balls propel this profile into legit prospect territory.

Hackman’s slider features above-average power, sitting 84-87, topping at 89 with good depth, while his low-80s curveball is a bat-missing north-south offering. There’s a sneaky budding changeup here that has touched 90 with quality fade that should push Hackman to the beginning of day 3.

Seamus Barrett, RHP, Loyola Marymount

Barrett threatens Randall and Stuhr as one of the best arms in this conference, though as a 23-year-old senior sign, he’ll likely slide into the beginning or middle of day 3. It’s a legit mid-90s arm, sitting 93-95 with quality run from his massive 6-foot-7 frame. That pitch will get Barrett drafted because of the unique look.

Barrett stacks a strong profile with his above-average 12-6 curveball. His frame allows him to get great leverage on the pitch, and it’s been unhittable when executed. There’s also a sub-1000 RPM splitter in the mix that misses many bats, though Barrett needs to develop a better feel for the offspeed. A few uncommon characteristics are packed into one prospect here, and Barrett will be one of the more sought-after senior signs.

Other WCC names to keep an eye on:

Preston Howey, RHP, Saint Mary’s

Howey is a reliever at the next level with an average fastball that sits 92-95, touching 97 from a lower slot. He also throws an average slider with depth in the mid-80s. Howey throws strikes and will be one of the first pure relievers off the board.

Brian Duroff, OF, Saint Mary’s

Duroff is a solid, though unspectacular, all-around outfielder. He’s fringe-average or a touch better in most key areas, though he’s a below-average runner and may eventually have to move from the grass.

Austin Smith, OF, San Diego

A well-below-average power player with defensive limitations seems like an odd pro fit, but Smith approaches everything with a solid approach and maximizes his limited power.

Jordan Hamberg, OF, Gonzaga

Currently, a two-way player, Hamburg will only hit at the next level with plus swing decisions and fringe-average power. There’s a potential 1B/DH snag, but he’s a worthy day three prospect.

Sam Biller, OF, Loyola Marymount

Another solid floor, though very low ceiling outfielder, Biller is an above-average defender with above-average speed and enough impact in his bat to get by in the pros, though the hit tool needs refinement.

Blake Hammond, RHP, Santa Clara

Hammond is a rounded pitcher with pitchability as his guiding tool. He mixes three pitches well and can grab 93 with his fastball. It’s his manipulatable breaking ball--sometimes a mid-80s pitch with less drop but more often a low-80s traditional curveball--that makes him a viable pro prospect. Both variations miss bats and barrels.

Mountain West Conference

Dayne Pengelly, RHP, New Mexico

A Pima Community College product, the Albuquerque native returned to his hometown, UNM, for what will be his final collegiate season. The 6-foot-3 throws from a funky low slot and quality pitch characteristics. Pengelly mixes two different fastballs that generate a ton of ground balls by working hard to the armside, especially his 4-seam fastball, relative to what’s typical.

Neither the four-seam or two-seam are particularly effective pitches now because of inconsistent location, but both can get up to 97 and usually sit 92-95. Pengelly throws an average slider with quality depth to back the heaters up. Pengelly has flashed a changeup that could be a tunneling weapon with his fastballs but will require more feel—Pengelly profiles as a day three relief target.

Tommy Hopfe, 1B/OF Fresno State

A switch-hitter with a plus feel for contact from both sides and solid average power, Hopfe is an intriguing day-two option. Hopfe has a muscular build that lends itself to enough raw power to threaten for 15+ homers in the pros and possibly more if he can add more loft to his swing. His zone contact rate of 94.2% will jump out in models, though a chase rate of 28.8%--with extra proclivity to chase secondaries--bring Hopfe’s profile down a notch.

Additionally, Hopfe likely plays first base in the pros, though teams may be willing to try the fringe-average athlete in a corner, where his low-90s arm on the mound may offer additional value.

Brendan O’Sullivan, SS, UNLV

O’Sullivan’s calling card is his defensive prowess at shortstop. His actions are quick and smooth, with extremely polished footwork and above-average range. The glove will carry O’Sullivan through the pros, though he’s no slouch offensively. 

O’Sullivan’s 104.1 mph 90th percentile exit velocity indicates he’s a genuine threat to leave the yard, especially considering his quality bat control and lofty right-handed swing with a high handset. O’Sullivan also has a sound offensive approach with average swing decisions and sees spin extremely well. However, O’Sullivan has some issues catching up to velocity. As a slick-fielding shortstop with a capable bat, the UNLV product will attract attention from late day 2 and early day 3.

Michael Ball, 2B/SS, Nevada

See ball, hit ball is the name of the Nevada infielder’s game. Ball ran a stellar 93.5% zone contact rate this year, and his short bat path indicates that he will continue in the pros. Ball is one of the more aggressive hitters in the class and will not walk much in the pros--he runs extremely high swing rates against secondary offerings. There is legit fringe-average pop here and lift that could manifest in 10-15 homers a year.

Ball also handles both middle infield positions, though his fringe average speed is noticeable at shortstop, where his abilities are somewhat limited. Teams looking for a hitter with a feel for contact and some power will make Ball a day 3 target.

JR Freethy, OF, Nevada

The switch-hitting Freethy is the most complete pure hitter in the conference with plus feel for contact and plus swing decisions. Freethy’s swing is compact and a bit whippy with solid bat speed. He has a slighter 6-foot frame that doesn’t lend much power though Freethy’s 103.1 mph 90th percentile exit velocity is still respectable.


There is average speed here, and Freethy has played center field, although he’s best suited for a corner spot.

Other MW names to keep an eye on:

Jake Holland, C, New Mexico

As a 5th year player, Holland is exclusively a money saver, a very late day three pick, or a priority UDFA. There’s a real backup catcher upside here with average pop, a swing built for pull-side lift, and solid hands behind the plate.

Austin Kryszczuk, 1B, UNLV

Kryszczuk’s performance history makes him a legit pro prospect. He’s not above average in any way, with average swing decisions, a feel for contact, and fringe-average raw power, but Kryszczuk hits fastballs with the best of them.

 

Jadon Bercovich, RHP, San Diego State

The SDSU right-hander's results this year (8.24 ERA) were truly unsightly, but his 2800 rpm two-plane slider is a weapon that misses bats. With some tweaks to his fastball usage, he will play in a bullpen.


This wraps the three-part coverage of draft prospects out west. Keep a close eye on the West Coast Conference’s top prospects as solid-upside big leaguers with some intriguing names to emerge from the WCC’s depth along with the Mountain West.

2024 MLB Draft Prospect Profile: 2B/SS Griff O'Ferrall

2B/SS Griff O’Ferrall

Age: 21

B: Right T: Right

HT: 6/1 WT: 195

Hometown: Richmond, VA

2024 Stats: 63 G, 323 PA, .325/.367/.454, 64 R, 20 2B, 5 HR, 52 RBI, 17 SB, 22 BB, 24 SO

While he doesn’t have the same draft pedigree as former Virginia teammate Kyle Teel, O’Ferrall has been of the most consistent bats for the Cavaliers over the last three years. During his time at Virginia, he’s slashed .324/.367/.454 with 45 doubles, eight home runs, 133 RBI, and 50 stolen bases. He’s your prototypical sum-of-all-parts type player who does just about everything right.

Very mature and polished at the plate, O’Ferrall is one of the toughest players to get out. He has some of the best, if not the best, bat-to-ball skills in the 2024 MLB Draft class, totaling 200 hits over the last two seasons while sporting a 12.1 K% in 2023 and an insane 7.5 K% this year. Every time I saw him in live looks this year, it was a battle for the pitcher to get him out. He will foul off pitch after pitch until he gets a hit or the pitcher finds a way to put him away. His swing, which generates a ton of barrels, is made for line drives, and he can often get enough power to go gap to gap. The power is still below-average overall, and he won’t hit many balls over the fence.

O’Ferrall has a compact, wiry frame with solid athleticism that can play very well up the middle of the field. He has quick twitch reactions on the field, and his improved arm strength allows you to believe he can stick at shortstop. He’s got above-average speed on the basepaths and isn’t afraid to try and take an extra bag. His good reads allow him to pile up more stolen bases than expected.

I mentioned in my other live looks that he reminds me of a Matt Shaw-light on the offensive side of the ball due to his lack of power. Shaw is one of those guys who did everything offensively above average. O’Ferrall likely has a better hit tool but less power. A better overall comparison on both sides of the ball might be Nick Loftin, but with a better hit tool. Loftin was above-average run, field, and throw but with an average hit tool and below-average power. O’Ferrall is the same in terms of run, field, throw, and power but has a plus-hit tool, giving him more upside. He likely makes for a good utility player at the next level, and teams will likely be going after O’Ferrall late on day one.

2024 MLB Draft Prospect Profile: INF/OF Seaver King

INF/OF Seaver King

Age: 21

B: Right T: Right

HT: 6/0 WT: 195

Hometown: Athens, GA

2024 Stats: 60 G, 284 PA, .308/.377/.577, 59 R, 14 2B, 3 3B, 16 HR, 64 RBI, 11 SB, 25 BB, 34 SO

Seaver King has one of the coolest stories out there. Undersized and small coming out of high school, King didn’t get many offers. He ended up committing to NCAA Division II Wingate (N.C.). He didn’t let that keep him from performing. He put up a 47-game hitting streak where he slashed .411/.457/.699 with 11 home runs and 13 steals as a sophomore. Still, some questioned whether he could compete with guys at the higher level. He silenced those questions with solid appearances with the U.S. Collegiate National Team and the Cape Code League in the summer of 2023. In 71 plate appearances in the Cape, he slashed .424/.479/.542 with a 1.021 OPS while hitting four doubles, one home run, and driving in nine.

The one thing that stood out about Seaver King was that he’s an athlete and an absolute gamer. In the series I saw him, he didn’t do much at the plate, but he was trying to make things happen despite his struggles. He even laid down a bunt, using his plus speed to beat it out for a single. A lot of his struggles come primarily from his approach at the plate. He’s a bit overly aggressive, which leads to some chasing out of the zone, but he still keeps his strikeout rate low, which hovered at 12% this year. You’d like to see him develop more patience and walk more, and there is plenty of time for him to develop. His bat speed makes up for his aggressiveness, and he hits the ball far when he’s making contact. While the contact rates are low because of his aggressiveness, he generates weak contact from time to time as he doesn’t get the barrel to the ball, but that could easily correct itself over time and as he gets more experience against elite pitching.

Defensively, he looked to fit the part in centerfield, and I have no concerns about him sticking there. He had a ton of range and could easily track down balls. He gets incredible jumps. He’s also received time on the infield, primarily shortstop, and he’s played decent enough there but is likely a better outfielder. The speed is a definite plus to his game, and he will do whatever it takes to beat out a ground ball. He gets out of the box quickly. He can wreak havoc on the basepaths by stretching singles into doubles, but he’s still working to improve his jumps to increase the amount of steals he has. The power and speed, combined with his insane athleticism, will have teams calling his name in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft.

Nine Standouts from 17U WWBA

This past week, Perfect Game hosted its annual 17U WWBA championships in Atlanta, where I was able to go check out some of the top 2025 prospects in the country. Here’s a recap of the top nine players that I saw throughout the week.

Joey Senstock, MIF, NE, Nebraska Recruit

Joey Senstock is one of the more underrated names in the 2025 class who may have put himself firmly on the map during the WWBA. Hailing from Nebraska, he stands at 6’2”, 200 pounds with present strength and an athletic build. Senstock is kind of a jack of all trades defensively, but he really made his mark at SS during his week down in GA. He showed the ability to handle the position with ease, showing off his rangy athleticism, smooth hands, and strong arm to make even some difficult plays look routine. At the plate, Senstock was perpetually on the barrel throughout the tournament, putting together some really quality at-bats. While the stat line may not fully reflect his success, he hit numerous balls hard that were simply right at opposing fielders. It’s a simple swing with hand speed and strength present. He primarily worked up the middle and to the opposite field, showing the ability to stay inside the ball. However, he’ll need to pull the baseball a bit more frequently to tap into the present above-average raw power, but there are very hitterish traits present here that should continue to shine through. 

Billy Carlson, MIF, CA, Vanderbilt Recruit

Carlson was one of the guys I was most excited to see at the WWBA, and he did not disappoint during my two looks at him. A 6’1”, 175 pound MIF from California, Carlson is one of the more highly touted prospects in the 2025 class. In the field, he certainly looked the part at SS, showcasing incredibly smooth actions and a rocket of an arm. While no prep player is ever a lock to stay at short, I certainly like the odds with Carlson. At the plate, he showed off the loads of twitch and athleticism that he possesses. Throughout the week, he notched an absurd OPS north of 1.500, with three HRs, two doubles, and a triple to boot. It’s a fairly quiet load in the box, and he does a good job of leveraging the ball to the pull side. The only knock on him is that he did not pull the ball much at all this week, limiting some of the power he has, but the defense, hitterish traits, and pure athleticism were more than enough to make up for this.

Cash Williams, C/OF, OK, Tennessee Recruit

It can be easy to be overlooked when you’re playing on the same team as Ethan Holliday, but Cash Williams has had no trouble with that this summer. Standing at a sturdy and athletic 6’1”, 200 pounds, Williams has gotten off to a torrid start on the summer circuit. I’ve been fortunate enough to see him play quite a few times this summer, and he’s been one of the more impressive players in the entire country. In the field, he’s listed as a C/OF, though his future is almost certainly in the OF. He’s shown solid range and profiles as a corner outfielder. The real calling card here is the bat. Williams is absolutely appointment-viewing every time he steps into the box. It’s violent hack after violent hack in the box, with some of the most dangerous intent I’ve seen from a prep bat. Sure, there’s a bit of swing and miss and chase in the profile, but he offers a good bit more than your typical three-true outcomes type hitter in the box. He utilizes a large leg kick as he coils around the back hip, but it’s a controlled move that is still able to time up elite velocity and adjust to spin effectively. The bat speed immediately stands out when he does swing and the sound off the bat is a different type of noise. The swing is geared for loft, and he gets it to the pull-side frequently. Williams possesses one of the more intriguing power profiles in this prep class, and his stock will only continue to rise.

Seth Hernandez, RHP, CA, Vanderbilt Recruit

Hernandez is another highly touted prospect from California that I was excited to see in person this week that lived up to the hype. Hernandez has a lean, wiry build at 6’4”, 195 pounds, and the athleticism shows up on the mound. He utilizes a methodical, slow-building delivery on the mound that is consistent and repeatable. In his start, the fastball opened at 92-93 MPH before settling in at 90-92 MPH. He was able to grab a few 94s in the early innings, and he has touched 95 MPH in previous outings. The pitch features some life to the armside, with some sink at times to the bottom of the zone. The slider was his main secondary offering, spinning a tight one at 82-85 MPH. Flashed late break, and it’s comfortably a plus pitch for me at present. Also utilized a solid changeup in the low-80s that he showed feel to land. Finally, he dropped in a couple of curveballs in the 79-80 MPH range that showed solid depth. Hernandez has three pitches that are comfortably above-average, and the combination of athleticism, present command, and advanced arsenal should keep him pitching as a starter for a long time.

Marshall Louque, MIF, LA, LSU Recruit

Louque is another under-the-radar name that really impressed during the WWBA. Standing at a physical 6’3”, 195 pounds, Louque oozes projection with some impressive tools at present. In the field, Louque is a smooth defender who certainly has a shot to stick at short moving forward, though the offensive production is the calling card here. He utilizes a minimal leg kick for timing, staying balanced and collected throughout, and finds the barrel often. There’s some burgeoning power here that’s shown up a bit throughout the summer so far. It’s hit over power at present, but the raw power is certainly in there, as he’s shown some loud flashes. Finished the week down in Atlanta hitting .500 with a 1.283 OPS. Will be a good follow for the rest of the summer and throughout the spring as the 2025 draft begins to approach.



Sean Gamble, MIF/OF, IA, Vanderbilt Recruit

Gamble is one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2025 class, and for good reason. With a wiry 6’2”, 185 pound frame, Gamble brings elite defense, unreal defense, and impressive raw power to the table. In the field, his future seems to lie in center field, where he does an incredible job covering space. He gets good reads, and his plus speed allows him to get to just about any ball hit in his general vicinity. He’s made some plays out there this summer that have legitimately made my jaw drop. At the plate, he’s uber-aggressive with violent intent. This is a blessing and a curse, as he can get caught with some swing and miss and chase, but when he puts it all together at the plate, it’s really impressive. He makes a lot of hard contact, and hits a lot of balls to the pull-side, though he could stand to get the ball in the air a bit more consistently to allow the plus raw power to really flourish. He makes his presence known on the basepaths as well, with an aggressive approach to advance ninety feet. All in all, it’s a premier athlete with an advanced defensive toolset and an offensive approach that, though it may have some wrinkles still needing to be ironed out, catches your attention. Gamble possesses all of the tools to be a really elite player at the highest level.

Tanner Beliveau, C/RHP, MS, Miss. State Recruit

Beliveau possesses some very intriguing raw tools and impressive athleticism. He stands at a strong and athletic 6’3”, 210 pounds, with some more room to fill out. Listed as a C/RHP, Beliveau’s future most likely lies in a corner outfield spot, where he can allow his athleticism to play up. He’s a serviceable catcher, and if the receiving gets cleaned up a bit, his future could be behind the plate. His carrying tool will be the hit tool. He looks extremely hitterish in the box, with a simple rhythm and bat path geared for loft. The raw power is above average and should continue to increase as he gains more strength in the frame. He’s been extremely underrated so far in his HS career, but the tools here are certainly intriguing. 


Landon Harmon, RHP, MS, Miss. State Recruit

Every time Harmon steps on the mound, it’s appointment viewing. Hailing from Mississippi, Harmon stands at a lean and lanky 6’5”, 188 pounds with still plenty of room to fill out. On the mound, Harmon’s elite arm talent immediately catches your attention. During his start in Atlanta, Harmon went four innings, struck out six, and gave up no hits. He sat comfortably in the 90-95 MPH range, but was able to ramp one up at 98 MPH on the fastball. Off of the fastball, Harmon offers a slider in the 77-80 MPH range with gradual, sweeping break that can be landed for strikes or used as a putaway pitch. It’s two comfortable plus pitches, and if he can lock in a tertiary pitch to his impressive repertoire, he’ll be a lock to be a starter moving forward. The arm talent is certainly special, and with that much room to still fill out, his future is certainly enticing. He is a big time name to know for 2025.

Cooper Rummel, RHP, TX, Texas Recruit

Rummel was absolutely lights out in his start this week in Atlanta. He stands at a stocky 6’3”, 220 pound frame. During his start, Rummel went five innings pitched with ten strikeouts and only allowed 1 hit and 2 walks. He utilizes a smooth, methodical delivery with the lack of effort that you like to see in a starting pitcher. He works from an over-the-top slot and showed some impressive arm speed. The fastball worked in the 91-93 MPH range, topping out at 94 MPH, flashing good carry through the zone. He showed advanced command of it throughout. The primary secondary offering was the curveball which he threw at 75 MPH with 11/5 shape and sharp action downward. He also mixed in a slider at 78 MPH which flashed a good bit of sweep. Looked comfortable on the mound and had an advanced feel for the entire arsenal. It’s a starter profile and a good name to know in the class.