There simply is not sufficient room to suit all of the worthy skills on MLB Pipeline’s High 100 Prospects record. We unveiled our newest rankings final Friday, and now we’ll highlight the most effective prospect in every farm system who could not fairly make the lower.
We undertook the identical train final 12 months, and that just-missed record included a number of recognizable names. Twelve of them climbed onto the brand new High 100: Padres shortstop Leodalis De Vries (No. 18), Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (No. 28), Marlins left-hander Thomas White (No. 41), Mariners outfielder Lazaro Montes (No. 42), White Sox catcher Edgar Quero (No. 66), Rays third baseman Braden Taylor (No. 67), Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros (No. 69), Dodgers lefty Jackson Ferris (No. 71), Pirates righty Thomas Harrington (No. 80), Marlins shortstop Starlyn Caba (No. 81), Reds second baseman Sal Stewart (No. 84) and Blue Jays shortstop Arjun Nimmala (No. 87).
Moreover, right-handers David Festa (Twins), Christian Scott (Mets) and Spencer Schwellenbach (Braves) and outfielder Victor Scott II (Cardinals) performed their means onto the High 100 in 2024 earlier than graduating to the Majors. Athletics righty Mason Miller would have performed the identical throughout an All-Star rookie 12 months, however he shed his prospect standing two days into the season. Astros outfielder Jacob Melton and Rockies outfielder Sterlin Thompson reached the High 100 for a time final summer season, however they are not on the present version.
You may discover Melton under, nevertheless. And if historical past is any indication, a number of of the prospects talked about will be a part of the High 100 in some unspecified time in the future throughout this season.
Blue Jays: Orelvis Martinez, 2B/3B (No. 10 2B)A former member of the High 100, Martinez’s roller-coaster profession took extra turns final season when he debuted within the Majors on June 21 and was suspended 80 video games after testing constructive for the banned substance Clomiphene. Nonetheless solely 23, the right-handed slugger ran near-elite exit velocities for Triple-A Buffalo, and his swing is geared for energy along with his potential to raise and pull the ball. His protection nonetheless wants work wherever he lands on the dust, and it’ll be on him to show the PED suspension was a one-time occasion and that his pop can preserve taking part in at spectacular ranges.
Orioles: Enrique Bradfield Jr., OFThe O’s first-round decide in 2023, Bradfield brings two 70 or higher grade instruments to the desk in his velocity (really an 80) and his protection in middle area. He break up his first full season between Excessive-A and Double-A in 2024, ending with a mixed .272/.358/.371 line and 74 steals, trailing solely Chandler Simpson in the entire Minors in that class. He really carried out higher at Double-A (133 wRC+) than Excessive-A (106 wRC+) and he has an opportunity to be an actual table-setting catalyst atop a giant league lineup quickly.
Rays: Aidan Smith, OFThere are plenty of Tampa Bay prospects hovering across the High 100, together with elite speedster Simpson and younger pitchers Gary Gill Hill and Trevor Harrison, however we’ll use Smith right here for now. Acquired from the Mariners in final 12 months’s deal for Randy Arozarena, the ’23 fourth-rounder might be a five-tool expertise within the outfield, incomes plus grades for his velocity and arm energy whereas his bat has already carried out on the Single-A degree (.288/.401/.473 in 97 video games). Somewhat extra over-the-fence energy may ship Smith comfortably onto the record in his age-20 season.
Pink Sox: Luis Perales, RHPA $75,000 steal out of Venezuela in 2019, Perales has a mid-90s fastball that reaches 99 mph with large carry and a mid-80s slider that flashes two-plane depth. He posted a 2.94 ERA with a 56/12 Ok/BB ratio in 33 2/3 innings final 12 months whereas advancing to Double-A at age 21, however he blew out his elbow in June and should miss all of this season following Tommy John surgical procedure.
Yankees: George Lombard Jr., SS/2BLombard performs a top quality shortstop and has a ceiling of stable or higher instruments throughout the board. The son of former large leaguer and present Tigers bench coach George Lombard, he was a ’23 first-rounder out of a Florida highschool. He slashed .231/.338/.334 with 5 homers and 39 steals in 110 video games between two Class A ranges in ’24.
Guardians: Ralphy Velazquez, 1B (No. 8 1B)Velazquez hit his means into the primary spherical of the ’23 Draft, and the California highschool product batted .231/.347/.385 with 11 homers in 101 video games throughout his full-season debut between two Class A ranges. He has 30-homer upside and in addition reveals a sophisticated potential to acknowledge pitches and work counts.
Royals: Ben Kudrna, RHPKansas Metropolis’s High 100 contingent is stuffed with hitters, however there are just a few pitchers lurking in that subsequent tier, together with 2021 second-rounder Kudrna. The Ok.C.-area native sat 93-94 mph final 12 months in a second-half project to Double-A Northwest Arkansas however caught extra for his 85-87 mph changeup and 86-89 mph slider, each of which had whiff charges of 46 % within the Texas League. Kudrna might be a second-half Main League possibility in his age-22 season if his secondaries preserve taking part in to that degree.
Tigers: Jace Jung, 3B/2B (No. 6 3B)The 2022 twelfth total decide was one of many closing cuts from the High 100 however nonetheless checked in at No. 6 on our third-base record. He has the potential to supply excessive OBP and slugging numbers however can have one thing to show after a proper wrist difficulty dogged him for a lot of ’24. (He underwent offseason surgical procedure to handle it.) Jung additionally moved to 3rd base full time final season after opening his profession at second, and bettering there can be a spotlight in his try to return to the Majors on Opening Day.
Twins: Kaelen Culpepper, SSThe Twins took Culpepper within the first spherical of the ’24 Draft out of Kansas State and he confirmed off the plate self-discipline and strategy he was identified for in faculty throughout his temporary summer season debut, transferring shortly from Single-A Fort Myers to Excessive-A Cedar Rapids. It’s a hit-over-power strategy with constantly skilled at-bats and the Twins have been happy with how good he checked out shortstop, so count on to see lots of him on the premium place this 12 months.
White Sox: Grant Taylor, RHPThough Taylor missed Louisiana State’s ’23 nationwide championship season as a result of he had Tommy John surgical procedure that February, the White Sox nonetheless picked him within the second spherical. He has regained his energy stuff: an upper-90s fastball, a pointy low-90s cutter and a pair of stable breaking pitches. He received again on the mound final Might and logged a 1.13 ERA with a 25/1 Ok/BB ratio in 16 innings at Single-A earlier than getting shut down with a lat pressure, then returned for the Arizona Fall League. Paul Skenes believes in him.
Angels: George Klassen, RHPThe Angels will get their first lengthy take a look at Klassen after buying him from the Phillies within the Carlos Estévez deal near the Commerce Deadline final 12 months, however there are some within the group who suppose there isn’t a lot separating him from High 100 right-hander Caden Dana. He’s lengthy had arm energy and might contact triple digits, however began throwing extra strikes for the primary time in 2024. He completed the 12 months at Double-A post-trade and struck out 13.1 per 9 over 93 IP. The stroll fee crept again up after he got here to the Angels, but when he might be across the zone, he’s nasty.
Astros: Jacob Melton, OFThe Astros gave seven-figure bonuses to a few hitters within the 2022 Draft, and so they determined to half with Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford within the Justin Verlander commerce with the Mets a 12 months later so they may preserve Melton. A second-rounder from Oregon State, he gives plus uncooked energy and velocity and batted .253/.310/.426 with 15 homers and 30 steals in 105 video games between Double-A and Triple-A.
A’s: Colby Thomas, OFAn argument might be made for right-hander Luis Morales, however we’ll give the place participant the sting this 12 months. Thomas must watch the strikeouts (24.7 % Ok fee in 2024, 30.3 % as soon as he received to Triple-A). However the 2022 third-rounder is knocking on the door and the ability is legit after hitting 31 homers and posting a mixed .906 OPS to go together with 15 steals in 2024.
Mariners: Ryan Sloan, RHPSloan may need gone within the second spherical of the 2024 Draft, however he has first-round stuff, and the Mariners thought so too, giving him an over-slot bonus of $3 million to signal. He’s large (6-foot-5) with an intriguing mixture of stuff and polish, exhibiting the flexibility to govern a fastball that touches 99 mph, a extremely good changeup and a very good slider.
Rangers: Jack Leiter, RHPLeiter has had a rockier profession than anticipated since he went No. 2 total within the 2021 Draft, however the Vanderbilt product loved his greatest season but in 2024. His mid-90s fastball and upper-80s slider have been simpler and he gained Triple-A Pacific Coast League pitcher of the 12 months accolades after recording a 3.51 ERA, .217 average-against and 110 strikeouts in 77 innings. Now he wants to resolve large league hitters, who roughed him up for an 8.83 ERA in 9 appearances.
Braves: Nacho Alvarez, SS/3BAn argument might be made for a number of the arms within the Braves’ system, like Hurston Waldrep or AJ Smith-Shawver, however the edge goes to the place participant. Alvarez struggled throughout his temporary large league debut final 12 months, however he has an extended monitor document of constant contact, with a 16.6 % Ok fee in his Minor League profession (16.9 % on the higher ranges in 2024) whereas strolling at a 14.2 % fee. Whereas he doesn’t run nicely, he’s an excellent defender at each spots on the left facet of the infield whereas exhibiting he may deal with second within the bigs.
Marlins: Agustin Ramirez, C/1BThe major prospect within the Jazz Chisholm commerce with the Yankees final July, Ramirez recorded a uncommon 20/20 season for a catcher with 25 homers and 22 steals between Double-A and Triple-A. His bat velocity, energy and pull-happy strategy mix to supply vital energy, although his protection behind the plate may be very a lot a piece in progress.
Mets: Carson Benge, OFBenge was a reliable two-way prospect at Oklahoma State, however the Mets most well-liked him as a hitter for good purpose. His bat-to-ball expertise have been a lot evident throughout his early run within the Florida State League, and there have been indicators that he may get above-average energy, particularly if he can enhance his ground-ball fee. Benge largely began in middle, however his plus arm definitely matches in proper too if/when he wants to maneuver extra completely down the road.
Nationals: Brady Home, 3B (No. 7 3B)Home’s excessive chase fee at Triple-A scared some evaluators, and that led to his fall off the High 100 for now. There are nonetheless issues to love in regards to the 2021 eleventh total decide. For starters, he’s solely 21 years previous, and he reached the Minors’ high degree forward of the curve. There’s additionally nonetheless plus energy potential in his 6-foot-4 body, and he’s improved as a defender at third base after beginning his profession at brief. He’ll need to hone his strategy considerably in a return to Rochester, however Home has time and age on his facet.
Phillies: Moisés ChaceThe Phillies received Chace from the Orioles together with Seth Johnson within the Gregory Soto deal final 12 months, and so they’ve been very proud of what they obtained. He’s as much as 98 mph now along with his fastball with a sweeper, a more durable cutter and what might be an above-average changeup. He’d been in additional of a piggyback system with the O’s, however the Phils suppose he has the possibility to be a traditional starter with electrical stuff.
Brewers: Mike Boeve, 3B/1B (No. 10 3B)The 2023 second-rounder out of Nebraska-Omaha shot by means of Excessive-A in his first full season and spent a lot of the 12 months at Double-A, the place he slashed .306/.374/.447 in 66 video games whereas working round a proper shoulder damage. Boeve’s brief whippy swing helps him make a ton of contact, and that hit software will gas his rise towards Milwaukee. There’s hope he may add some extra energy in 12 months two if he can keep more healthy, and that may assist his High 100 possibilities.
Cardinals: Jimmy Crooks, CThe 2022 fourth-rounder was named Texas League MVP final 12 months after slashing .321/.410/.498 with 11 homers in 90 video games. The previous Oklahoma star was a defense-first backstop out of the Draft, however he has taken strides along with his hit software in professional ball, constantly conserving his strikeouts in verify whereas pounding line drives. There are some splits issues nonetheless for the lefty slugger, however every thing is trending towards him probably changing into a beginning catcher within the bigs.
Cubs: Brandon Birdsell, RHPThe Cubs named Birdsell their Minor League Pitcher of the 12 months after he posted a 3.91 ERA and led the system in innings (135 2/3), strikeouts (134), Ok share (24 %) and stroll share (5 %) whereas splitting his season between Double-A and Triple-A. His greatest attributes are a mid-90s fastball that reaches 98 with carry and command and an upper-80s slider with good depth.
Pirates: Nick Yorke, 2B/OFA shock first-round decide of the Pink Sox in 2020, Yorke had a really stable professional debut in ’21, struggled in ’22, rebounded somewhat in ’23 after which actually clicked at Triple-A in ’24 forward of Boston sending him to the Pirates within the Quinn Priester deal final 12 months. He raked after the commerce (.938 OPS in 40 video games) to result in his first style of the large leagues, and the Pirates suppose he has the possibility to hit for common with some energy in Pittsburgh.
Reds: Chase Petty, RHPPetty, who got here to the Reds from the Twins within the Sonny Grey deal in 2022, reached Triple-A in ’24 on the age of 21, and Cincinnati feels that his mixture of age, stuff and efficiency on the higher ranges are in keeping with a number of the arms that landed on the High 100. His fastball averaged simply over 96 mph in 2024 and his mid-80s slider elicited a 39 % miss fee.
D-backs: Demeterio Crisantes, INF (No. 9 2B)The 20-year-old infielder operates very merely within the field, and he used his stable swing selections and relaxed mechanics to drive his excessive averages in each the Rookie-level Arizona Complicated and Single-A California Leagues final season. There’s the potential for common pop right here, however a lot will come right down to the place Crisantes lands in a full-time position after he’s gotten expertise at second, third and even first. The hit software would be the driver right here, and Arizona has prioritized getting Cristantes’ bat into the lineup irrespective of the place he’s.
Dodgers: Emil Morales, SSMorales landed a $1,897,500 bonus out of the Dominican Republic as a result of he had one of many highest ceilings within the 2024 worldwide class, then backed it up with an enormous professional debut. He gained MVP and high prospect honors within the Rookie-level Dominican Summer season League after slashing .342/.478/.691 and topping the circuit in slugging, OPS (1.169), homers (14) and whole bases (105). He has a clean right-handed swing and hits the ball exceptionally exhausting for an 18-year-old, and he ought to nonetheless present greater than sufficient offense if he strikes off shortstop.
Giants: Carson Whisenhunt, LHP (No. 8 LHP)A 2022 second-rounder out of East Carolina, Whisenhunt sports activities the most effective changeups in baseball. He can manipulate the depth and form of his 78-81 mph tumbler, and it registered a 49 % chase fee and a 47 % swing-and-miss fee final 12 months within the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, the place he ranked second with 135 strikeouts in 104 2/3 innings. He additionally possesses a low-90s sinker and low-80s slider.
Padres: Kash Mayfield, LHPA two-time Gatorade Excessive College Participant of the 12 months in Oklahoma, Mayfield went twenty fifth total to the Padres in final 12 months’s Draft and immediately turned the group’s high pitching prospect. The 6-foot-4 southpaw can run his fastball as much as 97 mph and has a sophisticated changeup for somebody his age. His management ought to be at the least common, however a lot will come right down to shoring up a extra constant breaking ball form in professional ball.
Rockies: Cole Carrigg, OF/SSCarrigg’s athleticism, versatility, arm and stable faculty profession at San Diego State helped him land with the Rockies in Aggressive Stability Spherical B in 2023. He’s been even higher as a professional with an .850 OPS, 17 homers and 53 steals in 2024. The switch-hitter can play a number of positions — he used to catch — and his 70-grade arm works from wherever.
