The wheel by no means stops handing over these elements. The Minor League season could also be over and the Majors may be within the midst of the postseason, however the Arizona Fall League begins with its Opening Day on Monday.
As we did beforehand in Could and July, this replace is separate from preseason and in-season reranks. As a substitute of revoting on the Prime 100 fully, we’ve set a brand new Prime 15 after which moved solely the prospects who required the largest jumps or falls (i.e., 10 spots or extra in both path). We’ve additionally eliminated 5 gamers from the Prime 100 and added 5 replacements to finish the century mark.
Right here’s how the checklist shakes out heading into the AFL and the start of the offseason:
1. Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals2. Walker Jenkins, OF, Twins3. Roman Anthony, OF, Purple Sox4. Carson Williams, SS, Rays5. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers6. Max Clark, OF, Tigers7. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Purple Sox8. Coby Mayo, 3B/1B, Orioles9. Jordan Lawlar, SS, D-backs10. Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF/SS, Purple Sox11. Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Rockies12. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians13. Samuel Basallo, C/1B, Orioles14. Jasson DomĂnguez, OF, Yankees15. Bubba Chandler, RHP, PiratesComplete Prime 100 »
Crews holds onto our high spot because the premier five-tool expertise within the sport, regardless of a lukewarm introduction to the Majors. Given what number of high prospects have carried out of their first tastes of the bigs, this isn’t as huge a demerit because it was. The 2023 No. 2 general decide’s velocity, arm and general protection within the outfield all grade out effectively on the sport’s high stage, and he was exhibiting enhancements in whiff and chase charges all through his first full season between Double-A and Triple-A earlier than his MLB debut on Aug. 26. These positive factors ought to proceed with extra huge league expertise, enabling his energy to play much more, and if Washington indicators a giant corner-outfield bat this offseason, Crews may simply slide again into heart as a extra well-rounded choice than Jacob Younger.
Fellow 2023 decide Jenkins was slowed early by a hamstring difficulty however completed the 12 months with extra walks (56) than strikeouts (47) whereas climbing three ranges at age 19. He has energy and velocity as effectively, and the previous specifically may get away extra in his second full marketing campaign subsequent summer season, when he also needs to get extra center-field appears as he strikes away from the accidents.
The largest names to pop on the Prime 15, nonetheless, may be two Purple Sox prospects — No. 3 Roman Anthony and No. 10 Kristian Campbell.
Anthony arrived at Triple-A Worcester on Aug. 13 and slashed .344/.463/.519 with a fair 31/31 Ok/BB ratio over 35 video games as a 20-year-old on the Minors’ high degree. He proved selective on the plate and routinely pounded the ball with triple-digit exit velocities with a Ninetieth-percentile EV of 108.4, within the vary of Pete Alonso, Jorge Soler and Austin Riley within the bigs. The key factor holding his profile again right here is that he initiatives greatest in an outfield nook in contrast to potential up-the-middle abilities Crews and Jenkins.
Campbell’s breakout has been effectively documented. He was named the Hitting Prospect of the 12 months after slashing .330/.439/.558 with 20 homers and 24 steals in 115 video games throughout Excessive-A, Double-A and Triple-A after bettering his launch angle on contact to get probably the most of his energy potential. His pop was solely a contact under Anthony’s at Triple-A, however he was simply as adept at making in-zone contact and limiting chase. His velocity and athleticism have enabled him to play up the center defensively, stunning even some Sox officers, and there’s some perception he may take over the second-base function in Boston subsequent spring.
With these two ascending, Boston boasts three Prime 10 general prospects. No different group has three prospects within the Prime 30.
Chandler additionally slides into the Prime 15 for the primary time after a dominant run at Triple-A Indianapolis (1.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 54 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings). His 95-98 mph fastball, mid-80s slider, upper-80s changeup and low-80s curveball all earned whiff charges north of 30 % throughout that point, solidifying the idea that Pittsburgh may have one other huge arm on the way in which in 2025.
+64 Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF/SS, Purple Sox (74 to 10)+36 Kumar Rocker, RHP, Rangers (94 to 58)+26 Cam Smith, 3B, Cubs (99 to 73)+23 Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates (38 to fifteen)+16 Leodalis De Vries, SS, Padres (44 to twenty-eight)+15 Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants (50 to 35)+14 Angel Genao, INF, Guardians (86 to 72)+14 Alejandro Rosario, RHP, Rangers (100 to 86)+12 Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B, Rangers (35 to 23)+12 Travis Sykora, RHP, Nationals (91 to 79)
After Campbell’s aforementioned rise, Rocker checks in as the one different prospect to climb 30+ spots. The previous Vanderbilt ace returned from Tommy John surgical procedure in early July and flew by way of the Minors, resulting in a Sept. 12 Main League debut. His 83-85 mph slider is without doubt one of the greatest within the sport, eliciting whiffs on 50 % of MLB swings, as a result of it tunnels effectively off his 95-97 mph fastball and drops with spectacular vertical motion. His lengthy damage historical past and lack of professional expertise stored us from leaping him into the Prime 50, however the high quality of stuff alone makes him top-of-the-line pitching prospects within the recreation.
This 12 months’s 14th general decide, Smith entered professional ball with a popularity as a possible above-average hitter with respectable energy, and the Florida State product is already beating expectations with a .313/.396/.609 line and 7 homers in 32 video games throughout three ranges. Sticking to the infield, De Vries and Eldridge had ample hype as youngsters opening in full-season ball and solely constructed on that — De Vries by catching hearth late as a 17-year-old at Single-A, Eldridge by climbing 4 ranges and exhibiting promising means to do harm in all places. Each are headed to the AFL subsequent week.
95. Franklin Arias, SS, Purple Sox96. Agustin Ramirez, C/1B, Marlins97. AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP, Braves99. Carson Benge, OF, Mets100. Jefferson Rojas, SS, Cubs
Make that six Boston prospects within the Prime 100. Arias barreled by way of the Rookie-level Florida Advanced League with a .355/.471/.584 line, six homers and 30 steals in 51 video games this summer season and held his personal as an 18-year-old center infielder at Single-A to shut out the summer season. Coming into the 12 months, his greatest grades have been on the defensive facet, however he continued to point out sturdy contact abilities and improved his energy sufficient to leap onto the checklist.
Acquired from the Yankees within the Jazz Chisholm deal, Ramirez is without doubt one of the greatest offensive catchers within the Minor Leagues along with his means to point out no less than plus energy whereas conserving his swing choices in test. He completed his age-22 season with 25 homers throughout Double-A and Triple-A and initiatives to hit 30+, the kind of efficiency that can play anyplace if he wants to maneuver from behind the plate.
Smith-Shawver could have had a shaky postseason debut within the Wild Card spherical, however the right-hander earned that chance at simply 21 years outdated as a result of he sports activities a mid-90s fastball in addition to a slider and a changeup that each generated spectacular whiff charges at Triple-A. If he can keep away from giving up homers with improved command, he may very well be a giant rotation choice for Atlanta subsequent spring.
Benge — this 12 months’s nineteenth general decide — confirmed above-average means to hit for contact and energy at Oklahoma State, and evaluators imagine there’s much more room for development after he focuses solely on hitting after enjoying two methods at school. Rojas was higher than his .245/.310/.336 line at Excessive-A South Bend indicated. He retains strikeouts in test, hits fly balls to the pull facet, has budding energy and exhibits sufficient arm for the left facet of the infield.
-26 Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Guardians (72 to 98)-19 Brady Home, 3B, Nationals (65 to 84)-18 Xavier Isaac, 1B, Rays (18 to 36)-18 Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers (62 to 80)-14 Cade Horton, RHP, Cubs (28 to 42)-13 Brayden Taylor, 3B/SS/2B, Rays (47 to 60)-12 Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox (25 to 37)-10 Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Twins (19 to 29)-10 Ryan Clifford, OF/1B, Mets (77 to 87)
Drafted twenty third general final 12 months as a catcher, Velazquez has transitioned to being a primary baseman in Cleveland’s system — with some left area thrown in — and that raises his offensive bar. There’s good energy and persistence in his profile, however the left-handed slugger struggled in a late-season task to Excessive-A. That provides us extra pause on whether or not he can meet these hitting calls for.
Equally, Home has a profile pushed by his energy, and since transferring to the third-base spot completely final 12 months, he wants that pop greater than ever. He slugged simply .375 in 54 video games at Triple-A, and whereas his exit velocities have been strong for a 21-year-old at that degree, he chased outdoors the zone at a tough price, limiting that pop from enjoying in video games. He stays a giant piece of Washington’s plans however must be extra selective in a return to Rochester subsequent spring.
Persevering with on that theme, Isaac backed up reviews that he has among the greatest uncooked energy within the recreation with 15 homers in 71 video games at Excessive-A Bowling Inexperienced to start the 12 months, however his 40.6 % Ok price in 31 Double-A contests turned a tricky capsule to swallow. The left-handed slugger can dwell with punchouts as a result of he hits the ball so onerous, however stepping into Joey Gallo territory hurts his general prospect inventory. A Fall League journey within the coming weeks may assist him bounce again.
Misiorowski moved to the bullpen with Triple-A Nashville, the place his upper-90s fastball, mid-80s curve and low-90s slider must be even stronger weapons. He has appreciable ceiling as a more in-depth, besides, it’s more durable to rank him forward of prospects with higher alternatives to be starters.
River Ryan, RHP, DodgersTyler Black, 1B, BrewersTyler Locklear, 1B, MarinersYanquiel Fernandez, OF, RockiesAdael Amador, 2B, Rockies
From the Poor Timing Division, we locked in our midseason Prime 100 simply earlier than Ryan was shut down with proper forearm tightness. He underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in late August and certain received’t be again on a Main League mound till 2026 when he’s 27 years outdated.
Black and Locklear are first basemen with very totally different profiles. Black may very well be an above-average hitter with good strike-zone consciousness, and his plus velocity makes him a continuing stolen-base risk. However his exit velocities are subpar, and he lacks defensive worth after transferring round a lot within the Minors. Locklear exhibits spectacular uncooked pop however managed only a .430 slugging share and 103 wRC+ in 70 video games at Triple-A.
Sticking at that degree, Fernandez is supposed to be a prototypical proper fielder with good energy and vital arm power. Nonetheless, chase points have dulled that pop, and he slugged simply .313 in 33 Triple-A video games, regardless of enjoying his residence video games within the Albuquerque launching pad. In the identical system, Amador batted simply .230 with a .376 slugging share in 100 video games at Double-A Hartford — a tough efficiency for a center infielder who boasted a possible plus hit software initially of 2024.
