Now it’s time to carry ourselves accountable. How’d we do?
We’ll begin out by noting that 18 of this yr’s No. 1 prospects weren’t of their group two years in the past. We’re good, however we’re not that good at predicting the long run, so we’re not penalizing ourselves for guessing the 2024 Draft first-rounders who are actually sitting atop their group’s lists (six of them). Or that Roki Sasaki would publish and signal with the Dodgers. Or that Jackson Holliday would have graduated already. Or who may get traded (three).
Out of the present pool of 12 prospects, then, we bought 4 precisely proper: Jackson Jobe, Jeferson Quero, Noah Schultz and Carson Williams. A dozen of these we predicted two years in the past are presently within the Prime 100, so we weren’t far off there. And final we checked, a .333 common will get you into the Corridor of Fame.
Blue JaysWho we picked: Brandon Barriera, LHPWho it’s: Arjun Nimmala, SS (MLB No. 87)Toronto chosen Barriera twenty third general in 2022, the identical yr it was serving to develop 2021 third-rounder and fellow southpaw Ricky Tiedemann right into a breakout arm. The youthful left-hander confirmed three above-average pitches as an newbie however simply hasn’t gotten going within the execs with 21 2/3 profession innings. He underwent a hybrid Tommy John/inside brace surgical procedure on his left elbow after just one begin final season, and 2024 first-rounder Nimmala has seized the highest spot as a substitute.
OriolesWho we picked: Jackson Holliday, 2BWho it’s: Samuel Basallo, C/1B (MLB No. 13)Who knew Holliday would have graduated by now? On the time, he was the No. 1 decide within the 2022 Draft who was coming off a quick, however profitable, professional debut. In 2023, Holliday raced up the ladder, reaching Triple-A Norfolk. And whereas he hasn’t gotten locked in on the large league stage but, he’ll nonetheless solely be 21 for the entire 2025 season and positively would have been No. 1 on the O’s checklist if he hadn’t gotten previous prospect standing.
RaysWho we picked: Carson Williams, SSWho it’s: Williams (MLB No. 9)This was proper on track. Williams, a 2021 first-rounder, was coming off a strong first full season wherein he clubbed 19 homers with Single-A Charleston, strengthening the assumption that his energy may play rapidly on the professional aspect. A lot of the remainder of the profile stays true too. Williams remains to be a stellar defender at shortstop, and whereas his strikeout charges have improved barely, they’re nonetheless larger than you’d usually like for a premium prospect. The distinction: We’ve now seen Williams be the identical participant for 2 extra years and at larger ranges, and at 21 years outdated, he’s on the verge of the Majors.
Purple SoxWho we picked: Miguel Bleis, OFWho it’s: Roman Anthony, OF (MLB No. 2)Signed for $1.5 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, Bleis nonetheless affords the upside of a possible 25-25 heart fielder, although his progress was slowed when he subluxated his left shoulder on a swing in Could 2023 and required season-ending surgical procedure. He slashed .220/.303/.354 with a system-best 38 steals in 95 video games between two Class A stops final yr whereas persevering with to showcase one of the best all-around instruments within the system.
YankeesWho we picked: Spencer Jones, OFWho it’s: Jasson Domínguez, OF (MLB No. 21)Along with his mixture of massive uncooked energy and weird athleticism for a 6-foot-6, 235-pounder, Jones ranks as one of many Yankees’ higher prospects — simply not one of the best. The 2022 first-rounder from Vanderbilt slashed .259/.336/.452 with 17 homers and 25 steals in 122 video games with Double-A Somerset, however he additionally ranked second within the Minors with 200 strikeouts and tenth with a 36.8 % strikeout fee.
GuardiansWho we picked: Chase DeLauter, OF (MLB No. 36)Who it’s: Travis Bazzana, 2B (MLB No. 10)He trails solely 2024 No. 1 general decide Bazzana in our Guardians rankings, and DeLauter most likely would have graduated to Cleveland by now if not for persistent accidents to his left foot, which he broke at James Madison throughout his Draft yr in 2022. The one first-round decide at school historical past, he combines measurement (6-foot-3, 235 kilos), athleticism, the flexibility to hit for each common and energy and plate self-discipline like few gamers can. He has slashed .317/.387/.517 in two professional seasons and .313/.417/.522 in two journeys to the Arizona Fall League.
RoyalsWho we picked: Gavin Cross, OFWho it’s: Jac Caglianone, 1B (MLB No. 22)The 2022 ninth general decide confirmed five-tool potential at Virginia Tech however hasn’t actually taken off in professional ball but, partly due to a bout with Rocky Mountain Noticed Fever late in 2023. His 2024 season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas was a strong bounce again (.261/.342/.428, 15 homers, 30 steals), however considerations about his skill to make contact in opposition to non-fastballs stay. Even so, it may have made for a enjoyable debate between Cross and 2024 sixth general decide Caglianone this yr had all the pieces gone proper developmentally for the previous.
TigersWho we picked: Jackson Jobe, RHPWho it’s: Jobe (MLB No. 5)Jobe’s first full season in 2022 didn’t go fairly as anticipated (3.84 ERA, 1.28 WHIP in 77 1/3 innings), however to his credit score, he’s lengthy stood out metrically. Past that, he additionally is a continuing tinkerer, one who improved his four-seam fastball form through the years in professional ball and added a plus cutter that he used loads throughout his first run within the Majors final fall. Even with Detroit including large abilities Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle within the 2023 Draft, Jobe reigns supreme on the prime of the system as a possible ace alongside Tarik Skubal.
TwinsWho we picked: Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF (MLB No. 37)Who it’s: Walker Jenkins, OF (MLB No. 3)We’re going to take this as a “win” since Rodriguez remains to be within the Prime 40 general and No. 2 on the Twins’ checklist now. His offensive potential is as thrilling as nearly anybody, with a profession .932 OPS heading into the 2025 season, with a ton of energy and the potential to stay in heart area. The one factor that’s slowed him down has been the harm bug, as he’s but to play 100 video games in a single season.
White SoxWho we picked: Noah Schultz, LHPWho it’s: Schultz (MLB No. 16)The most effective left-handed pitching prospect in baseball, Schultz has confirmed extra superior than anticipated when the White Sox drafted him within the first spherical out of a suburban Chicago highschool in 2022. He owns a wipeout slider that peaks at 88 mph, a mid-90s fastball and a strong upper-80s changeup. He earned Southern League Pitcher of the Yr accolades by posting a 1.48 ERA and a 73/17 Okay/BB ratio in 61 innings following a promotion to Double-A Birmingham final Could at age 20.
AngelsWho we picked: Edgar Quero, C (MLB No. 66)Who it’s: Christian Moore, 2B (MLB No. 68)It’s very arduous to foretell the Angels’ prime prospect as a result of, as a rule, their prime Draft picks graduate to the large leagues in underneath two years. Put this one within the appropriate column, regardless that Quero bought dealt to the White Sox in July 2023. He is perhaps No. 6 on the top-heavy White Sox checklist now, however his placement within the Prime 100 would have him atop the Angels’ checklist had been he nonetheless with them after main all Minor League catchers his age or youthful in OPS (.829) and wRC+ (139) in 2024.
AstrosWho we picked: Drew Gilbert, OFWho it’s: Cam Smith, 3B (MLB No. 59)Gilbert has hung out on our Prime 100 Prospects checklist, each earlier than and after the Astros despatched him to the Mets in a commerce for Justin Verlander in August 2023. He can perform a little little bit of all the pieces as a middle fielder who flashes 4 strong or higher instruments, in addition to some sneaky pop. He was hampered by a proper hamstring harm in his first full season in New York’s system, slashing simply .215/.313/.393 with 10 homers in 56 video games with Triple-A Syracuse.
AthleticsWho we picked: Luis Morales, RHPWho it’s: Jacob Wilson, SS (MLB No. 31)Morales was the top-ranked pitcher on the worldwide market in 2023 and the A’s bought him for $3 million. He nonetheless very a lot has the uncooked stuff to make him a prime prospect, with a fastball that averaged 96 mph and touched 99, the flexibility to essentially spin his breaking stuff and miss bats with it, and even really feel for a changeup. However Morales’ command nonetheless wants work and he hasn’t fairly dominated the decrease ranges such as you’d count on, plus he bought dinged up a bit bit final yr. Nonetheless simply 22 for many of this season, it may all click on at any second.
MarinersWho we picked: Harry Ford, C (MLB No. 65)Who it’s: Colt Emerson, SS/3B (MLB No. 20)Ford has change into a bit bit polarizing in that he hasn’t actually put collectively the form of big statistical season some want to see from a prime prospect (although he did end with a 119 wRC+ with Double-A Arkansas final yr), and a few query his general receiving long-term. That stated, he’s nonetheless firmly within the Prime 100, is No. 4 on a deep Mariners checklist, has at all times been one of many youngest gamers at every stage, shall be 22 for the 2025 season and nonetheless has 20-20 potential.
RangersWho we picked: Brock Porter, RHPWho it’s: Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B (MLB No. 17)Although Porter was MLB Pipeline’s top-rated highschool pitcher within the 2022 Draft, the Rangers had been in a position to float him to their second decide (109th general) and paid him a fourth-round-record $3.7 million. His stuff regressed and his management fully disintegrated in 2024, when he walked 24 and hit 9 batters in 19 1/3 innings between Rookie ball and Excessive-A Hickory.
BravesWho we picked: Ambioris Tavarez, SSWho it’s: Drake Baldwin, C (MLB No. 63)We rolled the cube a bit on this one in choosing Tavarez, who had signed for $1.5 million in January 2021 with appreciable uncooked instruments to faucet into. It hasn’t gone properly for the infielder, first as a result of the Braves didn’t have a DSL group in 2021, so his professional debut was delayed till 2022 after which lacking time due to thoracic outlet surgical procedure on his left shoulder. He’s nonetheless solely 21, so he may proper the ship, however he performed solely 50 video games final yr after a pitch broke his wrist, and he has a profession OPS of simply .649, a cause why he’s fallen off the Braves’ Prime 30 solely.
MarlinsWho we picked: Yiddi Cappe, SSWho it’s: Thomas White, LHP (MLB No. 41)The Marlins signed Cappe for $3.5 million amid Carlos Correa comparisons in 2021, however the Cuban has struggled so as to add energy to his 6-foot-3 body since turning professional. He misplaced 2 1/2 months final summer time when a pitch hit his left hand, and he slashed .224/.297/.281 in 66 video games (largely in Excessive-A) whereas enjoying third and second base.
MetsWho we picked: Kevin Parada, CWho it’s: Brandon Sproat, RHP (MLB No. 46)Scouts had been large followers of Parada’s offensive potential popping out of Georgia Tech. The 2022 eleventh general decide entered professional ball after setting a faculty document with 26 homers as a Draft-eligible sophomore, and he regarded like somebody who may hit for a excessive common at a premium place. However the rigors of catching could make improvement on the place hit and miss, and Parada has managed only a profession .717 OPS whereas nonetheless being a work-in-progress behind the plate. Coming into his age-23 season, he’s a candidate to slip off the Mets checklist till the bat seems extra persistently like its Yellow Jackets model.
NationalsWho we picked: Elijah Inexperienced, OFWho it’s: Dylan Crews, OF (MLB No. 4)There shall be days when you may nonetheless see why Inexperienced was the fifth general decide in 2022. His uncooked energy rivals anybody else’s within the Washington system, and with plus-plus pace, he can fly on the basepaths and within the area. However his general hit software stays one of many roughest within the Minors after two years of Single-A ball, and his incapacity to make constant contact has held him again from closing in on an astronomically excessive ceiling. On the optimistic aspect, he’ll nonetheless be solely 21 for your entire 2025 season, and the Nats have a high quality outfielder on the prime now anyhow in 2023 first-rounder Crews.
PhilliesWho we picked: Justin Crawford, OF (MLB No. 64)Who it’s: Andrew Painter, RHP (MLB No. 8)Not too far off right here, because the Phillies’ first-rounder in 2022 is a strong Prime 100 man coming in at No. 3 on the membership’s checklist. The 2-time Futures Gamer nonetheless must work on driving the ball extra and lowering his ground-ball fee, however his top-of-the-scale pace has helped him swipe 40-plus luggage in every of his two full seasons and he’s hit .316 with a .371 OBP in his profession whereas reaching Double-A final yr at age 20.
BrewersWho we picked: Jeferson Quero, CWho it’s: Quero (MLB No. 47)Even season-ending shoulder surgical procedure and an all-world breakout from Jesus Made didn’t supplant Quero from atop the Milwaukee rankings heading into this spring. The 22-year-old backstop is without doubt one of the most defensively sound catchers in prospectdom, and whereas his arm energy is perhaps examined in restoration, it has an extended historical past of limiting opposing operating video games. Quero solely must be common offensively (one thing he’s able to) to change into a Prime 10 catcher within the Majors as a result of the glove is so good.
CardinalsWho we picked: Cooper Hjerpe, LHPWho it’s: JJ Wetherholt, SS (MLB No. 23)We thought Tink Therefore might need graduated by now, however accidents have stored that from being the case. Latest Draft picks JJ Wetherholt and Quinn Mathews weren’t within the group but both. Hjerpe has dealt along with his personal elbow points lately (unfastened our bodies in 2023, irritation in 2024) however remains to be extremely considered within the St. Louis system with sidearm mechanics that make his fastball, slider, changeup and cutter robust to sq. up. He may rise to extra nationwide prominence with extra constant innings in 2025. Then once more, he is perhaps in St. Louis already by then.
CubsWho we picked: Cristian Hernandez, SSWho it’s: Matt Shaw, INF (MLB No. 19)Hernandez elicited bodily comparisons to Alex Rodriguez and Manny Machado as an newbie within the Dominican Republic, with some scouts ranking him as one of the best prospect within the 2020-21 worldwide class. That is so much to dwell as much as, as is a $3 million bonus, however he nonetheless exhibits strong uncooked energy and pace and made strides along with his plate self-discipline in 2024. He slashed .261/.374/.381 with 44 steals in 118 video games between two Class A stops at age 20.
PiratesWho we picked: Termarr Johnson, 2B/SS (MLB No. 83)Who it’s: Bubba Chandler, RHP (MLB No. 15)Chandler has made an enormous leap ahead to change into among the finest pitching prospects within the sport. On the identical time, Johnson, the No. 4 general decide within the 2022 Draft, has had a little bit of an inconsistent stand up the Pirates’ ladder. Considered among the finest pure prep hitters in latest reminiscence, nobody would have predicted that Johnson would have a profession .239 common and 23.6 % Okay fee. On the flip aspect of that coin is that he’s nonetheless solely 20 and reached Double-A final yr, ending with a mixed 121 wRC+, 15 homers and 22 steals, and now has a profession 18.6 % stroll fee.
RedsWho we picked: Edwin Arroyo, SS (MLB No. 92)Who it’s: Chase Burns, RHP (MLB No. 26)On the time, we had been excited to see what Arroyo would do in his first full season with the Reds after coming over within the 2022 Commerce Deadline deal for Luis Castillo. And he had a strong 2023 season, reaching Double-A, however his progress was halted with a torn left labrum that pressured him out for the whole lot of the 2024 season. He did return for some Arizona Fall League motion and will restart his ascent up this checklist with a wholesome 2025.
D-backsWho we picked: Druw Jones, OFWho it’s: Jordan Lawlar, SS (MLB No. 11)Many noticed Jones as the highest expertise within the 2022 Draft as a surefire heart fielder who already had some pop and will develop into extra as he stuffed out his 6-foot-4 body. His pace and protection proceed to attract reward two years later, however the general swing is a priority. Jones is far more vulnerable to pushing the ball the other means than pulling it with authority, and the hit software prompted him to drop out of our Prime 100. With the proper changes, he may push his means proper again in throughout his age-21 marketing campaign.
DodgersWho we picked: Dalton Speeding, C/OF (MLB No. 30)Who it’s: Roki Sasaki, RHP (MLB No. 1)Speeding was the Dodgers’ prime prospect till they signed Japanese sensation Sasaki in January. He is a well-rounded hitter who continues to get higher behind the plate with underrated athleticism and strong arm energy. Named the highest prospect within the Double-A Texas League, in addition to the Dodgers’ Minor League Participant of the Yr in 2024, he tied for second amongst Minor League catchers with 26 homers whereas slashing .271/.384/.512 in 114 video games between Double-A and Triple-A.
GiantsWho we picked: Aeverson Arteaga, SSWho it’s: Bryce Eldridge, 1B (MLB No. 24)Arteaga’s athleticism and defensive skill earned him a $1 million bonus out of Venezuela in 2019, they usually proceed to face out. He has proven extra sneaky pop than anticipated but in addition has an excessively aggressive strategy that detracts from his efficiency on the plate. He slashed simply .209/.308/.319 in 24 video games final season (largely in Excessive-A) after lacking many of the first 4 months recovering from thoracic outlet surgical procedure.
PadresWho we picked: Dylan Lesko, RHPWho it’s: Leodalis De Vries, SS (MLB No. 18)Lesko underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in April 2022, two months earlier than the Padres chosen him fifteenth general within the Draft. There was hope his stuff and command would return with out difficulty — resulting in future distinguished prospect rankings — however that hasn’t been the case, particularly within the latter division. Lesko posted a 6.46 ERA with 52 walks in 69 2/3 innings for Excessive-A Fort Wayne final yr, making him a buy-low candidate when Tampa Bay acquired him with two others in a deal for Jason Adam final July. Prime worldwide signees De Vries and Ethan Salas reign on the prime of the system now.
RockiesWho we picked: Adael Amador, SSWho it’s: Chase Dollander, RHP (MLB No. 25)After strolling greater than he struck out and posting a 128 wRC+ as an adolescent in his full-season debut with Single-A Fresno in 2022, we thought Amador’s bat was undoubtedly going to play. We regarded sensible when he reached Double-A in 2023 after our prediction and completed with a mixed .875 OPS and 134 wRC+. That progress halted with a tough 2024 season, one which was interrupted by a roster-crunch necessitated large league debut. He did have an OPS of .833 from Aug. 1 on and shall be simply 22, with the hopes that the common-or-garden pie he was served offering motivation for a rebound this season.
