On a latest version of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo crammed out their hypothetical ballots for the 12 months forward, choosing the gamers they consider might take residence the {hardware} subsequent season. Within the 2022 model of this train, the consultants appropriately predicted Gunnar Henderson and Corbin Carroll, then the sport’s high two prospects, would take the honors the next 12 months. However the subsequent 12 months in a mock draft format, Paul Skenes wasn’t chosen till Spherical 4 and no one tabbed Luis Gil as a severe American League contender.
In 2024, neither predicted this 12 months’s two winners, Kurtz and Baldwin, would declare the awards.
This is how they picked this time round:
1. Callis: JJ Wetherholt, SS (STL No. 1/MLB No. 5)He is not going to maneuver Masyn Winn off shortstop. However I do not suppose Nolan Arenado is essentially going to be again in St. Louis. I can see Wetherholt at third, like a Matt Shaw-type of deal. I can see Wetherholt at second, with Brendan Donovan, who’s performed everywhere, discovering one other main place. JJ Wetherholt is ranked fifth on our prospects record, however do you suppose he acquired as a lot hype as he ought to’ve? In his first full 12 months of professional ball, the man will get to Triple-A, hits .306 with 17 homers and 23 steals. He was precisely who we thought he was, and appeared just like the man that, we stated one million instances, would’ve been the No. 1 general choose in 2024 if he did not have a hamstring harm at West Virginia.
Mayo: Bubba Chandler, RHP (PIT No. 2/MLB No. 14)I picked Bubba Chandler final 12 months additionally. He did not get the chance we thought. He will be within the rotation from the get-go. Probably the most encouraging issues was what he did throughout his final three begins. Small pattern measurement, however boy, was it good: he gave up two runs on seven hits over 16 2/3 innings, with zero walks and 19 strikeouts. The factor that slowed him was his command in Triple-A, and that can be one thing that needs to be watched. However he is additionally nonetheless studying. I feel one other offseason figuring out with Paul Skenes goes to assist him, and he will hit the bottom operating.
2. Callis: Owen Caissie, OF (CHC No. 1/MLB No. 47)I’ve at all times been an enormous Owen Caissie fan. I pound the desk for him each time we’re doing rankings. He is at all times been very younger for his league. He is at all times produced. He repeated Triple-A — which I do not see as a unfavorable as a result of he was 22 years previous when he repeated it — and hit 41 homers at Triple-A over the previous two seasons. He is not a Gold Glover, not a 30/30 man. However I feel he is extra athletic than he will get credit score for. I do not suppose Kyle Tucker goes to re-sign with the Cubs, and I feel Owen Caissie goes to beat out Kevin Alcántara for the right-field job.
Mayo: Nolan McLean, RHP (NYM No. 1/MLB No. 11)This man was swinging the bat in 2024, so there may be nonetheless ceiling right here for him (as a pitcher). He could not have been a lot better than he was through the eight-start stretch in New York. However I feel there may be extra for him, ceiling-wise, as a result of he is nonetheless studying the way to be a full-time pitcher, and the chance can be there. So let’s have a look at what he does.
3. Mayo: Sal Stewart, 3B/2B (CIN No. 1/MLB No. 31)That is my one bat. Stewart ended up on the postseason roster for the Reds. I like selecting a man like this as a result of I really feel there may be certainty that he will hit. This can be a man who had a .907 OPS within the Minors final 12 months, hit over .300. He simply hits, and the facility is constant to come back. Even when he strikes round (defensively), I feel he will play sufficient to place up some superb counting stats that may assist make a case for him.
Callis: McLeanI do not like selecting pitchers for ROY as a result of I feel it is tougher for them to win the award. I am going with “Cowboy Ohtani,” Nolan McLean. He was very dominant down the stretch for the Mets … you possibly can say the Mets dealt with it completely, as a result of they stored him rookie-eligible to allow them to get a first-round choose. Looking back, possibly they want they’d referred to as him up slightly earlier and made the playoffs. We have talked about McLean going again to 2019 when he was in highschool … I truthfully thought he was a reliever. It is a actually good arm, however he is additionally higher than I believed he was going to be.
1. Callis: Samuel Basallo, C (BAL No. 1/MLB No. 7)The offensive mixture is tough to beat when it comes to energy, common and age. He tore up Triple-A final 12 months at age 20. He got here up and solely hit .165 in 31 video games, however he additionally hit 4 homers. Is it a timeshare with Adley Rutschman? Is first base concerned? I do not know. However I feel he is such a gifted offensive participant that they don’t seem to be going to have the ability to hold his bat out of the lineup.
Mayo: BasalloWe are in settlement. He can simply actually, actually hit. They are going to determine the way to get him the at-bats that he wants. It would not shock me if he performs slightly first, DH’s slightly and serves as Rutschman’s backup. Then they will form of play it by ear. If there comes a time limit the place the catching is just not working, I feel by then he’ll have established himself as such a power within the lineup, that they will be capable of make it work. The hit-plus-power there may be fairly spectacular.
2. Callis: Kevin McGonigle, SS (DET No. 1/MLB No. 2)He is solely performed 46 video games above Excessive-A. Detroit’s infield is unquestionably in flux … I simply actually consider within the bat. He is the perfect pure hitter within the Minor Leagues. Possibly he would not make the Opening Day roster. However possibly he does, as a result of they’re attempting to win. My perception in McGonigle and my hedging on pitchers is why I’ve McGonigle right here.
Mayo: Trey Yesavage, RHP (TOR No. 1/MLB No. 26)He is clearly going to be a part of their rotation and so they have an opportunity to compete. I feel there’s a hazard with guys who come out of nowhere within the postseason … I absolutely consider Trey Yesavage goes to be an excellent huge league starter for a very long time. However I feel we have seen guys come out of nowhere earlier than — not like this — and have huge postseasons who usually are not essentially All-Stars immediately. However I feel his stuff performs.
3. Mayo: McGonigleYou could make the argument to place him greater. All of us consider within the bat. The one cause I haven’t got him greater is he is spent half a 12 months above A-ball. For some gamers, that does not matter. Then there may be the query of the place he will play. I feel the Tigers had him play third base within the Fall League particularly to offer extra choices for each time that bat is prepared. I am simply undecided if it will be proper out of the gate or later within the season.
Callis: YesavageThe man had the most effective postseasons ever by a rookie pitcher, nearly helped the Blue Jays win the World Sequence for the primary time in 32 years. I nonetheless cannot consider I interviewed him on the Draft Mix in 2024, and 16 months later, he is nearly profitable a World Sequence championship. I feel he is a lock to be within the rotation to start the 12 months. All of us noticed the stuff and the competitiveness. I feel he will have an excellent rookie season.
