A 12 months in the past, we supplied one Rookie of the 12 months candidate for each crew. How’d we do? We nailed the NL prime rookie (Paul Skenes) and in addition picked out two others who acquired votes (Jackson Chourio and Mason Miller). That’s a adequate success fee to attempt the entire train once more. We mentioned who we thought have been the general favorites on a latest episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast and you may examine it right here.
Beneath is a prospect for every crew we predict has the prospect to usher in subsequent 12 months’s ROY {hardware}, all with the caveat that Roki Sasaki will leap to the highest of any checklist as soon as he indicators with a Main League crew.
Blue Jays: Will Wagner, 2B/1B/3B (No. 18)Acquired from the Astros within the Yusei Kikuchi deal on the Commerce Deadline, Wagner had no hassle carrying his fame as an above-average hitter to the Blue Jays system and was known as as much as the Majors after solely seven Triple-A video games. He went 25-for-82 (.305) in 24 video games in The Present earlier than being shut down with a left knee damage, and as issues stand, he’s seemingly slotted in as Toronto’s Opening Day second baseman. The left-handed slugger not often misses on swings within the zone, and he confirmed a bit extra pop than anticipated in his MLB debut.
Orioles: Coby Mayo, 3B/1B (No. 1/MLB No. 8)He acquired his ft moist in Baltimore final 12 months and undoubtedly discovered from his 41 at-bat debut. There’s no query the ability is prepared for the massive leagues after slugging .592 within the Minors final 12 months and .564 in 2023. The O’s are going to should discover a spot for him within the lineup day-after-day, with the prospect for him to be a ROY frontrunner.
Rays: Carson Williams, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 4)Starter-turned-dominant-reliever Mason Montgomery is likely to be a darkish horse candidate right here, however Williams has the next ceiling … if he can get to the Majors for lengthy sufficient. The 21-year-old shortstop is a stellar defender with a rocket of an arm able to being an MLB asset proper now, and his power-speed combo (20 HR, 33 SB in ‘24) makes him such an intriguing prospect. His strikeout charges have trended downward however stay excessive, and he performed all of final season with Double-A Montgomery. Proper now, Taylor Partitions and José Caballero are Tampa Bay’s foremost shortstop choices, so it’s potential it received’t take a lot for Williams to squeeze previous them and get sufficient MLB at-bats for ROY consideration.
Crimson Sox: Roman Anthony, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 3)The Crimson Sox have 4 prospects ranked amongst baseball’s 25 greatest, all of whom are practically prepared for prime time, and Anthony stands out probably the most. Signed for first-round cash ($2.5 million) as a supplemental second-rounder out of a Florida highschool in 2022, he has blossomed into an offensive power who profiles as a star on an outfield nook. He slashed .291/.396/.498 with 18 homers and 21 steals in 119 video games at age 20, main the Double-A Jap League in slugging (.489) and OPS (.856) earlier than posting even greater numbers in Triple-A.
Yankees: Jasson Domínguez, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 14)Domínguez might need pushed for Rookie of the 12 months honors in 2024 if he hadn’t blown out his elbow the earlier September and required Tommy John surgical procedure. Famously signed for $5.1 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2019 as probably the most hyped worldwide prospect ever, he is a possible heart fielder with 20-20 upside. He batted .314/.376/.504 with 11 homers and 16 steals in 58 Minor League video games between three ranges (principally in Triple-A) final 12 months.
Guardians: Chase DeLauter, OF (No. 2/MLB No. 41)Foot and leg accidents have slowed DeLauter’s progress since he grew to become the primary first-round choose from James Madison (sixteenth total in 2022), however he’ll be a franchise cornerstone if he can keep wholesome. Few prospects can match his package deal of measurement (6-foot-3, 235 kilos), athleticism, efficiency and plate self-discipline. He slashed .261/.341/.500 with eight homers in 39 video games between three ranges (principally in Double-A), then ranked because the No. 2 prospect within the Arizona Fall League for the second straight 12 months.
Royals: Noah Cameron, LHP (No. 12)Cameron made his Triple-A debut on July 31 and was at his greatest on the Minors’ prime stage, ending with a 2.32 ERA, 62 strikeouts and solely 11 walks in 54 1/3 innings for Omaha. His 78-81 mph changeup was significantly devastating, with a 46.7 % whiff fee, however a full four-pitch repertoire (together with a four-seamer, cutter and curveball) stored Triple-A hitters guessing. Cameron was a straightforward 40-man add when he grew to become Rule 5-eligible this offseason, and he ought to head into Spring Coaching aiming to win a rotation spot.
Tigers: Jackson Jobe, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 5)Jobe is the highest pitching prospect on our present High 100 for a purpose. He has 4 pitches that would all be categorised as no less than plus in his four-seamer, slider, cutter and changeup, and he put all of them on show with 4 MLB appearances between the common season and postseason in 2024. The 22-year-old right-hander is actually a starter and he’d should go effectively above his profession excessive of 95 2/3 innings to be a real Rookie of the 12 months candidate. However the Tigers clearly belief him and his stuff already, and even when he takes a short have a look at Triple-A primary, Jobe is just too proficient to maintain out of the MLB rotation for lengthy, if wholesome.
Twins: Luke Keaschall, 2B/OF/1B (No. 3/MLB No. 63)The one factor making this choose “dangerous” is that Keaschall, the Twins’ second-round choose in 2023, had Tommy John surgical procedure in August. However that was timed so he’d be able to swing the bat within the spring. It’s fairly clear his superior method on the plate will assist him get to the massive leagues rapidly after attending to Double-A in his first full season and ending with a .903 OPS. He’s proven he can deal with three positions, giving the Twins extra choices to get him within the lineup.
White Sox: Colson Montgomery, SS (No. 3/MLB No. 37)Although Montgomery had a tough .214/.329/.381 season in Triple-A with 18 homers in 130 video games, he completed robust earlier than raking within the AFL. The 2021 first-rounder from an Indiana highschool not solely has the ability potential anticipated from a 6-foot-3, 225-pounder, but additionally endurance on the plate and stunning athleticism.
Angels: Caden Dana, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 68)Dana’s massive league debut was stable, and although his following two outings didn’t go as deliberate in September, that ought to simply give him data he’ll use to make changes. The 2024 Futures Gamer will pitch all of 2025 at age 21, so there’s loads of time right here and he has superior really feel for a four-pitch combine that ought to permit him to search out constant success.
Astros: Jacob Melton, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 89)When the Astros have been negotiating the Justin Verlander commerce with the Mets in 2023, they most well-liked to surrender High 100 prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford so they might maintain on to Melton. A 2022 second-round choice from Oregon State, he combines plus uncooked energy and velocity and slashed .253/.310/.426 with 15 homers and 30 steals in 105 video games between Double-A and Triple-A.
A’s: Jacob Wilson, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 24)If it hadn’t been for accidents, Wilson would have graduated off of prospect lists this previous season and wouldn’t be into account. Assuming well being, it’s straightforward to anticipate Wilson to maintain doing what he’s executed in all places: hit. Whereas he performed simply 53 video games within the Minors this previous season, he hit .433 with a 1.141 OPS, even exhibiting extra extra-base pop than some anticipated. Seeing him hit over .300 and play a stable shortstop within the massive leagues ought to assist his candidacy.
Mariners: Tyler Locklear, 1B (No. 6)With a profession OPS of .874 within the Minors and a few massive league homers beneath his belt, there are some expectations that Locklear, the Mariners’ second-rounder in 2022, ought to be capable of convey some right-handed thump to the lineup in ’25. The strikeout fee crept up in 2024, particularly in his temporary debut with Seattle, however he does draw walks to assist offset that.
Rangers: Kumar Rocker, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 58)After the Mets drafted him tenth total in 2021, Rocker endured a failed bodily, shoulder surgical procedure after which Tommy John surgical procedure. However the former Vanderbilt star appears able to repay the Rangers for his or her gamble to surprisingly choose him with the No. 3 total choose in 2022. He confirmed an upper-90s fastball and wipeout mid-80s slider this summer season whereas compiling a 1.96 ERA, a .180 batting common towards and a 55/5 Okay/BB ratio in 36 2/3 Minor League innings between three ranges (principally in Double-A) earlier than making his massive league debut in September.
Braves: Drake Baldwin, C (No. 5)Introduced up as a sleeper choose for Nationwide League {hardware} in a latest Pipeline Inbox, Baldwin might not be under-the-radar anymore. He’s a stable receiver who reached Triple-A and hit 16 homers with a .370 OBP within the Minors, then had a .942 OPS over 13 AFL video games earlier than taking part in for Group USA within the Premier12 event in Mexico and Japan. Sean Murphy is within the massive leagues, however after he hit .193 final 12 months, the door could possibly be opening.
Marlins: Agustin Ramirez, C/1B (No. 3/MLB No. 96)Acquired from the Yankees within the Jazz Chisholm Jr. commerce in July, Ramirez loved a 20-20 season within the Minors — a feat achieved solely twice by massive league catchers in AL/NL historical past. Ramirez batted .267/.358/.487 with 25 homers and 22 steals in 126 video games between Double-A and Triple-A and presents stable energy and arm energy, although his defensive recreation nonetheless requires loads of polish.
Mets: Brandon Sproat, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 40)The 2023 second-rounder’s first full season couldn’t have gone significantly better after he posted a 3.40 ERA with 131 strikeouts in 116 1/3 innings throughout three ranges. Sproat completed out the 12 months in Triple-A Syracuse, that means he ought to enter his second spring with a watch on the Majors, and the Mets have rotation openings aplenty with Luis Severino, Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana hitting free company. Even when New York makes additions (which it ought to), Sproat’s fastball, slider, changeup and cutter may all play within the bigs rapidly and assist him elbow his means into an early beginning spot and sufficient success for ROY consideration.
Nationals: Dylan Crews, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 1)Relying on the place Sasaki lands, Crews needs to be the NL frontrunner. He’s proven regular enchancment in method and output at LSU and each Minor League cease he’s made, giving many confidence he’ll construct on the modest success he confirmed in 31 video games with the Nats in ’24. His velocity and protection are already Main League property, and he’ll have many avenues to offer massive league worth in his age-23 season. The open query: whether or not he begins in heart or proper on Opening Day. Both means, anticipate him to be within the ROY combine.
Phillies: Andrew Painter, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 32)All eyes have been on Painter as he made his return to the aggressive mound this fall within the AFL after a two-year layoff as a result of Tommy John surgical procedure. He actually didn’t disappoint, incomes AFL Pitcher of the 12 months honors after ending with a 2.30 ERA, .189 batting common towards, 0.89 WHIP and an 18/4 Okay/BB ratio (10.34 Okay/9, 2.3 BB/9) over 15 2/3 innings. The Phillies’ brass have mentioned they consider he’ll contribute sooner or later in 2025 and there’s no purpose to suppose he received’t succeed.
Brewers: Jacob Misiorowski, RHP (No. 3/MLB No. 80)If Milwaukee decides to maintain Misiorowski in a aid function (because it did with him at Triple-A), he could possibly be this 12 months’s Mason Miller or Cade Smith. The 6-foot-7 right-hander averaged 98 mph together with his four-seamer with Nashville and touched as excessive as 100.7 mph. His low-90s slider and mid-80s curveball have been additionally troublesome to the touch, however as at all times, management could possibly be a problem (10 walks in 17 2/3 innings). The Crew continues to view Misiorowski as a starter however acknowledges he could possibly be a dominant nearer if shifted full-time.
Cardinals: Thomas Saggese, INF (No. 4)Toss apart Saggese’s .204/.250/.306 line from final season’s 18-game MLB pattern for a second. Extra lately, the 22-year-old reined in his beforehand overaggressive method within the Arizona Fall League, permitting his spectacular bat-to-ball expertise to end in higher total contact within the desert. If that holds, Saggese could possibly be a candidate to flirt with a .300 common and produce 20-plus homers over a full Main League season on the keystone, aka prime Rookie of the 12 months numbers.
Cubs: Matt Shaw, INF (No. 1/MLB No. 22)Shaw had a spectacular first full professional season after the Cubs drafted him thirteenth total out of Maryland in 2023. He slashed .284/.379/.488 with 21 homers and 31 steals in 121 video games, changing into one in all 4 20-30 gamers within the Minors, profitable Double-A Southern League MVP accolades, rising his manufacturing after a promotion to Triple-A and starring with Group USA on the Premier12 event in November. A complicated hitter with stable energy and velocity, he is able to beginning at second or third base.
Pirates: Bubba Chandler, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 15)Chandler not solely reached Triple-A in 2024, he dominated, with a 1.83 ERA and 12.4 Okay/9 over seven begins, exhibiting off elite-level stuff with lots left within the tank. Even when he begins again at Indianapolis in 2025, it’s not troublesome to check a Skenes-like path for the 22-year-old right-hander, and everyone knows how that turned out this 12 months.
Reds: Rhett Lowder, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 33)Lowder whetted the urge for food of Reds followers with a 1.17 ERA over six begins, and he did that strolling extra and hanging out fewer than standard. Cincinnati’s latest acquisition of Brady Singer does make the rotation a bit extra crowded, however Lowder’s mixture of stuff and command ought to permit him to cement a spot.
D-backs: Jordan Lawlar, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 9)The 2021 sixth total choose seemingly would have graduated in ’24 if he hadn’t been restricted by proper thumb and left hamstring accidents. He’s at the moment making up for the misplaced time with Tigres del Licey in LIDOM, the place he’s getting constant appears at shortstop (and some further at third base). Lawlar’s loudest device is his plus-plus velocity, and he reveals above-average pop as effectively. He’d seemingly be a greater hitter than Geraldo Perdomo if given the correct amount of at-bats at quick or he could possibly be an possibility at third if Eugenio Suárez will get harm or declines at age 33.
Dodgers: Dalton Dashing, C/OF (No. 1/MLB No. 39)Among the best catching prospects within the Minors, Dashing began getting a while within the outfield late in the summertime so the Dodgers may discover a approach to get him extra at-bats behind Will Smith in 2025. He slashed .271/.384/.512 between Double-A and Triple-A, tied for second amongst Minor League catchers with 26 homers in 114 video games and was named Dodgers organizational participant of the 12 months and the Double-A Texas League’s prime prospect. He options well-above-average uncooked energy, a affected person method, stable arm energy and enhancing receiving expertise.
Giants: Carson Whisenhunt, LHP (No. 3)A 2022 second-round selection out of East Carolina, Whisenhunt owns one of many Minors’ greatest changeups and units it up with a low-90s fastball, upper-70s curveball and mid-80s cutter. He logged a 5.42 ERA with 135 strikeouts in 104 2/3 innings in Triple-A.
Padres: Tirso Ornelas, OF (No. 17)Jackson Merrill 2.0 isn’t strolling by means of that door. Ethan Salas (No. 1/MLB No. 19) and Leodalis De Vries (No. 2/MLB No. 28) are simply too distant for a magical rookie repeat in San Diego. That mentioned, Jurickson Profar and David Peralta are each free brokers, that means for now, the Padres have openings on the grass. Ornelas may no less than be a fourth outfielder to start the 12 months — one with respectable pop from the left facet and a capability to make above-average contact on pitches within the zone — with the prospect to win extra taking part in time relying on what different strikes are coming.
Rockies: Drew Romo, C (No. 8)Romo had a extremely stable 12 months in Triple-A (.297/.339/.499 with 14 homers and stable catch-and-throw expertise) to earn his first callup to the massive leagues. He’s a greater backstop than Hunter Goodman, who can deal with different positions, so Romo ought to no less than share time with Jacob Stallings behind the plate in Denver.
