The objective for any participant getting into professional ball, after all, is to achieve the large leagues. It may be a protracted and arduous climb by means of a Minor League system and a choose few make it.
The 30 gamers under are all doing their finest to maneuver up their group’s ladder. Their performances to this point in 2024 might power the powers that be to contemplate transferring them up one rung nearer to fulfilling that final dream.
Blue Jays: Adam Macko, LHP (No. 9)With Ricky Tiedemann and Brandon Barriera each injured for a lot of the primary half, Macko has been a much-needed pitching success story at Double-A New Hampshire. Over his final seven begins, the 23-year-old southpaw has a 3.08 ERA with 49 strikeouts and solely 9 walks over his final seven begins (38 innings). His four-pitch combine, together with a pair of separate breaking balls in his slider and curveball, would work in Triple-A, and contemplating his place on the 40-man roster, he won’t be far off from a second-half MLB debut both.
Orioles: Seth Johnson, RHP (No. 10)The Orioles traded for Johnson in 2022, however they acquired him from the Rays proper when he was getting Tommy John surgical procedure, so that is actually his first full wholesome season with the group. So he’s 25, however with a comparatively quick skilled resume. He’s been in Double-A all 12 months and has been getting sharper because the 12 months has gone on, with a 1.31 ERA and 1.11 WHIP to go together with a ten.9 Ok/9 price that factors to a must problem him with a transfer to Triple-A. That would put him in line to assist out the large league workers sooner or later this 12 months.
Rays: Xavier Isaac, 1B (No. 3/MLB No. 45)Isaac might have gotten off to a colder April begin (.705 OPS) with Excessive-A Bowling Inexperienced, however the left-handed slugger has caught straight hearth with a .357/.440/.674 line, 9 homers and 9 steals in 36 video games for the reason that begin of Could. The 2022 first-rounder’s .579 slugging share on the season leads the Excessive-A degree. If there’s one bugaboo to choose, it’s that he’s struggled in opposition to lefties (.584 OPS-against), however for probably the most half, Isaac, who’s at present day-to-day with a jammed wrist, seems to be like a batter in want of a brand new problem.
Pink Sox: Marcelo Mayer, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 11)The Pink Sox are getting inconsistent play at shortstop and the No. 4 total choose within the 2021 Draft has confirmed he can deal with Double-A, so it is time to at the very least promote Mayer to Triple-A and get him nearer to Boston. He has all of the instruments to make an impression on each side of the ball and he is slashing .308/.373/.487 (rating within the high eight within the Jap League in all three classes at age 21) with six homers and 12 steals in 59 video games.
Yankees: Jared Serna, SS/2B (No. 19)The Yankees make a behavior of accumulating second basemen with small frames and greater offensive impression, together with signing Serna for $10,000 out of Mexico in 2019. The 5-foot-7, 168-pounder is a strong hitter with uncooked energy to match and he is batting .275/.375/.496 with 11 homers (one off the Excessive-A South Atlantic League lead) and 9 steals in 61 video games.
Guardians: Jhonkensy Noel, OF/1B (No. 26)Signed for $100,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2017, Noel has prodigious bat velocity and energy that give him a few of the finest uncooked energy within the Minors. Hitting .295/.360/.582 and topping the Triple-A Worldwide League with 17 homers, 32 extra-base hits and 56 RBI in 60 video games, he might add some extra punch to the shocking Guardians — who simply demoted Kyle Manzardo and are on the lookout for extra manufacturing out of their DH.
Royals: Carter Jensen, C (No. 10)The 20-year-old backstop is repeating Excessive-A Quad Cities after hitting .211/.356/.363 in 116 video games there final season, and thru 62 contests this 12 months, his slash line is up throughout the board at .287/.406/.452. His 143 wRC+ is fourth-highest amongst Excessive-A catchers. Jensen maintains his high-walking methods, however he’s additionally reduce his strikeout price by 5 factors from 24.1 p.c to 19.4. He’s as much as 780 Midwest League plate appearances, and whereas he’d be younger for the Texas League, he has the expertise and outcomes to make a transfer.
Tigers: Hao-Yu Lee, 2B (No. 13)Acquired from the Phillies final 12 months for Michael Lorenzen, Lee moved to Double-A Erie to start his first full season within the Detroit system, and he won’t be there lengthy. The infielder ranks among the many Jap League’s high 5 in slugging share (.513), hits (68), extra-base hits (27) and whole bases (119). He’s been particularly scorching of late too with 10 extra-base hits and a .737 SLG over 14 video games this month, strengthening his case to see Toledo quickly.
Twins: Zebby Matthews, RHP (No. 19)The Twins have a penchant for locating attention-grabbing faculty pitching expertise within the later rounds and it’s wanting like Matthews, an eighth-round choose in 2022 out of Western Carolina, is a major instance. He’s already earned a bump up from Excessive-A to Double-A this 12 months, however the brand new degree doesn’t appear to be providing an excessive amount of of a problem to this point, with a 1.77 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and .188 BAA in six begins with Wichita to this point. Let’s get him to St. Paul and put him on the standby record to assist out the large league rotation.
White Sox: Mason Adams, RHP (No. 19)The White Sox already promoted Drew Thorpe from Double-A to Chicago and will contemplate doing the identical with Adams, a Thirteenth-round steal out of Jacksonville in 2022. Utilizing a low-80s downer curveball and large really feel for pitching, he paces the Southern League with a 6.4 Ok/BB ratio whereas fashioning a 2.34 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings.
Angels: Adrian Placencia, 2B/SS (No. 12)Given how aggressive the Angels are as a corporation by way of transferring guys up ranges, it’s somewhat shocking the 21-year-old Placencia is in Single-A, however pumping the breaks on him may need been simply what was wanted. He had been pushed to Excessive-A and even Double-A in 2023 with out a lot success (.664 OPS), so the Angels despatched him again to Single-A Inland Empire. He has a .923 OPS there to this point and has a .297/.415/.584 line over his final 30 days, so it is likely to be time to see how he can deal with a transfer again as much as Excessive-A Tri-Metropolis.
Astros: Jake Bloss, RHP (No. 10)The Astros moved Bloss, a third-round choose from Georgetown final July, from Excessive-A to Double-A in early Could and it is already time for an additional problem. After bettering his fastball velocity (to a peak of 98 mph) and upgrading his curveball since turning professional, he is main the Minors in opponent common (.144) whereas rating fourth in WHIP (0.82) and ninth in ERA (1.74).
A’s: Grant Holman, RHP (No. 28)After lacking time with accidents over his first two years of professional ball, a transfer to the bullpen has paid off for Holman. He started the 12 months as Double-A Midland’s nearer and acquired bumped as much as Triple-A Las Vegas after 17 outings. He’s made six outings there and has but to surrender a run of any type this season. Right here’s hoping he could make another leap and settle in behind Mason Miller within the massive league pen quickly.
Mariners: Lazaro Montes, OF (No. 4/MLB No. 82)Sure, he’s solely 19, but it surely’s turning into fairly clear that the California League isn’t any match for the younger left-handed hitting outfielder. He has a .314/.419/.540 line with 13 homers and 69 RBIs over 61 video games. The Mariners promoted Cole Younger at age 19 from Modesto to Excessive-A Everett in 2023 after 78 video games, so there’s inside organizational precedent.
Rangers: Winston Santos, RHP (No. 15)After struggling in Excessive-A final 12 months, Santos is prospering in a return to the extent in 2024, difficult for the South Atlantic League pitching triple crown as he at present ranks first in wins (six) and second in ERA (2.43) and strikeouts (80 in 59 1/3 innings). A $10,000 discount who signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2019, he owns a mid-90s fastball, a mid-80s slider and a diving mid-80s changeup, all of that are strong or higher choices.
Braves: Cade Kuehler, RHP (No. 8)The Braves don’t shrink back from transferring pitchers up the ladder in a rush, however Kuehler continues to be with Single-A Augusta. A few of that is likely to be as a result of he’s nonetheless engaged on refining issues to present him the possibility to begin long-term, however he’s been throwing very properly of late, with a 1.42 ERA and 0.89 WHIP over his final 4 begins. The improved strike-throwing is a very good signal and will assist him punch a ticket to Excessive-A Rome.
Marlins: Jacob Miller, RHP (No. 15)Miller had a so-so first full professional season in Single-A final 12 months after the Marlins drafted him within the second spherical out of an Ohio highschool in 2022. He is wanting higher in Excessive-A, rating third within the Midwest League in ERA (3.08) with 54 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings whereas working off a low-90s sinker and a plus curveball.
Mets: Brandon Sproat, RHP (No. 13)Sure, Sproat has already been promoted from Excessive-A to Double-A this season. However contemplate the next. He threw 25 1/3 innings for Brooklyn earlier than the transfer and posted a 1.07 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 32.4 p.c Ok price earlier than transferring up. Throughout his time with Binghamton, he’s thrown 29 2/3 innings and posted a 1.52 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 35.5 p.c Ok price. Related pattern sizes, arguably higher outcomes. The 23-year-old is extra superior than a typical Draft arm in his first full season with a fastball that may contact triple-digits, a superb slider and a much-improved changeup.
Nationals: Brad Lord, RHP (Unranked on Nats Prime 30)The Nats had some thrilling strikes within the outfield with Dylan Crews headed to Triple-A, Daylen Lile promoted to Double-A and James Wooden returning in Rochester this week. Whereas Wooden continues to be working his means again from a hamstring pressure, we’ll hold him off right here for now. As an alternative, Lord, who first joined Double-A Harrisburg in mid-April when accidents opened a rotation spot, has posted a 0.73 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with 62 strikeouts over his final 10 begins (62 innings) for the Senators – numbers that usually earn a push up the chain.
Phillies: Justin Crawford, OF (No. 4/MLB No. 62)Crawford completed final 12 months with Excessive-A Jersey Metropolis and he’s picked up the place he left off after a powerful first full season. The speedster has 24 steals in 53 video games, which surprises nobody, however he’s additionally hitting .302/.353/.423 and he already has extra homers (4) than he did in all of 2023. He is doing a greater job of driving the ball with out getting away from who he’s as a participant and his .855 OPS over his final 30 days is an indication he’s figuring issues out and could possibly be prepared for a transfer to Studying quickly.
Brewers: Eric Bitonti, 3B (No. 12)Milwaukee selected to not get too aggressive with its 2023 third-rounder in his age-18 season and assigned him to the Arizona Advanced League to open this spring. The 6-foot-4 infielder has lived as much as his scouting report as a hitter with nice energy (4 homers, .541 SLG in 26 video games) however some hit-tool issues (30.3 p.c Ok price) within the early going. His .255 ISO is fifth-best amongst ACL qualifiers. Whereas the Brewers may wish to wait somewhat longer to see if Bitonti makes extra contact, the prospect is actually trending towards seeing Single-A Carolina this summer time.
Cardinals: Quinn Mathews, LHP (No. 20)Like Sproat above, fellow 2023 choose Mathews already moved up one degree this season. Not like Sproat, the previous Stanford lefty hasn’t seen Double-A but. It’s about time he ought to. Mathews is driving a streak of 4 straight high quality begins for Excessive-A Peoria and owns a 2.87 ERA and 0.74 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and solely six walks in 37 2/3 innings since debuting within the Midwest League on Could 10. His improved velocity, plus changeup and improved slider would all play within the Texas League.
Cubs: Owen Caissie, OF (No. 2/MLB No. 35)The Cubs are struggling to attain runs, so why not see if probably the greatest energy prospects within the recreation can bolster their offense? Acquired from the Padres within the 2020 Yu Darvish commerce, he has frequently thrived in opposition to older competitors and is slashing .284/.407/.464 with eight homers in 62 Triple-A video games at age 21.
Pirates: Charles McAdoo, OF/3B (No. 30)The Pirates might have discovered a Day 3 discount in McAdoo, whom they took in Spherical 13 of the 2023 Draft. He made a really robust first impression with a .922 OPS with Single-A Bradenton final summer time and he’s raised the bar much more this 12 months, hitting .333/.413/.557 over 59 video games with Excessive-A Greensboro. The underlying knowledge has additionally been actually good whereas additionally exhibiting some defensive flexibility by enjoying third and a few second.
Reds: Hector Rodriguez, OF (No. 13)Acquired on the 2022 Commerce Deadline from the Mets, Rodriguez has hit just about wherever he’s been, together with being the Dominican Winter League’s Rookie of the Yr this previous offseason (.309/.344/.487). The facility hasn’t proven up a lot but, however he’s continued to rake with Excessive-A Dayton and has been scorching of late, hitting .330 over his final 100 at-bats with a miniscule strikeout price.
D-backs: Adrian Del Castillo, C (No. 27)With Triple-A Reno for a second straight season, Del Castillo hasn’t cooled off at any level in 2024 and enters Wednesday with a .335/.399/.630 line and 14 homers by means of 64 video games. Whereas a few of that spectacular slugging may be chalked as much as Reno’s hitting environs, the backstop has the info to again it up with exit velocities and in-zone contact charges above the Triple-A common. If something occurs to Gabriel Moreno or Tucker Barnhart within the bigs, Del Castillo needs to be Arizona’s first name.
Dodgers: Justin Wrobleski, LHP (No. 14)An Eleventh-round select of Oklahoma State in 2021 after having Tommy John surgical procedure two months earlier than the Draft, Wrobleski includes a 93-96 mph fastball with run and carry, spectacular really feel for a strong mid-80s slider and a dependable changeup. He is carving up Double-A hitters with a 3.06 ERA (fifth within the Texas League) and 4.8 Ok/BB ratio (second).
Giants: Jonah Cox, OF (No. 27)The son of former massive leaguer Darron Cox, Jonah put collectively a 47-game hitting streak (third-longest in NCAA Division I historical past) final spring at Oral Roberts earlier than going within the sixth spherical of the draft to the Athletics and later transferring to the Giants in a commerce for Ross Stripling. The speedster is doing a greater job of creating contact in his first full professional season than he did in his debut, batting .308/.423/.389 with 38 steals (tops within the Single-A California League, second within the Minors) in 53 video games.
Padres: Isaiah Lowe, RHP (No. 19)Shoulder issues have dogged Lowe since San Diego took him within the Eleventh spherical in 2022, however he’s been wholesome and productive for Single-A Lake Elsinore this season. Lowe owns a 2.86 ERA and has struck out 58 batters (most within the San Diego system) over 44 innings. He’s additionally pushing his workload with three straight begins of six innings or extra, and his 85 pitches on June 1 marked a profession excessive – one other key check in his push for Excessive-A Fort Wayne.
Rockies: Sean Sullivan, LHP (No. 13)Our Rockies entry on our hottest pitching prospect for every crew on the finish of Could, Sullivan’s superior really feel for pitching clearly wants a brand new problem. He’s second in WHIP, tied for second in strikeouts and sixth in ERA within the Excessive-A Northwest League with a ridiculous 72/5 Ok/BB ratio. He’s been even higher of late (30/2 Ok/BB ratio, .168 BAA, 1.52 ERA over his final 4 begins).
