1 week Ago By Joel Reuter
Ahead of another MLB offseason of wheeling and dealing, it's time to reset Bleacher Report's Top 100 prospect list to help provide some context to those inevitable trades. These rankings were last updated immediately following the 2024 draft back in July, so there is a lot of updating and shuffling to be done. The following factors helped determine where each player fell on our list: Let's start with 50 prospects who fell just outside the rankings.
RHP: Braxton Ashcraft (PIT), Logan Evans (SEA), Gary Gill Hill (TB), Jaden Hamm (DET), George Klassen (LAA), Chayce McDermott (HOU), Andrew Morris (MIN), Owen Murphy (ATL), Chase Petty (CIN), Winston Santos (TEX), Santiago Suarez (TB), Trey Yesavage (TOR) LHP: Samuel Aldegheri (LAA), Cam Caminiti (ATL), Kash Mayfield (SD), Robby Snelling (MIA), Ricky Tiedemann (TOR), Carson Whisenhunt (SF), Justin Wrobleski (LAD) C: Jimmy Crooks (STL), Walker Janek (HOU), Thayron Liranzo (DET), Malcolm Moore (TEX), Eduardo Tait (PHI) IF: Luisangel Acuña (NYM), Adael Amador (COL), Roderick Arias (NYY), Juan Brito (CLE), Demetrio Crisantes (ARI), Deyvison De Los Santos (MIA), Termarr Johnson (PIT), Seaver King (WAS), Joswa Lugo (LAA), Jesus Made (MIL), Orelvis Martinez (TOR), Ronny Mauricio (NYM), Emil Morales (LAD), Tre' Morgan (TB), Max Muncy (OAK), Jefferson Rojas (CHC), Sal Stewart (CIN), Joendry Vargas (LAD), Tommy White (OAK) OF: Kevin Alcántara (CHC), Cole Carrigg (COL), Yanquiel Fernandez (COL), Theo Gillen (TB), Vance Honeycutt (BAL), Druw Jones (ARI), James Tibbs III (SF) Nos. 100-91 100. OF Spencer Jones, NYY 99.
RHP Jarlin Susana, WAS 98. 1B/OF Ryan Clifford, NYM 97. SS Alex Freeland, LAD 96.
OF Robert Calaz, COL 95. 1B/OF Tyler Black, MIL 94. LHP Jackson Ferris, LAD 93.
OF Henry Bolte, OAK 92. 3B Cam Collier, CIN 91. OF Chandler Simpson, TB -It was a tough season for Yankees prospect Spencer Jones , who struck out 200 times in 122 games at Double-A.
He ended on a high note, hitting .307/.365/.
558 with 24 extra-base hits in 178 plate appearances over the final two months, but he still logged a 35.4 percent strikeout rate during that stretch. -Signed for $1.
7 million in 2023, Robert Calaz followed up a strong pro debut with a terrific first season stateside, hitting .344/.446/.
634 with 33 extra-base hits, 12 home runs, 56 RBI and 15 steals in 62 games between rookie ball and Single-A. The 18-year-old has good present power and significant remaining projection. - Cam Collier is still only 19 years old, but he already has two full professional seasons under his belt after going No.
18 overall in the 2022 draft following his reclassification from the 2023 draft class. He hit .248/.
355/.443 with 21 doubles, 20 home runs and 74 RBI in 119 games at High-A and also took home Futures Game MVP in 2024. Nos.
90-81 90. SS Franklin Arias, BOS 89. SS Angel Genao, CLE 88.
SS Brice Matthews, HOU 87. 2B Michael Arroyo, SEA 86. RHP Thomas Harrington, PIT 85.
SS Felnin Celesten, SEA 84. OF Colby Thomas, OAK 83. 3B Cam Smith, CHC 82.
SS Bryce Rainer, DET 81. SS Arjun Nimmala, TOR -If Alex Bregman ends up walking in free agency, Brice Matthews might be the third baseman of the future for the Astros. The No.
28 overall pick in the 2023 draft following a 20-homer, 20-steal junior season at Nebraska, he hit .265/.384/.
481 with 15 doubles, 15 home runs, 44 RBI and 32 steals in 79 games across four minor league levels. -One of the most productive players in the minor leagues last season, Michael Arroyo hit .285/.
400/.509 with 26 doubles, 23 home runs, 89 RBI and 18 steals in 120 games between Single-A and High-A. The 20-year-old has drawn comparisons to Howie Kendrick.
- Arjun Nimmala is now the top prospect in the Blue Jays farm system after posting a .790 OPS with 18 doubles, 16 home runs and 46 RBI in 82 games at Single-A. He was 18 years old for the entire 2024 season, and while he has work to do cutting down a 30.
7 percent strikeout rate, he has the offensive ceiling to be a star. Nos. 80-71 80.
OF Jacob Melton, HOU 79. RHP Luis Morales, OAK 78. C Agustin Ramirez, MIA 77.
RHP Alejandro Rosario, TEX 76. C Blake Mitchell, KC 75. RHP Noble Meyer, MIA 74.
IF James Triantos, CHC 73. SS Konnor Griffin, PIT 72. RHP AJ Smith-Shawver, ATL 71.
1B Ralphy Velazquez, CLE - Luis Morales is still growing into his 6'3", 190-pound frame, but he has already added 10 pounds of muscle since signing for $3 million as part of the 2023 international class. The 22-year-old bumps 99 mph with his fastball, and he is just scratching the surface of his potential after posting a 4.22 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 81 innings at High-A.
-The prep catcher profile always carries significant bust potential, but that didn't stop the Royals from taking Blake Mitchell with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 draft. The 20-year-old hit .
232/.368/.424 with 16 doubles, 18 home runs, 51 RBI and 26 steals in 111 games between Single-A and High-A, though he threw out just 19 of 132 base stealers.
-With a strong 6'3", 215-pound frame and a 55-hit, 55-power offensive profile, Ralphy Velazquez was one of the best all-around offensive prospects in the 2023 draft class. The Guardians quickly shifted him from catcher to first base after taking him No. 23 overall, and he posted a .
731 OPS with 23 doubles, 11 home runs and 61 RBI in 101 games between Single-A and High-A. The 19-year-old has one of the highest offensive ceilings of any teenager in pro ball. Nos.
70-61 70. RHP Emiliano Teodo, TEX 69. C Edgar Quero, CWS 68.
SS/3B Brayden Taylor, TB 67. RHP Hurston Waldrep, ATL 66. OF Jaison Chourio, CLE 65.
SS Starlyn Caba, PHI 64. SS Cooper Pratt, MIL 63. 1B Nick Kurtz, OAK 62.
OF Chase DeLauter, CLE 61. 2B/OF Luke Keaschall, MIN -The White Sox acquired Edgar Quero and pitcher Ky Bush from the Angels for a two-month rental of Lucas Giolito at the 2023 deadline, and he checks all the boxes to be the catcher of the future. The 21-year-old hit .
280/.366/.463 with 16 doubles, 16 home runs and 70 RBI in 98 games in the upper levels of the minors, and he should debut at some point in 2025.
-A sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft who received a $1.35 million signing bonus that was the equivalent of second-round money, Cooper Pratt is quickly shaping up to be one of the steals of his draft class. The 20-year-old hit .
277/.362/.406 with 26 extra-base hits and 27 steals in 96 games between Single-A and High-A, and he has the defensive chops to stick at shortstop.
-The Twins have a knack for developing offensive-minded, super-utility types, and Luke Keaschall is their latest success story. The 2023 second-round pick hit .303/.
420/.483 with 21 doubles, 15 home runs, 48 RBI and 23 steals in 102 games between High-A and Double-A while splitting his time defensively between second base and center field. Nos.
60-51 60. RHP Travis Sykora, WAS 59. SS Cole Young, SEA 58.
3B Jace Jung, DET 57. 3B Brady House, WAS 56. C Drake Baldwin, ATL 55.
C Harry Ford, SEA 54. 2B Christian Moore, LAA 53. SS/OF Jett Williams, NYM 52.
OF Braden Montgomery, BOS 51. RHP Caden Dana, LAA -One of the top prep arms in the 2023 draft, Travis Sykora slipped to the third round, but received a $2.6 million bonus to forego his commitment to the University of Texas.
The 6'6", 232-pound right-hander posted a 2.33 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 129 strikeouts in 85 innings at Single-A, showcasing a fastball that touches 101 mph and a wicked splitter-slider combination.
-The Braves system skews heavily toward pitching, but catcher Drake Baldwin is now the team's top prospect following a breakout 2023 season. The 23-year-old hit .276/.
370/.423 with 19 doubles, 16 home runs and 88 RBI in 124 games, closing out the season at Triple-A, and his development could be part of the reason Travis d'Arnaud had his club option declined. - Caden Dana has the potential to be the Angels best homegrown pitcher since Jered Weaver, and after posting a 2.
52 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 147 strikeouts in 135.2 innings at Double-A, he made his MLB debut as a 20-year-old in September.
He should get a long look for a spot in the Opening Day rotation next spring. Nos. 50-41 50.
SS Colson Montgomery, CWS 49. C Jeferson Quero, MIL 48. SS Aidan Miller, PHI 47.
SS Kevin McGonigle, DET 46. C/OF Dalton Rushing, LAD 45. LHP Thomas White, MIA 44.
OF Owen Caissie, CHC 43. RHP Chase Burns, CIN 42. LHP Hagen Smith, CWS 41.
C Moises Ballesteros, CHC -With Will Smith signed to a 10-year extension and Teoscar Hernández potentially departing in free agency, Dalton Rushing started making the shift from catcher to left field during the second half. The 23-year-old looks ready offensively after hitting .271/.
385/.512 with 21 doubles, 26 home runs and 85 RBI in 114 games in the upper minors. -Left-hander Thomas White outperformed fellow 2023 draft pick Noble Meyer in the young tandems first full pro season, and he is now Miami's top prospect.
The 20-year-old had a 2.81 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 96 innings split between Single-A and High-A. -Outfielder Owen Caissie was reportedly a popular name at the recent GM meetings, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
The 22-year-old hit .278/.375/.
73 with 29 doubles, 19 home runs and 75 RBI in 127 games at Triple-A, and the Cubs have a crowded outfield with Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger and Pete Crow-Armstrong all returning. Nos. 40-31 40.
OF Josue De Paula, LAD 39. SS Sebastian Walcott, TEX 38. RHP Brandon Sproat, NYM 37.
LHP Quinn Mathews, STL 36. IF Matt Shaw, CHC 35. SS Colt Emerson, SEA 34.
RHP Cade Horton, CHC 33. RHP Andrew Painter, PHI 32. C Kyle Teel, BOS 31.
OF Justin Crawford, PHI - Brandon Sproat was one of the biggest breakout pitching prospects of the 2024 season, posting a 3.40 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 131 strikeouts in 116.
1 innings over three minor league levels. The 24-year-old was hit hard after he was promoted to Triple-A with a 7.53 ERA in 28.
2 innings, but he could still make a case for a rotation spot next spring. -An absolute steal as a fourth-round pick in 2023, Quinn Mathews flew up top prospect lists this season while logging a 2.76 ERA, 0.
98 WHIP and 202 strikeouts in 143.2 innings. The 24-year-old closed out the year at Triple-A, and with the Cardinals focused on getting younger, there's a good chance he will debut in 2025.
- Andrew Painter missed the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons, first trying to rehab an arm issue before ultimately undergoing Tommy John surgery. Still only 21 years old, he returned to action in the Arizona Fall League where he has a 2.30 ERA, 0.
89 WHIP and 18 strikeouts in 15.2 innings. If the Phillies cut their losses on Taijuan Walker, he could be the leading in-house candidate to snag that rotation spot.
Nos. 30-21 30. C Ethan Salas, SD 29.
OF Lazaro Montes, SEA 28. RHP Bubba Chandler, PIT 27. 1B Bryce Eldridge, SF 26.
2B/SS JJ Wetherholt, STL 25. SS Leodalis De Vries, SD 24. RHP Tink Hence, STL 23.
1B/LHP Jac Caglianone, KC 22. RHP Jacob Misiorowski, MIL 21. 1B Xavier Isaac, TB -The Ethan Salas hype train slowed a bit in 2024 following his impressive pro debut as a 16-year-old, but he still has as much upside as any prospect in baseball.
The 18-year-old hit .206/.288/.
311 with 33 extra-base hits in 111 games at High-A, but he has turned in better results in the Arizona Fall League, posting a .736 OPS with six doubles, three home runs and 19 RBI in 102 plate appearances. -After Paul Skenes and Jared Jones gave Pirates fans reason for excitement with their strong rookie performances, Bubba Chandler could be next in line to join the Pittsburgh rotation.
The 22-year-old went 10-7 with a 3.08 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 148 strikeouts in 119.
2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, and he has taken off since turning his full attention to baseball after also starring on the football field in high school. -Arguably the best two-way talent in the 2023 draft class, Bryce Eldridge has turned his full attention to hitting and quickly emerged as an elite offensive prospect. The towering 6'7", 223-pound slugger hit .
292/.374/.516 with 27 doubles, 23 home runs and 92 RBI in 116 games over four levels, making his Triple-A debut as a teenager.
He has continued to rake in the AFL, hitting .293/.348/.
512 in 46 plate appearances. Nos. 20-11 20.
SS Jacob Wilson, OAK 19. 2B Travis Bazzana, CLE 18. OF Charlie Condon, COL 17.
RHP Kumar Rocker, TEX 16. 2B Kristian Campbell, BOS 15. OF Emmanuel Rodriguez, MIN 14.
OF Max Clark, DET 13. C/1B Samuel Basallo, BAL 12. SS Jordan Lawlar, ARI 11.
SS Marcelo Mayer, BOS -Off the Top 100 list entirely last update, Kumar Rocker returned from Tommy John surgery in early July and posted a 1.96 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 55 strikeouts in 36.
2 innings in the minors to earn a surprise call-up in September. The 24-year-old struck out 14 batters in 11.2 innings over three starts down the stretch, and he should get every chance to break camp in the MLB rotation next spring.
-It's still unclear exactly how Samuel Basallo fits into the Orioles plans with Adley Rutschman entrenched behind the plate and fellow prospect Coby Mayo vying for playing time at first base where Ryan O'Hearn and Ryan Mountcastle are both set to return. The 20-year-old closed out the year at Triple-A, and after hitting .278/.
341/.449 with 25 doubles, 19 home runs and 65 RBI in 127 games, he could be knocking on the door early next season. -A nagging hamstring injury limited Jordan Lawlar to just 13 games through the first five months of the season, or he likely would have already exhausted his prospect status.
He returned healthy in September and hit .306/.409/.
417 over 10 games at Triple-A to close out the year. He is MLB-ready, it's just a question of how he fits the current D-backs roster. Nos.
10-1 10. LHP Noah Schultz, CWS 9. OF Jasson Dominguez, NYY 8.
RHP Chase Dollander, COL 7. 1B/3B Coby Mayo, BAL 6. RHP Rhett Lowder, CIN 5.
SS Carson Williams, TB 4. RHP Jackson Jobe, DET 3. OF Walker Jenkins, MIN 2.
OF Dylan Crews, WAS 1. OF Roman Anthony, BOS -With Junior Caminero poised to settle in at third base, Carson Williams has a clear path to the starting shortstop job in Tampa Bay once he is deemed ready. The 21-year-old hit .
256/.353/.469 with 20 doubles, 20 home runs, 69 RBI and 33 steals in 115 games at Double-A, and he is arguably the best defensive shortstop in the minors.
- Jackson Jobe made his MLB debut on Sept. 25, tossing four scoreless innings down the stretch, and he earned a spot on Detroit's playoff roster. The 22-year-old had a 2.
36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 96 strikeouts in 91.2 innings in the minors, and he has the electric stuff to be a top-of-the-rotation starter.
-A polished offensive player with superstar potential, Roman Anthony hit .291/.396/.
498 with 32 doubles, 18 home runs, 65 RBI and 21 steals in his age-20 season between Double-A and Triple-A. His 14.6 percent walk rate as one of the youngest players in the upper levels of the minors speaks to his advanced approach.
ARI (1): SS Jordan Lawlar (12) ATH (5): SS Jacob Wilson (20), 1B Nick Kurtz (63), RHP Luis Morales (79), OF Colby Thomas (84), OF Henry Bolte (93) ATL (3): C Drake Baldwin (56), RHP Hurston Waldrep (67), RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (72) BAL (2): 1B/3B Coby Mayo (7), C/1B Samuel Basallo (13) BOS (6): OF Roman Anthony (1), SS Marcelo Mayer (11), 2B Kristian Campbell (16), C Kyle Teel (32), OF Braden Montgomery (52), SS Franklin Arias (90) CHC (6): RHP Cade Horton (34), IF Matt Shaw (36), C Moises Ballesteros (41), OF Owen Caissie (44), IF James Triantos (74), 3B Cam Smith (83) CWS (4): LHP Noah Schultz (10), LHP Hagen Smith (42), SS Colson Montgomery (50), C Edgar Quero (69) CIN (3): RHP Rhett Lowder (6), RHP Chase Burns (43), 3B Cam Collier (92) CLE (5): 2B Travis Bazzana (19), OF Chase DeLauter (62), OF Jaison Chourio (66), 1B Ralphy Velazquez (71), SS Angel Genao (89) COL (3): RHP Chase Dollander (8), OF Charlie Condon (18), OF Robert Calaz (96) DET (5): RHP Jackson Jobe (4), OF Max Clark (14), SS Kevin McGonigle (47), 3B Jace Jung (58), SS Bryce Rainer (82) HOU (2): OF Jacob Melton (80), SS Brice Matthews (88) KC (2): 1B/LHP Jac Caglianone (23), C Blake Mitchell (76) LAA (2): RHP Caden Dana (51), 2B Christian Moore (54) LAD (4): OF Josue De Paula (40), C/OF Dalton Rushing (46), LHP Jackson Ferris (94), SS Alex Freeland (97) MIA (3): LHP Thomas White (45), RHP Noble Meyer (75), C Agustin Ramirez (78) MIL (4): RHP Jacob Misiorowski (22), C Jeferson Quero (49), SS Cooper Pratt (64), 1B/OF Tyler Black (94) MIN (3): OF Walker Jenkins (3), OF Emmanuel Rodriguez (15), 2B/OF Luke Keaschall (61) NYM (3): RHP Brandon Sproat (38), SS/OF Jett Williams (53), 1B/OF Ryan Clifford (98) NYY (2): OF Jasson Dominguez (9), OF Spencer Jones (100) PHI (4): OF Justin Crawford (31), RHP Andrew Painter (33), SS Aidan Miller (48), SS Starlyn Caba (65) PIT (3): RHP Bubba Chandler (28), SS Konnor Griffin (73), RHP Thomas Harrington (86) SD (2): SS Leodalis De Vries (25), C Ethan Salas (30) SF (1): 1B Bryce Eldridge (27) SEA (6): OF Lazaro Montes (29), SS Colt Emerson (35), C Harry Ford (55), SS Cole Young (59), SS Felnin Celesten (85), 2B Michael Arroyo (87) STL (3): RHP Tink Hence (24), 2B/SS JJ Wetherholt (26), LHP Quinn Mathews (37) TB (4): SS Carson Williams (5), 1B Xavier Isaac (21), SS/3B Brayden Taylor (68), OF Chandler Simpson (91) TEX (4): RHP Kumar Rocker (17), SS Sebastian Walcott (39), RHP Emiliano Teodo (70), RHP Alejandro Rosario (77) TOR (1): SS Arjun Nimmala (81) WAS (4): OF Dylan Crews (2), 3B Brady House (57), RHP Travis Sykora (60), RHP Jarlin Susana (99).
