One prospect from every MLB team who will make an impact in 2025

The Yankees selected huge 6’6 outfielder Spencer Jones in the first round of the 2022 draft coming out of Vanderbilt, and after three productive minor league seasons he’s getting close to helping the big club in the Bronx. In Double-A Somerset last season, Jones slashed .259/.336/.452 with 17 home runs, 78 RBI, 30 doubles, six triples, and 25 stolen bases. The 23-year-old moves much better than you would think someone of his size would, and his plus speed has allowed him to play predominantly center field throughout his minor league career. Jones has tape measure left-handed power and projects as a potential 30/30 type player in the Major Leagues, and while he’ll open the 2025 campaign in Triple-A, look for him to debut sometime in the next few months. 

Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony was considered the top prospect in all of baseball before the Dodgers signed Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki. The 20-year-old has breezed through Boston’s minor league system since being drafted with the 79th overall pick in 2022, and as the ’25 campaign gets set to begin he sits on the precipice of the Major Leagues. In fact, with Wilyer Abreu and Jarren Duran slowed by injuries early in camp, there have already been rumblings that Anthony could be an option as soon as opening day. Whether or not that comes to pass remains to be seen, but the bottom line is the West Palm Beach, FL native will be playing his home games at Fenway Park sooner rather than later. Splitting the 2024 season between Double-A and Triple-A, Anthony slashed .291/.396/.498 with 18 home runs, 65 RBI, 32 doubles, four triples, and 21 stolen bases. He’s played mostly center field throughout his minor league career, and the Red Sox have purposely not added veterans to their outfield mix, which would block Anthony’s ascent. Look for this kid to become the next Boston sports star sooner rather than later. 

Young shortstop Carson Williams was chosen by the Rays in the first round of the 2021 draft coming out of Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, and has seemingly been considered Tampa Bay’s best prospect ever since. Playing for the Rays Double-A team in Montgomery last season, Williams slashed .256/.352/.469 with 20 homers, 69 RBI, 20 doubles, six triples, and 33 stolen bases. The Rays are intoxicated with his blend of both power and speed, and are anticipating the 21-year-old supplanting incumbent veteran Taylor Walls at position number six on your scorecard at some point this summer.  

Baltimore’s minor league system has consistently produced impact Major League players year after year of late, and 20-year-old Samuel Basallo is the next name fans in the Charm City should start to familiarize themselves with. Basallo joined the Orioles system as a 16-year-old international free-agent in 2021, and his rapid ascension through the minor leagues has been eye opening. Splitting last season between Double-A and Triple-A, Basallo slashed .278/.341/.449 with 19 home runs, 65 RBI, and 25 doubles in 127 games. He is a natural catcher—though given the presence of Adley Rutschman it’s unlikely he’ll become the Orioles backstop anytime soon. With an eye towards having the two of them on the roster together at some point, Baltimore did start working with Basallo on playing first base a couple of years ago, and while he’s always caught most of the time, he’s no longer a stranger to playing position number three. That’s likely where his future lies, and is the primary reason current O’s first baseman Ryan Mountcastle’s name was mentioned a little bit in trade rumors this winter. 

University of Oregon product Josh Kasevich has not hit for much power throughout his minor league career, but he consistently hits for a high average, gets on-base, and does not strike out, and he projects as a valuable table setter type offensive player. Illustrating that point, in 128 games split between Double-A and Triple-A a year ago, Kasevich slashed .296/.348/.385 with 34 extra-base hits, 64 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. Currently, though, his path to the big leagues is a bit complicated. Toronto’s double play tandem of Bo Bichette and Andres Gimenez is as good as any in the American League, but the situation could change quickly in just a few months. Bichette is set to be a free agent at year’s end and will almost certainly be traded if the Blue Jays are out of the race. And should an injury occur to either one of those starting middle infielders, Kasevich would be first in line to get an opportunity. 

Outfielder Chase DeLauter is already the third player selected in the first round of the 2022 draft on this list, but I’d be willing to bet both Spencer Jones and Roman Anthony reach the Show before he does. That statement has nothing to do with DeLauter’s talent, it’s more just an indictment on the unfortunate series of injuries he’s suffered in the minor leagues that have slowed his ascension through the Guardians system. The 23-year-old has only played in 96 professional games to date, slashing .317/.387/.517 with 13 home runs, 63 RBI, and 32 doubles in those contests. Those numbers are obviously encouraging, but after missing nearly all of 2024 with a broken foot, DeLauter simply just needs to play and get more minor league games under his belt. If he can stay healthy and perform the way Cleveland is confident he can, he’ll likely force his way to the Majors, though I wouldn’t expect that to occur until midsummer at the earliest. 

After the disastrous season the Chicago White Sox just endured, opportunities should be plentiful for the organization’s top prospects in 2025, and left-hander Noah Shultz is somebody that should be able to force his way to the Major Leagues. The 21-year-old is yet another player selected in the first round of the 2022 draft on this list, and he’s had a splendid minor league career to date. In 33 starts, Shultz has pitched to a 2.03 ERA with an 0.95 WHIP, while holding the opposition to a .191 batting average and striking out 153 hitters in 115.1 innings. He finished last season in Double-A and is slated to begin 2025 with Chicago’s Triple-A team in Charlotte, and while I don’t expect the White Sox to rush him, I do believe we will see Shultz in the Windy City at some point this summer. 

Former Arizona State Sun Devil Luke Keaschall joined the Twins organization in 2023, and in just 133 minor league games has already played himself into this conversation. To date in his professional career, Keaschall has slashed .300/.419/.482 with 18 home runs, 63 RBI, 31 doubles, and 34 stolen bases. But what makes him even more valuable and should accelerate his promotion to the big leagues, is his positional versatility. Keaschall has played extensively at first base, second base, third base, and center field during his relatively short time in the Minnesota system, and that means that should an opportunity arise at any one of those spots with the parent club, the 22-year-old could be fast tracked to the Show. 

The Royals selected outfielder Gavin Cross with the 9th overall pick in the suddenly abundantly popular 2022 draft, and heading into ’25 he could be poised to make as big an impact in the Major League as any of his draft mates. Cross played in 101 Double-A games a year ago, slashing .261/.342/.428 with 15 homers, 59 RBI, 19 doubles, and 30 stolen bases. He unfortunately missed time twice last summer due to injury, but when he was on the field he confidently showed the Royals he has nothing left to prove at that level, which is music to the ears of the organization’s front office considering how little production the team got from its outfield in 2024. Kansas City outfielders combined to slash .222/.281/.367—the worst offensive output in the game. Veterans Hunter Renfroe and Kyle Isbel both had incredibly disappointing seasons, and while Cross will begin 2025 in Triple-A, don’t be stunned if he’s promoted early to try to give this group a spark. 

Coming down the stretch last season, right-hander Jackson Jobe was unanimously considered the top pitching prospect in the game, and fighting for a playoff spot in late September, the Tigers made the decision to promote him during the final week of the regular season. Jobe pitched in two games out of the bullpen, firing four scoreless innings, and heading into 2025 he’s now penciled in as a day one member of Detroit’s rotation. In 21 minor league starts last season, the 22-year-old pitched to a 2.36 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP, while striking out 96 hitters in 91.2 innings. Provided he can stay healthy, Jobe may very well be the early betting favorite for American League Rookie of the Year honors. 

The Angels acquired outfielder Matthew Lugo in a trade deadline deal with Boston last summer, and it’s a pretty safe bet that he’ll end up playing a sizeable role with the Halos in 2025 and beyond. Lugo comes with pedigree as the nephew of Carlos Beltran, and has steadily made a name for himself on his journey through the minor leagues. In 425 career professional games, the 23-year-old has slashed .271/.337/.438 with 45 home runs, 236 RBI, 96 doubles, 19 triples, and 62 stolen bases. He became a full-time outfielder in 2024 but has extensive experience in the infield as well, and on a Los Angeles team with a lot of question marks, he should get his chance sooner rather than later. 

The Athletics come into 2025 with questions both on and off the field, though after making a handful of veteran additions this winter I don’t think it’s a stretch to say the team might end up winning more games than they have in several seasons. That said, the A’s have substantial work to do to become an actual contender, but a guy that could eventually help them reach that destination is right-hander Luis Morales. The 22-year-old showed considerable potential in 22 minor league starts in 2024, working to a 4.22 ERA and striking out 84 hitters in 81 innings. He needs to fine tune his command as walks have been in an issue in the past, but slated to begin the season in Double-A, Morales is a pitcher that could end up coming quickly. 

Oregon State product Jacob Melton was the Astros’ 2nd round pick in the 2022 draft, and heading into 2025 he’s on the verge of impacting the team at the Major League level. In 105 games last season split between Double-A and Triple-A, the 24-year-old outfielder slashed .253/.310/.426 with 15 home runs, 54 RBI, 20 doubles, and 30 stolen bases. Houston has been high on Melton’s potential for a while, and notably, while negotiating with the Mets to reacquire Justin Verlander at the 2023 trade deadline, they were willing to include both Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford in order to hang on to Melton. Gilbert may well debut with New York later this summer, and it will be interesting to compare him and Melton and debate whether the Astros made the right decision for years to come. 

Pittsburgh, PA native Cole Young was the Mariners’ first round selection in the 2022 draft, and in three professional seasons he’s very quickly ascended to the top of the club’s prospect rankings. In 267 career minor league games, Young has slashed .279/.387/.426 with 22 homers, 133 RBI, 60 doubles, 12 triples, and 49 stolen bases. Defensively he’s played mostly shortstop but also quite a bit of second base, and with veteran utilityman Dylan Moore slated to begin the season as Seattle’s starter at position number four, that may very well eventually become Young’s path to the Show. 

The Rangers rotation has the potential to be very good in 2025, but it also comes with significant injury risk. Jacob deGrom, Tyler Mahle, and Jon Gray all missed substantial time on the injured list in 2024, and expecting that trio to stay healthy and combine to give the team 90+ starts feels unrealistic. With that in mind, there will likely be opportunities for some of the young pitchers in the Texas organization to contribute at some point this season, and righty Emiliano Teodo has positioned himself well to be first in line. In 20 games in Double-A a year ago (19 starts), Teodo pitched to a dominant 1.98 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. Opponents managed to hit just .178 against him, he punched out 110 hitters in 86.1 innings, and he was deservedly named to Baseball America’s Double-A all-star team. The 24-year-old will begin the upcoming campaign in Triple-A, but I expect him to force the Rangers hand sooner rather than later. 

With the Mets rotation already dealing with injuries to Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas early in spring training, there has been increased chatter about their number one overall prospect, Brandon Sproat. New York took the right-hander in the 2nd round of the 2023 draft coming out of the University of Florida, and as a four-year starter in college he profiled as an arm that could move through the system quickly. That has certainly been the case. In 24 outings spanning three minor league levels in 2024, Sproat worked to a 3.40 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP. He posted a .210 batting average against, struck out 131 hitters in 116.1 innings, and while he’ll begin the season in Triple-A, don’t be surprised if the Mets decide to promote him early on. 

The Braves have starting catcher Sean Murphy signed through the 2029 season, which means at some point, while it’s never a problem to have too many good catchers, they’re going to have to make a decision about Drake Baldwin’s future. Atlanta took Baldwin in the 3rd round of the 2022 draft, and in just three professional seasons the 23-year-old has developed into one of the best catching prospects in the sport. In 257 minor league games, Baldwin has slashed .272/.379/.428 with 32 home runs, 158 RBI, and 19 doubles. He’s solid defensively, was invited to participate in the Futures Game last summer, and has very little left to prove in the minors. Murphy struggled with both injuries and inconsistency last year, and it will be interesting to see how long the Braves can put off a dramatic decision if Baldwin gets off to a good start in Triple-A. 

You’d have to have been living under a rock in recent years to be unfamiliar with the name Andrew Painter. Philadelphia selected the right-hander with the 13th pick in the 2021 draft, and very early on in his professional career it was clear that Painter could do things other pitchers simply could not. In 26 minor league starts through 2022, the Pompano Beach, FL native pitched to a dominant 1.48 ERA with an 0.89 WHIP. Opponents hit just .181 against him, he struck out an eye opening 155 hitters in 103.2 innings, and scouts around the league were quickly touting him as a future ace of magnificent proportions. Until disaster struck. Painter went down in March of 2023 with a UCL injury, and ultimately had Tommy John surgery that summer. He’s now missed two full seasons, but he did pitch in the Arizona Fall League this past November and certainly looks like his old self as he was named the AFL Pitcher of the Year. The Phillies understandably will want to see Painter pitch well in Triple-A before rushing him to the Show, but this is simply a special kid, and his arrival in Philadelphia feels like an inevitability. 

Agustin Ramirez was the headline piece the Marlins brought back from the Yankees in the deadline deal that sent Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the Bronx last summer, and on a Marlins team with opportunities aplenty, he should get considerable big league time in 2025. In 126 games spanning three teams and two minor league levels in ’24, Ramirez slashed .267/.358/.487 with 25 home runs, 93 RBI, 26 doubles, and 22 stolen bases. He’s been primarily a catcher throughout his professional career but does have experience at first base, and look for Miami to get him action at both spots in 2025. 

The Nationals selected high school third baseman Brady House with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 draft, and four years later the Winder, GA native is poised to make his MLB debut. In 129 games split between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024, the 21-year-old House slashed .241/.297/.402 with 19 home runs, 66 RBI, and 21 doubles. He admittedly did fare better in Double-A than he did in his Triple-A promotion, so it would not be a stretch to suggest he could use just a little more time at that level. However, with the Nationals set to platoon young Jose Tena with Amed Rosario at the hot corner to start the season, if House gets off to a good start in the minor leagues, Washington would likely jump at the chance to bring him up.

St. Louis has been incredibly honest and vocal about its desire to get younger and undergo an organizational reset this offseason. Longtime President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak is planning to retire at year’s end with veteran MLB executive Chaim Bloom already announced as his successor. Mozeliak has been working hard to give Bloom a clean slate when he takes the reins, which is admirable, though in the short term it could end up meaning several veterans get traded away in the coming weeks and months. The bright side of that, though, is that young players like Tink Hence should get opportunities at the Major League level. In 20 Double-A starts last season, Hence pitched to a 2.71 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP. Opponents hit just .204 against him, he struck out a staggering 12.31 hitters/nine innings, and by the end of the season it was clear he was the Redbirds’ best pitching prospect. 

University of Maryland star Matt Shaw was selected by the Cubs with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 draft, and after ripping through the organization’s minor league system he looks poised to debut potentially as early as opening day in 2025. In 159 career professional games, Shaw has put up numbers that make you take notice. He’s slashed .303/.384/.522 with 29 home runs, 99 RBI, 28 doubles, eight triples, and 46 stolen bases. Chicago feels he has the power and athleticism to be a 30/30 type player in the Major Leagues, and is somebody the franchise envisions leading them back to October glory. Shaw has played second base, shortstop, and third base throughout his minor league career, but with Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner cementing the middle infield at Wrigley Field, third base is where he will carve his path in the Show. 

Jeferson Quero joined the Milwaukee Brewers organization as an international free-agent in 2021, and was rapidly making his way through the club’s minor league system before missing essentially all of 2024 due to injury. A dislocated shoulder and torn labrum suffered in the first game of the season ended Quero’s campaign after just a single plate appearance, and delayed his ascension to the Major Leagues. Now fully healthy, the 22-year-old is eager to make up for lost time. In 90 games in Double-A in 2023, Quero slashed .262/.339/.440 with 16 homers, 49 RBI, and 12 doubles. He’s considered a plus defender behind the dish, and while the Brewers have a good starting catcher in William Contreras, they’ll find opportunities for Quero if he has a good first half in Triple-A. 

Cincinnati took right-hander Rhett Lowder with the 7th overall pick in the 2023 draft coming out of Wake Forest, and after just 22 minor league starts the Reds promoted their top prospect in late August last summer. Lowder was excellent in his six-start Major League cameo, pitching to a 1.17 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP in 30.2 innings. His minor league numbers weren’t quite that dominant, but he did capably move through three different Reds affiliates in ’23, and heading into 2025 the club is giving him a chance to compete for a rotation spot coming out of the gate. 

The Pirates rotation is obviously headlined by young homegrown righties Paul Skenes and Jared Jones, and another exciting young arm, Bubba Chandler, should join them in Pittsburgh shortly. The Pirates took Chandler in the 3rd round of the 2021 draft, and he’s very quickly made a name for himself in the organization’s system. In 26 minor league outings split between Double-A and Triple-A last season, the Lawrenceville, GA native pitched to a 3.08 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP. He delivered a .189 batting average against, struck out 148 hitters in 119.2 innings, and earned 10 victories for the 2nd consecutive season. Chandler will begin the 2025 campaign back in Triple-A Indianapolis, but look for him to find his way to Pittsburgh at some point this summer. 

The Dodgers’ everyday line-up is essentially a who’s who of Major League superstars, which in theory makes them a difficult team for a rookie to break through with. But if anybody is going to do so in 2025 it’s going to be 23-year-old infielder Alex Freeland. Across three different minor league levels in ’24, Freeland slashed .260/.387/.442 with 18 home runs, 74 RBI, 32 doubles, and 31 stolen bases. He’s a switch-hitter that can play multiple different positions, which makes him an extremely attractive option to promote if an injury opens up playing time. 

Big 6’7 first baseman Bryce Eldridge was the Giants’ first round pick in the 2023 draft coming out of Madison, Vienna High School in Virginia. Two years later he looks primed to soon debut at the sport’s highest level all the way on the other side of the country. Eldridge possesses enormous left-handed power, and in his first full professional season really gave San Francisco confidence in his long-term future. In 116 games across four different minor league levels, the 20-year-old slashed .291/.374/.516 with 23 home runs, 92 RBI, and 27 doubles. He only has eight Triple-A games under his belt so he will clearly begin the season back at that level, but current Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. is not someone that would block an Eldridge promotion if Buster Posey and company deem him ready. 

Most of the top prospects in the San Diego system are very young and still years away from making a difference at the Major League level. With that in mind, a pitcher like Bradgley Rodriguez–who finished last season as the 12th ranked prospect in the Padres system–has as good a chance as anybody to become an important piece for the team in 2025. In 45 minor league appearances last year split between Single-A and Double-A, the 21-year-old Rodriguez put up a 2.64 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP in 61.1 innings. Opponents managed to hit just .180 against him, he struck out over 11 hitters/nine innings, and his ability to go multiple innings should eventually make the righty a valuable relief arm in San Diego. 

Since their inception in 1993, the Rockies have had a difficult time developing pitching in large part due to the difficult climate in which they play their home games. Colorado is always going to be a hitter’s paradise, but eventually you’d have to believe the club will be able to churn out a legitimate standout ace. The next contestant is right-hander Chase Dollander, whom the Rockies selected 9th overall in the 2023 draft. The University of Tennessee alum made his professional debut last season, and really opened some eyes. In 23 starts split between High-A and Double-A, Dollander pitched to a 2.59 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP, while holding opponents to a .215 batting average and striking out 169 hitters in 118 frames. He still has experience to gain in the minor leagues and is slated to begin the 2025 campaign in Triple-A. But, the Rockies are not expected to be very good this year, and if he’s pitching well and the team is out of it by midseason, there’s every reason to believe Dollander could get a chance in the Show. 

The Diamondbacks used their 2nd round pick in the 2023 draft to select NC State product Gino Groover, and while he’s struggled to stay on the field during his first two professional seasons, when healthy the 22-year-old has been impressive. In 88 career games to date, Groover has slashed .281/.362/.450 with 11 home runs, 51 RBI, and 18 doubles. He finished last season in Double-A so a promotion to the Majors is not imminent, but if Groover can stay healthy and productive in 2025, he could position himself to become an option in Arizona during the second half.