Prospect Crystal Ball: The Top 25 Prospects Entering 2025

Chris Clegg looks into the future and projects the Top 25 prospects heading into 2025.

You can listen to the audio version of this on the Toolshed Pod with Eric Cross and myself here:

This is always one of my most fun articles to write and podcasts to do each year. Prospect analysis is much more about what a player will do, versus what a player has done, so looking into the future and projecting these players is always a blast.

Projecting 2025’s Top Prospects

1. Dylan Crews, OF, WSH, 21, 6’0”/205

Crews put together an illustrious career at LSU, slashing .380/.498/.689 with 58 home runs across 983 plate appearances. He struck out just 15.5 percent of the time while walking 16.2 percent.

Crews has massive power and as good of a plate approach as you will find. He chased less than 15 percent of the time and posted an average exit velocity north of 95 mph. Pair those with an 85 percent zone contact rate and a near 110 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, and you have an elite hitter.

With the Nationals, we can now dream of a future outfield that includes Crews, James Wood, and maybe Elijah Green if he can figure out his swing-and-miss issues. Crews will be pushed quickly, and I won’t be surprised if we see him in Washington by late 2024.

Some may be concerned with Crews’ struggles in Double-A, but some bad BABIP luck in the worst hitters’ park in the minors can do that. Still, Crews’ debut line was .292/.377/.467 with five home runs. Crews is an incredible player who got passed by Langford, not by taking a tumble.

Why Is He Here?: I don’t think Crews graduates. The Nationals give him a cup of coffee but keep the eligibility with the goal he wins Rookie of the Year in 2025. Safe hitter with a very high floor, elite OBP skills and plus power.

2. Colt Emerson, SS, SEA, 18, 6’1”/195

No player increased their stock among prospect circles more than Colt Emerson. The Mariners first round pick slashed .374/.496/.550 with two home runs and ten doubles in 114 plate appearances.

Emerson was only 17 years-old on draft day; but over the last year he really added to his 6’1”/200 lb frame. As a prep player, he showed a strong feel to hit and his data was incredible as he chased at just a 15 percent rate on the showcase circuit and has an 84 percent contact rate. All of this carried over to professional ball and what Emerson did was nothing short of impressive.

In the small pro sample, Emerson made contact at a rate north of 80 percent with a zone contact of 86 percent. He showed a strong eye at the plate as well, chasing just 20 percent of pitches out of the zone.

While he did hit just two home runs, the exit velocities were impressive in Emerson’s pro debut. The average exit velocity checked in right around 89 mph and he paired it with a 90th percentile exit velocity of 105 mph, which is already north of MLB average.

Emerson has actually seen his run times tick up and he was eight of eight on stolen base attempts in 2023. His 6.7 second 60-yard dash suggests plus speed.

If all clicks, Emerson could be a plus hitter with above-average or better power and speed.

Why Is He Here?: Emerson likely gets fast tracked but does not debut in 2024. The power, hit tool, and sneaky speed, as well as his maturity, vault him to the top of prospect rankings.

3. Walker Jenkins, OF, MIN, 18, 6’3”/210

Jenkins is a slugger and the ideal mold for a dynasty stud that we rarely see in prep bats. Having an ideal frame, standing at 6’3”/210 pounds, and has one of the best swings you will see from the left side. Jenkins is an incredible athlete and has a ton of physicality. It is easy to see 30 home run potential in Jenkins’ bat.

In a small pro sample, Jenkins posted a zone-contact rate north of 90 percent and an overall contact rate of 82 percent. He chased below a league average rate and showed a good feel of hitting balls to all fields.

The contact skills are firmly plus with a beautiful swing. Pair that with big time power potential, and you have a potential stud. While the exit velocities were not overly impressive in his pro debut, there is still a ton of power upside. You can envision a .280/30 HR/10 SB type bat, which is huge for fantasy purposes.

On top of baseball skills, scouts rave about Jenkins as a human being. You would be hard-pressed to find a better all-around person on top of his baseball talent. The Twins got a good one.

Jenkins's debut confirmed what we thought pre-draft, a potential plus hit/power/speed, slashing .362/.417/.571 with three home runs, four triples, and five doubles while stealing six bases in 26 games.

Why Is He Here?: Jenkins showed high-end contact skills, has a highly projectable frame with power, and has shown plus speed. The high floor to hit with the upside potential pushes Jenkins here.

4. Roman Anthony, OF, BOS, 19, 6’2”/200

Few Minor Leaguers enjoyed the kind of breakout that Roman Anthony did in 2023 after he was selected in the second round of the 2022 draft. After a decent 42 games in Single-A Salem, at least from a numbers perspective, Anthony joined High-A Greenville, where he took off, posting a .294/.412/.569 slash with 12 home runs and 29 extra-base hits in 54 games. Anthony even ended the season in Double-A Portland, where he slashed .343/.477/.543 across ten games.

Anthony is tall and projectable, listed at 6’2”/200 lb, but I would argue he is taller than 6’2”, and his frame still looks like it has room to add muscle despite already being well-built. He has long legs and a solid upper half. Considering he just turned 19 in May, he has an impressive build.

A patient hitter, Anthony chased just 18 percent of pitches out of the zone, but that number trended upward towards the end of the season as he began to see more breaking balls consistently, one of his few struggles. The overall zone contact rate of 85 percent is impressive, however.

From a power standpoint, Anthony can mash and show big power to all fields. Registering an exit velocity as high as 112, I saw him hit it 440 feet to the pull side, but he also hit plenty of opposite-field home runs, showing his strength. The 90th percentile exit velocity of 106 mph shows plus power.

Anthony ran well and stole 16 bases last year, but most importantly covers a ton of ground in center field, giving him the ability to stick in the position long-term. The future is bright for Anthony, who could be a consistent above-average regular with plenty of All-Star Game appearances. He is not only the Red Sox top prospect, but one of the best prospects in all of baseball.

Why Is He Here?: Anthony might debut this year, but I don’t think he graduates. High floor hit tool with allow chase rates. Anthony has power and some speed.

5. Ethan Salas, C, SD, 17, 6’2”/185

If I told you that a 16-year-old catcher would be getting reps in Major League Spring Training, would you have believed me? What if I told you that same catcher reached Double-A shortly after turning 17 years old? Well, Ethan Salas did those things in 2023 after signing for $5.8 million that same January.

Salas shows maturity well beyond his age, considering he should still be in high school. The contact skills and plate discipline were impressive for his first professional season. Checking in with a 77.5 percent overall contact rate and a zone-contact rate north of 85 percent is highly impressive and even better when you factor in a chase rate of 20 percent.

The power is already quite advanced for his age, hitting nine home runs in 66 games, but the exit velocities stood out for a 17-year-old. Salas checked in with an 87 mph average exit velocity and a 90th percentile above 102 mph, which would both be elite if we compared him to people his age. The frame also has a ton to dream on, and you can expect the power to tick up even more.

With elite makeup both behind the dish and at the plate for his age, the Padres have a lot to dream on. There is still plenty of development to be had there, and even though Salas reached Double-A, he probably needs at least another one to two full seasons of Minor League ball, and even if he debuted in late 2025, Salas would only be 19 years old. You can dream of the upside of one of the top catchers in baseball with Salas and not only becoming the Padres top prospect but also one of the top prospects in all of baseball.

Why Is He Here?: Salas is such a unique profile in the sense he started in full season ball at 16 years old and dominated, making it to Double-A. He is an insane talent who could be in the majors before he turns 20.

6. Samuel Basallo, C/1B, BAL, 19, 6’3”/180

Signing in 2021 for a $1.3 million bonus, the largest in the Orioles class that year, Basallo has done nothing but improve every year and now looks like a potential star hitter. At the complex level in 2022, Basallo showed good power and a feel for contact, and then in 2022, Basallo fully broke out, reaching Double-A by season's end.

Between three levels and 114 games, Basallo slashed a smooth .313/.402/.551 with 20 home runs and 53 extra-base hits while even stealing 12 bases. Spending time at first base and catcher, it is highly possible that we see Basallo play first base long-term due to the Orioles having Adley Rutschman behind the dish, but he could still catch enough to keep C eligibility in some fantasy leagues.

The power is still eye-popping, and the hit tool has developed very nicely. Basallo’s 90th percentile exit velocity was one of the best for his age, checking in over 106 mph. The contact skills also play as Basallo posted a 73 percent contact rate on the season.

Basallo will be 19 for the majority of the 2024 season and starting the year in Double-A with a chance to further solidify himself as a top prospect in the game. If you have not invested yet in dynasty, it may be too late, but Basallo is a stud in the making.

Why Is He Here?: Basallo had one of the best seasons of an 18 year old when looking at wRC+. The Orioles have had a stretch of three years with the number one prospects. Could Basallo make it four in 2025?

7. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon St. , 6’0”/200, 21

Bazzana is one of the best pure hitters in college baseball and has put up impressive exit velocities this year. In 2023, Bazzana posted a .374/.500/.622 slash with 11 home runs and 36 stolen bases. In eight games so far in 2024, he already has five home runs through eight games with a .438/.526/1.031 slash.

In 2023, he chased at a rate below 15 percent and made contact on pitches in the zone at a 92 percent clip. The average exit velocity checked in at 89.2 and the 90th percentile at 106 mph. The exit velocities this year have been insane and already a step forward from last year.

There is a strong chance Bazzana could go 1.1 this summer, and I think he rightfully should. For FYPD’s, Bazzana would currently be my selection at one.

Why Is He Here?: High-end contact and plate discipline skills with sneaky good power and good speed.

8. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest, 6’5”/235, 20

Kurtz is another 2024 draftee who could go 1.1 in this summer’s draft. He hit 24 home runs last season while slashing .353/.527/.784 and has been solid so far in 2024. The data was extremely strong as Kurtz chased less than 15 percent of pitches out of the zone and made contact on 84 percent of pitches in zone.

The home runs certainly stood out, and the underlying data backed it. The exit velocities were very similar to Dylan Crews as Kurtz had a 93 mph average exit velocity and a 109 mph 90th percentile.

Kurtz won’t provide speed, but there is big power with elite OBP skills. He could move through the system pretty quickly as well.

Why Is He Here?: Elite plate discipline/OBP skills with power.

9.Joendry Vargas, SS, LAD, 18, 6’4”/175

While De Paula certainly has a frame to dream on, Joendry Vargas may be even more athletic and has a better frame for a ballplayer, standing at 6’4”/175. The Dodgers inked Vargas to a $2.08 million deal in January of 2023, and he hit the ground running in the Dominican Summer League, posting one of the strongest performances there, hitting seven home runs and collecting 20 extra-base hits in 208 plate appearances while slashing .328/.423/.529. Vargas showed good athleticism and speed, stealing 19 bases.

Vargas shows strong plate skills and makes plenty of contact. He posted one of the lower chase rates in the DSL and walked 30 times while striking out just 31 times, an impressive K/BB rate. While he does take a walk, Vargas also puts a ton of balls in play, and it shows in the fact that he was able to collect 57 hits in just 48 games.

The power already showed up, with Vargas posting some high exit velocities and towering home runs as a 17-year-old. The current power, plus future projection give confidence that Vargas could be a consistent 22-25 bat with room for more in the profile.

A hitter of Vargas’s caliber will thrive in the DSL environment, but his performance was impressive, posting a 149 wRC+ on the season. The upside here is tremendous and one that I want to bet on moving forward. Whether Vargas will take the De Paula route and skip complex ball remains to be seen, but I would assume he begins next season in the Arizona Complex League and moves up rather quickly.

Why Is He Here?: Big power, projectable frame, great athleticism.

10. Roderick Arias, SS, NYY, 19, 6’0”/178

Arias was amid a breakout in 2023 before his season came to a halt due to hand surgery. After signing for $4 million in 2022, Arias struggled mightily in the Dominican

Summer League, leaving questions about his performance and long-term upside. Those questions were answered at Arias came stateside and slashed .267/.423/.505 with six home runs across 27 games, showing much stronger contact skills.

The power also began to develop as the 18-year-old posted a 90th percentile exit velocity right at MLB average around 104 mph. The contact skills improved, and the chase rate went down, which are all positive signs of development for Arias.

He should begin the season in Single-A in 2024 with a chance to continue to move through the system quickly due to the power, hit tool, glove, arm, and even some speed. Yes, there is five-tool potential here with Arias.

Why Is He Here?: Already started to breakout in 2023 and has five-tool potential.

11. Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest, 6’4”/200, 21

After spending two seasons at Tennessee with mixed results but big time stuff, Burns transferred to Wake Forest and after spending the offseason in their pitching lab looks like an elite arm.

After dominating Illinois on opening weekend, Burns did look more vulnerable against Dayton in which he walked four batters and allowed three earned runs. He still struck out eight and showed big stuff, but he was not untouchable.

The fastball has sat near 97 and touched 101 mph, and he generating a ton of whiff at the top of the zone. It is a high-spinning pitch with high IVB numbers(as high as 22 inches) and looks like a 70-grade fastball. The slider reached 3000 rpm of spin regularly and touched 91, averaging closer to 87 mph, having a two-plane break. There might be two 70-grade pitches here.

The changeup has good traits, but he will need to throw it more often. If Burns pitches like he did on Opening Weekend for three months, he will go 1.1 and be the best pitching prospect in baseball upon being drafted. The pitch level data is better than Skenes in a small sample.

Why Is He Here?: Workhorse frame with ace type pitch data.

12. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, MIN, 20, 5’10”/210

If any prospect has the upside to be the top prospect in baseball, it could be Emmanuel Rodriguez, who has one of the best toolsets of all minor leaguers. While the statistical output has not been the most impressive, Rodriguez’s numbers the last two seasons have been solid. Playing just 47 games in 2022 in Single-A, Rodriguez smashed nine home runs and stole 11 bases while slashing .272/.493/.552 in 199 plate appearances. He spent most of the season healthy in 2023, hitting 16 home runs and collecting 40 extra-base hits in 455 plate appearances while slashing .240/.400/.463.

From a power standpoint, Rodriguez is at the top of all prospects. Posting a 108 mph 90th percentile exit velocity would put him among the top MLB hitters and behind Minor Leaguers such as Junior Caminero and Owen Caissie. But it just shows how much power he really has. His 117 mph max would have ranked 10th among all MLB hitters in 2023.

One of the more passive hitters in baseball, Rodriguez swung at just 36 percent of pitches, which was one of the lowest swing rates in all of baseball. That is not a bad thing though, as he has one of the most discerning eyes, chasing less than 15 percent of pitches out of the zone. Anything below 20 percent is considered high-end, which shows how strong Rodriguez’s chase rate is.

The contact rates need to improve, as Rodriguez made contact on less than 70 percent of pitches for the last two seasons. It's highly possible that Rodriguez is a below-average batting average typer but has elite OBPs. The power and speed show 30 home run/20 stolen base potential as well.

Why Is He Here?: Elite OBP and an approach change away from being elite.

13. Max Clark, OF, DET, 19, 6’1”/195

I had the privilege to interview Max Clark when he was a 16-year-old, and I kid you not; he was already one of the sharpest baseball minds I have talked to. Clark plays at a high level and intensity in the field with a very high baseball IQ.

When you talk about a five-tool player, Clark comes to mind, playing strong centerfield, possessing a solid arm, making contact at a high rate, being a 70-runner, and flashing good power. At the moment, Clark’s worst grade is his power, which is still average to above average. That speaks to the kind of player he can be. There is some projection in his 6’1”/190-pound frame, and I would not be surprised to see Clark tap into more power.

The swing generates line drives and sprays the ball to all fields well, which bodes well for his future batting average. He controls the barrel well through the zone and shows a very advanced hit tool for his age. In a small sample in his pro career he did post some solid exit velocities, giving hope he can get to average game power.

Clark was a surprise pick at three overall but is a great fit in Detroit. He is several years away, but a well-rounded player who will be roaming Detroit’s outfield for a long time.

Why Is He Here?: Five tool upside if the power develops.

14. Felnin Celesten, SS, SEA, 18, 6’1”/175

The prized possession of the Mariners 2023 international signing class, Celesten, unfortunately, did not see any game action on the field due to a hamstring strain. The switch hitter might have more upside than anyone in the system, if all pans out for him.

Already having grown from his listed 6’1” height, Celesten has a ton of projection in his frame but already flashes big power with high exit velocities. The power looks currently better from the right side of the plate, but Celesten has shown the ability to get to it from the left side as well. The contact skills are better from the right, leaving it easier for him to get into game power there.

Celesten has an aggressive swing and approach, sometimes taking big hacks, leaving questions about how the approach will fare against more advanced pitching. If the hit tool and contact numbers can sit around league average, it will allow the rest of the skillset to flourish.

Having potential plus power with plus run times, there is a lot of dream on with Celesten from a fantasy standpoint. If he does fill out, the run times could tick down, but Celesten is likely to be a threat on the base paths for the early part of his career. A strong performance in 2024 will see his stock soar, so invest in Celesten now before its too late.

Why Is He Here?: Five tool upside

15. Andrew Painter, RHP, PHI, 20, 6’7”/215

Painter sadly did not throw a pitch in game in 2023 due to a UCL injury that ultimately resulted in Tommy John Surgery after ascending to the game’s top prospect pitching in 2022. After being selected in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Painter tossed 103.2 innings in 2022, moving from Single-A to Double-A while posting a 1.56 ERA with 155 strikeouts and 25 walks.

Unfortunately, Painter was diagnosed with a sprained UCL in April, and while the team decided to go with the rest and recovery route, Painter ended up needing Tommy John, which puts him out until the 2025 season.

Painter’s fastball averaged near 97 mph in 2022, reaching 101 with insane IVB(induced vertical break), creating a rising effect at the top of the zone, especially given the high spin rates. It produced a ton of swing-and-miss and set up the rest of the arsenal well.

The slider drops in the mid-to-low 80s, averaging 10-13 inches of sweeping action with a great feel for spin. Painter hides it well and creates deception with late breaks, keeping hitters on their toes.

Painter also mixes in a changeup, which made major strides in 2022, sitting in the high 80s. The curve is the lesser of the two breakers, but you can still argue it is a plus pitch in the upper 70s. Painter showed off a new cutter in Spring Training 2023 before injury that was sitting right at 90 mph.

If the five pitches all stick, it would give him five separate velocity bands and four different movement patterns to keep hitters guessing. What Painter looks like post-Tommy John is still to be determined, but given that he will only be 21 when he returns, Painter has plenty of potential to become an ace.

Why Is He Here?: Ace level stuff when healthy, will return in 2025.

16. Cooper Pratt, SS, MIL, 19, 6’4”/195

Pratt has a big, athletic frame at 6’4”/195 lb with a mighty swing. He is a good athlete and moves well for size, posting solid run times while also showing a good feel for contact. Power will be the carrying tool for Pratt, though, as he has shown a good feel for the barrel and big-time exit velocities.

Scouts have raved about his work ethic and how much he stands out with in-person looks. The frame is highly athletic and still has projection left.

Since debuting at the Complex level, Pratt has impressed with his bat. The sixth-rounder signed for over four times his pick's slow value, showing how much the Brewers like the upside here. In 12 games played professionally, Pratt slashed .356/.426/.444, setting himself up to be a massive breakout in 2023.

Why Is He Here?: Flashed big tools in a small sample during his debut. Good prep data as well.

17. Robert Calaz, OF, COL, 18, 6’2”/202

If there’s a fantasy superstar in the Rockies system, Calaz may be it, but it’s a huge IF. After making his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2023, Calaz slashed .325/.423/.561 with seven home runs and 21 extra base hits in 43 games.

Calaz generates easy bat speed with a strong lower half, letting the power come to him. The exit velocities were insanely high for someone who was 17 years old for most of the season. With the frame you could easily see Calaz being a 25 home run bat for a lot of his career.

Despite the powerful frame, Calaz also runs well and posts above-average clock times and was successful on six out of six stolen base attempts in 2023.

The fantasy upside is highly appealing here and Calaz is a player I want to bet on continuing to rocket up rankings in 2024 and beyond.

Why Is He Here?: Insanely good bat speed and exit velocity data for his age with respectable contact.

18. Leo De Vries, SS, SD, 17, 6’2”/190

De Vries has long been considered one of the top prospects in the 2024 international class, and for good reasons. The 6’2” switch hitter shows a good feel to hit from both sides of the plate, a smooth swing, and good plate discipline.

His run times are plus, and many believe he could develop plus power with an average or better feel to hit. While the profile of many international players is volatile, De Vries has the skills to have a high floor and ceiling.

De Vries is spoken of by some with some elite international names. Signing with the Padres for $4.2 million it is possible the Padres fast track him like we have sign with Salas and other top prospects in their system.

Why Is He Here?: Five tool upside

19. Jett Williams, SS, NYM, 20, 5’6”/175

It is rare to see a profile like Williams’s excel at a high level, but he defies all odds after an impressive 2022 season in which he mashed 13 home runs and stole 45 bases. Standing at 5’6”/175, which I would argue is fairly accurate after standing next to him on the field pre-game while in Greenville, Williams controls the strike zone extremely well and walks at a high clip due to his decisiveness. The chase rate of 12 percent was one of the best in the Minors while also making contact at a 79 percent rate across three levels.

Williams shows underrated power for his size, posting a 90th percentile exit velocity of 102.5 mph while hitting plenty of fly balls and line drives, making the most of his power. While the frame is maxed out physically, Williams spent the entire season at 19, and it is possible he finds a way to become a perennial 15 to 18 home runs threat with elite speed.

There is an argument that Williams might be a 70-grade runner, but he is comfortably a 6 in that category and is a highly efficient base stealer, finding success on 45 of 52 attempts in 2023.

Williams offers an incredibly high and safe floor, showing enough with the bat, plus the versatility in the field to make him at least an average everyday regular in the Majors with All-Star potential. The speed plus OBP and batting average skills will allow for him to be a great fantasy asset, even if his power is just slightly below average.

Why Is He Here?: Elite OBP skills with high end speed and a little pop to go with it.

20. Adael Amador, 2B/SS, COL, 20, 6’0”/200

Amador’s strikeout and walk rates have declined as he’s moved along a system seemingly into more aggressive approaches. The contact skills are arguably the best in the minors and it is at least a 70-grade hit tool given the numbers. The contact rates checked in at 93 percent in-zone and 88 percent overall, some of the best in all of baseball.

Despite dealing with injury, Amador spent time between High-A and Double-A, slashing .287/.380/.495 with 12 home runs and 15 stolen bases. The power is the ultimate question mark, as most of his damage came in Spokane, which is notoriously hitter-friendly.

Still, Amador has the makings of the top of an order bat that could hit 15 home runs, steal 15 bases, while hitting .300.

Why Is He Here?: One of, if not the safest bat in the Minors.

21. Rayner Arias, OF, SF, 17, 6’2”/185

Arias was the Giants’ prized possession in the 2023 international signing period, landing a $2.6 million bonus and immediately taking off in the Dominican Summer League. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury limited him to just 16 games, but Arias made his presence known, slashing .414/.540/.793 with four home runs and 12 extra-base hits.

Having a quiet pre-swing approach, Arias uses an explosive lower half to generate plenty of bat speed. His approach was very good in a small sample, walking 20 percent of the time while striking out just north of 14 percent while posting low chase rates.

With an athletic frame like Arias has, you can dream of him adding more good weight and getting more power, even though it is already advanced for his age. Even though it was only a small DSL sample, Arias impressed and might be a huge riser in 2024 if healthy.

Why Is He Here?: Immense upside and would already be ranked higher if not for injury last year.

22. Eduardo Quintero, OF, LAD, 18, 6’0”/175

Quintero originally signed with the Dodgers as a catcher for $300k but played strictly outfield in the Dominican Summer League, where he showed elite athleticism in the field and at the plate. Posting a solid slash line of .359/.472/.618 with five home runs and 27 extra-base hits in 49 games was one of the top performances in the DSL. Additionally, he stole 22 bases in 26 attempts.

Quintero showed strong contact skills and struck out just 16 percent of the time while posting a walk rate of 15 percent. While you want to project out hit tools based on DSL data carefully, you can argue that Quintero is an above-average to plus hitter with big-time speed. The power projection is still a question mark. Still, due to the large amounts of extra-base hits and the fact he hit five home runs, you can see Quintero growing into at least average game power and hitting 15-20 home runs a season while stealing 30 or more bases with his elite athleticism and instincts on the base paths.

Given the abilities we saw in centerfield, it seems like a real possibility that he sticks there and has the potential to be a true five-tool player which I don’t throw out often. His 2024 season at the complex level will give us a good idea of the kind of player he can become long term.

Why Is He Here?: Showed strong tools across the board in the DSL last summer and is an incredible athlete.

23. Dylan Beavers, OF, BAL, 22, 6’4”/206

Beavers made major strides in 2023 in the contact department leading to a drastic increase in batting average while also showcasing power and speed. The contact skills made a massive jump as Beavers posted a contact rate of 81 percent, up from 74 percent in 2022, showing substantial progress.

As the season progressed, Beavers got better as he found his groove and swing. Across his first 193 plate appearances, he hit just .214 with a .664 OBP, but once June hit, Beavers also did.

Over his last 333 PAs of the season, he slashed .332/.431/.531 with eight home runs and 15 stolen bases. In the process he walked nearly as much as he struck out and put up a 161 wRC+.

Beavers has sneaky power and hits a ton of line drives. With a little more lift he could easily become a 20-25 home run bat that steals 20 bases.

Why Is He Here?: Steady improvements year over year with big power and good speed.

24. Yoeilin Cespedes, SS, BOS, 18, 5’9”/181

Cespedes was the big name signing for the Red Sox in the 2023 international signing period, landing a $1.4 million bonus. Despite having a smaller frame, Cespedes hits the ball hard and generates easy power, collecting six home runs and 25 extra-base hits in 26 Dominican Summer League games.

The power comes naturally as Cespedes posted a 101 mph 90th percentile, which is quite an impressive mark for a 17-year-old who also saw a max of 107 mph.

An aggressive hitter, Cespedes jumps on pitches early in counts and shows strong pitch recognition. He also posts respectable contact numbers in the DSL, but we will have a better gauge of his contact ability when he comes stateside next year.

While he may slide over to the second base, the skillset would actually be even more attractive from a fantasy perspective. We can buy into the power in the profile, and it would seem Cespedes has at least average contact skills, maybe better.

Why Is He Here?: Rave reports from scouts who have seen him with really good underlying data.

25. Waner Luciano, 3B, HOU, 18, 6’1”/170

Playing across the diamond in 2023, Luciano had a strong year at the complex, hitting ten home runs and eight doubles in 45 games. The slash line of .247/.345/.476 leaves a little to be desired, but Luciano struck out just 18.5 percent of the time and walked over 11 percent.

The underlying data on Luciano was quite impressive, though, as the 18-year-old hit the ball hard, posting a 90th percentile exit velocity north of 103 mph and above the MLB average. His zone contact rate of 87 percent was impressive and suggests that his hit tool is much better than you might think by looking at his .247 average. The higher walk rate is backed by a low chase rate of 22 percent.

The contact rates plus hard-hit data suggest that Luciano could be a breakout in 2024, so I would look to get in on him sooner rather than later.

Why Is He Here?: Impressive data for his age with good plate skills, strong contact and power numbers.