BA Grade: 70/High

Track Record: Langford went undrafted out of Trenton (Fla.) High, then spent his sophomore and junior seasons at Florida building himself into one of the best players in the country. He spent the summer after his sophomore season with USA Baseball’s College National Team. In 2023 he helped propel the Gators to College World Series finals. The Rangers drafted Langford fourth overall and signed him to an over-slot deal of $8 million, then watched as he had the loudest pro debut of any 2023 draftee, hitting .360/.480/.677 in 44 games and reaching Triple-A.

Scouting Report: Pound for pound, Langford is one of the best prospects in the sport. He was unchallenged at any of his minor league stops and was the only player on the Rangers’ postseason taxi squad who was not part of the 40-man roster. The righthanded hitter has a simple, powerful swing that keeps the barrel in the zone long enough to hit for a high average and with enough strength and loft to eventually achieve double-plus power. Langford also makes stellar swing decisions. He doesn’t chase often, and he rarely misses pitches in the zone. He should be an offensive force in Texas in short order. Defensively, Langford has a bit more work to do. He needs to improve his reads, routes and jumps in order to grade near average on an outfield corner. His fringe-average arm makes him fit best in left field, where his bat would certainly profile. He is a plus runner.

The Future: Langford finished the season on the precipice of the big leagues. In 2024, he should make the final leap. He has the skills and the pedigree to be a cornerstone in the Rangers’ lineup.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 70 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 70/High

Track Record: Despite being a highly touted prospect out of Lake Mary (Fla.) High, Crews decided to withdraw his name from the 2020 draft and instead took his talents to Baton Rouge. During his time with Louisiana State, he became one of the top players in college baseball. In 2021, Crews set an LSU freshman record with 18 home runs. The next year, he was named a Golden Spikes semifinalist before ultimately winning the award a year later. He was named Southeastern Conference player of the year in both 2022 and 2023. As a junior, he put up massive offensive numbers, hitting .426/.567/.713 with 18 home runs, 16 doubles, a 13.4% strikeout rate and a 20.6% walk rate. Crews was integral to LSU winning its first College World Series championship since 2009 and its seventh overall. He made history with teammate Paul Skenes, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Pirates, as the first pair of teammates selected with the first two picks of the draft. The Nationals took Crews second overall and signed him for $9 million, which is the second-highest bonus in draft history. After a brief appearance in the Florida Complex League, he was promoted to Low-A Fredericksburg for 14 games, proving more than capable at the plate. Crews ended the season playing 20 games for Double-A Harrisburg. While he hit just .208 in the Eastern League, Crews finished his pro debut with a .292/.377/.467 line that included five home runs in 35 games.

Scouting Report: Crews ranked as the top prospect for the 2023 draft because of his well-rounded game that included plus hitting and on-base ability with power to match. While he is not physically imposing at 6 feet, 205 pounds, Crews boasts proven, above-average tools across the board. He has also shown the ability to make adjustments at the plate. Crews faced some swing-and-miss concerns before the draft, and he showed slightly elevated in-zone miss in his pro debut. He balances that by rarely going outside the zone and has strong plate discipline. Crews knows when to take his pitches and when he can be aggressive–hammering velocity when given the chance. Crews is a plus runner who projects to stick in center field. He is a solid defender and good route-runner. He has good instincts and makes routine plays look easy. Due to the depth in the Nationals system, Crews could face a move to an outfield corner, where his plus arm profiles.

The Future: The Nationals believe that Crews could be their next homegrown franchise position player, joining the ranks of Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto before him. He has perennial all-star upside potential and has already proven himself on a large stage. He has a chance to reach Washington sometime during the 2024 season and should be a mainstay in the lineup for years to come. n

Scouting Grades Hit: 65 | Power: 65 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 65/High

Track Record: For two seasons at Air Force, Skenes was a talented two-way prospect with upside on the mound and in the batter’s box. He also spent summers in the Cape Cod League and with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. He transferred to Louisiana State before the 2023 season, ditched the lumber and entered his draft year as one of the best pitchers in his class. Five months later, he had helped lead LSU to a College World Series championship while cementing himself as the best arm on the board and one of a handful of serious candidates–along with LSU teammate Dylan Crews–to go No. 1 overall. The Pirates called Skenes’ name first on draft day, then signed him for a draft-record $9.2 million. A pick later, the Nationals chose Crews, marking the first time two teammates had gone off the board with the first two selections. Skenes moved quickly in pro ball, reaching Double-A on Aug. 26. He was shut down just before a scheduled start with Altoona against Harrisburg, which could have led to his first showdown with Crews as a professional.

Scouting Report: One of the biggest keys to Skenes’ success in pro ball will revolve around the quality of his fastball. Questions arose about the pitch’s shape and whether–even if he can maintain its upper-90s velocity on a professional schedule–it would play against better hitters. If it becomes an issue, there are multiple avenues to explore, including changing the grip or the emphasis of a two-seamer as a way to continue the east-west profile created by his sweeping slider. In pro ball, Skenes threw his two-seamer at a 44% clip, far more often than his four-seamer. His sweeper was an adjustment that came about through work at LSU, where pitching coach Wes Johnson helped him alter the pitch’s shape from its former, shorter-breaking iteration. As an amateur, scouts projected Skenes’ changeup as a potentially plus pitch. To reach that upside, he’ll need to throw the pitch more often. At LSU, Skenes threw the changeup just 7% of the time. In his brief pro experience, that jumped to 17%. At its best, the pitch is thrown in the upper 80s and features sharp fade and drop, but there’s work to do in order to get it consistently to that ceiling. The Pirates have already worked with Skenes to find a grip that works best. Skenes also has size, athleticism and an outstanding work ethic that should allow him to get the most out of his ability, while also keeping himself open to attacking new challenges as he develops.

The Future: Between college and pro ball, Skenes threw 129.1 innings in 2023, well beyond the 89.1 he threw in 2022 between Air Force and summer ball. After an offseason of rest, he will return poised to begin climbing toward his ceiling as a top-end starter who could make his MLB debut in 2024. n

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60

BA Grade: 60/Extreme

Track Record: A high school All-American and the Gatorade Player of the Year for Oregon, Meyer excelled at Jesuit High in 2023 and pitched his way to a minuscule 0.33 ERA with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 128-to-19 in 63 innings. Meyer was the first high school pitcher off the board in 2023, selected 10th overall by the Marlins and signed him for $4.5 million. That was 18% under the slot value of $5,480,000 for the pick. Meyer threw 11 innings between the Florida Complex League and Low-A Jupiter in his pro debut. He notched 15 strikeouts against seven walks.

Scouting Report: The 6-foot-5 Meyer features a lively 93-95 mph fastball that tops out at 96 and 97. It has plenty of natural armside run given Meyer’s three-quarters arm slot as well as heavy sink at times. It bears in on the hands of righthanded hitters, making for a rather uncomfortable at-bat. Meyer’s command of the pitch was a bit scattered in his pro debut, but the sample was extremely small and his overall control is above-average. Meyer supplements his heater with a double-plus slider that has plenty of sharp, horizontal movement. It generates tons of swings and is a true out pitch. The spin rate of the pitch has eclipsed the 3,000 rpm mark, which is well above the major league average. To round out his arsenal, Meyer features a mid-80s changeup that he occasionally throws. It is an inconsistent offering, but it has flashed armside fade. Given Meyer’s arm slot, it is easy to dream on what the changeup might become, but for now it is an average pitch. The continued development of the offering will be key when it comes to maximizing Meyer’s upside as a starter. In high school, Meyer displayed above-average control and command of his arsenal, but it wavered in his pro debut. He moves well on the mound and has a loose, whippy arm stroke with exceptional arm speed. Meyer falls off toward the first-base side, which was certainly a contributing factor in his spotty control. Cleaning up his direction should not be too tall a task, and will likely lead to improved strike-throwing. As Meyer continues to mature physically and fill out his frame, he could add a few ticks of velocity.

The Future: Meyer projects to start the 2024 season at Low-A Jupiter, but will likely be promoted to High-A Beloit at some point. There is no reason to rush Meyer, but there is an outside chance he makes it to Double-A Pensacola by season’s end. His potential MLB debut is still years away, but he could make his debut by 2026 or 2027. Meyer is a top-of-the-line pitching prospect and has the potential to be a future no. 1 or no. 2 starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 60/Extreme

Track Record: De Vries was the most talented prospect in the 2024 international class. When the signing period opened on Jan. 15, 2024, the Padres signed him for $4.2 million, the highest bonus for a Dominican prospect that year and second in the class behind only Braves shortstop Jose Perdomo ($5 million).

Scouting Report: De Vries is a polished hitter for 17, with significant game experience and a knack for consistently getting on base. He uses his hands well at the plate with a compact, adjustable swing that has good path through the hitting zone and enables him to cover the plate well with a low swing-and-miss rate. It’s a mature offensive approach for his age, with the ability to slow the game down at the plate, comfort using the opposite field with backspin or turning on pitches on the inner third. It’s a good mix of high contact and impact, with De Vries showing the bat speed and loft to drive the ball out of the park in games with potential above-average power. De Vries generates plenty of attention for his offensive game, but his hand-eye coordination and heady, instinctive play are evident at shortstop as well. He’s a tick above-average runner who has the hands and actions for shortstop, along with an average arm that has a chance to tick up. Some scouts think De Vries could end up at second or third base, with the offensive upside to develop into an impact player at those spots as well, but he should continue to develop at shortstop and has the athleticism that could allow him to stick there long term.

The Future: De Vries is advanced enough that he could come to Arizona for spring training with a chance to debut in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League. If he’s hitting well during extended spring training, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Padres be even more aggressive with him after the way they pushed catcher Ethan Salas a year ago.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 60/Extreme

Track Record: For the second year in a row, the Giants took a two-way player with their first-round pick. In 2022, it was Connecticut’s Reggie Crawford. This time around, it was Eldridge, who entering his junior season at Madison High looked more like a pitcher than a hitter. After his senior season, the opposite appeared true. The massive, lefthanded-hitting slugger clubbed a team-best eight home runs for USA Baseball’s 18U National Team in 2022, and the Giants selected him with their first choice. Eldridge made a strong first impression as a pro, belting five homers and slugging .647 in 16 games in the Arizona Complex League, and reached Low-A by season’s end.

Scouting Report: Eldridge is a massive human being at 6-foot-7 and 223 pounds, and he packs the corresponding punch in his bat. Despite that frame, the Giants were attracted to Eldridge’s solid ability to control the strike zone, manageable whiff rates for a player with long levers and a knack for finding the barrel. Scouts who saw Eldridge as a pro were similarly encouraged by his controlled approach in the box and easy double-plus power. Evaluators both inside and outside of the organization agree that will have to work on recognition of secondary pitches, though he did get positive marks for swing decisions in his initial pro tests. As a pro, Eldridge played exclusively in right field on the days he wasn’t used as a DH, though it’s likely he winds up at first base as he moves forward in his career. He’s a well below-average runner. As a pitcher in high school, Eldridge sat in the low 90s and topped out at 96 mph with great plane thanks to his height. Body control helped him throw strikes with his slider and nascent changeup.

The Future: Eldridge has a chance to be a true middle-of-the-order bat who lands either in right field or first base. He’ll get his first full test in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 60/High

Track Record: In a draft that was viewed as having a five-player top tier, the Tigers picked third with three top outfielders still on the board. Detroit could pick between Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford or high school outfielders Walker Jenkins or Clark. The Tigers chose Clark, valuing his ability to impact the game both at the plate and in the field, where he’s viewed as a relatively surefire center fielder. Clark is just the seventh prep position player from Indiana to ever be drafted in the first round. Of the previous six, only Gary Thurman ever reached the majors, though 2021 first-rounder Colson Montgomery will likely change that before long. While Indiana high school baseball isn’t as competitive as many of the warm-weather hotbeds, there are few concerns about Clark’s ability to handle top-level competition. He consistently performed against the best high school players in the country, even when he was playing against players a year older than him. He was consistently one of the best players on the showcase circuit. After playing wide receiver for Franklin Community High during the fall, Clark hit .646 in 2023 with a state-record 52 walks. He was named BA High School Player of the Year. Clark signed for $7.697 million, the second-highest draft bonus in Tigers history, trailing only Spencer Torkelson, the No. 1 overall pick in 2020.

Scouting Report: Clark has the potential to be a five-tool player. That’s a term that’s too often thrown around for players who barely scrape average in one of the five tools, but in Clark’s case, it’s realistic. He could end up with all five tools grading out as plus. Clark has plus-plus speed, a plus-plus arm, the range to be a plus defender in center field and the bat-to-ball skills to be a plus hitter as well. Projecting his power to be plus is a little more speculative, because he’s a hitter whose line-drive swing has generally been more geared to hitting for average. To address this, he lowered his hand setup to get to more power in 2023. With Rob Metzler and Mark Conner leading the scouting department, the Tigers have emphasized adding a slew of advanced hitters, and Clark fits right in with that approach. He stays balanced at the plate and rarely swings and misses. Defensively, he aggressively tracks balls in the gaps, showing why he was also an excellent wide receiver in high school. Unlike most speedy center fielders, Clark’s arm is a real weapon as well. He threw in the mid 90s off the mound in high school, and he racked up two assists in just 23 pro games.

The Future: Clark got a brief taste of the Florida State League in 2023. He’s expected to start at Low-A Lakeland in 2024 with a goal of playing his way to High-A West Michigan. His combination of speed, defense and hitting ability gives him a high probability of being a useful big leaguer, and if his power develops, he could become a cornerstone of the Tigers’ lineup. N

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Field: 60 | Arm: 70

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Miller’s pedigree with Team USA is about as prolific as you’ll find. He was a part of the organization’s 12U, 15U and 18U national teams, and his .478 average was the best on an 18U team that included four other 2023 first-round picks. The Phillies used a $3.1 million bonus to break Miller from his commitment to Arkansas. He debuted with 10 games apiece in the Florida Complex and Florida State leagues in the regular season. His first pro home run was the deciding blow in the win that pushed Clearwater into the FSL finals.

Scouting Report: Miller earned a rep as one of the best hitters available in the prep class thanks to tremendous bat speed, plus raw power and an excellent understanding of the strike zone. He did an superb job controlling the zone in his pro debut, producing respective miss and chase rates of 15.4% and 14.4%. He loads the bat with a downward movement and has a bit of a barrel tip and a big leg kick, but the Phillies ultimately believed Miller offered the best prep combination of hitting ability and power in the draft. Miller will begin his career at shortstop, but the prevailing thinking both inside and outside the organization is that he will likely wind up at third base as he matures and adds strength to his already-physical frame. If that happens, his plus arm strength will be an asset at the position. He also had experience as an amateur both corner-outfield positions, where his bat would easily profile. He’s an average runner now but could slow down as he ages.

The Future: Miller should begin 2024 back at Low-A Clearwater with a chance to reach High-A Jersey Shore in the second half of the season. He has the offensive skills to profile an middle-order hitter who mans third base.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Were he born five days later, Tait would have been a prospect for the international class that opens on Jan. 15, 2024. Instead, he was one of the youngest players in his class and a sleeper prospect whom the Phillies scooped up and signed for $90,000 in 2023. Tait played the majority of his season at 16 years old–he didn’t turn 17 until the first game of the Dominican Summer League’s championship series–and spent the summer reinforcing the knack for barreling balls he showed as an amateur. He was selected for the DSL’s all-star game and put together a standout postseason performance that included five doubles in six games.

Scouting Report: Tait projects to be a bat-first backstop, and his offensive game showed up in spades in his pro debut. The foundation of his tool set starts with a strong body, a clean swing and excellent raw power from the left side, and he used those traits to hit balls harder than his peers. Tait’s average and 90th percentile exit velocities were 88.8 and 92.9 mph, both of which were considerably better than most players his age or in the DSL. The power in his game showed up early, too, with home runs to dead center and the opposite way during spring training in the Dominican Republic. His swing also features smooth enough rhythm to help him get the barrel to the ball on time more often than not. Tait’s game will likely always be focused on his offense, but the Phillies believe his defense could get to average as he develops and learns the finer points of the position. His arm has the potential to get to above-average and he will likely settle in as a below-average runner.

The Future: After a boffo season in the DSL, Tait will move stateside in 2024 to the Florida Complex League. He’s got the upside be a bat-first everyday catcher in the big leagues.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Waldrep started his career at Southern Mississippi, where he showcased some of the best pure stuff and arm speed in the country. After a stint with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, Waldrep spent his junior season at Florida, where he finished third in the country with 156 strikeouts in 2023. The Braves signed him to an under-slot deal just under $3 million with the 24th pick and he moved from Low-A Augusta all the way to Triple-A Gwinnett in his pro debut.

Scouting Report: Waldrep has a chance for three plus pitches, starting with a fastball that has easy plus velocity and averages 95-96 mph but has been up to 99 in the past. The pitch has just average life and carry and will primarily play thanks to its velocity and his quality secondaries. Waldrep threw both a slider and curveball in college, but the Braves had him scrap the curve and focus on his slider in his pro debut–a common theme of their pitching development. He throws the slider in the mid-to-upper 80s and the pitch features sharp, two-plane bite at its best. His most devastating pitch is an upper-80s splitter that completely falls off the table and generates ugly swings against hitters unable to hold back. Waldrep generated whiff rates north of 50% with both his slider and splitter in his pro debut. He has a violent delivery with a sharp head whack and below-average control.

The Future: The Braves worked with Waldrep to improve his rhythm and tempo in his pro debut, and continued refinement of his control and command will be crucial for him to profile as a midrotation starter. If not, he has the stuff to pitch in a high-leverage reliever role. Atlanta’s fast-tracking of him indicates he could make his big league debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 65 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Perdomo signed for the largest bonus of any international prospect in the 2024 class when the Braves signed him for $5 million. That figure was the largest bonus ever for a Venezuelan born prospect and put him in a similar tier as Padres catcher Ethan Salas from the 2023 class, though on signing day Perdomo was no longer regarded as the top player in the class on talent. He is the most prominent international prospect the Braves have signed since their international restrictions have been lifted.

Scouting Report: Perdomo’s hitting ability is the main draw. He has a quick and direct swing that he employs with above-average hand-eye coordination that allows him to make contact against both velocity and spin. He’s been an aggressive hitter, but his track record of performance set him apart early in his amateur career and as he’s added strength more power production has followed. Perdomo previously was expected to move to either second or third base, though he has made strides as a defender and should have a chance to stick at shortstop, where he is a plus runner with solid actions and above-average arm strength.

The Future: Perdomo immediately becomes one of the most exciting hitting prospects in Atlanta’s system, but like all international prospects, there’s plenty of uncertainty in his profile and a long timeline before he will be expected to contribute in the majors.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: White ranked as the top lefthander in the 2023 draft class after an illustrious prep career. He took home back-to-back Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year awards in 2022 and 2023 and was also named a 2023 High School All-American. In his senior season at Phillips Academy, White had a 1.66 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 42 innings. He was selected 35th overall by the Marlins and signed for $4.1 million, an amount nearly $2 million more than slot value. White’s pro career got off to a rocky start. Across three appearances spanning 4.1 innings between the Florida Complex League and Low-A Jupiter, he had a 6.23 ERA with seven strikeouts, six walks and three hits allowed.

Scouting Report: White features a plus fastball that will sit in the 94-96 mph range and routinely top out at 97. It has plenty of carry through the strike zone and consistently gets above the barrel of opposing hitters. He also has a high-70s curveball with big shape and sharp, two-plane break. White has inconsistent feel for the pitch, but when it’s on it is a plus offering. Rounding out his repertoire is a mid-80s changeup that is an above-average pitch with tumble and fade. The 6-foot-5 White has an effortless delivery with a long, loose arm action. Strike-throwing has been a bugaboo at times, and tightening up his command will be key.

The Future: White is slated to begin 2024 at Low-A Jupiter with an opportunity to be promoted to High-A Beloit at some point. Adding polish will go a long way toward maximizing his potential, and he has no. 3 starter upside. White profiles to be in the big leagues no sooner than 2027, when he will be 22 years old.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Signed for $1.4 million, Cova was the top prospect in Miami’s haul of prospects during the most recent international period, which opened on Jan. 15, 2024. In 2022, he was the center fielder on Venezuela’s U-15 World Cup team. He’s an athletic player with a wealth of tools that immediately places him among the best prospects in Miami’s system.

Scouting Report: Cova has a high waist at the center of a lean, athletic frame that should take plenty more strength as he gets older. He has good bat speed, strong bat-to-ball skills and a line-drive approach, with his gap power growing to now clearing the fence with more frequency and indicators of significantly more power on the way given his bat speed and strength projection. The former shortstop now plays center field and his plus-plus speed and quick instincts should help him stick at the position. The sum of his parts could equate to a player who has an extremely high ceiling.

The Future: Cova should begin his pro career in the DSL, where he has a chance to begin scratching at his sky-high potential.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Scott had worked primarily as a reliever in three years at Florida when the Mets drafted him in the fifth round in 2021. He shifted to a starter and bulk pitcher role at Class A in 2022, his first full season, before taking on a traditional starter role and upping his workload to a career high 87.2 innings in 2023. Scott spent the final three months of the season at Double-A Binghamton and his overall numbers reflect a dominant season. Scott walked just 3.6% of batters, the fourth-best rate among minor league pitchers with at least 80 innings. His 28.4 K-BB% ranked first at that threshold.

Scouting Report: Scott has the best mix of stuff and starter traits in the system. That is a credit to both him and Mets pitching development. A sinker/slider pitcher in college, Scott has remade his repertoire in pro ball to feature a four-seam fastball, slider, split-changeup and occasional curveball. He also added greater core strength and stability to help key his breakout. Scott pitches at 94 mph and touches 98 with plus ride and horizontal life. He throws a ton of strikes with his fastball and can get whiffs with it both in and out of the zone. Scott also throws strikes with a solid-average mid-80s slider that he favors when working ahead in the count. His mid-80s split-changeup has rapidly become a key pitch for whiffs and chases. He throws an occasional curve to steal a strike. Scott has plus control and holds runners well, with just 11 stolen base attempts against him in 19 starts in 2023.

The Future: Scott’s feel for strikes, sequencing and competitive makeup give him a pitchability edge that he has worked hard to refine in pro ball. He has no. 3 starter upside and might not be far off from making his MLB debut.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 60

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Houck starred for Atlanta-area prep power Parkview High and shined on the showcase circuit heading into his senior year of 2023. The Mets were pleased to scoop him up at pick no. 32 and sign him for $2,750,000, about 5% over slot value. Houck was a two-sport athlete in high school who also was a three-star quarterback, and many believe he can take a leap in pro ball after he tailors his body for baseball. He made a brief pro debut in the Florida Complex League after signing and then impressed the Mets by volunteering to spend his offseason in Port St. Lucie to train at the organization’s complex.

Scouting Report: Houck has a well-rounded tool set and is lauded for his competitive makeup. His simple righthanded swing and small leg kick produce a clean bat path through the zone. Houck showed off his bat speed by hammering mid-90s velocity in high school and exercised swing decisions in pro ball with a patient approach, high contact rate and discerning eye to not chase breaking pitches. His power is mostly gap-to-gap but should improve as he matures his 6-foot-2 body and approach. Houck is a sound fundamental shortstop who ultimately may be a touch short in terms of range and arm to stick there. A move to third base or second base could be in his future. He has flashed plus run times but probably settles as above-average.

The Future: Houck can hit and has the potential to hit for power. He has a lot of polish for a high school product and has no glaring weakness. If he can take one of his average to above-average tools to plus, he could become a first-division regular. His journey begins as the shortstop for Low-A St. Lucie in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: For some scouts, Rodriguez is the top catcher available to sign in 2024 and on par with the elite catchers who have come out of Venezuela in recent years. That list includes names such as the Dodgers’ Diego Cartaya, the Reds’ Alfredo Duno and the Mets’ own Francisco Alvarez.

Scouting Report: Rodriguez is a true catcher who draws strong reviews for his defense. He has soft hands, a plus arm with a short release and makes accurate throws, cutting his pop times under 1.9 seconds in games on his best throws to second base. Rodriguez has a strong frame with good bat speed and the power to leave the yard now with a chance to develop into a 20-plus home run threat. Scouts highest on Rodriguez felt he was an advanced hitter for his age as well, showing sound strike-zone judgment with good barrel accuracy to help him tap into that power in games.

Track Record: Rodriguez faces a long road ahead in pro ball as he learns the nuances of catching. The 17-year-old’s trek begins in the Dominican Summer League in June, though if he proves to be especially advanced he could head to domestic Rookie ball to make his pro debut, as Alvarez did in 2019.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 40 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: McLean starred in baseball and football in high school outside Raleigh, n.C., and briefly played both sports at Oklahoma State before dropping football. He continued as a two-way player for the Cowboys, playing third base and then right field while notching 11 career saves as a reliever. The Orioles drafted McLean in the third round in 2022 as an eligible sophomore but did not sign him. One year later, the Mets drafted him in the third round and signed him for slot value of $747,600. McLean made six lineup appearances at DH and two on the mound in a brief pro debut.

Scouting Report: The Mets will let McLean serve as DH on occasion in 2024–he slugged .561 in three collegiate seasons with a 35% strikeout rate–but his developmental focus will be pitching. The organization is excited by the raw stuff he showed in an offseason pitching camp and believes he can move quickly in pro ball. McLean averages 95 mph on his two-seamer with an easy motion and has topped at 98. His velocity could climb as he adapts to a pro starter’s routine. McLean’s high-spin slider has plus potential with mid-80s velocity–up to 88 mph–and two-plane break. He also throws a quality high-70s curveball on occasion. McLean didn’t throw a changeup as a college reliever, but the Mets like what they have seen in side sessions. His athleticism and strong frame stand out. McLean walked nearly 13% of collegiate batters as a reliever, so control is a giant question mark.

The Future: The Mets have turned college relievers Tylor Megill and Christian Scott into notable pro starters and will look to do the same with McLean. He should break camp with High-A Brooklyn in 2024 and deepen the organization’s growing store of athletic pitchers drafted out of college.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Shaw had a storied three-year career at Maryland. He set the program’s all-time home run record with 53, won the 2023 Big Ten Conference player of the year award and won the 2022 Cape Cod League MVP award after leading the league with a .360 batting average for Bourne. He became the highest-drafted player in Maryland history when the Cubs drafted him 13th overall in 2023 and signed for $4,848,500. Shaw continued to mash after signing, batting .357/.400/.618 with eight homers, 28 RBIs and 15 steals in 38 games while vaulting to Double-A in his pro debut.

Scouting Report: Shaw isn’t particularly big at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, but he’s strong in his frame and packs a punch at the plate. His quick hands, strong forearms and exceptional barrel accuracy allow him to consistently drive balls hard to all fields. He regularly squares balls up and is particularly adept at driving the ball the other way to right-center field. Shaw is an aggressive hitter and doesn’t walk much, but his natural feel for the barrel helps keep his strikeouts down. He projects to be an above-average hitter despite his aggressive approach and makes enough hard contact to envision above-average power with lots of doubles. He further enhances his offensive game as an above-average runner with elite basestealing instincts. Shaw primarily played shortstop at Maryland and is serviceable there, but his fringy arm strength plays better at second base. The Cubs experimented with him at third base and were encouraged by the early results. He plays extremely hard and is a polished, mature player for his age.

The Future: The Cubs internally see similarities between Shaw and Dustin Pedroia in both ability and playing style. Shaw is on the fast track and has a chance to make his major league debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Cruz is a cousin of Starlin Castro, who signed with the Cubs in 2006, made his major league debut at 20 in 2010 and played shortstop in Chicago through 2015. Cruz is set to follow in Castro’s footsteps with the Cubs, signing on Jan. 15, 2024 for $4 million, the third-highest bonus for an international prospect in 2024.

Scouting Report: Cruz separated himself as a top talent in the class early in the scouting process. He has strong hands and forearms, generating big bat speed and driving the ball with impressive impact especially for his size. Some scouts thought that power came with length to his swing that created contact troubles against live pitching, but Cruz has shown uncommon ability to hit for power the opposite way because he’s able to let the ball travel deep into the hitting zone or turn on the ball for extra-base damage. He’s a plus runner with slick actions at shortstop. Like a lot of young shortstops, he can get out of control at times, but his first-step quickness, hands, range and arm strength with a quick release all give him a good chance to stick at shortstop.

The Future: Cruz will likely debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2024, with a chance to break out and become a top 10 prospect in the system if he performs well there.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Lowder’s standout 2023 season with Wake Forest ended with a College World Series duel against LSU’s Paul Skenes. Lowder matched Skenes zero for zero in a pitching duel for the ages as both exited with the game still scoreless. That was the only Lowder start all season that Wake Forest didn’t win. His 15-0 record and 143 strikeouts both set school records as he won Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year honors for a second straight season. The Reds drafted Lowder seventh overall and signed him for $5.7 million, about 9% under slot. They decided not to ramp Lowder back up after he signed after he had thrown 120 innings for Wake and starred for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team the previous summer. He’ll make his pro debut in 2024.

Scouting Report: Lowder worked at least five innings in 18 of his 19 starts in 2023 and seven innings in 10 starts, but he did so while never topping 105 pitches in any outing. Lowder has three above-average or plus pitches, and he demonstrates complete confidence in all three. His 93-95 mph above-average four-seam fastball will touch 97 and has plenty of running life. His 93-95 mph two-seam fastball is even more effective because it pairs so well with his changeup, but it’s his above-average slider and plus changeup that give hitters the biggest fits. His 85-88 mph slider is a power pitch with more depth than tilt. His 84-88 mph changeup has excellent deception. Lowder’s front foot is pointed toward the first-base on-deck circle when he lands. It’s unconventional, but it adds deception and hasn’t hindered his plus control.

The Future: Lowder is as close to MLB-ready as any pitcher in the 2023 draft class, and he should move quickly. Scouts generally view him as a relatively safe No. 3 or 4 starter rather than a future ace.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Sanchez was considered one of the top players in this year’s international class. He signed with the Reds for $2.7 million, one of the top bonuses anyone in the class received.

Scouting Report: Sanchez is a toolsy player whose skills may be even more impressive than his tools. He fits the Reds’ recent emphasis of signing polished hitters on the international market. He has a quick, compact lefthanded swing with excellent barrel control. He shows little issues hitting lefthanders, and he has solid pitch recognition. He will flash power potential for now, but eventually he’s expected to develop that into average power as well as he gets older and stronger. He’s an average runner, but he may be able to stick in center field thanks to excellent jumps and solid routes. If he has to move to a corner eventually, his plus arm will remain an asset.

The Future: The Reds have done an excellent job of targeting solid hitters on the international market. Sanchez seems to be the next in the line. He’s slated to head to the Dominican Summer League to make his pro debut.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: The Reds went very heavy on pitching in the 2023 draft but decided to shut them down after signing, which meant Stafura was the only one of the Reds’ top five picks to play in games after the draft. Stafura doubled in his second pro at-bat and doubled in his second to last at-bat of the season. In between, he was 1-for-38 and hit .071/.212/.191 with 23 strikeouts in 53 plate appearances.

Scouting Report: Stafura’s pro debut was concerning and he swung and missed way too much, but there’s no need to overreact to 53 plate appearances, especially when you consider that the adjustment Stafura had to make to playing games in the “Fire League.” It was 112 degrees for the New York prep product’s first game. It’s not a total surprise that Stafura may need a bit of time to adjust to pro ball, but he has the potential to be an athletic, well-rounded shortstop with plus speed. Defensively, he shows smooth footwork, good hands and a quick release that helps his average arm play up. Offensively, he’s made plenty of contact against top-notch pitching in summer showcases and has steadily gotten stronger, giving hope that he eventually could be an average hitter with average power.

The Future: Stafura can make any concerns stemming from his rough debut disappear with a strong start in the Florida State League. To make that happen, he’s going to need to make better swing decisions and better recognize breaking balls.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Entering his senior season in 2023, Knoth had encouraging projection indicators, with the buzz around him increasing during the spring as his stuff took another leap forward at his Long Island high school. A 19-strikeout perfect game only enhanced his profile for scouts. One of the youngest pitchers in the 2023 class, Knoth was 17 on draft day when the Brewers selected him in the supplemental first round at no. 33 overall and signed him for $2 million.

Scouting Report: Knoth is an athletic pitcher with sound arm action and an efficient delivery that he repeats well, helping him throw consistent strikes with his fastball. His velocity increased during the 2023 season and now sits at 92-96 mph and peaks at 98. It’s a strong fastball, but the separator for Knoth is his ability to spin a pair of tight breaking pitches that both eclipse 3,000 rpm. His low-to-mid-80s slider is a potential plus-plus pitch. He snaps it off with sharp break and two-plane depth to miss bats. He throws his curveball with power at 79-82 mph, and while it can blend together with his slider at times, it’s another pitch that flashes plus with good depth. Some scouts prefer his curve to his slider. Knoth’s changeup has solid fade, though it comes in firm and he doesn’t use it much yet, as is the case with most high school power pitchers.

The Future: Knoth is still several years away from being a major league contributor, but he has the potential to develop into a high-end starter who can rack up whiffs with his breaking stuff. He will make his pro debut in 2024, likely with Low-A Carolina. Knoth will be just 18 all season, and his development will take time.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Bitonti didn’t turn 18 until four months after the 2023 draft, making him extremely young for that year’s high school class. A third-round pick in 2023, Bitonti signed for an above-slot bonus of $1.75 million, then made his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Scouting Report: Bitonti immediately grabs attention for his size. He’s a physical 6-foot-4 infielder with big lefthanded power. He has the strength, leverage and bat speed to generate plus raw power now with a chance to grow into 70 raw power on the 20-80 scale. There is some length to Bitonti’s swing that leaves holes and creates a higher swing-and-miss rate. He has been able to keep the strikeouts manageable, but it will likely always be something he has to monitor in what projects as a power-over-hit offensive profile. While Bitonti’s size is more typical of a first baseman, he has surprisingly good body control on the left side of the infield. He played shortstop in high school and spent some time there in the ACL, though he spent more time at third base after signing. While his speed is limited, his defensive actions are sound and his arm is plus, so he could stick at third base. He has experience at first base as well and could be a plus defender if he had to move to the position.

The Future: As a teenager who has yet to get to a full-season league, Bitonti carries plenty of risk, but he has some of the biggest upside in the organization. He should spend 2024 in Low-A Carolina.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: The Cardinals drafted Scott in the fifth round in 2022 after three seasons at West Virginia. He debuted with Low-A Palm Beach and produced a .358 on-base percentage with 13 steals in 31 games. Scott saw time with the big league team in 2023 spring training, filling in for players who had left for the World Baseball Classic. Assigned to High-A Peoria out of camp, Scott hit .282 and stole 50 bases in 66 games to earn a promotion to Double-A Springfield on June 28. He hit .323 and stole 45 bases in the second half. Scott tied for the minor league lead with 94 stolen bases then participated in the Arizona Fall League following the season.

Scouting Report: One of the best athletes in the Cardinals system, Scott is an explosive but undersized outfielder with quick-twitch mechanisms. He has advanced as a hitter during his time as a professional and now shows an advanced approach and plus bat-to-ball skills. Scott employs two separate approaches depending upon the opposing pitcher’s handedness. Against righthanders, he uses a more traditional approach by looking to make consistent hard contact. Against lefthanders, he looks to put the ball in play. He doesn’t get overly aggressive but often shortens his swing and uses his double-plus speed as an advantage. Scott bunted 28 times in 2023, 24 times against lefties. It’s a viable strategy for Scott, who hit .708 on bunts this season. He flies out of the lefthanded batter’s box and consistently puts pressure on defenders. He’s an elite basestealer whose speed allows him to cover large swaths of ground in center field. Scott is a difference-maker on defense.

The Future: Scott is a standout defensive center fielder and basestealer with an approach at the plate that fits his tools. He should see ample Triple-A time in 2024, with a chance to make his MLB debut.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 80 | Field: 70 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Davis was a touted amateur dating back to his days as a Sacramento area prep. He lost his senior high school season to the pandemic and made it to campus at Arizona, where he hit .362/.489/.742 as a junior to earn All-Pacific-12 Conference honors and inclusion on the Golden Spikes Award watch list. The Cardinals drafted Davis with the 21st overall pick in 2023 and signed him for $3.62 million. He debuted with Low-A Palm Beach.

Scouting Report: Davis has a big league body, which includes an athletic build with strength throughout his frame. His bat-to-ball skills have come a long way in the last few years and now project as average. Davis’ approach has always been advanced and he shows a discerning eye at the plate with the ability to draw walks at a high rate. He struggled to hit lefthanders in his pro debut, but it’s uncertain how much of that was simply the product of a small sample. While his college splits favored righthanders, Davis had solid production in left-on-left matchups while at Arizona. His power didn’t show with Palm Beach, leading to some concerns of it translating with a wood bat. In college, Davis showed plus power backed by strong exit velocity numbers. His overall EV data and power production was down in his pro debut. He’s an average runner who will show above-average run times. He’s an average fielder in an outfield corner capable of making a highlight reel play from time to time. His throwing arm is plus and plays in either outfield corner and should keep baserunners honest.

The Future: Davis is a strong all-around player who will look to prove he can hit professional pitching in his first full season. He projects as an everyday corner outfielder with a chance to grow into an above-average hitter if his recent contact gains prove to be legitimate.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Troy went undrafted in 2020 out of Los Gatos (Calif.) High due to some combination of his commitment to Stanford, the pandemic cutting short his senior season and that year’s shortened draft. A three-year starter at Stanford, Troy had a big sophomore year, followed that with a strong showing in the Cape Cod League, then capped his college career by hitting .394/.478/.699 with 17 homers in 2023. The D-backs, enamored of his bat and well-rounded skill set, selected him at No. 12 overall and signed him for a below-slot $4.4 million.

Scouting Report: Troy has a compact and powerful righthanded swing, employing a leg lift at the start and scissoring his back leg after contact. He has a stout, 5-foot-10, muscular build that helps him generate impressive exit velocities. He improved his approach throughout his collegiate career and posted above-average walk and chase rates in his pro debut. Drafted as a shortstop, Troy might profile best at second base, but he also needed surgery after the year to remove bone fragments from his left foot. That injury could partly explain the limited range and inconsistent throwing he displayed as a pro. He is an average to perhaps slightly above-average runner, and he will need to maintain his body—namely his thick lower half—to retain his speed and quickness. He drew raves from Arizona player development for his work ethic and makeup and showed significant improvement in a number of areas from when he signed through the end of the season. He has good baseball acumen and asks good questions.

The Future: Troy has the tools and attributes to be a well-rounded, above-average everyday player at second base or perhaps third. He should spend the bulk of 2024 at Double-A Amarillo, with a promotion to Triple-A in the cards.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: The D-backs were drawn to Luis by his quick-twitch athleticism and his feel for finding the barrel from both sides of the plate. They signed him for $525,000 in January 2022. After a strong debut year in the Dominican Summer League, Luis opened eyes after moving stateside in 2023, when he excelled in the Arizona Complex League and more than holding his own at Low-A Visalia following a mid-July promotion. Luis is the cousin of former big league infielder Pedro Ciriaco and younger brother of former minor league infielder Audy Ciriaco, who topped out at Triple-A in 2015.

Scouting Report: Luis has a simple, repeatable and quick swing from both sides of the plate. He gets on plane well and remains in the zone for a long time, and he has the ability to spray line drives to all fields. His bat-to-ball skills, ability to find the barrel and strong frame make average future power within reach. His lefthanded swing looks cleaner, and he has been more productive from that side of the plate, hitting .274/.333/.457 versus righthanders in 2023. He has the makings of a decent approach but showed extreme chase tendencies following a promotion to Low-A. He might end up shifting to second base, but if he can improve his first-step reactions and add a tick of arm strength, he could grow into an average defender at shortstop. He has a good baseball IQ and is at least an above-average runner.

The Future: Given his age—he played all of the 2023 season at age 18—Luis offers plenty of projection, both in terms of skills and strength. He could develop into an everyday player in the mold of Andres Gimenez. A return to the California League is probable in 2024, where he can build success and confidence while also avoiding the coldest portion of the Northwest League schedule.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Dollander slipped under the radar of Power Five conference schools coming out of the 2020 pandemic-shortened season. He pitched one year at Georgia Southern before transferring to Tennessee for 2022, when he was Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year. He headed into 2023 as the top college pitcher in the class but struggled at times as junior. The Rockies drafted him ninth overall and signed him for slot value of $5.72 million. Dollander did not pitch in an affiliated game and has yet to make his professional debut.

Scouting Report: Dollander has a prototype pitcher’s build with lean athleticism. His operation is fluid, clean and repeatable as he delivers from a three-quarters slot with above-average extension and a lower release height. He mixes four pitches, led by his 94-96 mph four-seam fastball that touches 98-99. His unique release characteristics allow his fastball to generate high rates of swings-and-misses when elevated in the zone. His primary secondary is an upper-80s slider with cutter shape and spin rates in the 2,600-2,700 rpm range. He uses his slider almost exclusively as his go-to secondary against righthanded batters, but SEC opponents batted .291/.333/.582 against the pitch in 2023. Dollander’s third pitch and primary secondary against lefthanded hitters is his changeup, an upper-80s pitch with some tumble and fade. Lefties hit Dollander’s changeup to the tune of .294 despite drawing the highest chase rate of any pitch in his arsenal. His curveball is a clear fourth pitch and sees moderate usage against lefthanded hitters. It sits 75-77 mph with two-plane bite. Dollander’s command, which flashed plus throughout his sophomore campaign, backed up to average in 2023.

The Future: Dollander has midrotation potential but is more likely a fit as a No. 4 starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: The Padres certainly have an amateur type under general manager A.J. Preller–young, toolsy and plays up the middle. See: Jackson Merrill and James Wood in the 2021 draft, Robert Hassell III in 2020 and CJ Abrams in 2019. Head, the Padres’ first-rounder in 2023, fits the bill. He was the best position prospect in Homewood-Flossmoor High history as he hit .485/.568/.814 as a senior while striking out just five times in 118 plate appearances and going 31-for-31 in stolen bases. The Padres signed Head for a slightly-under slot $2.8 million as the 25th overall pick, and he finished his first pro summer at Low-A Lake Elsinore after dominating the Arizona Complex League in 14 games.

Scouting Report: Blessed with a ton of natural athletic ability, Head has plus-plus speed. The Padres clocked him at 6.3 seconds in the 60-yard dash ahead of the draft. That will serve Head well on the bases as he gets more comfortable reading pitchers, as well as in the outfield, where he has good instincts and solid arm strength. Presently, Head is a gap-to-gap hitter with a hit-it-where-it’s-pitched approach that allows him to put the ball in play and showcase his wheels. The lefthanded hitter cut down a high leg kick heading into the draft, improving his timing and balance. His hit tool is well ahead of the power, but the Padres believe Head could develop 15-20 homer power as he fills out a wiry strong frame. He showed strong swing decisions with 15 walks, 19 strikeouts and an elite in-zone chase rate of 7.6%.

The Future: Head is a good bet to develop into an everyday center fielder and could impact games with menacing speed and surprising pop for a leadoff hitter. He finished his first summer in pro ball in Lake Elsinore and will likely return to the California League to start 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 70 | Field: 60 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Martin was not only one of the best prospects in the country’s Four Corners region, he was one of more productive prep players in the nation in 2023. His 20 home runs at Eaton (Colo.) High were the most in the country, and he backed them up with a .636 batting average. The Giants were intrigued enough to make him their second-round pick and sign him for a $2,997,500 bonus that was nearly double the recommended slot. Some teams might have been scared away by Martin’s age. He was 19 for his entire senior season.

Scouting Report: Martin’s greatest allure is his potential as a hitter with a pure lefthanded swing. His swing is short, quick and balanced and allows for an excellent feel for the barrel. Because he didn’t face the same level of competition as would be provided in the more talent-rich parts of the country, Martin might have a steeper learning curve. The Giants would also like to see him add strength and learn how best to deploy his swing depending on the situation he is facing. Martin pairs that hitting ability with outstanding athleticism that helped him star in three sports in high school. He played basketball briefly and was starting quarterback for two Class 2A state champions in football. Martin excelled among his prep peers in Loden testing, an evaluation that assesses athletes’ power, quickness, speed, symmetry and brain speed. He has soft hands and strong footwork, which will help him stick at shortstop for the time being. If he has to move over to third base his average arm strength should play just fine. He is an average runner and has excellent makeup.

The Future: Martin didn’t play after signing, so 2024 will give him his first test as a pro. His ceiling is as an offensive-minded infielder on the left side of the diamond.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Teel, whose father Garett was a minor league catcher, was an impressive high school prospect with rare athleticism for a catcher–he once played every defensive position in an East Coast Pro game–but withdrew from the 2020 draft to enroll at Virginia, where he was an everyday player for three years and spent two summers with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. His already-impressive all-fields offensive approach reached another level of consistency and impact as a junior, as the first-team All-American hit .407/.475/.655 with 13 homers. The Red Sox took him at No. 14 overall and signed him for $4 million, slightly below slot. He raced to Double-A in his pro debut.

Scouting Report: While Teel always displayed solid bat-to-ball skills and ability to hit for average, he added looseness to his lefthanded swing as a junior and became more comfortable taking chances in hitters’ counts, tapping into power potential that had previously been theoretical. Still, his default setting is a flat bat path used to spray liners and gappers from line to line, suggesting at least an above-average hit tool with solid on-base ability. He currently projects to post mid-teens home run totals with loads of doubles, though there’s room for strength gains that could yield more power, especially if he accepts an additional measure of swing-and-miss. That profile is already special for a catcher who shows excellent defensive traits–strong hands, twitch and fluidity–as well as an above-average arm and pop times in the range of 1.9 seconds on throws to second base. He runs well, period–not just for a catcher.

The Future: Teel’s late-season promotion to Double-A was a likely preview of his opening spot in 2024. The Red Sox won’t rush him out of Portland, given that he has just started to learn to call his own games, but Teel certainly has a chance to emerge as a frontline big league catcher by 2025.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: The Yankees drafted Hampton out of Texas Tech in 2022, then shut him down in favor of work behind the scenes in their pitching program. That work included adding a slider and cutter to his repertoire. Hampton made his pro debut in 2023 and almost immediately ascended into the upper echelon of the system’s pitching prospects. He split his season between High-A and Double-A and finished with 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

Scouting Report: Hampton’s bread-and-butter pitches are his fastball and slider, which he threw the most frequently. The former sits around 94 mph and has touched a few ticks higher while showing outstanding vertical break. The latter is a mid-80s pitch that scouts see as a potentially above-average breaking pitch. His curveball is on equal footing with his slider, though it is thrown more in the high 70s with top-down break that garnered whiffs both in and out of the zone. Hampton’s cutter–one of the weapons the Yankees introduced when he turned pro–is an excellent weapon that he can land to both his glove and arm side with short, sharp break. Hampton has a fringy, seldom-used changeup in the high 80s. He ties the package together with control that is at least above-average and could get to plus with further refinement. When he was at High-A, he found he could simply dominate hitters with his stuff. Upon moving to Double-A, he spent time learning how to become more of a complete pitcher. He learned which pitches to throw in certain situations, and the Yankees still would like to see him throw his fastball more often.

The Future: Hampton should begin 2024 in Triple-A with a chance to make his big league debut in the second half. He has the upside of a no. 3 starter if everything comes together in his development.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Lalane was part of the Yankees’ 2021 international signing class. The lefthander comes from athletic bloodlines, with a father who played basketball collegiately in New York, then for the Dominican national team and professionally in Europe, and a mother who played volleyball. Both parents passed their athleticism to their son, who spent two seasons in the Dominican Summer League before moving to the Florida Complex League in 2023. He was the clear-cut best pitching prospect on the circuit, with a 34-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 21.2 innings.

Scouting Report: Lalane’s hallmark is not a single pitch but the combination of size, athleticism and stuff that gives him an extremely high upside. The 6-foot-7 lefty works with a four-pitch mix, starting with a mid-90s fastball that peaked at 97 mph. The pitch has strong movement properties and gains deception because of its low release height. He backs up his fastball primarily with a mid-80s changeup and a high-70s slider. Each projects to at least a plus pitch. Lalane’s changeup was deceptive enough to get whiffs at a nearly 53% clip, and his slider was nasty enough that he could throw it at the back foot of righthanders and get plenty of awkward swings and misses. Lalane tied his mix together with impressive coordination of his massive frame and long levers, to the point where he could throw strikes in both quality and volume. The next steps will be to work to keep his slider shape more consistent and to get stronger in order to add more velocity to all his pitches.

The Future: Lalane will graduate to full-season ball in 2024 and could see time at both Class A levels. If he continues to show the same combination of stuff, athleticism and coordination, he could be the best lefthander New York has developed since Jordan Montgomery.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Lombard is the son of former big leaguer George Lombard, who played for four teams over parts of six seasons and is now on the Tigers’ coaching staff. Lombard Jr. was one of the youngest players in the 2023 draft class and upped his prospect stock over the summer by showing up with increased strength that showed up in his power and speed. The Yankees drafted Lombard 26th overall and signed him away from a Vanderbilt commitment for $3.3 million. He split his first pro test between the Florida Complex League and Low-A.

Scouting Report: Lombard is a well-rounded player who has five tools that all grade as at least average, with power and speed that could get to above-average. His swing, which starts with a slow leg kick, is both controlled and powerful. It allowed him to produce a .989 OPS on the showcase circuit and then rack up more walks (13) than strikeouts (12) in 13 pro games. He handles both velocity and spin well, doesn’t show any obvious flaws and posted solid exit velocity numbers in his small pro sample. His first step out of the box is a little bit slower, but he can produce above-average run times and kick it up a shade higher underway. Lombard has solid actions up the middle and plus arm strength, which should give him a strong chance to stick at shortstop. If he fills out his frame further, it might push him toward third base, which would put more pressure on his bat. If more power comes with the strength, he could profile at the position.

The Future: Lombard will open his first full year as a pro with Low-A Tampa, where he could share shortstop with fellow top prospect Roderick Arias. He has the upside of a middle infielder who provides value on both sides of the ball.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Carr’s arrow started pointing up in high school during the summer of 2020, but the shortened five-round draft led him to honor his commitment to San Diego. He made nine appearances with the Toreros and pitched with Orleans of the Cape Cod League. He transferred to Palomar JC for the 2023 season, then struck out 111 hitters in 78 innings. The Yankees took him with their third-round pick, signed him for $692,000 and then shut him down in favor of targeted instruction after the regular season.

Scouting Report: In high school, Carr’s fastball sat between 92-95 mph and touched 97. He still has projection remaining, which could lead to longer bouts of the range of that velocity band. Carr pairs the fastball with a nasty sweeping slider in the mid 80s with huge break away from lefties. He’s got a developing changeup in the mid 80s, but it’s a clear third pitch at this point and was a focal point during the team’s instructional league camp. Carr ties it together with outstanding athleticism–he ran 6.6-second 60-yard dashes–that helps him repeat his delivery and get to his best stuff with ease. He was a two-way player at Palomar and hit .500 in the spring.

The Future: Carr will make his pro debut in 2024, when he should at least reach Low-A Tampa at some point during the season, if not on Opening Day. In a system typically low and lefthanders, he the upside to fit in the middle of a rotation.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Heading into the 2023 season, Taylor was viewed as one of the better hitters in his draft class. As a Texas Christian junior, he answered some of the questions about his power by hitting 23 home runs in 67 games after hitting 25 bombs in his previous two seasons combined. The Rays drafted Taylor 19th overall and signed him for a slot value bonus of $3.877 million, the seventh highest for a drafted player in franchise history.

Scouting Report: Taylor fits the Rays’ desire for developing players who are hitters with power potential rather than sluggers who may develop as hitters. He walked more than he struck out over his college career and impressed evaluators with his ability to hit for average and make plenty of contact. Taylor’s swing could use a little cleanup. He tends to pull off the ball at times and his swing path could get more direct, but he has excellent pitch recognition and bat-to-ball skills. He has the potential to sell out for more power, but he’s likely better off focusing on being a plus hitter with average power. Taylor’s eventual defensive home is not fully set. While he played third base exclusively in his pro debut, he has the tools to be a solid second baseman, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him try his hand at shortstop in the minor leagues 2024. Taylor doesn’t have a standout tool aside from his bat, but he does a lot of things well. For example, he has average speed and has stolen 48 bases successfully since his last caught stealing, which occurred early in his freshman year at TCU.

The Future: Taylor is the kind of offensive infielder with bat-to-ball skills that the Rays love. He’s set to head to High-A Bowling Green in 2024. If he develops as expected, Taylor could become an everyday second or third baseman for Tampa Bay in a couple of years.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: The son of former Cleveland minor league outfielder Osmany Santana, who peaked at Double-A in 2001, Adrian headed into his senior year at Doral (Fla.) Academy in 2023 with a solid shot of making it to campus at Miami. He answered many of the questions about his bat by leading Doral County preps with 11 home runs while showing one of the best gloves in the draft class. The Rays drafted Santana 31st overall, making him the fourth shortstop they’ve picked in their past five competitive balance picks and paying him $2 million to forgo his college commitment to Miami.

Scouting Report: Santana is one of the smoother shortstops to come out of high school in the past few years. He’s not yet Carson Williams’ equal defensively, but he has a chance to get there thanks to his exceptional twitchiness, body control and smooth hands. His arm is above-average, and there’s reason to believe it will get better as he gets stronger. The switch-hitting Santana faces many more questions offensively. His lefthanded swing will need a whole lot of work in the cage. It has more length to it than the righthanded swing he uses much less often, and he struggles with his timing from the left side. Santana weighs just 155 pounds but has shown surprising pop for such a slight frame. Still, his lack of strength will be a challenge early in his pro career. He is a plus-plus runner who should steal bushels of bases.

The Future: Santana would have been better served by the old minor league structure where he could spend his first full pro season in the Appalachian or New York-Penn leagues. Now, the Rays will have to decide whether to push him to Low-A Charleston or send him back to the Florida Complex League. He’s more than ready defensively, but his bat may not be up to the Carolina League challenge.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 70 | Field: 60 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: The Rays signed numerous position players in their 2019 international class who landed bigger bonuses than Curet’s $150,000, but after he dominated Class A hitters, he was the only player from that signing class to be added to the 40-man roster in November to protect him from selection in the Rule 5 draft.

Scouting Report: Curet already touched 95 mph when the Rays signed him, but he has now blossomed into the best arm in the system—with the exception of the rehabbing Shane Baz. There are plenty of pitchers in the system with less risk, but Curet’s ability to throw a fastball and hard slider that have proven nearly impossible to square up gives him the highest upside. His plus-plus fastball checks all the boxes. He sits at 96-98 mph as a starter, and his combination of above-average carry and a flat plane bedevils hitters. His plus high-80s slider never gets very big, and at its hardest it’s more of a cutter. Curet has largely shelved the slower curveball that once was his best breaking pitch. As basic as Curet’s assortment is, it’s extremely effective. Class A hitters hit .142 with a .193 slugging percentage against him in 2023. He allowed 11 extra-base hits among 432 batters faced. He’s around the zone, but his control is below-average and needs to improve after his walk rate approached 17% in 2023. Hs delivery is relatively clean with no glaring flaws, suggesting he could one day throw more strikes.

The Future: Curet is emerging as the Rays’ best pitching prospect, but he’s several notches below the recent standard for that title. He carries plenty of reliever risk, because everything he throws is hard, and he needs plenty of development and refinement before he’ll be big league ready. But his fastball is special, and hitters rarely square him up, which is the perfect start for a pitching prospect.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Nimmala became the highest drafted first-generation Indian player when the Blue Jays selected him with the 20th overall pick in 2023. They signed him for $3 million, or about 80% of slot value for the pick. As a youth, Nimmala played primarily cricket before converting to the baseball diamond. During his senior season at Strawberry Crest High outside Tampa, Nimmala was selected Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Florida and won the Wade Boggs Award as the best player in Hillsborough County. Nimmala made his pro debut in August in the Florida Complex League, playing in nine games and walking 14 times with eight strikeouts.

Scouting Report: Nimmala is a young, projectable infielder with plenty of tools to still develop. He has an average build that projects to add strength in the coming years. He shows at least average bat-to-ball skills with a simple righthanded swing that has a steeper path optimized for power. After often expanding the zone at a high rate as an amateur, Nimmala showed a more refined approach in his brief pro debut. He has natural loft in his swing that allows him to make his best contact in the air consistently. Nimmala possesses plus bat speed and his body should continue to get stronger in the coming years. He’s an average runner, but his quick footwork allows him to cover ground at shortstop, where his hands and actions are above-average. His above-average arm strength should be the final ingredient that allows him to stick at shortstop.

The Future: Nimmala has plenty of tools and showed more refinement at the plate in his brief pro time. He projects as a power-hitting shortstop with above-average defensive ability who, if he develops, could hold down the position in Toronto for an extended spell.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Rojas signed for $215,000 out of Cuba in October 2020 and debuted the following summer in the Florida Complex League. He began 2022 at Low-A Dunedin making eight appearances before a lat injury put him on the injured list for a large chunk of the season. Rojas returned to Dunedin in 2023 and made 15 starts as part of 20 total appearances. He pitched 84 innings in total. Rojas ranked among the Florida State League leaders in several categories as he finished the season with a 3.75 ERA, a 23.4% strikeout rate and a 9.4% walk rate as a 20-year-old.

Scouting Report: Rojas has a whippy arm action with good arm speed and delivers the ball from a low three-quarters slot. He mixes a trio of pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. Rojas’ fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 94-95 at peak with above-average ride and cut. He commands the pitch at a fringe-average level, with intermittent bouts of wildness. Rojas’ primary secondary pitch is a mid-80s slider with some cut that he shows advanced feel to throw. It generated whiffs in and out of the zone in 2023. His changeup is a mid-to-high-80s pitch without heavy tumble or fade. Still, it was an effective chase pitch in 2023 and drove whiffs out of the zone. Rojas can frequently get out of sync mechanically, spinning off his plant foot at release. As he refines his mechanics, he should find greater consistency with his strike-throwing. Rojas has a projectable arsenal of pitches with command that should improve with time.

The Future: Rojas is a projectable lefthander who projects as a No. 4 starter. He is ready for an assignment to High-A Vancouver in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: A top 300 draft prospect at his Los Angeles-area high school, Gonzalez went undrafted because of his strong commitment to Mississippi, where he was a three-year starter at shortstop. He helped the Rebels capture the 2022 College World Series championship. He was twice selected for Team USA’s Collegiate National Team. The White Sox made Gonzalez the 15th overall pick in 2023, sealing the deal with a $3.9 million bonus that was roughly 13% under slot. In his pro debut he reached Low-A Kannapolis.

Scouting Report: Gonzalez is a patient and selective hitter who pairs a keen eye with solid pure bat-to-ball skills. He walked 15% of the time in his pro debut, which was in line with his career 14.3% rate in three years at Ole Miss. He struck out just 16% of the time in his pro debut. Gonzalez uses an unorthodox swing. He coils his upper half with his shoulders pointed toward first base, while his lower half is in an open stance, causing him to not always get back to an even position on contact. He hit for power in college, peaking at 18 homers as a sophomore, but in his pro debut he looked more like a hit-over-power type. Gonzalez is a well below-average runner, raising questions as to whether he can stay at shortstop despite good instincts and composure. He has solid hands and actions at the position but lacks quickness. He may be better suited for second or third base, where he projects to be an average defender.

The Future: Gonzalez is advanced enough to move to High-A Winston-Salem in 2024. Where he winds up on the field will be determined as he progresses, but with Colson Montgomery the likely long-term shortstop in Chicago he may find a role elsewhere in the infield.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Velazquez starred at Southern California prep powerhouse Huntington Beach HS, where he hit 23 home runs in his career and helped the Oilers win the 2023 National High School Invitational. He was the top prep player in the state in 2023 and became the third first-round pick in the program’s history, joining Hank Conger (2006) and Nick Pratto (2016). Velazquez made a brief pro debut in the Arizona Complex League after signing and raked. He went 8-for-23 with two home runs and three doubles in six games.

Scouting Report: Velazquez stands out most for his bat. He has a quick, fluid lefthanded swing and generates easy above-average power. In a tiny ACL sample, Velazquez showed high-end exit velocity with an average reading of 89 mph and max near 109. He has a disciplined approach at the plate and makes good swing decisions, rarely expanding the strike zone. He made contact on pitches in the zone nearly 90% of the time in his brief pro debut, while chasing about 22% of the time. Unlike many young power hitters, Velazquez doesn’t sell out for power, instead relying on his bat speed and strength to drive the ball. Velazquez has intriguing tools behind the plate but his glove lags behind his bat. He receives well, has plus arm strength and earns praise for his makeup. To stick at catcher, Velazquez will have to improve his blocking and athleticism behind the plate. He’s a below-average runner, meaning first base would be his destination if he ever needed to change positions. As a lefthanded hitter with a chance to develop above-average hitting ability and plus power, Velazquez’s bat could one day profile at first base.

The Future: Velazquez will look to work on his defense as he starts his first full professional season at Low-A Lynchburg.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Clemmey had a sensational high school career at Bishop Hendricken–the alma mater of Rocco Baldelli–and in 2023 was named Gatorade Rhode Island Player of the Year. The Guardians drafted him in the second round–58th overall–and Clemmey became the highest selected player from the Rhode Island prep ranks since 2004, when the Twins drafted righthander Jay Rainville at No. 39 overall. It was also the earliest the Guardians have drafted a high school pitcher since taking Daniel Espino 24th overall in 2019. Cleveland went well above slot to sign Clemmey for $2.3 million to buy him out of a Vanderbilt commitment. He did not pitch after signing.

Scouting Report: Listed at 6-foot-6, 205 pounds, Clemmey has a big, projectable build and high-octane stuff from the left side. His fastball gets up to 98 mph with riding life and typically sits in the mid 90s. Clemmey throws a sharp curveball that at its best is a plus offering and generates swings and misses. He mostly attacks hitters with his fastball and curveball, but he also can mix in a changeup with sinking action. Like most tall, hard-throwing teenagers, Clemmey is still working on his control. His delivery is aggressive and effortful, and he’ll need to learn how to more consistently repeat it to allow him to throw more strikes, because he has a history of higher walk rates. That gives him a high-risk, high-reward profile, but it’s easy to dream on his upside.

The Future: Clemmey will make his professional debut in 2024 with Low-A Lynchburg. He was one of the younger players in the draft class and won’t turn 19 until July, so the Guardians are likely to take a conservative approach with Clemmey, at least initially.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: The son of Oregon State and Giants lefthander Trevor Wilson, Paul was committed to the Beavers to follow in his father’s footsteps, but his velocity took a jump as a senior. Suddenly, his stuff was too alluring to let him get to school. The Tigers paid him nearly $1.7 million to entice him to turn pro. The Tigers were cautious with him, and he won’t make his pro debut until 2024.

Scouting Report: Like his father, Wilson is a relatively polished, athletic lefty with a clear idea of what he’s doing on the mound. His plus fastball touched 97 mph this spring, although he generally sat in the low 90s. He mixes a low-80s slider with plus potential and a high-70s curve that is a distinct second breaking ball. It’s not as impressive but it should be a useful early-count surprise offering. He will use a fringe-average low-80s changeup as well. Wilson’s fringe-average control has steadily improved. His arm slot isn’t always consistent and he can lose the strike zone at times. Considering his athleticism, it won’t be a stunner if he eventually gets to average or even above-average control as he matures and gets stronger.

The Future: Wilson has enough starter traits and savvy to develop into a potential mid-rotation starter. He should slot into Lakeland’s rotation in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Mitchell was the top high school catcher in the 2023 draft, and the Royals drafted the Louisiana State commit with the eighth overall pick. They signed him for $4,897,500, which was 18% under slot. High school catchers are often considered to be a riskier profile, and Mitchell went a bit higher than projected, with his under-slot bonus giving the Royals the flexibility to go above slot for second-rounder Blake Wolters. Starring both behind the plate and on the mound, Mitchell had a heralded amateur career at Sinton (Texas) High. He earned Gatorade Texas Player of the Year honors in both his junior and senior years, leading his team to the Texas 4-A title as a junior. He drove in five runs at the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game at Kauffman Stadium, earning MVP honors, and starred for the USA Baseball’s 18U national Team, for which he worked both at catcher and pitcher. After starting his pro career with 13 games in the Arizona Complex League, Mitchell participated in the Royals’ fall instructional league program, where he showed more of an ease of operation at the plate and began tapping into his raw power. That power comes from a physically mature frame, with well-developed lower and upper halves providing an excellent foundation of strength.

Scouting Report: With a good eye at the plate and a lefthanded swing geared for bat speed and power to all fields, Mitchell projects to hit for both average and power as he becomes accustomed to pro pitching and consistently higher velocities. His plus bat speed and hand speed allow him to barrel fastballs with plenty of loft. He will swing and miss against all pitch types and needs to improve his bat-to-ball skills to consistently tap into his plus raw power. While Mitchell struggled to make contact in his pro debut, his discerning eye allowed him to draw walks at a high rate. His strong hands help him receive well behind the plate, but his transfer and release need improvement. The plus-plus arm strength that allowed Mitchell to show mid-90s velocity on the mound is his best attribute behind the plate. He recorded elite pop times on throws to second base in the range of 1.8 to 1.9 seconds in high school. He’s a well below-average runner.

The Future: Mitchell showed enough advancement in instructional league that he should be ready for an assignment to Low-A Columbia in 2024 after spring training. His arm strength on the mound gives him another possible path to the big leagues, but that’s not in the plans. A lefthanded-hitting catcher with plus raw power is a valuable commodity, and Mitchell will be given every opportunity to develop into an everyday regular. N

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Ricardo was not only the top Cuban player available in the international period that opened on Jan. 15, 2024, he was also one of the top prospects overall. He blends athleticism and baseball skills into a package that makes him one of the bigger up-arrow prospects in the class, signing with the Royals for $2.4 million.

Scouting Report: Ricardo is a switch-hitter with direct swings from both sides of the plate that allow him to open up the entire field. His swing from the right side is further ahead than his lefty stroke. He has doubles power now but could grow into much more as he matures and gains physicality. That added strength could push him to second or third base, but he has enough potential with the bat to profile at either position. He has average speed and arm strength.

The Future: Ricardo will likely make his debut in the Dominican Summer League, where he has the chance to be one of the league’s best players.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Baez was eligible to sign during the 2020-21 international signing period but waited until Jan. 15, 2022, to sign with the Astros for $1.3 million. A native of the Dominican Republic, Baez was noted for his physically mature build and present in-game power. Those traits showed up in Baez’s pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, when he hit .305/.351/.552 with eye-popping exit velocity to back his production. He made his U.S. debut in 2023 in the Florida Complex League. He hit seven home runs and slugged .661 in 17 games to earn a promotion to Low-A Fayetteville after the MLB all-star break. Baez hit .239/.324/.413 with four homers in 41 games as a 19-year-old in the tough hitting environment of the Carolina League.

Scouting Report: Baez is a power-over-hit prospect with swing-and-miss present in his game because he has vulnerability to spin. He’s a strong fastball hitter with present bat speed and strength. He shows some adjustability in his barrel but can get stiff at times. Baez will need to improve his swing decisions against spin on the outer half after Low-A pitchers exploited his aggression against sliders off the plate. When Baez does make contact, he has the ability to hit the ball out to any part of the park. He hits majestic drives that backspin off his barrel, with the ability to change a game with one swing. Baez has true plus-plus raw power and he’s shown the ability to get to it often. He’s a below-average runner who will show some closing speed in the outfield but little speed on the bases. He has enough range to handle an outfield corner, with a plus throwing arm that will allow him to run in the grass a little longer.

The Future: Baez has the ability to grow into a fearsome power-hitting outfielder with the potential for 30-plus home run seasons.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 65 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: The son of all-star shortstop Jack Wilson, Jacob was coached by his father at Thousand Oaks (Calif.) High before enjoying a decorated collegiate career at Grand Canyon. He hit .412 as a junior while striking out just five times in 49 games. Wilson was Baseball America’s no. 9 prospect in the 2023 draft class and landed with Oakland sixth overall, signing a $5.5 million bonus that was 17% under slot. In his pro debut he hit .318/.378/.455 in 23 games with High-A Lansing.

Scouting Report: Wilson’s hallmark ability has long been his freakish bat-to-ball skills which carried into his professional debut. He’s a twitchy athlete and greets pitchers in a unique manner. He employs an open stance and a bouncy pre-pitch routine before settling into a crouch as the pitch is delivered and lashing at the ball. He rarely misses, especially on pitches within the strike zone. The operation results in plenty of contact–but not all of the contact was particularly hard or on the barrel. Wilson posted below-average exit velocities in his debut and has faced concerns about his power output dating back to his college career. Wilson is aware of the criticisms and has shown some predilection for pull-side launch, and the A’s are optimistic more power could come once he adds muscle to his frame after rarely lifting weights as an amateur. He’ll also have to find the right balance between trusting his contact ability and chasing suboptimal offerings on the edges of the zone as he faces better pitchers. Defensively, Wilson shows off good hands, arm strength and instincts, albeit with average range.

The Future: Wilson has the potential to move quickly. His hitting skills and sound defense provide a high floor as an everyday shortstop, but his ceiling for offensive impact is somewhat capped without a material change in power.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Emerson hails from the small Ohio town of Cambridge–population: 10,014–but his talent has long made him known to evaluators. He played on USA Baseball’s 12U and 18U national teams and hit .360 to lead Team USA to the gold medal at the 2022 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. He emerged as one of the top hitters in the 2023 draft class throughout his senior spring and was drafted 22nd overall by the Mariners. He signed for an over-slot $3.8 million to forgo an Auburn commitment. Emerson immediately made good on his pedigree with a sterling pro debut. He hit .374/.496/.550 in 24 games between the Arizona Complex League and Low-A Modesto, capped by going 4-for-6 with four RBIs in the clinching game of the California League championship series.

Scouting Report: Emerson is a polished offensive player with a sweet, lefthanded swing. He’s a disciplined hitter who knows the strike zone and makes hard contact off the barrel with a fast, simple stroke. He’s exceptionally consistent with his swing and approach and has few holes for pitchers to attack. He uses the whole field and projects to be a plus hitter. Emerson primarily hits ground balls and low line drives, but he hits the ball hard. He’s strong in his frame and has a chance to reach 15-20 home runs as he learns to elevate. Emerson has fringe-average speed and isn’t the rangiest shortstop, but he positions himself well with good instincts and makes the routine plays. He plays low to the ground, has reliable hands and makes every throw with above-average arm strength. He may move to third base as he gets bigger and slows down.

The Future: Emerson projects to be a solid everyday infielder who produces on both sides of the ball. He’ll begin 2024 back at Modesto.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Celesten emerged early as a top prospect in the Dominican Republic and trained in the same program as Athletics shortstop prospect Robert Puason. Celesten attracted clubs as a switch-hitter with a mechanically-sound swing from both sides of the plate and vaulted into the upper echelon of the 2023 international class. The Mariners signed him for $4.7 million, the second-largest bonus in the class, the day the signing period opened. Celesten impressed in the spring, but he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain during an intrasquad game in June and missed the Dominican Summer League season. He returned in the fall for instructional league in Arizona and stood out as one of the Mariners’ top players in camp.

Scouting Report: Celesten has some of the best tools and biggest upside in the Mariners system. He’s a lean but strong 6-foot-2, 175 pounds and has physical projection still remaining. He has a direct, powerful righthanded swing that produces plus power and could grow into more thump as he gets stronger. His lefthanded swing is longer but flashes plus power when it connects. Celesten has an aggressive approach and will need to be more selective against higher-level pitching, but he has a track record of hitting in games. He projects to be an average hitter who accesses power in games. Celesten is a plus runner with loose, long strides and smooth actions at shortstop. He has a plus, accurate arm that will allow him to remain on the left side of the infield. Celesten may slow down as he fills out, but he projects to remain at shortstop with his athleticism and actions.

The Future: Celesten has the tools to be a power-hitting, everyday shortstop, but he has yet to play a professional game and has a long road ahead. He’ll make his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Farmelo emerged as one of the 2023 draft’s toolsiest players with a standout showing at East Coast Pro. He solidified himself as a potential first-round pick in the spring, headlined by a strong showing against prep righthander Bryce Eldridge in a marquee in-state showdown. The Mariners drafted Farmelo 29th overall, using the Prospect Promotion Incentive pick earned from Julio Rodriguez’s Rookie of the Year season in 2022, and signed him for an above-slot $3.2 million. Farmelo’s pro debut was delayed by a concussion, but he joined Low-A Modesto for the California League playoffs and helped lead the Nuts to a title. He hit a tie-breaking, three-run homer in Game 1 of the championship series.

Scouting Report: Farmelo is built like a linebacker with a physical, 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame and has the strength and athleticism to match. He flashes plus raw power from the left side and flies around the field with plus-plus speed and a powerful gait. Farmelo’s power-speed combination is tantalizing, but he’s raw as a hitter. He has a funky, unconventional setup and gets happy feet in the box, negatively affecting his timing. He has plenty of bat speed and is short to the ball, but his swing is rigid with limited adjustability. Farmelo shows a pure swing when he’s on time and is geared to drive balls the opposite way to left-center field. He projects to be a fringe-average hitter with 20-plus homer potential if he can iron out his swing and setup. Farmelo is a plus defender in center field with solid instincts and outstanding jumps on top of his speed. He has average arm strength and has flashed higher.

The Future: Farmelo has the tools to be an everyday center fielder who goes 20-20, but he needs time to develop as a hitter. He’ll open 2024 back at Modesto.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 70 | Field: 60 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: A two-way player in high school, Peete touched 95 mph as a pitcher, but suffered an elbow injury that kept him off the mound his senior year. He blossomed as a position player with his focus exclusively on hitting, leading the Mariners to draft him 30th overall and sign him for $2.5 million to forgo a Georgia Tech commitment. Peete hit his way out of the Arizona Complex League and authored a signature performance when he hit grand slams in consecutive innings for Low-A Modesto on Aug. 27. He became a staple of the Nuts lineup and helped them win the California League championship.

Scouting Report: Peete is a loose, springy athlete, who is still growing as a baseball player. He has fast hands and flashes a short, quick lefthanded swing, but other times his swing gets too big. He constantly tinkers and is an aggressive swinger who has to tighten his strike zone discipline to be even a below-average hitter. His natural strength and leverage give him above-average raw power when he connects. Peete is a plus runner with the athleticism to play multiple positions, but he needs polish. He sits back on his heels in the infield and his footwork is poor on routine ground balls. He is better at making plays on the move and will likely end up in the outfield, where he can roam with his athleticism and long strides.

The Future: Peete will take time to develop. He has the potential to be a dynamic power-speed outfielder if everything clicks.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Track Record: Santana is not only the top player in the Rangers’ class, he’s one of the biggest up-arrow prospects overall. He was signed for $1.3 million as part of the group Texas added in the most recent international class, which opened Jan. 15, 2024.

Scouting Report: Santana is strong and lithe with enough athleticism and should stick in center field. At the plate, he has quick hands, puts together mature at-bats, recognizes spin well and has a strong record of in-game performance. He can shoot balls to the opposite-field gap and pull them over the fence as well with a swing that appears nearly effortless. He has plus speed.

The Future: Santana will begin his career in the DSL, but the Rangers in past years have shown a willingness to move players aggressively if their performance warrants such a move.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 55/Very High

Track Record: Morales ranked No. 77 in the 2020 draft class but made it to Miami out of high school. As a freshman, he stepped into the Hurricanes’ lineup and added pop at the plate and a steady arm at third base. His sophomore season was more of the same. He led the team in doubles, home runs, slugging and RBIs. Morales played for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in 2022 and led Team USA in most offensive numbers. This power and production led to the Nationals to draft him 40th overall in 2023 and sign him for an above-slot $2.6 million. Morales appeared in 42 games in his pro debut, mostly at Low-A and High-A, but when the Class A seasons finished, he moved to Double-A Harrisburg for the final four games.

Scouting Report: Morales, who also goes by “Yoyo,” already has strength on his 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame. He inherits some of his athleticism from father Andy, who defected from Cuba and spent 2001 and 2002 as a minor leaguer with Yankees and Red Sox. Morales’ swing generates a ton of damage on contact with an average exit velocity of nearly 91 mph during his pro debut. He has a longer swing and locks out his front arm, which could be adding to some of his swing-and-miss issues. Defensively, Morales has flashed solid tools, but he struggles to throw on the run. He is an average runner, which is surprising given his athleticism. If he added even more strength, it is likely that he will slow even more. A move to first base could be in Morales’ future.

The Future: Morales has good bat-to-ball skills for a power hitter but could use more repetition to make more contact. He will likely start the season with Double-A and focus on defensive reps before he advances.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Rincon was the Phillies’ 14th-round selection in 2022, drafted out of Shaler Area High in Pittsburgh. He began his career with a dozen games–including two home runs–in the Florida Complex League before getting a bit more experience at instructional league that fall. He showed excellent plate discipline at a pair of Class A stops in 2023, finishing with nearly as many walks (68) as strikeouts (76).

Scouting Report: When the Phillies drafted Rincon, they expected an excellent defensive shortstop but were surprised with the offensive aptitude and output he showed in 2023. Rincon did an excellent job controlling the zone and making contact, with in-zone miss and chase rates of 11.7% and 16.6% between both levels. There’s still a bit of work to be done, and scouts say he needs to adopt an approach that lets him better use the whole field. Scouts observed near-identical setups from both sides of the plate but a more controlled swing from the left side compared to more powerful, violent cuts when hitting righthanded. Despite a smaller stature that is mostly filled out, Rincon’s advanced idea of the strike zone and strong wrists give him a chance to add some power if he can add more of a load to his swing mechanics. Defensively, he’s likely to stick at shortstop but could move off the position if his lower half gets too thick. He shows strong defensive instincts, the footwork to move to his left well and just enough arm strength to make the throws from the 5.5 hole. If he does move from shortstop, he has the chops to earn regular playing time at any infield spot.

The Future: Rincon has the top-end ceiling of an everyday shortstop who hits toward the bottom of the order but is more likely to settle in as a super-utility player who provides plenty of defensive value.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Saltiban was the highest-rated Hawaiian prospect in the class and began opening the eyes of evaluators during his draft spring after showing an impressive set of tools. The Phillies drafted him in the third round and signed him away from a commitment to Hawaii with a bonus of $602,500. The selection came with a twist. As an amateur, Saltiban was an outfielder, but Phillies crosschecker Shane Bowers saw him taking grounders before a game and believed he had the chops to handle the position as a pro. He got into 10 games in the Florida Complex League.

Scouting Report: Saltiban has a smooth, simple swing that the Phillies believe should produce a combination of average and power, and noted that his amateur exit velocities were better than average for the typical 18-year-old. The biggest caveat is that he hasn’t had much experience against the type of high-velocity fastballs he’ll see in pro ball. He has plenty of bat speed, however, which should help him get to 55-grade power. Saltiban’s last experience at shortstop came when he was in Little League, so his development at the position might take a bit of patience. In a system with Trea Turner in the big leagues and a host of prospects already at the position, he’ll have plenty of leash to develop. Saltiban earns above-average marks for his speed and throwing arm.

The Future: Saltiban should reach Low-A in 2024, depending on how the team deploys the rest of its young middle infielders. He’s a risky prospect who could provide plenty of value one day.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Walton missed much of the 2022 showcase circuit with an arm injury but rebounded enough the following spring to become the Phillies’ fourth-round pick in 2023. He was taken out of Florida’s powerhouse IMG Academy, then was signed for $499,100 to lure him away from a commitment to Miami. Before transferring to IMG, Walton was a two-sport athlete at Greensville County High in Virginia, where he also played basketball. He got a quick look in the Florida Complex League after signing and went 5-for-13 in five games with three extra-base hits.

Scouting Report: Walton was IMG’s leading hitter in 2023, and slashed 473/.526/.770 with six home runs and more walks than strikeouts. He has a flat swing geared for line drives, but the Phillies believe he’ll ultimately have a power-over-hit profile when he adds more loft to his cut and taps into a body that already looks like a slugger’s frame and has produced exit velocities in excess of 110 mph. He’s an above-average runner, though he could slow down as he fills out, and has above-average arm strength. Those traits, combined with the power the team believes will blossom, should lead him to a future as an average defender in an outfield corner, likely right field.

The Future: Walton should see Low-A Clearwater at some point during 2024, if not on Opening Day. If the expected power begins to show up, he’ll begin on a path toward a classic corner-outfield masher.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Heredia is a pop-up prospect from the Phillies’ 2021 international signing class. He put together a solid 2022 season in the Dominican Summer League, including a white-hot postseason run. He was one of the best prospects in the Florida Complex League in 2023, then finished the year with Low-A Clearwater. His .947 OPS was the third-best in the FCL.

Scouting Report: Heredia is one of the more tooled-up players in Philadelphia’s low minors. He grades as average to plus in every area except hitting, where he’s not likely to be better than below-average. Scouts both inside and outside the organization believe Heredia will need to improve his bat-to-ball skills, and his rates of miss and chase were below-average across the board. In particular, he needs to firm up his approach with two strikes. When he did connect, Heredia showed excellent bat speed and did a good job of finding the barrel. His 102.5 mph 90th percentile exit velocity was above-average when compared to his peers in the FCL. Heredia’s above-average speed and plus arm should allow him to profile in right field, where he should be an average defender.

The Future: Heredia has a blend of tools that could lead to a future as a power-hitting corner outfielder who hits toward the bottom of a lineup. He’ll face a big test in 2024 when he spends his first year solely at full-season levels.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Hettiger was the Phillies’ 11th-round pick in 2023 but earned the fourth-highest bonus in the class at $397,500. The California prep product opened evaluators’ eyes during a brief look in the Florida Complex League. He added strength between his junior and senior seasons in high school and showed big-time power gains, which elevated his draft stock.

Scouting Report: Hettiger sticks out because of a well-rounded set of tools both offensively and defensively. He has a flexible body with plenty of athleticism and average arm strength that should allow him to stick behind the plate. In the box he shows a wider stance with plenty of separation that helps create a whippy, powerful swing. He projects as an average hitter who has above-average power now and a chance for more thanks to remaining projection in his frame. There’s a couple of mechanical issues in his swing that could be smoothed out as he moves up the ladder.

The Future: Hettiger impressed evaluators both internally and externally with his defense and now has a better chance than expected to stick at catcher. He’ll open 2023 at Low-A Clearwater.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Phillies struck gold in the 2023 international class by landing Eduardo Tait, who already ranks among the system’s top talent. Now, the team has added Navas, a big, athletic backstop out of Venezuela.

Scouting Report: At 6-foot-4, Navas is big for a catcher but he has the athleticism to counteract his size. His arm is a powerful, plus-plus tool and produces pop times in the 1.9-second range on his best bolts. Navas’ swing is a bit inconsistent but he’s got decent bat-to-ball skills and has shown flashes of power as he’s matured and gained strength.

The Future: Navas will begin his career in the DSL and could move up the Phillies list with a strong showing.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Arias was one of the top targets in Philadelphia’s most recent international signing class, as part of the period that opened on Jan. 15, 2024.

Scouting Report: Arias’s calling card is his huge raw power, which could one day get to a 70 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. To get the most out of his power, Arias is going to have to add some adjustability to his swing and improve his bat-to-ball skills. He’s slowed down a bit as he’s matured and is trending toward a future as a corner outfielder.

The Future: Arias will begin his career in the DSL, where he could find himself among the league leaders in the power categories.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Very High

Track Record: Lara signed with the Braves out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, and he pitched well as a 19-year-old in the Dominican Summer League in 2022. He made a strong domestic debut in 2023, where he posted a 4.09 ERA in 81.1 innings between Low-A Augusta and High-A Rome. His 33.1% strikeout rate was the second-best in Atlanta’s system among pitchers who threw at least 30 innings.

Scouting Report: A powerfully built righthander with a well-developed frame and strong lower half, Lara attacks hitters from a fairly clean and simple delivery that includes a balanced finish. Lara averaged 95-96 mph and touched 99 with his fastball. While the pitch has above-average velocity, its life is just average and he also needs to sharpen its command, though he did improve his overall walk rate from 19% to 12.2% year-over-year. Lara’s main weapon is a nasty, upper-80s slider that is among the better breaking balls in Atlanta’s system. It’s a hard and tight breaking ball that elicits chases out of the zone and misses bats within it at strong rates, and he throws it hard enough to get to 90-91 mph at top-end velocities. Lara has thrown an occasional mid-80s changeup, but his fastball/slider usage accounted for more than 90% of his pitches in 2023.

The Future: Lara’s fastball/slider combination gives him exciting upside, and his 2023 performance was among the best in Atlanta’s system. In 2024, he should get tested in the upper minors and continue to develop a starter’s arsenal.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: The younger brother of former blue-chip Cuban prospect Victor Victor Mesa, Victor Jr. signed for $1 million alongside his older brother in fall 2018. The pair defected from Cuba in May 2018 in order to sign with an MLB team. While Victor Victor was the more highly touted of the two, Victor Jr. has surpassed him as a prospect. He had a fantastic pro debut in the Gulf Coast League in 2019, slashing .284/.366/.398 as a 17-year-old. He has steadily ascended the Marlins’ system, most recently completing a full season in Double-A Pensacola, where he flashed power and speed with 18 home runs, 24 doubles and 16 stolen bases.

Scouting Report: Mesa operates out of a slightly open, upright stance in the box with a medium-high handset. His swing is rather long with a noticeable barrel tip, but he does a nice job of extending through the ball and creating leverage in his swing. While Mesa hit for the most power in his pro career in 2023, it also came with a strikeout rate near 23%. He had an overall contact rate of just 71% with a chase rate of 33%. Cutting down on the movement in his operation should lead to less swing-and-miss and susceptibility to offspeed offerings. Mesa has above-average raw power and most of his damage is done between center and to his pull side. He is a strong defender in center field with range to either gap and an above-average throwing arm.

The Future: Mesa will likely begin the 2024 season at either Pensacola or Triple-A Jacksonville, but with a strong performance he could be on the big league club before the end of the season. While he might slide to an outfield corner, he has the potential to be a big league regular with overall offensive production near average.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Valor was a part of the Marlins’ 2023 international free agent class and signed for $520,000. He had a strong first professional season in the Dominican Summer League in which he hit .294/.360/.466 with 16 doubles, five home runs, 25 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 51 games.

Scouting Report: Valor has a great body at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds. He has an incredibly athletic build with plenty of present strength, but he still has room to add more mass and impact potential. Valor stands almost completely upright in the box with a medium-high handset. He has a twitchy, compact operation with a small load, hardly any stride and scissor action in his back leg with lightning-fast hands. At just 17 years old, Valor has already posted a max exit velocity of 108 mph. His bat-to-ball skills at this point are solid, with an in-zone contact rate of 80%. Valor’s approach should only get better as he continues to get acclimated to professional baseball. He is a great athlete in the outfield with a quick first step and strong throwing arm. Valor covers plenty of ground to either gap and he has the defensive chops to stick in center long term. He oozes upside and is one of the most exciting prospects in the organization.

The Future: Valor this year figures to get his first taste of stateside baseball and is likely to start the year in the Florida Complex League. There is no reason to rush him, but there’s a chance he’s able to earn a promotion to Jupiter by season’s end. Valor’s big league debut is still a ways away, but he has all the tools to be an impact player.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 60 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Lopez was a part of Miami’s 2023 international free agent class, alongside outfielder Andres Valor, and signed for $650,000. The switch-hitting shortstop made a strong first impression in the Dominican Summer League and hit .265/.327/.405 with 12 doubles, four home runs, 22 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 49 games.

Scouting Report: Lopez has two distinct looks in the box. From the left side, he has an open front side with a somewhat high handset and his bat completely horizontal above his back shoulder. He takes a small stride and rotates well in his swing with solid leverage to the pull side. From the right side, Lopez’s front side is a bit more closed off with his bat more vertical in his stance. He has shown the ability to impact the baseball, especially from the left side, and has strong bat-to-ball skills given his 83% in-zone contact rate. As he continues to age and mature physically, Lopez projects to add impact from both sides. Lopez is a plus defender at shortstop, where he has quick feet, athletic actions and an above-average internal clock. He is comfortable going up the middle and to the backhand side and has a plus arm. Lopez is a safe bet to stick at the position and has the makings of an everyday shortstop. He is also an above-average runner and effective basestealer–another reason why his fingerprints are regularly all over the box score.

The Future: Lopez is likely to start the 2024 season in the Florida Complex League before earning a promotion to Low-A Jupiter. He is unlikely to make his big league debut before the 2027 or 2028 season, but he could be the club’s shortstop of the future.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: A Rangers seventh-round pick out of Pace (Fla.) High in 2019, Sproat made it to campus at Florida, where he worked primarily as a reliever for two seasons before joining the rotation in 2022. He held high-90s velocity and reduced his walk rate as a starter, prompting the Mets to draft him in the third round in 2022. Sproat didn’t sign and returned to the Gators for his senior year. He finished seventh in the nation with 134 strikeouts in 2023 for the College World Series runners-up. He was again drafted by the Mets, this time in the second round, and signed for slot value of $1,474,500. He did not pitch after the draft.

Scouting Report: Sproat is a 6-foot-3 righthander with requisite velocity, repertoire and athleticism to start. The question will be control after he walked nearly 10% of collegiate batters as a junior and senior. Sproat was one of the hardest-throwing starters in Division I in 2023. He sits in the mid 90s and has touched as high as 101 mph with a two-seam fastball with armside run. As they did with fellow Florida product Christian Scott, the Mets will probably emphasize a four-seam grip in pro pitching development. Sproat has solid feel for a plus, high-80s changeup with fading life to his arm side. His breaking stuff is less refined, but he has flashed a plus, mid-80s slider with two-plane break and a fringy curveball that won’t be a big part of his repertoire. Sproat’s long arm stroke may inhibit his strike-throwing and lead to fringe control.

The Future: If the Mets can improve Sproat’s fastball shape and slider consistency, he has major league rotation value. If not, he has a high-leverage relief profile. He should ease into pro ball at High-A Brooklyn and finish in Double-A in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Baro shined on the 2022 high school showcase circuit and emerged as a rising prospect for the 2023 draft after he added strength and transferred to Capistrano Valley High in Southern California to face better competition. The Mets liked his athleticism and chance to add good weight in college and viewed him as a potential top-three-rounds pick in 2026 after three years at UCLA. New York drafted Baro in the eighth round in 2023 and went more than $500,000 over slot to sign him for $700,000. He made a brief pro debut in the Florida Complex League.

Scouting Report: Baro is a lefthanded-hitting shortstop with a lean 6-foot-1 frame, command of the strike zone and a future in the middle infield. He emphasizes contact at the plate and struck out only once in seven games in his debut. Baro’s line-drive swing is geared to find the gaps, with only occasional loft to his pull side. He projects for well below-average power without significant strength gains. Baro has strong defensive instincts that might keep him at shortstop, where he shows clean footwork, natural actions and an above-average arm. A rangier shortstop on the same team could push Baro to second base. His run times are merely average, but he earns high marks for his effort level and defensive consistency.

The Future: Baro is in the growth stage of his career. In three years he could look more like a scrappy big league second baseman that some scouts expect him to become. He faces a likely summer in the FCL in 2024 as he gains experience.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: De Oleo signed for just $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic as a “passed over” player in January 2023. He was already 18 years old when he debuted in the Dominican Summer League that June, but he quickly proved he belonged. De Oleo hit .313 with an .879 OPS in 46 games, drawing 14 walks against just 18 strikeouts. The Mets would have considered transferring him to the Florida Complex League if it weren’t so challenging to adhere to player limits for domestic minor league rosters.

Scouting Report: De Oleo stands out as an up-the-middle athlete with encouraging bat-to-ball skill. He has a tapered 6-foot-1 physique capable of adding good weight as he matures. De Oleo likes to swing the bat and put the first pitch he can handle in play. He contacts most pitches in the zone but will get himself out with weak contact by chasing. His power is well below-average currently, but his projectable frame and wiry athleticism encourage future growth. De Oleo is a reliable shortstop with the requisite actions, range and arm to continue developing at the position. He also played second base in the DSL and will probably move around the infield as he progresses.

The Future: De Oleo was one of the Mets’ most pleasant development surprises in 2023. They will see if he can keep momentum going in the Florida Complex League in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Gomez signed as a 19-year-old out of Venezuela in 2021 and pitched mostly in relief during his first two pro seasons, including at Low-A St. Lucie in 2022. He came out firing in spring 2023 to catch the attention of scouts on the minor league backfields with high-90s heat and a sharp high-80s slider. Assigned to High-A Brooklyn to work as a starter, Gomez struck out 12 in seven innings before succumbing to Tommy John surgery after three starts.

Scouting Report: Gomez is a solidly-built 6-foot-2 righthander who showed double-plus 97 mph velocity and above-average riding life prior to having TJS. His sharp, power slider tops near 89 mph and is a true swing-and-miss pitch with plus potential. Gomez toyed with a low-90s cutter briefly before going under the knife. He should get back on the mound around midseason 2024, when he will continue working to refine his strike-throwing and develop a changeup. Gomez was primarily a two-pitch pitcher in 2023, and given his relief background and below-average control–he walked nine of 33 batters faced in 2023–a move to the bullpen could be in his future.

The Future: Gomez will be just 22 years old when he returns and has obvious big league arm talent if he makes a full recovery. He could get on the MLB radar as soon as 2025 if moved to the bullpen.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Cutter: 30 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Early on, Lantigua was a skinny line-drive hitter who showed good bat-to-ball skills with gap power. The Mets project him to add more authority as he matures and signed him for $950,000 out of the Dominican Republic.

Scouting Report: Lantigua has a rangy, athletic frame with high-end strength projection. As he has started to fill out, he is starting to show more power with what should be significantly more juice still to come, while typically performing well against live pitching. Lantigua is an above-average runner who has a chance to stay in center field. He has the body type where he could still get faster as he gets stronger, though depending on his physical development, if his speed backs up he could move to right field.

The Future: The Mets’ system lacks depth in terms of players who produce offensively while offering true center field profiles. That gives Lantigua an avenue to stand out from the pack if he has a good year as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Blue Jays signed Arias as a shortstop for $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2018, but they released him before he ever played a professional game. The Cubs signed him in 2021, converted him to pitching and watched him flourish. Arias played his first full season in 2023 across the Class A levels and logged a 4.09 ERA in 22 starts while flashing some of the best stuff in the organization. He struck out 110 batters in only 81.1 innings and started a combined no-hitter on July 6.

Scouting Report: Arias is a lean, athletic righthander with tremendous arm strength. His two-seam fastball sits 95-96 mph and touches 98 with heavy sink out of a low arm slot and release point. Hitters struggle to square his fastball up with its velocity and movement, and it has a chance to be a plus-plus pitch as Arias gets stronger and throws even harder. Arias complements his two-seamer with an above-average, 87-90 mph changeup with late dive that he sells well to get swings and misses. His third pitch is an 83-86 mph, short slider that plays against righthanded hitters and has above-average potential. Arias keeps the ball on the ground and overwhelms hitters when he’s in the strike zone, but his control is below-average and his arm slot creates concern about the long-term health of his elbow.

The Future: Arias is still relatively new to pitching and could improve his control enough to remain a starter. If not, he has the stuff to be a high-leverage reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Wiggins tantalized as a 6-foot-6 righthander with an explosive fastball at Arkansas, but his results never quite matched his stuff. He logged a 6.17 ERA over two seasons while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen and missed his junior year after having Tommy John surgery. The Cubs decided to take a chance on his raw ability and drafted him No. 68 overall in the supplemental second round. He signed for an over-slot $1,401,500.

Scouting Report: Wiggins is a physically-imposing righthander with the stuff to match. His fastball sits 94-97 mph as a starter and ramps up to 98-100 in relief. His fastball gets on hitters quickly with the extension he generates from his large frame and is an overwhelming pitch when it’s in the strike zone. Wiggins complements his fastball with an 84-88 mph slider with two-plane depth that gets swings and misses and has above-average potential. He also has a potentially average mid-80s changeup with late tumble and a downer, upper-70s curveball that is a fringy but usable pitch. Wiggns’ stuff is loud, but he has well below-average control and is inconsistent in his execution. He is prone to overthrowing his fastball and frequently falls behind in counts.

The Future: Wiggins is set to return from surgery in 2024. He’ll get a chance to start but projects to be a hard-throwing reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 30

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Hernandez signed with the Cubs for a franchise-record $3 million as one of the top prospects in the 2021 international class, but he’s underwhelmed since arriving in the U.S. He had a 30% strikeout rate in the Arizona Complex League and continued to scuffle in his first full season at Low-A Myrtle Beach in 2023. He hit .233 with four home runs and a .603 OPS, fourth-lowest of any qualified player in the Carolina League, and lost the Pelicans’ starting shortstop job to Jefferson Rojas at midseason.

Scouting Report: Hernandez has a long, lean frame and a smooth righthanded swing that covers the entire plate. While he flashes ability in practice settings, it doesn’t translate in games. Hernandez has only average bat speed and lacks strength, which results in weak contact. He doesn’t use his hands well in his swing and has limited ability to maneuver the barrel. He needs to get significantly stronger to even be a below-average hitter with 10-home run power. Hernandez is a smooth defensive shortstop with clean footwork and actions. He plays under control and handles the routine plays, but his fringy arm strength fits better at second base, where he played the second half of last season.

The Future: Hernandez has to get stronger to be even a utility middle infielder. Adding strength will be his primary goal in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 30 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Floyd was a draft-eligible sophomore in 2022, but he returned to Louisiana State both to try to win a national title and to show he could be a dominat starter after spending much of his first two years in the bullpen. Mission accomplished. Floyd showed continual improvement throughout the course of the season, culminating with a standout performance in the College World Series. After tying a career high with 10 strikeouts in his first start in Omaha, Floyd fanned 17 Florida batters in eight innings to help LSU win Game One of the CWS championship series in his final college outing.

Scouting Report: Floyd still offers some reminders that he was a reliever until relatively recently. Floyd’s best pitch is his nearly double-plus four-seam fastball, and he relies on it heavily. When he’s on, it’s a nearly unhittable pitch at the top of the zone thanks to the combination of 93-98 mph velocity, a flat plane and well above-average carry. He did a solid job of developing his fringe-average slider and curve in 2023, and he’s shown some feel for an average changeup that is largely a pitch he uses to neutralize lefthanded hitters.

The Future: Like fellow College World Series attendee Rhett Lowder, the Reds did not have Floyd throw in games after signing. He’ll be making his pro debut in 2024. Floyd’s excellent fastball gives him a clear path to at least a relief role, but the Reds will work hard to develop him into a potential mid-rotation starter. Floyd should dominate the Class A levels with his fastball, but he’ll need to refine his breaking balls to succeed at the upper levels.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Dunn is one of the better all-around athletes in Michigan high school state history. He set state records in the 110- and 330-meter hurdles, scored the second-most points (824) in state history in football and set the school record with 51 points in a basketball game. But Dunn’s all-out approach leads to injuries. He missed his senior season in high school, then missed a month of his final season at Western Michigan and has played less than 50 games in his first two pro seasons. Finally healthy, he was the Reds’ most productive minor leaguer in 2023. He produced an extremely rare 20-50 season, and came just two home runs away from 30-50.

Scouting Report: Dunn’s all-out approach is somewhat reminiscent of how Ryan Freel played his way into an eight-year MLB career. Dunn has speed, power and a knack for getting on base that is both a strength and a concern. Dunn is a well-rounded player who has no glaring flaws. His swing means he’s a dartboard for pitchers who like to pitch up and in, as his approach means he ends up close-to-the-plate. His 32 hit-by-pitches were second most in the minors, and he had a knack for immediately stealing second after he’s been plunked. Dunn’s breakthrough was a surprise, but he has an easy, powerful swing.

The Future: Unlike most sleeper late-round finds, Dunn is a premium athlete. At this point, he’s already played his way from being an org player to someone who could one day help a big league club. If he can show in 2024 that his offensive improvement is sustainable, he could be a regular who can play all three outfield spots and fit in nicely with the Reds’ collection of athletic, grinding outfielders.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 60 | Arm: 40

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Aguiar started pitching relatively late in his high school career, but a year at Cypress (Calif.) JC exclusively on the mound helped make him a solid draft prospect. Aguiar was one of the youngest junior college players in the 2021. At 19, he was younger than some of the high school draftees. After a solid 2022 season, Aguiar dominated at times in 2023. His 1.92 ERA in the Midwest League was easily the best among pitchers with 70 or more innings.

Scouting Report: Aguiar made a big step forward in 2023. He showed that he not only has a big league-caliber array of pitches, but he’s also figuring out how to use them. He works up and in on lefties with his four-seamer, then drops in his curveball for strikes. His plus changeup is a weapon he wields against righties and lefties, but it is very much a chase pitch. He has a plus two-seamer in the mid 90s that is hard for righthanded hitters to handle, and there are days when his slider will flash above-average as well. On those days, he’s lights out. On others, the slider disappears and he’s much more hittable, especially for righthanded hitters.

The Future: Aguiar’s fastball, changeup and developing slider would work well in the bullpen, but he’s still got a shot to develop into a No. 4 starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: At his best, Schoenwetter looked like one of the best prep pitchers in the 2023 draft class. He showed flashes of dominance in summer showcases and had an excellent senior season. He fell to the fourth round in part because of his bonus demands, but that made him the type of high-risk, high-reward pick the Reds could go after because of their large bonus pool. His $1.897 million bonus was the fourth-highest in the Reds’ class.

Scouting Report: Schoenwetter has a 93-95 mph plus fastball that can touch 98, as well as a plus curveball in the high 70s and low 80s that he shows an advanced ability to command and make bigger or smaller depending on the count. Like many high school pitchers, his changeup has further to go, but it will flash average. Schoenwetter needs to get stronger and more consistent with his delivery, and in high school his stuff would back up later in outings.

The Future: Schoenwetter was yet another Reds pitcher who didn’t get officially on the mound in his draft year. The Reds’ 2023 draft class will be judged by the development of Rhett Lowder and Ty Floyd, but adding Schoenwetter to the mix gives the club another high-ceiling arm to dream on.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Reds made Mariano a second high-priced part of the Reds’ 2024 international class, joining Adolfo Sanchez. When the pair signed, recent Reds international signees Carlos Jorge, Ariel Almonte and Malvin Valdez came to show their support to their new teammates.

Scouting Report: Mariano is expected to develop into a slugging infielder with plus raw power, thanks in part to a promising 6-foot-3 frame that should fill out nicely. He has above-average bat speed already, and he seems to have a solid understanding of the strike zone. He can get a little pull happy and will need to work on recognizing breaking balls. Defensively, Mariano is likely to eventually outgrow shortstop and slide to third base, but his hands and feet work well. He’s an average runner with an average arm.

The Future: Mariano should join a talented Reds Dominican Summer League club.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Maxwell’s career at Georgia Tech was rocky at best. He averaged a walk an inning for his career. An attempt at starting as a junior ended after he walked 18 in 17 innings, but Maxwell’s special arm led the Reds to select him in the sixth round in 2022. He evokes some comparisons to former Cincinnati prospect Joe Boyle, a similarly massive righthander with huge pure stuff but big-time command and control concerns who was dealt to the A’s in the summer of 2023.

Scouting Report: Maxwell’s frame is a dead ringer for Jonathan Broxton’s. There are few pitchers in the world that have Maxwell’s combination of extreme velocity and exceptional movement. He sits between 97-99 mph, and has touched 100-101 regularly. He does so while generating more than 20 inches of induced vertical break, which is near the top of the range of fastball carry. It’s a plus-plus fastball that is made to climb the ladder at the top of the zone. He’s paired it with a plus-plus cutter/slider that has modest movement but big power at 87-89 mph. Maxwell’s two-pitch combo could close out big league games if he had average control, which is three grades away. He will repeat his delivery consistently in some outings, but seem lost in others. He struck out half of the batters he faced in the Arizona Fall League, but also walked nine in 12.1 innings.

The Future: There’s a high likelihood that Maxwell becomes yet another flamethrowing reliever whose control problems keep him from ever moving into a high-leverage role, but teams don’t quickly give up on pitchers with arms this special.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 70 | Control: 20

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Lin has been a star for Taiwan’s junior teams, which also gave U.S. scouts a chance to see him in action against the best of the 2023 draft class. He dominated in two outings on the mound in the 2022 18U World Cup and was named the tournament’s top pitcher while also hitting .375 as an outfielder. The Reds signed him for $1.2 million in June 2023. He made his U.S. debut in August in the Arizona Complex League, where he played nine games.

Scouting Report: The Reds are just getting to fully know Lin, who is just beginning to settle into playing baseball stateside. Lin was a true two-way prospect coming out of Taiwan. Many teams wanted to see him pitch, and he’s shown a mid-90s fastball that touches 99. The Reds want to see how well his athleticism and hitting ability plays, but pitching will remain a viable fallback option. Lin played both center field and shortstop in his brief pro debut. Either seems like a plausible option, but his plus-plus speed fits especially well in center.

The Future: Lin is trying to become the first Taiwanese position player to make a significant impact in the U.S. Yu Chang currently is the most successful of the three Taiwanese position players to play in the major leagues. Lin’s athleticism and plus tools give him a shot, but he’s years from Cincinnati.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Wilken was one of the most dangerous sluggers in college baseball. He mashed 31 home runs in 66 games for Wake Forest in 2023, when he hit .345/.506/.807 while setting the school’s single-season record for home runs and walks (69). Wilken’s 71 career home runs are also the most in school history and tied for the Atlantic Coast Conference career record. The Brewers drafted him with their first-round pick at 18th overall and signed him for $3.15 million. He moved quickly upon signing, finishing 2023 at Double-A Biloxi.

Scouting Report: Power is Wilken’s calling card. He has quiet hands, a simple lower-half load and the strength in his 6-foot-4 frame to drive the ball with plus-plus raw power. He’s generally a pull-oriented hitter, but he has the juice to go deep to any part of the park. From 2022 to 2023 at Wake Forest, Wilken cut his strikeout rate from 24% to 18% while increasing his walk rate from 12% to 21%. That helped answer questions scouts had about his pure hitting ability, though he will likely always have a power-over-hit offensive profile with some swing-and-miss to his game. A well below-average runner, Wilken showed better lateral agility than expected at third base after signing. He has a plus-plus arm, though his hands and footwork might restrict him from being better than a fringe-average defender at third base, with a chance he outgrows the position and moves to first base.

The Future: If everything clicks, Wilken has the chance to be a 30-plus home run hitter who draws a lot of walks in the middle of a lineup, though he will have to prove he can keep his contact rate high enough against better pitchers and continue developing defensively to stick at third base. He’s likely ticketed for Double-A to open 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 70 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 70

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: For the third time in four years, the Brewers’ top international signing came from Venezuela. Following Jackson Chourio in 2021 and Luis Lara in 2022, the Brewers made Quintana the centerpiece of their class when the international signing period opened on Jan. 15, 2024.

Scouting Report: Quintana was one of the most polished hitters in Latin America for 2024. He’s a switch-hitter with a fluid, easy stroke from both sides of the plate who recognizes pitches well, has good plate discipline and maneuvers the barrel well to make frequent contact. Quintana is especially advanced from the left side and has one of the better offensive track records among players eligible to sign in 2024. He makes hard contact from gap to gap with a chance for average or better power given the strength projection remaining in his 6-foot-2 frame. Quintana is a reliable defender at shortstop on the balls he gets to and should get a chance to develop at the position, though he’s a fringe-average runner and looks like he could eventually outgrow the position, with an average arm that would fit at third base.

The Future: Quintana will make his pro debut this year in the Dominican Summer League and should be one of the league’s top prospects.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Pratt’s barrel accuracy and high baseball IQ stood out in high school, making him the no. 63 prospect for the 2023 draft. The Brewers drafted him in the sixth round, signed him for well above-slot at $1.35 million and Pratt went on to hit well in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in the summer. After the season, Pratt was the buzziest player at the organization’s instructional league, standing out in a system that’s relatively light on shortstops.

Scouting Report: A lanky 6-foot-4 righthanded hitter, Pratt showed a knack for putting the ball in play as an amateur that continued into his pro debut. He has a calm, relaxed swing, trusting his hands with a fluid path to the ball. Pratt has an accurate barrel with the ability to consistently square up both fastballs and offspeed stuff, showing solid strike-zone judgment for his age. Pratt has mainly been a singles hitter with gap power, and while the strength projection remaining in his frame suggests more over-the-fence juice should come, it’s likely going to be a hit-over-power profile. An average runner, Pratt doesn’t have the first-step explosion that some scouts prefer at shortstop, but he plays under control at shortstop with a good internal clock and a plus arm. He impressed defensively at shortstop in his pro debut, though as he fills out there’s a chance he could slide over to third base.

The Future: The early returns have arrows pointing up on Pratt, who could take a significant leap forward if he’s able to unlock more power. He’s likely ticketed for Low-A Carolina to open 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Baez had a low profile as an amateur player in the Dominican Republic when he signed with the Brewers at 16 for $10,000 on Jan. 15, 2022. After a decent pro debut that year in the Dominican Summer League, Baez in 2023 hit .370/.395/.557 to finish runner-up for the batting title in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, then drew a promotion to Low-A Carolina at the end of August.

Scouting Report: At 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, Baez has a strong, stocky build with a thick lower half. He’s an aggressive hitter who loads with a big leg kick and his swing has some length, yet he consistently puts the ball in play at a high clip, striking out in just 11% of his plate appearances in 2023. Baez also walked just 4% of the time, as he’s a free-swinger who will need to develop a more selective approach. Baez does make frequent contact though and shows flashes of average raw power that he should be able to tap into more if he’s able to add more loft to his stroke and make better swing decisions. Baez spent time at shortstop and third base but he’s a below-average runner with limited range who projects best at third or second base.

The Future: Baez started to break through in 2023 and could make a bigger name for himself in 2024 if his offensive success continues in Low-A Carolina.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Honeyman played sparingly at Boston College as a freshman but broke out after earning a starting role as a sophomore and .329/.402/.506 in 41 games. He followed that up with a standout showing in the Cape Cod League in 2022 where he hit .289/.400/.530 in 24 games. He returned to Boston College for his draft spring but was limited to 39 games due to a shoulder injury. The Cardinals selected Honeyman in the third round and signed him for a below-slot bonus of $700,000.

Scouting Report: Honeyman’s bat-to-ball skills are above-average and that’s been the case throughout his college career. He shows strong plate coverage skills with a short swing and loose hands, though his swing does have some moving parts with a leg kick and a hand pump. After showing plate discipline as a sophomore Honeyman’s chase rate jumped as a junior. Some of this is explained by an adjustment to a more aggressive approach, but his struggles versus spin were evident. Honeyman shows above-average raw power and will turn on a pitch to his pull side, but his more linear bat path is more conducive to line drives than back-spinning fly balls. Honeyman is an above-average runner and has some success as a basestealer. That speed translates to the outfield where he’s seen time in all three positions as an amateur, though his route running is currently subpar and will need to improve. He has an average throwing arm.

The Future: Honeyman has everyday regular potential if he can stay on the field and everything comes together.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Franco signed for the top bonus ($800,000) of any pitcher in the 2024 international class. He signed with the Cardinals out of the Dominican Republic at the beginning of the 2024 international signing period.

Scouting Report: Franco has a fast arm and excellent physical projection remaining in his lean frame. His fastball has been trending up, growing from the mid-80s to the low-90s, touching 94 mph. Between his arm speed and room to fill out, he could be throwing in the upper-90s at some point. His arm works well, he’s a good strike-thrower for his age and he has shown the feel to spin a curveball, which is his most advanced secondary offering.

The Future: The highest paid pitcher in the 2024 class, Franco should debut later this summer in the Dominican Summer League.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Groover might have had a chance to be drafted in the top five rounds out of his suburban Atlanta high school had the pandemic not cut short his senior season in 2020. He wound up at UNC Charlotte for a year before transferring to North Carolina State in 2022. He hit .332/.430/.546 with a team-leading 13 homers as a junior in 2023. Questions about his future defensive home and ultimate power potential might have kept Groover from going higher, but the D-backs grabbed him with the 48th overall pick and signed him for slot value of $1.78 million.

Scouting Report: Groover has a simple, low-maintenance righthanded swing and has a knack for finding the barrel, using his fast hands and quick bat to make consistent, solid contact. He could benefit from hitting fewer balls on the ground but has enough raw juice to project as a 15-20 homer threat. Groover had an appealing combination of a low in-zone whiff rate and high exit velocities in college, though the latter did not translate to the same degree in his 100 plate appearance sample with High-A Hillsboro. He chased at a roughly average rate. Many envisioned Groover moving off third base based on college looks, but upon signing he made adjustments to his throwing motion, started using his legs more and impressed with his athleticism to the point that he could have a chance to stick. He is a below-average, heavy-footed runner who could slow down as he matures.

The Future: The D-backs see Groover as one of the top pure hitters in their system, and whether he sticks at third base or ends up shifting to second, first or an outfield corner, they see someone who can hit for average and occasional power, perhaps in the mold of Wilmer Flores.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Small and physically underdeveloped in high school, Hurley landed at Virginia Tech and gained size and strength to develop into one of the best hitters in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He became a two-time all-ACC selection and hit .320 with 17 home runs as a junior, leading the D-backs to draft him in the third round, No. 80 overall, and sign him for $887,000.

Scouting Report: Hurley has a powerful swing that generates loud exit velocities, but it’s also a busy swing, particularly in his lower half. He has a big coil and leg lift which causes him to get out of sync sometimes and leads to swings and misses or poor contact. Hurley is a terrific athlete with good baseball acumen and a willingness to make adjustments, and he spent the winter looking to tone down some of his moves. He has a chance to be a fringe-average hitter with average power production if his adjustments hold. Hurley is a plus runner who takes good routes in the outfield and can play all three positions. He has average arm strength.

The Future: Hurley will need to tone down his swing and dial in his approach, but his track record suggests he has a chance to hit enough to develop into an everyday player.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: After going unsigned at 16 out of Venezuela, Diaz quit baseball for a year or so before giving it another try. The D-backs saw him throwing 92 mph and brought him to work out at their facility in the Dominican Republic, where he got stranded due to the coronavirus pandemic. He continued to improve at the D-backs facility and eventually signed for $10,000 as a 20 year old. Diaz broke out in his first full season stateside and reached Double-A in 2023. He showed flashes of potential but went 3-10, 4.82 with an overly high walk rate to amplify lingering questions about his future role.

Scouting Report: Diaz has some of the most electric stuff in the system. His plus-plus fastball ranges from 95-100 mph with solid carry at the top of the strike zone to induce swings and misses. He backs up his heater with a plus, power curveball that gives him another swing-and-miss weapon. He also throws an average slider that flashes higher and a below-average changeup he rarely uses but is being emphasized by player development staff. Diaz has plenty of stuff, but his delivery remains a work in progress and his control is inconsistent.

The Future: Diaz projects to be a hard-throwing reliever. He has a chance to remain a starter if he refines his control and a third pitch.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Grice has been an intriguing two-way prospect since his high school days and played both ways at Clemson as a lefthanded pitcher and power-hitting first baseman. He hit .307 with 18 home runs for the Tigers as a junior while going 8-1, 3.35 on the mound in his first year as a starter. Arizona drafted him as a pitcher in the supplemental second round and signed him for $1.25 million.

Scouting Report: Grice may have a higher ceiling at the plate due to his plus-plus raw power, but his propensity for striking out led the Diamondbacks to believe he offered more certainty on the mound. His fastball sits in the low 90s and touches 95 with good angle and ride to play as an above-average pitch. His breaking ball is another above-average pitch that alternates between a slider with tight break and a power curveball. Grice also throws an average changeup that has flashed better in the past. The D-backs were encouraged given his relative inexperience on the mound—just 94 innings in three years at Clemson—by the quality of both his strikes and pitch mix. He has surprising athleticism given his husky frame and his arm works well out of a sound delivery.

The Future: Grice may still get some opportunities to hit, but pitching will be his focus. He still has upside in development and projects to be a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Radney was the D-backs top target in the 2024 international amateur class.

Scouting Report: Radney is tall, athletic and should develop into a powerful right fielder once he fills out. He has plenty of bat speed and all fields power potential with future plus raw power. Radney doesn’t have to sell out to get to that power, as he’s already shown a solid understanding of how to work counts. Like many long-levered power hitters, there still will likely be some strikeout issues, but he generally swings at pitches in the zone and uses the whole field. He’s an average runner now, but likely will slow down as he gets bigger and stronger. His average arm should be able to handle right field.

The Future: Radney will head to the Dominican Summer League to make his pro debut.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The son of former Rays minor leaguer Ramon Soler, Yassel won over D-backs scouts with his consistent offensive performance and solid defense at third base as an amateur in the Dominican Republic. He signed with the club for $425,000 and made his debut in the Dominican Summer League a few months later. Soler hit .252/.363/.358 in the DSL while showing promising underlying traits, overcoming concerns he didn’t have the elite athleticism the D-backs tend to prefer on the international market.

Scouting Report: Soler is a polished hitter who has a clean, balanced swing and makes consistent hard contact. He still needs to learn to drive the ball in the air, but he posts solid exit velocities for his age and level. He has an impressive ability to put the bat on the ball and rarely swings and misses in the strike zone. He is a potentially plus hitter with double-digit home run potential. Soler is an excellent defender who projects as a plus third baseman. He has plus hands and feet and an above-average, accurate arm. He earns high praise for his makeup, worth ethic and insightful questions.

The Future: Soler is a strong defender with a chance to hit enough to profile at third base. He’ll make his stateside debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Field: 60 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: An intriguing pitching prospect and standout wide receiver in high school, Hitt’s draft stock was on the rise before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the 2020 season. He landed at Alabama and turned in a pair of inconsistent seasons before appearing on the verge of a breakout junior year. That promise was cut short when he suffered an elbow injury after eight starts and had season-ending Tommy John surgery. The D-backs remained intrigued with his potential despite the injury and drafted him in the fourth round. He signed for $1.2 million, more than double the recommended slot amount.

Scouting Report: Hitt is an athletic, 6-foot-3 lefthander with power stuff. His fastball sat in the mid 90s and touched 98 before his injury. He also features a potentially plus low-90s cutter and a pair of solid breaking balls. His low-80s slider projects to be an average pitch while his mid-to-upper 70s curveball is a potentially above-average offering that has flashed higher. Hitt has long battled fringe-average command and control, but he has the stuff to overpower hitters even when he misses his spots. He has an athletic, lean build with an easy arm action. Hitt struggled with wildly inconsistent outings in college, but the D-backs are optimistic his athleticism will allow him to flourish with more development.

The Future: Hitt’s surgery will keep him out until at least the middle of the 2024 season. He projects to be a hard-throwing No. 4 starter if he returns with his stuff intact.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Cutter: 60 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: A late-blooming prospect out of Panama, Catuy was physically immature when the D-backs first scouted him but continued to grow and improve with each subsequent look. Drawn to his loose, easy actions and elite athleticism, the D-backs signed him for $200,000 during the 2023 international signing period. He put together an impressive pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, posting an .803 OPS and 18 stolen bases.

Scouting Report: Catuy has a compact, quick righthanded swing with few moving parts that consistently generates line drives. He is aggressive early in counts but keeps his strikeout rate in check thanks to his ability to make contact with two strikes. He can get pull happy and needs to learn to use the whole field more often. Catuy is a plus runner who should be able to stick in center field, where his reads and routes are advanced for his age. He is thin with an athletic frame that has plenty of room for strength projection. Catuy is a confident, charismatic player whom players and staff gravitate to for his personality and work ethic.

The Future: Catuy has a chance to develop into a five-tool center fielder if his power develops. He still has a long development track ahead and will open 2024 in the Arizona Complex League.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 60 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Few players in the 2023 draft class have shown Carrigg’s versatility. During his three years at San Diego State, he played every position but first base and made three appearances as a pitcher. Carrigg had a breakout 2022 summer with Yarmouth-Dennis of the Cape Cod League and carried a late first-round buzz entering the season. He dealt with a shoulder injury and a concussion, which impacted his production. Carrigg dropped to the Rockies in the supplemental second round and signed for an above-slot bonus of $1.3 million. He debuted in the Arizona Complex League, put up gaudy numbers over 13 games and earned a promotion to Low-A Fresno for the final month of the season.

Scouting Report: Carrigg is a switch-hitting tool shed with a wide range of outcomes but a strong foundation of baseball skills. Some parts of his swing work, but he rotates his hips east to west as opposed to north to south, keeping him from landing before he rotates. He has solid bat-to-ball skills but his approach is overzealous and he expands the zone too often. His swings are similar from both sides, which leads to nearly identical timing issues. Carrigg has never hit for power despite possessing bat speed and a frame that portends at least average power. Carrigg’s other tools are outstanding. He’s an easy plus runner and his speed translates to the field and on the bases. He has a plus-plus arm that plays anywhere on the field. In his professional debut Carrigg saw time in center field, shortstop and catcher. He projects as a plus center fielder who can provide average defense at shortstop and fringe-average defense behind the plate.

The Future: Carrigg is a true super-utility player who could be an above-average regular if he fixes his timing issues.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 60 | Arm: 70

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Andujar was the top prospect in the Rockies’ international class for 2024, and immediately becomes yet another promising young shortstop in a organization that has produced a number of them.

Scouting Report: Andujar’s physical development is behind most of the other top players in this year’s class, but he has a lot of attributes that intrigue scouts. One of the younger players eligible to sign in 2024, Andujar has a skinny, high-waist frame that lacks strength, so while his raw tools aren’t as advanced as some of his peers, he has loose, easy actions on both sides of the ball, giving him a chance to break out once he layers on more size and strength. Andujar is a high-contact hitter with an accurate barrel from both sides of the plate. He puts a lot of balls in play, spraying line drives around the field with occasional doubles pop and a wide range of outcomes for his future power depending how much more strength he’s able to add. He’s a quick-twitch athlete and an aggressive, high-energy player who fields his position well with good actions and body control at shortstop.

The Future: Andujar should make his debut in the Dominican Summer League later in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Medium

Track Record: A top draft prospect in high school, Hurt showed premium stuff at Southern California but posted a 5.06 ERA in a frustrating college career. The Marlins drafted him in the fifth round in 2020 and quickly traded him to the Dodgers with Alex Vesia for Dylan Floro in February 2021. Hurt continued to tease and got crushed at Double-A in 2022, but he used his struggles as motivation. He spent the offseason improving his fitness, confidence and execution and responded with his best season in 2023. He posted the highest strikeout rate in the minors (39.2%) among pitchers with at least 90 innings and rose from Double-A to the majors, where he retired Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto and Manny Machado in order in his first big league inning.

Scouting Report: Hurt is a large-bodied righthander with a fast arm. His plus fastball sits 94-96 mph and touches 98-99 with late, riding life and gets swings-and-misses in the strike zone. His changeup is another plus pitch at 87-88 mph that falls off the table with late dive. He has advanced command of his change and can throw it for strikes or bury it for chase swings. Hurt rounds out his arsenal with an above-average, 86-89 mph vertical slider that keeps improving and an average 79-81 mph curveball he’ll mix in. He previously had below-average control and poor fastball command, but after dropping 30 pounds, he now maintains his delivery better and throws strikes at a fringy but effective clip. He has yet to throw more than five innings in a start and must improve his durability.

The Future: Hurt’s improvements give him a chance to remain a starter if he can continue building on them. He projects to be a hard-throwing no. 4 starter or a high-octane reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: George hit .364 with five stolen bases as the center fielder on USA Baseball’s 18U national team in 2022. He got stronger throughout his senior season at Atasocita (Humble, Texas) High and was targeted by the Dodgers for their second-round pick, but they instead jumped up to take him 36th overall. He signed for $1,847,500 to forgo an Arkansas commitment. George surprised the Dodgers with how advanced he was offensively after signing and earned a quick promotion to Low-A Rancho Cucamonga. He hit .381 in 12 games to help the Quakes reach the California League championship series.

Scouting Report: George is a small but speedy outfielder with a knack for contact. He’s a patient hitter with a good feel for the strike zone and makes consistent contact with a short, slashing lefthanded swing. George primarily hits ground balls and low line drives, but he can beat out almost any ball in play with his 80-grade speed. He turns in sub 4.0–second run times down the line and is an excellent baserunner with advanced basestealing instincts. George flashes surprising power in batting practice, but he doesn’t show it in games. He projects to be an above-average hitter with limited power who racks up steals. George is still raw defensively in center field. He has the speed to run down balls but needs to polish his routes and tracking. He has below-average arm strength.

The Future: George projects to be a contact and speed-driven center fielder similar to Juan Pierre. He’ll begin 2024 back at Rancho Cucamonga.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 80 | Field: 55 | Arm: 40

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Martin primarily played shortstop at East Forsyth High and started only six games as a pitcher in high school. The Dodgers were intrigued by his arm action and athleticism in those limited looks and drafted him in the 17th round in 2022, signing him for $125,000 to forgo an East Carolina commitment. Martin’s stuff ticked up with his focus on pitching and led to a breakout pro debut in 2023. He posted a 2.04 ERA in 14 appearances (12 starts) at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga before reaching his innings limit.

Scouting Report: Martin is a lean, twitchy righthander with exceptional athleticism. His plus fastball sits 93-96 mph and touches 98 out of a clean, compact delivery and fast arm. His 86-89 mph power slider is another potential plus pitch that starts in the strike zone before shooting out late for empty chase swings. He also has a firm, 89-92 mph changeup that has been a point of emphasis and flashes above-average. Martin has rapidly assimilated to pitching and pounds the strike zone with above-average control. He is a confident, aggressive competitor who throws strikes with no fear.

The Future: Martin is still physically slight and threw only 39.2 innings in his pro debut. He has the foundation to be a mid-rotation starter, but has years of strength gains ahead.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Morales was one of the top offensive threats in the 2024 international signing class. The Dodgers made him their top international signing when he became eligible to sign on Jan. 15, 2024.

Scouting Report: Morales consistently strings together quality at-bats. He has a mature offensive approach, recognizes pitches well and has performed well against live pitching. It’s a sound swing for his age with power that has trended up as he has added strength to his lower half and should spike more in the coming years. Morales is an offensive-oriented shortstop who is built more like a third baseman, with many scouts believing he will slide over to third base in the near future. He’s a below-average runner who is a steady defender on the balls he gets to at shortstop with a solid-average arm, though his actions and mobility likely fit best at third base.

The Future: Morales will likely follow the path of recent top Dodgers international signings like Joendry Vargas by making his pro debut this year in the Dominican Summer League.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Bergert mostly pitched in the bullpen as a freshman at West Virginia in 2020 and made just four starts as a sophomore before the coronavirus pandemic canceled the season. He continued to trend upward in the collegiate summer Northwoods League but had Tommy John surgery and missed his junior season. The Padres considered him a second-round talent in 2021 and snagged him in the sixth round, signing him for an above-slot $500,000. Bergert struggled in his first season back from surgery, but he flourished in 2023. He posted a 2.73 ERA over 105.2 innings and finished the year in Double-A San Antonio’s playoff rotation.

Scouting Report: Bergert features a classic four-pitch mix and continues to improve the further he moves away from surgery. His above-average fastball sits between 93-94 mph and touches 97-98 with extreme horizontal break after he lowered his arm slot to take advantage of its natural east-west movement. His sweeping 82-85 mph slider flashes above-average and is his primary secondary pitch. Bergert’s 84-87 mph changeup flashes average with late dive but is inconsistent. His 80-83 mph curveball is a below-average pitch he’ll occasionally flip in for an early strike. Bergert commands his fastball and moves it around to keep hitters guessing and has average control overall. He rarely allows hard contact in the air and has gotten more consistent in his delivery as he’s gained mound time.

The Future: Bergert keeps trending up and improving every year. He has mid-to-back-of-the-rotation potential as long as he continues in his current direction.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Gonzalez impressed during Perfect Game’s WWBA World Championship in the fall of his senior year, but a knee injury limited his exposure in the spring. He regained his draft helium with a strong showing at the draft combine and was selected by the Padres in the third round in 2023. He signed for a below-slot $550,000 to forgo an Indiana State commitment. Gonzalez did not play in an official game after signing, but he stood out in instructional league and briefly played winter ball in Puerto Rico as an 18 year old.

Scouting Report: Gonzalez is a raw, projectable catcher with a chance to make an impact on both sides of the ball. He makes solid contact with a quick, whippy swing and flashes above-average power. He can get a little pull-happy at times, but he has the foundation to be an average hitter. Though Gonzalez is a below-average runner, he moves well behind the plate and has a chance to be an above-average defender as he improves his footwork. He has tremendous arm speed and plus-plus arm strength that has the potential to shut down running games as he fine-tunes his accuracy.

The Future: Gonzalez will make his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2024. He projects to be a starting catcher but will require time and patience to fulfill his potential.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Post-pandemic, the Padres have prized themselves on adding to smaller draft classes with undrafted free agents. Nett is quickly becoming the best of the bunch. Nett did not pitch in college, recorded just two outs in the Appalachian League and posted a 6.48 ERA in the MLB Draft League, but the Padres saw enough raw stuff to sign him for $10,000 after the 2022 draft. Shoulder weakness limited Nett’s first pro summer and he was inconsistent in the complex league and Low-A Lake Elsinore in 2023, but his command took a leap forward in the Arizona Fall League. He emerged as one of the AFL’s breakout prospects, was selected for the Fall Stars Game and started the league’s championship game.

Scouting Report: Nett is a wiry, 6-foot-3 righthander with a fresh, emerging arm. His fastball sits between 94-96 mph and touches 98 with late explosion and carry at the top of the strike zone. It’s a borderline plus-plus pitch he can blow by hitters. Nett’s best secondary offering is sweepy breaking ball with tight spin and good shape that projects to be an above-average pitch, although it’s inconsistent. He also flashes a below-average, rarely used changeup that is a bit firm in the low 90s. Nett’s effectiveness comes down to control. He jumps forward in an effortful delivery and is prone to losing his hat. His stuff plays with even below-average control, but it is often worse than that.

The Future: Nett projects to be a hard-throwing reliever if he can throw enough strikes. He’ll see High-A Fort Wayne in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Padres considered taking Lowe as early as the fourth or fifth round in 2022 and believe they netted a steal when they grabbed him in the 11th round and signed him for an over-slot bonus of $400,000. Lowe made his pro debut at Low-A Lake Elsinore in 2023 and impressed in three starts before shoulder fatigue forced him to the injured list. He tried to come back in August and during instructional league after the season, but both times had to shelve his comeback due to shoulder setbacks.

Scouting Report: Lowe is a strong, physical 6-foot-1 righthander with a sturdy lower half. His fastball sits between 93-95 mph and reaches 97 with carry at the top of the zone out of a three-quarters arm slot. He generates excellent extension in his delivery to help his fastball jump on batters faster than they expect. Lowe’s best secondary offering is a sweepy slider that he lands for strikes and projects to be an above-average pitch. He also has a firm but deceptive changeup that flashes average. Lowe has demonstrated a good feel for pitching despite his lack of mound time and throws strikes with average control.

The Future: Lowe profiles as a back-end starter or a middle reliever if he can stay healthy. He’s avoided surgery so far and is expected to be ready for 2024 Opening Day.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Dickerson struggled with his control while pitching for USA Baseball’s 18U National team but took a star turn at the WWBA World Championships in the fall. He fell in the draft due to a strong commitment to Virginia Tech, but the Padres were confident they could sign him and selected him in the 12th round. They signed him for a $500,000 bonus–equivalent to fourth-round money–and sent him out for his first game action in instructional league.

Scouting Report: Dickerson is a lean, projectable 6-foot-6 lefthander His fastball sits between 89-91 mph and is too straight, but he projects to add a lot of velocity as he adds strength. His best secondary pitch is a 79-83 mph slider with late bite that projects to be above-average as he fills out and adds power. He also has a below-average, mid-80s changeup that he rarely throws and needs to refine. Despite his size and long levers, Dickerson moves well through an easy delivery and shows fast arm speed out of a three-quarters slot. He has a good feel for pitching and throws strikes with average control, although he deals with bouts of inconsistency.

The Future: Dickerson has a chance to jump straight to Low-A Lake Elsinore for his pro debut in 2023. He projects to be a No. 4 or 5 starter who has a fallback as a middle reliever if his changeup doesn’t develop.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: A late-bloomer on the mound, Kemp didn’t start pitching until eighth grade and was a reliever his sophomore year at Weatherford (Texas) High. He blossomed into a top pitching prospect as an upperclassman and was committed to Oklahoma before the Padres drafted him in the eighth round and signed him for $625,000, nearly triple the recommended slot amount. Kemp didn’t pitch in an official game after signing but began throwing at the Padres’ complex during instructional league.

Scouting Report: Large and physical at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, Kemp sat 88-92 mph in high school but had already began pushing his 94-96 mph after getting on a throwing program with the Padres. It projects to be a borderline plus-plus pitch as he continues to mature. Kemp’s secondaries are still raw. He has the makings of a high-spin slider that sits 78-82 mph and he flashes a good feel for a mid-80s changeup with two-seam action, but both are fringy to below-average pitches that need improvement. Despite his size, Kemp has a compact delivery and fast arm speed out a three-quarters slot. He fills up the strike zone with above-average control and shows the ability to manipulate and cut his fastball.

The Future: Kemp is on track to make his pro debut at Low-A Lake Elsinore in 2024. He projects to be a No. 4 starter with continued velocity gains and secondary development.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: After a year at Lake Land (Ill.) JC in 2020, Birdsong transferred to Eastern Illinois for his final two collegiate seasons. The Giants popped him in the sixth round, then watched him carve the competition at the lower levels in his pro debut. He put up a 2.67 ERA with 36% strikeouts at two Class A stops. Birdsong continued bullying hitters in his first full season as a pro, moving from Low-A to Double-A and striking out 149 hitters in 100.2 innings along the way. Only one minor league pitcher had a higher strikeout rate than Birdsong’s 34.9% at the 100 inning threshold.

Scouting Report: Birdsong is already a physically imposing presence at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, but the Giants believe there’s even more room to grow and add even more power to his arsenal. He works with a full four-pitch complement, led by a mid-90s fastball with carry through the zone and a potentially plus curveball in the low 80s that hitters simply did not touch in 2023. Birdsong rounds out the arsenal with a slider that averaged around 83 mph and could be an above-average pitch and a fringy, infrequently thrown changeup in the high 80s that is a clear fourth pitch. He will have to refine his control and command, which took a significant hit in terms of both strike percentage and walk rate once he reached Double-A.

The Future: The 2024 season will be key for Birdsong, who will likely spend the entirety of the year at the upper levels. If he can return his control and command to the standards he maintained at Low-A and High-A, he has the ceiling of a rotation piece. If not, he might fit more as an overpowering option in the late innings.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: In a draft class notable for its lack of quality lefthanders, Whitman stood out as the best southpaw available from the college ranks. In three years at Kent State, he established himself as a quality prospect who got plenty of whiffs and pounded the strike zone. San Francisco selected him with its second-round supplemental pick and signed him for $805,575. He reached Low-A in his first pro test and made six appearances between the Arizona Complex League and the California League.

Scouting Report: Whitman has excellent arm speed and works from a low slot with a three-pitch mix. His repertoire is fronted by a low-90s fastball with tailing action. The pitch peaked at 96 mph. His best offspeed is a sharp slider in the low 80s. The pitch has two-plane break and spin rates around 3,000 rpm. Those qualities make it effective against both lefthanders and righthanders. He finishes his mix with a changeup that sits in the mid 80s and flashed average potential, especially during his time in the Cape Cod League. Bringing the changeup to its ceiling will be a fulcrum in his career. If he can get it there, he’ll have a chance to fit in the back of a rotation. He should have above-average control and did a good job pounding the strike zone in his professional outings.

The Future: Whitman should reach High-A Eugene in his first full season. If his changeup improves, he has a ceiling as a No. 4 starter. If not, he could be an effective left-on-left reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Level was one of the Giants’ big signings in the most recent international period, which opened on Jan. 15, 2024. He earned high marks for his hittability and strong chance to stick at shortstop.

Scouting Report: The switch-hitting shortstop has short, direct swings that have enough adjustability to the barrel into different sectors of the strike zone. He’s more of a pure hitter than a power threat, though he could get 10-15 home runs at his peak. Level’s above-average speed and plus arm give him a likely future at shortstop.

The Future: Level will begin his career in the DSL, where should show off a well-rounded skill set and an advanced knowledge of the game.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: After two excellent seasons at Kansas, Ahuna entered the transfer portal and became one of its most highly coveted players. He chose Tennessee but did not quite perform to the degree he did with the Jayhawks. Ahuna also had two stints in the Cape Cod League and also played for the 2022 Collegiate National Team. He played hurt for most of the season and finished with nearly as many strikeouts as he had in his previous two seasons combined. Nonetheless, the Giants banked on what they’d seen in the past and chose him in the fourth round of the 2023 draft and signed him for $497,500. He did not play after signing.

Scouting Report: After struggling in the Southeastern Conference, Ahuna’s biggest question is contact. The Giants believe some of those issues stemmed from the injury and will improve when he returns to full health but they do acknowledge that the strikeouts will need to be addressed and could be improved with simplified swing mechanics. Ideally, Ahuna will adopt a hit-first mindset and let the power, which projects as fringe-average, come naturally. He should easily stick at shortstop, where he is a plus defender with plus arm strength. Ahuna is an above-average runner.

The Future: Ahuna has the pedigree to begin the year at High-A Eugene but the Giants have a tendency to slow-cook their prospects, so he might open at Low-A San Jose. If he reaches his ceiling, he should be a standout defensive shortstop who hits toward the bottom of an order.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Bradfield was in the mix for the top two rounds of the shortened 2020 draft, but bonus demands meant he went to Vanderbilt, where his elite speed made him one of college baseball’s most dynamic players. He signed for a slot $4.17 million as the 17th overall pick in 2023 and performed largely as advertised. Bradfield had an .802 OPS over three levels with more walks (26) than strikeouts (16) and 25 steals in 27 tries.

Scouting Report: Bradfield has a pair of elite carrying tools in his 80-grade speed and center field defense, which together create a pretty high floor for his major league future. Advanced baserunning instincts could put him near the top of the league in stolen bases throughout his prime. He was drafted into an organization that has a track record for improving hitters with particular traits, and when it comes to the ability to manage the strike zone and make consistent contact without much whiff, Bradfield certainly qualifies. He had an astonishing 2% whiff rate in his pro debut, and walked nearly a quarter of the time. Another of those traits the Orioles work with is consistent hard contact, which isn’t yet a part of Bradfield’s game and may not ever manifest. The Orioles hope Bradfield’s above-average hit tool can play up as he focuses on hitting the ball at good angles and producing line drives, which can make up for his well below-average power, even as he projects to add some strength in pro ball.

The Future: Provided he makes enough quality contact to let his speed and on-base capabilities shine through, Bradfield has the traits to be a high-level table-setter as an everyday center fielder with Gold Glove capabilities. He’ll start 2024 at High-A Aberdeen, with the potential to move quickly through the Orioles’ system.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 80 | Field: 80 | Arm: 40

BA Grade: 50/Very High

Track Record: Baumeister was one of the highest-rated high school players eligible for the 2021 draft who made it to college, but he did so knowing he would be an eligible sophomore two years later. The Orioles drafted him 63rd overall out of Florida State in 2023 and signed him for an above-slot $1.605 million as the highest-drafted pitcher under Mike Elias. The Orioles appreciated his hoppy fastball and potential to further develop his arsenal, but they also valued his aptitude to make adjustments as his season went on and willingness to learn. Baumeister didn’t pitch in game action after signing.

Scouting Report: Baumeister’s fastball, which in college sat around 93 mph and touched 98, features above-averaged induced vertical break with elite extension and a flat approach angle that helps it play up in the zone. The club believes a focus on elevating it could lead to immediate improvements in results. Baumesiter’s curveball had at least average traits but was inconsistent, while the Orioles believe the slider he added during 2023 has the potential to grow into his best secondary pitch. Even if his changeup remains a fourth pitch, the Orioles believe his arm strength and ability to spin the ball can give him a starter’s arsenal going forward.

The Future: Baumeister has the potential to be the best pitcher the Elias Orioles have drafted, with a midrotation upside and the chance for more if he can consistently throw his most effective breaking balls. He could move quickly through the system but likely will start at Low-A Delmarva in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: De Leon was a late-developing prospect in the Dominican Republic who signed for $30,000 at age 18 in December 2021 after Orioles scouts followed him past his age group’s signing year and noted his continued improvements. He made his U.S. debut in 2023 by dominating over six starts in the Florida Complex League before continuing his success at Low-A Delmarva. He struck out 11.2 batters per nine innings over the two levels.

Scouting Report: There’s plenty of projection in De Leon’s athletic 6-foot-3 frame, but his present-day stuff is hardly lacking. He averaged 95 mph on his fastball, giving it plus potential from the left side. He primarily attacks with his fastball and a high-80s changeup that can be an above-average pitch despite a small velocity difference from his fastball. That’s because of its significant horizontal fade and his ability to command the pitch. De Leon made progress with a hard slider in 2023 that gives him both another movement profile for hitters to consider and another potentially above-average pitch. De Leon’s ability to induce weak contact is an early strength, and opponents had a 69% groundball rate against him in 2023. Like many young power lefthanders, De Leon issued too many walks and will need to reduce free baserunners as he advances.

The Future: De Leon dominated light competition at the complex and during a late-season Low-A cameo, but he did so with the raw stuff and maturity that give indications he can be a midrotation starter at his peak. He’s likely to return to Delmarva to begin 2024, but could be pushed quickly should the Orioles like what they see.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Orioles were interested in Horvath as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2022 but ended up signing him as the 53rd overall pick in 2023 for a slightly below-slot $1.4 million. He hit 47 home runs and stole 44 bases over three seasons at North Carolina, showing the kind of power-speed combo the Orioles have been attracted to atop recent drafts. His pro debut went well, with Horvath slugging five home runs with a 1.057 OPS and 14 steals in a stint centered on Low-A Delmarva and including two other levels.

Scouting Report: Horvath shows a power-speed tool set, with his hit tool the only thing potentially holding him back. He has a grooved swing path that can, at times, lead to swing-and-miss at the top of the zone as well as high ball flights that limit the impact of his high exit velocities. Still, Horvath controls the strike zone well–he had a 17% chase rate in his pro debut–and could have above-average power due to his strength and athleticism. Horvath is at least a plus runner with a plus arm, and while he’s expected to primarily play third base, he could spend time at second base and in the outfield in his full-season debut.

The Future: Horvath has the profile to thrive in an Orioles hitting program that will attack his contact deficiencies and could help him reach a solid-average starter ceiling, potentially as a player who helps all over the field. He’ll start his full-season debut at High-A Aberdeen.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Nunez was a late signing in the Twins’ 2019 international class, but by the time he came to the U.S. to debut in the Florida Complex League, he showed plenty of promise. He had 47 strikeouts in 29.2 innings when the Orioles acquired him as part of a four-player return for closer Jorge Lopez at the 2022 trade deadline. Nunez spent all of 2023 in full-season ball, and struck out 10.8 batters per nine innings with a 1.36 WHIP between Low-A Delmarva and High-A Aberdeen.

Scouting Report: Nunez’s success came primarily with two pitches: a fastball that averaged 94 mph and was up to 97 with ride, a low-80s power curveball with sweeper traits and an upper-80s cutterish gyro-slider. Both will blend into each other at times, but when he’s on them, both will flash above-average or plus. He met the challenge of throwing those pitches in the zone more often as the season progressed, though he might not have more than fringe-average command long term. He has added a potential above-average changeup to his arsenal to help round out his set of weapons. It has depth and separation to be effective. The Orioles are working with him to try to give him multiple ways to attack lefties and righties. It’s a tough ask, but if he pulls it off, he could be a future solid starting pitcher.

The Future: Nunez has a chance to be a player who rockets up these rankings in 2024, because he has the makings of an effective starter who can give hitters different looks in each at-bat. But he has yet to show the touch and feel expected of a starter who can do that. He’s still young enough to get there, but he has an excellent fallback option as a power reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Sanchez signed out of the Dominican Republic for $1.3 million in the opening of the 2024 signing period.

Scouting Report: Sanchez blends a good mix of hitting ability and power from the left side of the plate. He has a short swing, keeping his hands tight to his body with the adjustability to make contact at a high clip. He has a good approach for his age with quick hands, fast bat speed and flashes of over-the-fence power now with what some scouts think could be significantly more power to come. Sanchez is a shortstop for now and could start his career there, though his hitting ability stands out more than his athleticism or defensive range, with some scouts projecting him as a future second or third baseman.

The Future: Sanchez should begin the season in the Dominican Summer League, where he’ll draw significant interest as the Orioles’ top signing.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: A native of the Dominican Republic, Martinez signed with the Orioles for $950,000 during the opening of the 2024 international signing period.

Scouting Report: Martinez brings big raw power from the right side of the plate. The ball flies off his bat already and he has the physical projection to develop plus raw power. It’s a power-over-hit offensive profile, with some scouts concerned about swing-and-miss in his game, though others thought over the past year he had made strides with his approach and game performance. Martinez has a strong arm but is limited to an outfield corner, with some risk he ends up at first base depending how he develops physically.

The Future: Martinez should join fellow 2024 signee Emilio Sanchez in the Dominican Summer League later this year.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Zanetello zoomed up 2023 draft boards as a high school senior thanks both to an excellent performance for Team USA in Mexico during the World Cup qualifiers and by standing out as an elite athlete with five-tool potential at showcase events, including the draft combine. The Red Sox drafted him 50th overall and nearly doubled slot value with a $3 million bonus to keep him away from Arkansas.

Scouting Report: Zanetello flashes the ability to do just about anything on a baseball field, with explosive athleticism suggesting a special ceiling. He possesses the super-quick hands and lean, athletic build to be a solid hitter with above-average to plus power. The catch is that his swing is still evolving after hitting .158 in his pro debut. His torso fires so quickly that it can get in front of his hands and cause his bat to flit in and out of the zone, an obvious area to tighten. Though raw defensively, Zanetello shows body control and actions that distinguish him from high school shortstops. He’s currently a plus runner who may lose some speed as he fills out.

The Future: Zanetello should spend the bulk of 2024 in Low-A Salem. He may experience a significant adjustment to the advanced pitching of pro ball, but the Red Sox believe his combination of tools, athleticism and fearlessness in the face of failure could eventually yield a high-impact, middle-of-the-field player.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Anderson, a longtime standout on the showcase circuit, was one of the top prep bats in the 2023 draft class thanks to significant power and excellent plate discipline. The Red Sox signed him for an over-slot bonus of $1.5 million as a third-round pick to keep him away from a Georgia Tech commitment. He appeared in 12 games across the Florida Complex League and Low-A Salem, hitting .167 with 15 strikeouts to four walks.

Scouting Report: Anderson has been switch-hitting since he was 10 years old and has developed balanced swings from both sides with more looseness and power potential batting lefthanded. He stands out in batting practice not only for his power but also for frequent takes that point to purposeful development of plate discipline. As he gets into a professional strengthening program, he could grow into plus power and a three true outcomes profile. While Anderson likely will move around the infield and play both middle infield spots as well as third base in 2024, the prospect of physical growth makes third base a likely destination. Given that he worked in the low 90s as a high school pitcher, he should have the arm for any infield spot.

The Future: Anderson will compete for a spot on the Low-A Salem roster to open 2024. He profiles as a potential power-hitting, everyday third baseman.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Red Sox relied heavily on their area scouts in Venezuela amid pandemic-driven restrictions on travel early in the scouting process. The team was drawn to Arias’ natural defensive actions, bat-to-ball skills and clearly projectable frame given that he weighed 145 pounds at the start of the scouting process. After Arias signed for $525,000 in 2023, he stood out for his advanced defense in the Dominican Summer League while making enough contact to rank 10th in average (.350) and draw more walks than strikeouts.

Scouting Report: Arias is raw offensively, but there’s room to add strength to his frame and add some power to a high-contact, line-drive approach that points to an above-average or better hit tool. Even if Arias’ power doesn’t develop, his smooth defensive actions with good range in both directions, impressive body control and strong arm give him a chance at having big league value. He’s an average runner with a chance to improve as he develops more burst.

The Future: Though years from the big leagues, Arias stands out for his multi-dimensional potential and chance to emerge as an everyday big league shortstop.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Asencio signed out of the Dominican Republic for $1 million earning in the highest bonus in the Red Sox 2024 international class.

Scouting Report: Asencio is one of the most difficult hitters to strike out from the Dominican Republic in this year’s class. He has excellent hand-eye coordination with the bat control to consistently put the ball in play. Asencio isn’t that big, with even scouts who were high on him still uncertain about how much power he will end up developing. Asencio isn’t a burner, but he runs well enough to get a chance to play center field.

The Future: Asencio’s pure hitting ability should translate to success in his pro debut in 2024 in the Dominican Summer League later this season

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: After a season and change at Dartmouth, Rice’s college career ended when the pandemic canceled the remainder of the 2020 season and the Ivy League chose to cancel the 2021 season as well. By the time he was drafted, he had nearly three times as many plate appearances in summer college leagues as he did with Dartmouth. Yankees area scout Matt Hyde stayed on him the whole time, and New York pounced in the 12th round. After two seasons spent mostly at Low-A, Rice broke out in 2023 and was one of the system’s biggest risers despite a left oblique injury that limited his season to just 73 games.

Scouting Report: Throughout his career, Rice’s hallmark has been his strong plate discipline and bat-to-ball skills. The results have been strikeout and walk rates of roughly 19% and 13%. He was also one of just three minor leaguers with 20 or more homers and fewer than 70 strikeouts. The lefty hitter hits the ball quite hard, with average (91) and 90th percentile (104) exit velocities that ranked among the best in the system. His barrel accuracy was also excellent. When he’s going bad, Rice has a tendency to hook balls. To fix the problem, the Yankees worked with him to keep his body in the proper position to stay behind pitches and drive them across the field. Rice catches in a one-knee down stance and did a good job keeping pitches in front of him–he allowed just one passed ball all year–but he’s going to have to really improve his arm to control the running game. He caught just 5 of 68 potential basestealers between High-A and Double-A. Rice also got into 18 games at first base, which could be his long-term home.

The Future: Rice will play all of the 2024 season as a 25-year-old, when he’ll likely make his Triple-A debut. He could be an offensive-minded player who bounces between first base and catcher but plays regularly.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Field: 40 | Arm: 40

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Vilorio garnered the highest bonus ($1.7 million) in the Yankees’ most recent international class, as part of the period that opened on Jan. 15, 2024. He has some of the more explosive tools in the class and should provide a mix of power and speed as matured.

Scouting Report: Vilorio’s skill set is exciting and could get even better. Some scouts see a player who fits a power-over-hit profile, but his biggest fans believe he’ll have enough bat-to-ball skills to help his plus raw juice play more often in games. Vilorio’s plus speed should allow him to start his career in center field, with a chance he could stick there, though he might outgrow the position and move to right field, where his plus-plus arm would fit.

The Future: Vilorio will begin his career in the DSL and could begin hinting at the potential that lies within his loud tool set.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 70

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Mendoza signed on June 30, 2021 and got into one game in the DSL. He’s a former center fielder who caught the Yankees eye thanks to the athleticism that comes from his background as a center fielder and a clean arm stroke. He returned to the DSL in 2022 for a full workload and led the league with 77 strikeouts. He moved stateside in 2023 and spent the year in the Florida Complex League, where he pitched in a piggyback role and showed dominant stuff over the course of 10 outings. Despite never making a start, his six wins led the FCL.

Scouting Report: Mendoza works with two pitches–a mid-90s four-seam fastball and a nasty slider in the mid 80s. His fastball can show hard sinking and boring action in on the hands of righthanded hitters, while the slider sweeps away from their barrels. The Yankees have worked with Mendoza to improve his delivery and get him moving in a better direction toward the plate, which they believe will help improve his control and command. He’s shown feel for a changeup but did not throw any in 2023.

The Future: Scouts see Mendoza as a pure relief prospect with the upside and arsenal to be a late-inning force. He’ll move to full-season for the first time in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Yankees’ club in the Florida Complex League had evaluators buzzing all summer long, with headliners like Roderick Arias and Henry Lalane getting the bulk of the ink. Cruz’s combination of youth and production opened eyes, and he finished the year as one of three players in the league with double-digit home runs.

Scouting Report: The Yankees signed Cruz on the strength of a loose, powerful swing from the left side with a body that could add plenty more strength. Those traits showed up in spades in the FCL, where scouts saw a player with less rawness than one would expect for a player his age. There’s some mechanical issues in his swing that causes a bit of a hole at the top of the zone, and he needs to make better swing decisions in order to make high-quality contact more often. His whiff rates are better than average for his age, but he often hits pitcher’s pitches and makes weak contact. Scouts are split about whether Cruz will stick in center field. If he moves to a corner, his above-average arm strength and speed would fit well in right field.

The Future: Cruz will get his first taste of full-season ball in 2024, when he will move to Low-A Tampa. He likely fits as a corner outfielder with power and hittability who can man center field in a pinch.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Ledbetter has always hit. In two years at Samford, he was one of the best hitters in the Southern Conference. He then was one of the best players in the New England Collegiate League during summer 2022. And to prove that he could handle a jump in level of competition, Ledbetter transferred to Mississippi State for his junior year, where he showed that he was just as capable of hitting Southeastern Conference pitching. He hit .320/.452/.574 while stealing 17 bases in 2023, making himself the Rays’ second-round pick. Ledbetter finished his pro debut with Low-A Charleston as starting center fielder during the postseason. He homered in Game 1 of the championship series to help the RiverDogs win their third straight title.

Scouting Report: Ledbetter is a well-rounded outfielder who has a chance to have five average tools. He doesn’t do anything exceptionally, but he also has no glaring weakness. He doesn’t chase too frequently. He doesn’t get himself out and shouldn’t strike out too much. Ledbetter has average power, and he’s an above-average defender in the corners who can plausibly play center field, though probably not for the Rays who always seem to have plus defenders in center.

The Future: As a capable SEC hitter who has already gotten a taste of the Carolina League, a push to High-A Bowling Green to start 2024 is likely. There are plenty of Rays outfield prospects who do something better than Ledbetter. But the Rays don’t have an outfield prospect who can do as many things well as Ledbetter.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Pineda signed with the Rays for $1.75 million, the top bonus among the 23 players the team signed on Jan. 15.

Scouting Report: Pineda is an outfielder whose bat should carry him up the minor league ladder. He’s a compact, well-built righthanded hitter with above-average bat speed and pull-side power. He has a chance to be a polished hitter with power. He’s an average runner who should play all three outfield spots early in his pro career, with some scouts giving him a chance to stick in center field, while others think he’s most likely a corner outfielder in the upper levels.

The Future: Pineda has a lot of promising attributes and should be one of the better hitters in the Dominican Summer League this summer.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Maroudis was a two-way standout for Florida high school powerhouse Cavalry Christian who started at shortstop on days he didn’t pitch. He ranked as the 82nd overall prospect for the the 2023 draft and was viewed as one of the top high school talents in the state of Florida. The Blue Jays selected Maroudis in the fourth round and signed him for $1.5 million, their second-highest bonus in the class. He did not pitch following the draft.

Scouting Report: Maroudis is an athletic righthander with a tall, projectable build. He delivers the ball from a low three-quarters arm slot with some violence in his delivery at release, including a head whack and wicked recoil. Maroudis’ stuff steadily grew over his time in high school. He mixes four pitches: a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. His fastball sits 90-93 mph and touches 96 with above-average ride and good plane. Maroudis’ primary secondary is a low-80s changeup with good velocity and vertical separation off his fastball. Maroudis mixes two breaking balls in a low-80s slider and a curveball in the mid 70s. The slider is a newer addition to his repertoire but has overtaken the curveball in effectiveness. Maroudis shows average command of his secondaries.

The Future: Maroudis is an exciting high school righthander with starter traits and the makings of an average or better three-pitch mix.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Rojas represented Venezuela first at the U-12 World Cup in 2019 in Taiwan, then again in 2022 in Venezuela at the U-15 World Cup Americas Qualifier. He signed with the Blue Jays for $998,000 at the beginning of the 2024 international signing window.

Scouting Report: Rojas has a medium frame that’s strong for his age, without a ton of physical projection but already making hard contact with good swing path and bat-to-ball skills. His high baseball IQ is an asset behind the plate, where he projects to stick with good catch-and-throw skills and a solid-average arm.

The Future: One of the top catchers in the class, Rojas should debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Wolkow ranked as the No. 6 player in the 2024 high school class before announcing in March 2022 that he was reclassifying for 2023. With his size, athleticism and raw power, he was impressive enough during the summer and fall showcase circuits that the White Sox took the local product in the seventh round, the only high school player they drafted in 2023. Wolkow signed for an over-slot bonus of $1 million. Primarily a corner infielder in his high school career, he played exclusively in the outfield during his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League and in the fall instructional league program.

Scouting Report: With his massive 6-foot-7, 240-pound frame, Wolkow already has plus raw power and could get to a double-plus grade as he matures and begins making more consistent contact. His lefthanded swing works well for his size, and he shows the ability to draw walks, but it comes with high strikeout totals. He struck out 33% of the time in a small pro sample. Wolkow moves surprisingly well for his size and took to the outfield quite well, splitting time between center and right field. He’s an average runner now but covers plenty of ground with long, loping strides. He projects best in right field, where his plus arm will be more than enough for the position.

The Future: Wolkow was just 17 for the entirety of his first pro season, so there’s still plenty to dream on. He’s mature enough to handle a Low-A assignment in 2024, though a bit more time at the complex to further refine his swing might be best for his development. Because of Wolkow’s age, the White Sox can afford to be patient.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Taylor began his college career at Louisiana State in 2022 as a 19-year-old freshman. He showed loud pure stuff but walked 6.1 batters per nine innings and posted a 5.81 ERA working mostly out of the bullpen. His stock went up in the 2022 Cape Cod League, where he was named the top pitching prospect in the league after fanning 30 batters in 21 innings while walking just two. Taylor continued to impress as a starter during LSU’s fall ball season but didn’t take the mound in 2023 because of an elbow injury that resulted in Tommy John surgery. The stuff that Taylor showed on the Cape and in the fall of his sophomore year was enough to get him ranked highly on draft boards, and the White Sox took him in the second round and signed him for $1,659,800. Taylor spent his first pro summer rehabbing at the White Sox’s complex in Glendale, Ariz.

Scouting Report: Prior to his injury, Taylor threw a plus fastball in the 93-95 mph range and touched 98-99 with plus riding life. His go-to secondary is an upper-70s curveball with 12-to-6 shape and tons of spin in the 2,700-2,800 rpm range, but he’ll also mix in a mid-80s slider and low-90s cutter. Taylor has high spin rates across the board with all pitches. He seldom threw a changeup, an area for development once he’s back on the mound.

The Future: Taylor will start throwing early in 2024 and could get into games by midseason. He had reliever risk even before his injury but will be developed as a starter to begin his pro career.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Signed for $75,000 in January 2023, Mogollon quickly jumped to the head of the class among that year’s White Sox international class. The native Venezuelan had an outstanding professional debut in the Dominican Summer League by hitting .315/.417/.582. His 10 home runs in 165 at-bats were tops in the league for 17-year-old players.

Scouting Report: Mogollon is a quick-twitch athlete with a short, muscular build. He gets low in the box with a wide stance and uses a simple, compact swing with no stride. He showed solid contact skills and above-average plate discipline. Despite his size, Mogollon has above-average raw power and registered above-average exit velocity numbers for his age group in his first season. He has a knack for optimizing his hard contact to his pull side at launch angles where they do the most damage. An average defender, Mogollon is better at second base and is more comfortable there, but he has the softness of hands and enough arm to play shortstop if his defense improves. He’s a plus runner who stole 11 bases in 13 attempts, but he could slow down as his body continues to mature.

The Future: Mogollon will make his U.S. debut in 2024, first in extended spring training followed by a season in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League. He will headline a potentially impressive crop of international newcomers on that team.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: In 2022, the Venezuelan-born Hererra played as a 15-year-old at the U-18 World Cup Qualifier and held his own against older competition. He was the top signee in the White Sox’s international class, which opened on Jan. 15, 2024, signing for $1.8 million.

Scouting Report: Herrera’s game is based around his offense, which is centered around a loose, easy swing that produces impact from right-center to his pull side without having to sell out. Herrera’s performance against live pitching earned him both fans and detractors. He’s got experience at shortstop and catcher but as he’s grown up and gotten bigger he’s settled at third base. If he continues growing, he might move across the diamond to first base and have more pressure placed on his bat.

The Future: Herrera will begin his pro career in the Dominican Summer League. If he can stay at third base, he has a chance to be a prototypical corner infield masher.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Cochise (Ariz.) JC is located in southern Arizona, just 20 miles north of the border with Mexico. It’s about the same distance from the Wild West town of Tombstone, an unlikely location for a group of French natives to show up to play junior college baseball. One of those transplants was LaCombe, who started to attract attention in his second season at Cochise when he posted a 1.74 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 97-to-14 in 67.1 innings. A bullpen session for scouts who were in the Phoenix area for the Pacific-12 Conference Tournament generated interest. LaCombe was up to 96 mph that day, and the White Sox drafted him in the 12th round and signed him for $450,000. He didn’t pitch in games during the summer but logged a couple brief one-inning starts at instructional league in the fall.

Scouting Report: LaCombe throws a plus sinker that sits 90-92 mph in longer outings, touches 97, and sits in the mid 90s in shorter stints. His fastball has more run than sink, with plus movement and plus velocity. He has average secondary pitches, including a slider in the low-to-mid 80s, and a split-changeup in the low 80s. Both could become above-average offerings with more development. More velocity could be coming with LaCombe’s lean 6-foot-2 frame likely to add strength. Better utilization of his lower half in his delivery could also help.

The Future: LaCombe will turn 22 in June, and while it’s likely he will start the 2024 season in extended spring training, it’s not out of the question that he could hit Low-A Kannapolis by his birthday.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Walters was the best reliever in college baseball in each of the last two seasons, twice earning first-team All-America honors. While he was draft-eligible in 2022–and picked in the 18th round by the Orioles–he opted to return to Miami for a final season. After another impressive season anchoring the Hurricanes’ bullpen, the Guardians drafted him 62nd overall.

Scouting Report: Walters primarily comes right after hitters with his fastball. The pitch can reach triple digits and typically sits in the mid 90s with exceptional ride and carry. The pitch got whiffs 36% of the time, making it one of the best fastballs in the draft class. He mixes in a sweeping slider and a firm changeup with fading life. He pounds the strike zone and pitches with above-average control.

The Future: While there was some talk of Walters moving to the rotation at Miami after his return to school, that never materialized and he’s likely going to continue to develop as a reliever. While that puts a bit of a damper on his prospect value, he has the potential to become a high-leverage reliever. First up will be his professional debut. That will likely come at High-A Lake County, but don’t expect him to stay in the Midwest League for long.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Arias was the top signing in Cleveland’s most recent international class, which opened on Jan. 15, 2024. He has a long history of getting on base during games.

Scouting Report: Arias has an unconventional swing from the left side, but he consistently puts the bat on the ball and makes solid contact. To hit for more power, he might have to make a swing adjustment that would likely come with a downgrade in contact. More power could also come if he can add a little more weight to his frame. He’s athletic and has a chance to stick in center field.

The Future: Arias will begin his career in the DSL, where he’ll work on adding more impact while keeping his bat-to-ball skills as intact as possible while sticking up the middle.

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Acquiring hitters who can control the strike zone and have a clear plan at the plate is a point of emphasis in drafts under president of baseball operations Scott Harris. So after picking the sweet-swinging Max Clark with the third overall pick in the 2023 draft, the Tigers added McGonigle, another bat-first prep prospect with advanced hitting skills, in the supplemental first round. Drafted 37th overall, McGonigle signed for a bit shy of $2.9 million, and more than $500,000 over slot. He demonstrated his hitting instincts in the Florida Complex and Florida State leagues in his pro debut, reaching base in his first 17 games and 19 of 21 games overall.

Scouting Report: McGonigle has a long track record of hitting against top opposition in showcases and international competitions, including an impressive stint with USA Baseball’s gold medal-winning 18U national team in 2022. He has the barrel control and adjustability in his hands to stay on pitches even when he’s fooled initially. McGonigle doesn’t show massive power in batting practice, but his bat-to-ball skills makes him a threat to line balls to the gap and clear the fence from time to time. Drafted as a shortstop, McGonigle’s likely long-term position is second base. He’s average there with a fringe-average but accurate arm that is less stretched on the right side of the infield. He won’t embarrass himself at shortstop and has a solid internal clock, but a big league team should have better options.

The Future: The pairing of McGonigle and Max Clark should make Low-A Lakeland one of the most entertaining and dangerous lineups in the Florida State League to start 2024. Both players have shots to get to High-A West Michigan before long, thanks to their advanced approaches. McGonigle is a bat-first infielder, but he faces fewer defensive questions than some other recent hit-first Tigers’ infielders.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Melton seemed headed in the wrong direction when he posted a 6.91 ERA as a starter for San Diego State in 2021. No team would meet his asking price, so he bet on himself and returned to school in 2022. He shortened his arm action and found success. The Tigers astutely drafted him in the fourth round. Melton got even better in 2023 by showing a bit more velocity and plenty of feel for how to work up and down to change hitters’ eye levels. He has control to rival nearly any pitcher in the Tigers organization, with a 6.4% walk rate in 2023 that led all starters in the system who pitched at least 70 innings.

Scouting Report: Melton has a relatively mature, 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame and is somewhat stiff, but he repeats his delivery, throws strikes and his stuff is some of the best in the Tigers’ system. His four-seam fastball added another tick in 2023. He now sits 94-96 mph. He can work his fastball to the top of the zone. It doesn’t have exceptional life or carry, but he commands it well, and it helps him regularly get ahead in counts. His average low-to-mid-80s slider and above-average mid-80s changeup both have steadily gotten better as well. Melton has plus control, which helps him avoid big innings. He showed as much in 2023 in a season spent primarily at High-A West Michigan. He had 10 different starts in which he walked no one, and only one start all year where he allowed four runs.

The Future: Melton took his turn every time in 2023, but the Tigers were cautious with his workload, holding him to under 100 innings and never letting him throw 90 pitches in a start. He’s ready for a heavier workload as he jumps to Double-A Erie in 2024. He’s a potential back-of-the-rotation starter who could also slide to the bullpen if needed.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 60

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: A four-year starter for Western Carolina, Bigbie was a career .352 hitter in college, capping his career with a .395/.500/.621 season for the Catamounts in 2021. The Tigers made him the 555th player picked in the 2021 draft. Bigbie’s first two years with the Tigers were nondescript, but he broke out in 2023. After hitting three home runs combined in his first 129 pro games, he hit 19 in 115 games in 2023 while climbing three levels to Triple-A Toledo.

Scouting Report: While the Tigers had long been impressed with Bigbie’s bat-to-ball skills, they worked with him to tweak his swing to more regularly get the ball in the air. Bigbie has always made plenty of hard contact. Now, that impact has gone from outs and singles into doubles and homers thanks to the boost in his flyball rate. He still has work to do because his power is almost entirely to the opposite field. He hit 13 of his 19 home runs to right or right center, and he’s yet to show he can pull the ball consistently in the air. Bigbie doesn’t have a particularly quick bat, and he will chase, but he has excellent barrel control. Bigbie’s offensive breakout also coincided with his move back to the outfield full-time. He was a well below-average defender at first base, but is just below-average in the outfield. He has a below-average arm, but is an average runner.

The Future: Bigbie put himself on the path to Detroit in 2023. There are still some concerns about whether his breakout is sustainable, but he will return to Toledo to try to prove he can help the Tigers in left field before long.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 40

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: When the 2023 season began, it appeared that Montero’s pro career was stuck. A 2016 signee out of Venezuela who had been left available for multiple Rule 5 drafts, he was back at High-A West Michigan for a third straight year. By May, he’d been promoted to Double-A Erie, and he pitched his way to Triple-A Toledo by August. He ended up leading all MiLB pitchers with 15 wins. As a reward for his breakout season, he was added to the 40-man roster in November.

Scouting Report: Montero has always shown the makings of plus control, and he’s never shied away from attacking hitters, but now he has mastered his four-pitch arsenal enough to get hitters out in the strike zone. His plus 94-96 mph fastball has enough life at the top of the zone and a flat enough angle to bedevil hitters when elevated or thrown on hitters’ hands. His mid-80s above-average slider is a pitch he can tighten up to get into the strike zone or bury for a chases. He’s just as comfortable throwing his mid-80s average changeup and high-70s average curve. Montero weighed 145 pounds when he signed. Now he’s 213 pounds and has matured into a solid pitcher’s frame with a strong base and a compact delivery.

The Future: Montero’s fastball and breaking balls would play well in the bullpen if the Tigers need immediate help, but he does have a starter’s approach and control if Detroit is willing to wait a little longer for him to reach his potential as a No. 4 starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Briceno was one of the Tigers’ top international signees in 2022, and the Tigers were impressed with the long and lanky catcher. He’s filled out pretty quickly into a strong, if quite tall at 6-foot-4, catcher. Briceno was one of the stars of the Florida Complex League. He finished top 10 in the league in most offensive categories and earned a late-season promotion to Low-A Lakeland.

Scouting Report: Briceno, like many tall catchers, needs to continue working on his defense. He has above-average arm strength, but his exchange and long arm stroke keeps him from consistently posting better than fringe-average pop times. His blocking also needs to continue to improve. The Tigers have reason to hope he can become an average defender someday, but opposing scouts see him more likely sliding to first base eventually. He has above-average power for his age, and with his big frame and leverage, should continue to develop as a power threat. He demonstrated better-than-expected contact skills in 2023 and was consistently a tough out in both the Florida Complex League and Florida State League.

The Future: Briceno’s catching needs lots of work, but his offensive potential is intriguing. He should be one of the best hitters in the Florida State League in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 30 | Arm: 40

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Tennessee has had a number of pop-up prep prospects who haven’t been seen on the showcase circuit, most notably the Rangers’ Evan Carter. Rucker isn’t on that level, but he established himself as an excellent prospect by hitting everything in sight as a high school senior. He finished the spring hitting .523 with 18 home runs and 31 stolen bases. Area scout Harold Zonder and scouting director Mark Conner saw him a lot and put him firmly on the team’s radar for the draft.

Scouting Report: The Tigers believe they found a day two gem in Rucker. He can flash an above-average run time, he’s got an above-average arm and he has the frame to continue to add more good weight and strength. More than anything, Rucker has the ability to develop into above-average power while staying on the left side of the infield. His frame may eventually outgrow shortstop, but he has a chance to play there in the near term, and his long levers and power potential should profile at third base as well.

The Future: Rucker’s power potential and athleticism are worth watching, and his ability to play shortstop and third base are useful for Detroit, as third base is one of the organization’s weaker positions. He should be part of a prospect-laden Lakeland team in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Signed for $1.5 million, Miranda is one of the older high-profile signings in the 2024 international class, as he’ll turn 18 before the 2024 season begins.

Scouting Report: Miranda is a bit older, but his present physicality is still notable. He has a short swing that generates big raw power. He can put on a show in batting practice, although in games sometimes he gets a little too pull happy and can be induced to chase. He’s currently a third baseman and his above-average arm will be an asset there, but there’s a solid likelihood that eventually he’ll slide to first base. If his power potential develops, that won’t be a problem.

The Future: The Tigers haven’t had a lot of success with many of their recent international signees. Miranda will try to reverse that trend when he heads to the Dominican Summer League.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Wolters didn’t participate in many of the big high school showcases, but the Arizona commit certainly popped onto the radar when his fastball velocity jumped significantly just prior to his senior year. The Royals grabbed the Illinois prep product in the second round in 2023 and went over slot to sign him for $2.8 million. The PBR Super 60 Showcase in February, when he broke the event’s velocity record with a 97.7 mph fastball, helped put him on the map. With plenty of downtime leading up to the draft, Wolters did not pitch in an official game in 2023 but was very impressive in a pair of one-inning starts late in the fall instructional league.

Scouting Report: With a strong frame that has been described as the perfect build for a pitcher, Wolters’ fastball touches 98 mph with power ride and some bore. It sits in the mid 90s and is delivered with a fast arm from a three-quarters arm slot and a proper finish out in front. He could add velocity with more strength to his frame and better use of his lower half. Wolters pairs his heater with a wipeout 82-84 mph slider that flashes as a plus offering with hard break and 2,700 rpm spin. He lands it to both sides of the plate and can add more sweep when looking for a strikeout. He didn’t show a changeup in his brief outings. He used the pitch infrequently in high school, but it projects as an average offering around 80 mph. He repeats his delivery well.

The Future: Wolters will likely follow the same development path that the Royals have used with previous high school pitchers, staying behind in extended spring training for a month or so in 2024 before heading to Low-A Columbia. Projecting as high as a no. 3 starter, Wolters already has shown enough potential that with more experience he could rocket up the Royals’ prospect list.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Of the few Dominican Summer League players that the Royals brought to their fall instructional league, Ramirez stood out the most. The native Venezuelan signed for just $57,500 in 2023 but quickly jumped to the head of the Royals’ international class after torching the DSL to the tune of a .344/.440/.615 line and eight homers in 41 games. His 1.055 OPS would have ranked among the tops in the DSL had he qualified, and his eight home runs tied for eighth among all hitters.

Scouting Report: Ramirez has feel to hit with an advanced, powerful swing that shows excellent adjustability and barrel accuracy. He can also handle velocity, projecting the ability to hit for both average and power. His 90th percentile exit velocity of roughly 102 mph in the DSL was well above-average for the level. Like any young catcher, Ramirez has work to do on all facets of his defense. But he has a foundation that indicates he can one day be a plus defender with a plus arm. Both his throwing and receiving improved throughout the season. He’s a below-average runner who could slow down as he matures.

The Future: An exciting prospect at a premium position, Ramirez still has a lot of development ahead. He’ll stay in Arizona in 2024 with an assignment to the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: A breakout junior season at nebraska in 2023 put Matthews on the prospect map. He drew heavy interest throughout his draft spring, especially as he became the first player in nebraska history to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a season. He was drafted by the Astros 28th overall and signed for $2.48 million, roughly 14% below slot value. Matthews debuted in the Florida Complex League after the draft but was quickly promoted to Low-A Fayetteville. He played in 33 games for the Woodpeckers and hit .217/.373/.367.

Scouting Report: A well-rounded player with a tooled-up skill set, Matthews shows fringe-average bat-to-ball skills, with a good dose of swing-and-miss that surfaced early in his professional debut. Matthews’ contact skills are counterbalanced by his selective eye at the plate. He will rarely, if ever, expand the zone. While he can get passive at times, he attacks mostly everything over the plate. Matthews shows above-average game power and has a knack for driving pitches on the inner half of the plate to his pull side. An above-average runner, Matthews is an instinctual baserunner capable of stealing 25 or more bases annually. He stole 18 bases in 22 tries in his 35-game pro debut. His speed translates to good range at shortstop, where he shows good hands and actions. His throwing arm is fringe-average, and he often lacks the strength and accuracy needed for shortstop. Other organizations saw him as a potential center fielder in pro ball.

The Future: Matthews is an exciting, tooled-up player with a good combination of on-base skills, power and speed. His best-case outlook is a rangy second baseman with above-average offensive contributions.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: After going unselected in the five-round 2020 draft, Loperfido went back to Duke for his senior year and has since developed into a legitimate position prospect after the Astros drafted him in the seventh round in 2021. After hitting .286/.387/.458 in 2022 across both levels of Class A, Loperfido spent a majority of 2023 with Double-A Corpus Christi. He hit .296/.392/.548 with 19 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 84 games. He was promoted to Triple-A Sugar Land on Aug. 15 but struggled with strikeouts in 32 games.

Scouting Report: Loperfido is a well-rounded player with no standout tool. At the plate, he sets up with his hands high, equal with the crown of his helmet. A moderate leg lift gives way to an explosive lefthanded swing. Loperfido has shown average bat-to-ball skills and a good balance of aggression and patience as he has climbed the ladder. During his month at Triple-A, he struggled to make contact and expanded at a much higher rate than at any of his previous stops. He shows above-average game power with the ability to get to it by slugging 25 home runs in 2023. Loperfido’s groundball rate is on the higher side, capping some of his raw power until an adjustment is made. An above-average runner underway, he is a baserunning threat. He stole 27 bases in 31 attempts in 2023. Loperfido’s speed translates to the outfield, where he shows the ability to handle center field. His arm is below-average but has been enough to make him playable at a variety of positions. Loperfido saw playing time at five positions in 2023: first base, second base and all three outfield spots.

The Future: Loperfido fits the super-utility profile with average or better hitting ability and a nice power and speed combination.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Cole played in just 22 games during his first two seasons at Ball State before breaking out in his third, hitting .361/.449/.727 with 13 home runs for the Cardinals in 2022. He joined Cotuit of the Cape Cod League after the season and played in 16 games prior to the draft. The Astros selected Cole in the 10th round and signed him for a below-slot $97,500. Cole reached Low-A Fayetteville after the draft and returned to the level to begin 2023. He hit .265/.397/.494 with 11 homers and 25 steals in 70 games. Promoted to High-A Asheville on July 19, he hit .247/.349/.480 with eight homers and 12 steals in 41 games.

Scouting Report: Cole has an elite athletic capacity, providing the highest ceiling of any Houston prospect. An explosive offensive player, he falls into the category of a three true outcomes hitter. Cole’s bat-to-ball skills are well below-average, driving a high strikeout rate. He showed patience against Class A pitching, but many question the quality of his approach and how his swing decisions will translate as he moves up. Cole’s plus raw power is his carrying tool and he’s shown the ability to get to it in games by hitting 47 extra-base hits in 2023. His underlying exit velocity data is strong with a 91 mph average and a 106.5 mph 90th percentile EV, both numbers well above the major league average. Cole is an easy plus runner with long graceful strides in the outfield and the quick first step to be a basestealing threat. He’s a strong defensive outfielder with the range to handle center field and the plus-plus arm to fit in any outfield position. Despite overall hitting questions, Cole is a tooled-up specimen with big upside.

The Future: A standout defender with an exciting blend of power and speed, Cole looks like an everyday regular with all-star potential if everything breaks right.

Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 60 | Arm: 70

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: As a rising Junior at Mater Dei High in Southern California, Tredwell had Tommy John surgery and missed all of the summer showcase circuit and his senior year. He arrived at UCLA in 2022 ready to contribute and took over the closer’s role as a freshman. Tredwell made the jump to the Bruins’ weekend rotation as a draft-eligible sophomore and made nine starts before a back injury cut his season short. Despite his shorter track record and murky injury history, Tredwell intrigued the Astros in the second round in 2023. Tredwell signed for an above-slot bonus of just shy of $1.5 million and did not pitch following the draft.

Scouting Report: A tall, physical pitcher at 6-foot-8, 230 pounds, Tredwell’s size has not equated to durability. he mixes four pitches led by a four-seam fastball with plus ride that sits 92-93 mph and touches 95 at peak. His primary secondary is an upper-70s curveball with heavy two-plane break. Tredwell also throws a slider in the low 80s with tighter gyro shape and a rarely-used changeup. Tredwell’s ability to use the north-to-south plan of attack is his bread and butter. He rides his four-seam high and works his curveball off of it. Historically, Tredwell has shown well above-average command. He walked just 18 batters across 92.1 collegiate innings, including a sterling 6% walk rate as a starter in 2023. His ability to land all of his pitches in the zone with great regularity is his standout skill. Tredwell is a refined strike-thrower with a starter’s frame and pitch mix. It’s just a matter of finding consistent health.

The Future: Tredwell has a future as a no. 4 starter if he can hold up to the rigors of pitching every five days.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Astros signed Ullola as an 18-year-old, then moved him quickly. He split his first season between the Dominican Summer League and the Rookie-level Florida Complex League, racking up 38 strikeouts in 24.1 innings. He made his full-season debut in 2022 and has moved a level a year for the past two seasons. Ullola made the jump to High-A in 2023. He made 25 appearances for Asheville but struggled with command and allowed too many home runs. Ullola improved his strike-throwing throughout the season, cutting his walk rate by a third from July 1 forward.

Scouting Report: Ullola’s explosive fastball leads his arsenal and rates as the best in the system. The pitch is a classic four-seamer, sitting 93-94 mph and touching 95 at peak with heavy ride and a tough angle when located at the top of the zone. Ullola shows fringy command of the pitch, but it will generate whiffs in-zone when located. His primary secondary is a mid-80s slider with gyro shape and some late cut. The slider doesn’t miss many bats but Ullola has shown average command of the pitch. Ullola also throws an upper-70s curveball with two-plane break but his command of the pitch is fringy. Ullola threw an upper-80s changeup but it was thrown infrequently.

The Future: Ullola has big stuff and has shown slight command gains but will probably never have the command to start. His future likely lies as a middle reliever where he can air it out.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Signed out of Cuba by the Astros during the 2024 international signing period for $1.7 million. Hernandez, 20, posted huge numbers playing in the Cuban junior leagues before he left the country to go to the Dominican Republic to sign with a major league club.

Scouting Report: The scouts who liked Hernandez the most praised him for his speed and hitting ability. While he does have a good offensive track record, there is some stiffness to his swing, with a line-drive approach and more power that has come since he left Cuba. He’s a plus-plus runner underway, which should give him the speed for center field, though scouts were mixed on his defensive instincts.

The Future: The Astros Cuban pipeline is the strongest of any organization in the game, Hernandez should debut this summer with the potential to skip the Dominican Complex League.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Field: 70 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Medium

Track Record: Schanuel was a three-year starter for Florida Atlantic who regularly posted video game numbers. Following his sophomore year, he struggled in the Cape Cod League, which led to an eye doctor appointment where he was diagnosed with an astigmatism. He had a corrective lens placed in his right eye in January 2023. Schanuel went on to a huge junior season, slashing .447/.615/.868 with 71 walks to 14 strikeouts and a Division I-leading 1.483 OPS. The Angels loved his performance and mental aptitude for hitting and drafted him 11th overall in 2023. They signed him for the slot value of $5.253 million. Schanuel hit well at Double-A in his pro debut, and the Angels called him up after just 22 minor league games. Schanuel’s 40 days between draft day and MLB debut is the fifth-shortest timeline in history. He rewarded the Angels by reaching base in each of his 29 games. He drew 20 walks against 19 strikeouts on his way to a .402 on-base percentage. He drew the most MLB plate appearances in his draft year since the Braves’ Bob Horner in 1978.

Scouting Report: Schanuel is a lefthanded-hitting first baseman with substantial offensive upside. His operation starts with an unorthodox setup, with his hands held high over his head while incorporating a high leg kick as he loads. Despite an atypical setup, Schanuel keeps his body and swing in sync and remains balanced. He has an innate feel for hitting and understanding of the hitting process, aided by excellent barrel control and zone coverage. Schanuel’s power has yet to appear in pro ball–he hit two home runs in 51 games after signing–though he made the unorthodox setup to help tap into power by creating better separation. He shows above-average raw power in batting practice but used more of a downhill swing in pro ball. His swing lacks explosiveness, leaving him reliant on his contact skills and swing decisions to get to average power production. He has an inherent aptitude for hitting with an advanced approach which results in high walk rates and minimal swing-and-miss. Schanuel’s corrected vision enhanced his feel for the strike zone and he profiles as a high-average, on-base threat. He is an aggressive and high-energy runner making him an occasional basestealer, though his speed is just below-average. After playing first base exclusively in college and pro ball, he handles the position with ease and may be athletic enough to test in the corner outfield.

The Future: Schanuel is viewed as the Angels’ everyday first baseman starting in 2024. If he grows into more natural power, he could develop into a first-division starter. But without enhanced power, he faces a future as a hit-over-power first baseman. N

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Kent was a standout on the summer showcase circuit before seeing his velocity and performance waver as a Texas high school senior in 2023. The Angels followed his progress over the spring and were impressed during a private workout, enough to draft him in the eighth round and sign him for $997,500, which is third-round money. Kent performed well after the draft, pitching 8.2 scoreless innings. He spent time in the offseason working on strength and conditioning, with a focus on his lower half.

Scouting Report: Kent is a tall, projectable righthander with a solid four-pitch mix. He works primarily off his 92-94 mph fastball. The pitch ranges from 94-96 early in outings while touching 98 with good armside run. Kent’s primarily developmental focus is to add strength to his lower half, with hopes of holding velocity through his whole workload. His low-80s slider is an above-average offering with two-plane action that drifts away from righthanded hitters. The pitch plays well off his fastball, which has similar plane. He is working on a high-arching, upper-70s curveball that shows glimpses of promise, but he has not used it in games. Kent has decent feel for a low-80s changeup that is thrown with conviction and flashes above-average potential with fade. Most of his repertoire works downhill and plays up to his arm side, but he will need to use the rest of the zone to make his arsenal more well-rounded. An easy operator on the mound, Kent has solid control for a young pitcher, with good command of his fastball and slider. Strength gains should improve his ability to repeat and hold velocity.

The Future: Kent has a rotation future with four pitches he can land for strikes. Strength gains could allow him to reach his no. 4 starter upside.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The younger brother of infielder Dawel Lugo, who played three years for the Tigers from 2018-2020, Joswa Lugo signed for $2.3 million, one of the largest bonuses the Angels have ever handed out for an international amateur.

Scouting Report: Lugo has above-average power potential with the ability to turn on a quality fastball. Like many young hitters he isn’t as comfortable when a pitcher keeps feeding him sliders, but Lugo has some feel for hitting. Lugo’s above-average arm should potentially help him stay at third base, but he may eventually outgrow the position. His power may be enough to handle a move to a corner outfield spot as well.

The Future: Lugo immediately becomes one of the more prominent hitting prospects in a somewhat thin Angels’ system, and the bellwether of the most recent Angels’ international signing class.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Echavarria’s velocity jumped during the spring of his senior year at Millburn (N.J.) High and he was just 17 years old on draft day, which helped propel him up draft boards. Still, even Echavarria expected to make it to college and honor his commitment to Florida. The Athletics pounced in the third round and signed him for $3 million–equivalent to late first-round money–to pry him away from the college ranks. The bonus is the largest the A’s have given to a prep pitcher and their biggest draft deal for a pitcher since signing A.J. Puk–himself a former Florida Gator–for $4,069,200 as the no. 6 overall pick in 2016. Echavarria needed time to build back up and did not make his professional debut in 2023, but he did pitch in Oakland’s fall instructional camp.

Scouting Report: Echavarria’s ease of operation and chance for three above-average pitches is intriguing. The well-rested righthander sat 94-96 mph and touched 97 in instructs. There’s room for more physical projection on his 6-foot-1 frame, too. Echavarria has shown feel to spin a slider–which showed sharp break and 2,500-2,600 rpm spin at its best in high school–and has shown feel for a changeup. Neither was a particularly dominant swing-and-miss offering as an amateur, but the A’s believe both have above-average potential with a chance for more because he has shown a feel for throwing strikes. Echavarria is athletic and generates solid velocity with a loose, easy delivery that he repeats well. He employs a rather large leg swing in his delivery and gets down the mound well.

The Future: Some in the Oakland organization believe they’ve landed a gem in Echavarria. He has midrotation upside and will make his pro debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The youngest of three naylor brothers, Myles has considerable baseball bloodlines. His brothers Josh and Bo are entrenched in the Guardians’ lineup, and he’s also cousins with A’s farmhand Denzel Clarke. The A’s signed the youngest naylor to a $2,202,500 bonus after drafting him no. 39 overall in 2023. He debuted in late July and hit .208 with six homers and a 39.4% strikeout rate over 32 games with Low-A Stockton.

Scouting Report: naylor impressed amateur evaluators with his toolsy mixture of bat-to-ball skills and raw power potential. He’s advanced for his age in terms of his ability to launch and pull the ball. He also has a good understanding of the strike zone. But naylor’s overeagerness to do damage led to trouble in his limited pro debut and much more swing-and-miss than expected. Naylor whiffed a concerning 43% of the time in Stockton and particularly struggled with spin. Still, the skills are there if he can calm down the approach. Some in the A’s organization were pleasantly surprised at naylor’s defensive ability at shortstop, but there’s still a prevailing sentiment that he moves to third base as he climbs the ladder and grows into his body. He’s also a below-average runner.

The Future: naylor turns 19 in April. He has the potential of an everyday third baseman with impact potential at the plate, but needs to dial in his approach and swing-and-miss.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The A’s opted to spread their international bonus pool around more in 2023 as opposed to more high-profile signings in recent years such as Luis Morales, Pedro Pineda and Robert Puason. Ramos was one of their top targets when the signing period opened on Jan. 15 along with Dominican shortstop Edgar Montero.

Scouting Report: An athletic center fielder, Ramos moves around well in the outfield, with at least plus speed and what should become an average arm as he gets stronger. Early on, some scouts had concerns about the swing-and-miss in Ramos’ game and a pull-heavy approach, but those highest on him have seen improvements with both his contact skills and strength to become a more consistent hitter.

The Future: While there’s risk because of the hit tool concerns, Ramos has an intriguing blend of tools as he embarks on his pro debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: One of several Thousand Oaks natives in Oakland’s system, Miller was a standout at Newbury Park High, like his older brother Jake, who is now a pitcher in the Guardians system. Cole was committed to UCLA, but a velocity spike moved him up draft boards during his senior spring. The A’s signed him for $1 million at no. 103 overall in the 2023 draft.

Scouting Report: The 6-foot-6 righty has a powerful frame with a low-90s fastball that touched 94-95 mph in spurts this spring. The A’s think he can ultimately sit in that range, with potential for even a tick or two more, as he continues to add functional strength. Miller’s fastball bores in on righthanded hitters and he throws it assertively to any quadrant of the zone. It pairs well with his low-80s breaking ball, which flashes average potential and slurve-like shape. He also shows feel for a mid-80s changeup. Miller repeats his delivery fairly well, but struggled to hold velocity deeper into outings as an amateur. There’s ample time for the 18-year-old to alleviate those concerns as he gets stronger and fills out his frame.

The Future: There’s a lot of projection left for Miller, who has back-of-the-rotation upside if his three-pitch mix comes together. He will make his professional debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: McGraw had Tommy John surgery in high school but recovered to become a top draft prospect after two seasons at Wake Forest. He became a favorite of Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto and entered his junior year considered a potential first-round pick, but he blew out his elbow in January and had a second Tommy John surgery. The Mariners saw an opportunity to get a premium talent at a discount and drafted him in the third round, No. 92 overall. He signed him for a below-slot $600,000.

Scouting Report: McGraw is a physical righthander with power stuff. His fastball sits 93-95 mph and touches 98 with sinking action at the bottom of the strike zone. His best pitch is a high-spin, vertical slider in the mid-80s that misses bats and projects to be a plus pitch. McGraw primarily throws those two pitches, but he also has an average, mid-80s changeup with sinking action that keeps balls on the ground. He’s a heavy groundball pitcher who avoids serving up home runs. McGraw relies on overpowering hitters rather than hitting his spots and has below-average command and control. He has the look and physicality of a starter but has to prove he can stay healthy.

The Future: McGraw is slated to make his pro debut in 2024. He has mid-rotation upside if his stuff returns intact and he proves he can hold up.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Smith largely stayed off the summer showcase circuit and wasn’t well known, but Mariners area scout Patrick O’Grady identified him early and kept highlighting Smith to his superiors. Smith made that look prescient by batting .491 in a huge senior season at Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas) High and followed with an impressive showing at the draft combine. The Mariners drafted him in the fourth round and signed him for an above-slot $1.2 million bonus to forgo a Mississippi State commitment.

Scouting Report: Smith is a physical athlete whose baseball skills are rapidly progressing. He has a projectable 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame and drives balls 400-plus feet in batting practice with plus raw power. He hits balls hard when he connects and has room to keep getting stronger and add more power. Smith is still a raw hitter with a top-heavy, rotational swing and poor breaking ball recognition. He has good hand-eye coordination but needs time to improve his swing and pitch recognition. He has the potential to be a fringe-average hitter with 20-home run power if everything clicks. Smith is much more polished on defense. He’s a plus runner underway who runs pristine routes and is a borderline plus-plus defender in center field. He has above-average arm strength that flashes higher.

The Future: Smith’s defense in center field will give him time to develop as a hitter. He has a chance to be an everyday center fielder if everything clicks.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 65 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: An early standout for his signing class, Joseph officially joined the Mariners when the international signing period opened on Jan. 15, 2024, becoming the top prospect for Seattle’s class.

Scouting Report: Joseph attracted plenty of attention from scouts early on when he was one of the better athletes in the class with a lean, lively frame. At the time, he looked like a premium athlete with potential elite speed who would play somewhere in the middle of the field, whether it was at shortstop or center field. Since then, he has grown taller and stronger, with his skill set and projection changing as well. Joseph is still an above-average athlete, but he has now added more strength and power to his game. He had a flatter swing path early on but now looks like he could end up with a power-over-hit offensive profile. He’s an above-average runner who has a chance to stick at shortstop, where he’s a solid defender with a strong arm.

The Future: Joseph will head to the Dominican Summer League for his pro debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: As if their haul in the 2020 draft weren’t enough, the Rangers also cleaned up on undrafted free agents. One of their biggest coups was Curry, a tall righthander from a New York high school. Curry got a cameo at Low-A in 2022, then returned to the level in 2023 for most of the season. He was one of six Rangers prospects to strike out more than 100 hitters last season.

Scouting Report: Curry’s size and age made him an upside play, and in 2023 he began to scratch the surface of that potential by becoming more in sync with his upper and lower halves. His stuff is plenty good, too. Curry works primarily with two pitches: A low-90s fastball and a low-80s slider. The former has excellent shape, with roughly 18 inches of induced vertical break and a spin rate around 2,400 rpm. The slider is a slicing, downer breaking ball that got Low-A hitters to swing and miss at a rate of 46%. He mixes in a cutter around 89 mph and a changeup in the mid 80s that scouts believe could have average potential once he begins throwing it more often. Curry could get to average control as he gains further coordination and strength, and evaluators noted that his fastball command winnowed at the upper end of its velocity.

The Future: Curry ended the season at High-A Hickory and will return there in 2024. His upside lies in his projection, and the top of his ceiling could see him slot in toward the back of a rotation.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Vargas was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2022 for a small bonus. His career is in its early stages, but he’s already proved a shrewd signing. The versatile infielder stood out in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, where his 11 home runs tied for the league lead, and his 27 extra-base hits and 112 total bases stood alone atop the circuit.

Scouting Report: Vargas has a well-rounded skill set without a standout tool on defense or in the batter’s box. He’s a tightly packed athlete who can put plenty of thump behind the ball but will need to improve his approach in order to do so more often. His chase and miss rates were not good, but his 103.9 mph 90th percentile exit velocity stood out among his peers. If he can better recognize and lay off spin, his knack for barreling balls will show up more frequently. Vargas improved his walk rate year over year but the Rangers would like to see that figure improve. He mostly split his defensive reps between shortstop and second base but got seven starts at third base as well. He could be an average defender at second but has enough arm strength to fill in on the left side from time to time. He’s an above-average runner who can get to plus underway.

The Future: Vargas made a one-game cameo with Low-A Down East, and he’ll return to the level in 2024. He has the ceiling of a utilityman who gets regular playing time around the diamond.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Morel signed with Texas in 2023 for a bonus of $97,500 on the strength of an intriguing but raw tool set. He spent his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League, where he led the league with 17 doubles, eight triples, 32 extra-base hits and 116 total bases. The XBH total was the most in the league since 2019, when Luis Matos had 33.

Scouting Report: Morel’s game is centered around his offense, which has the potential to profile at right field if he makes some improvements. Chiefly, he must make better swing decisions. He didn’t strike out at an extreme rate–just 24.5%–but his miss rates both in and out of the zone were a touch high for the level. If he improves in those areas, he’ll be able to access his plus power as he moves up the ladder. There’s work to be done on defense, where Morel must clean up his routes and jumps to remain in right field. He’s a fringy runner right now, and if he slows down he might have to move to first base.

The Future: Morel will advance stateside in 2024 and has the ceiling of a classic everyday right fielder.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Rangers have not been shy about hunting for upside in the draft, and Tiger is one of their latest projects. The righthander spent three seasons at Butler (KS) JC, where he caught the eye of area scout Dustin Smith, whose intrigue was piqued further by Tiger’s short stint in the Cape Cod League in 2022. In his draft season, Tiger whiffed 121 hitters against just 29 walks in 84.2 innings. Texas took Tiger in the seventh round in 2023 and sent him for a quick stint in the Arizona Complex League before he moved to Low-A for the playoffs, where he struck out six hitters over three hitless frames.

Scouting Report: Tiger works mostly with three pitches: a mid-90s fastball, a hard-diving slider in the high-80s and a splitter that serves as his changeup. The righthander used to throw a circle changeup but the Rangers believed his delivery–with its overhand stroke–was better suited for a splitter. The fastball played up in relief and touched 100 mph in the playoffs. He’s also utilized a low-90s cutter that grades out as fringe-average. Tiger is an above-average mover on the mound and has the arm action and delivery to give him the upside of a starter if he can add the requisite polish. He has fringe-average control.

The Future: Tiger is likely to spend 2024 at the Class A levels, where he will work toward a ceiling in the rotation with the fallback option of a weapon out of the bullpen.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Nationals made Hurtado their top signing of their 2024 international class when the signing period opened on January 15, banking on his high-end strength projection and offensive upside for a $2.7 million bonus.

Scouting Report: Hurtado immediately draws attention for his long, lean 6-foot-3 frame. Scouts highest on Hurtado have praised both his hitting ability and power. He has a long wingspan with a sound, easy swing for his size, generating loft with good extension and leverage to drive the ball well from left-center field over to his pull side. He flashes over-the-fence power now and should grow into plus raw power with a chance for more given the way he’s trending physically. Hurtado is athletic for his size and should slot into a corner outfield spot.

The Future: Hurtado immediately becomes one of the highest upside prospects in the lower levels of the Nationals’ system. He will make his pro debut in 2024, most likely in the Dominican Summer League.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Field: 40 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Sykora ranked as the No. 36 player in the 2023 draft class and owned the hardest-thrown fastball in the class by a high school pitcher. The Nationals managed to land Sykora No. 71 overall and signed him to a $2.6 million bonus, more than double the slot value at that pick, to pry him from a Texas commitment. He did not make his professional debut in 2023.

Scouting Report: At 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Sykora is an athletic mover on the mound. His electric fastball sits in the upper 90s and has touched triple digits. His fastball, just based on velocity alone, seems to overwhelm hitters, though it is not always consistent. Sykora’s secondaries both need significant development, but his mid-80s slider and mid-80s split-changeup have both flashed average or better at points. His slider doesn’t have elite spin or movement, but the sheer velocity allows the pitch to generate swings and misses. The Nationals–under their old player development staff–said the righty will likely scrap his split-changeup and move toward a more traditional changeup. Sykora’s biggest challenge will be working on control and learning to be more precise with his power.

The Future: Sykora, who turns 20 in late April, is ready for his pro debut. He has a long road of development ahead, but also a rather high ceiling. He will likely begin the season at the Florida Complex League and could earn a promotion to Low-A in relatively short order.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: In high school, Ashcraft’s big frame and athleticism made him an outstanding enough wide receiver to catch 37 touchdowns in his junior season. He focused on the diamond exclusively in his senior year and showed well both on the mound and in the batter’s box. The Pirates drafted him in the second round in 2018 and signed him for $1.825 million. Since then, his career has been waylaid a bit, first by the pandemic and then by Tommy John surgery which limited his 2021 season to 38.2 innings and erased his 2022 season entirely. He got back on the hill in 2023 and impressed at High-A and Double-A while dealing with a carefully managed workload.

Scouting Report: In his return to the mound, Ashcraft impressed by mixing power stuff with superb control. He starts his repertoire with a four-seam fastball that sat at 95 mph and showed impressive life through the zone. The fastball was backed with a slider, a curveball and an occasional cutter. Part of Ashcraft’s development will involve making sure he varies the shapes on the cutter and slider to make them distinct offerings. Scouts peg his slider, which sat around 87 mph, as a potentially plus pitch, and rated his low-80s curveball as a future above-average offering. His cutter sat around the same velocity as his slider but was thrown just 5% of the time. Ashcraft has thrown a changeup but mostly shelved it in 2023 in order to focus on other areas of development. He ties his mix together with outstanding control that allowed him to throw strikes at a rate of 70% across all three of his stops.

The Future: The Pirates will have to continue to carefully manage Ashcraft’s workload in 2024, but what they saw in 2023 adds yet another interesting pitching prospect to their system. He should reach Triple-A and has an outside chance of making his MLB debut at some point in the second half.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 60

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: As an amateur, Mueth was lauded for his combination of present stuff and remaining projection. The Pirates took him in the supplemental second round and signed him away from a commitment to Mississippi with a bonus of $1,797,500. He didn’t pitch after signing and instead focused on developing a routine and getting on a throwing program that would help him better acclimate to pro ball.

Scouting Report: Mueth has a quick arm and throws from a tough angle that varies from low three-quarters to fully sidearm. His fastball can sit between 92-95 and touch up to 97 mph with armside run and sink that should induce plenty of grounders. He pairs the fastball with an above-average slider with sweeping break that should get plenty of swings and misses at the end of at-bats. He rounds out the mix with a changeup in the low 80s that also gets plenty of drop. Like his slider, the changeup flashes the potential to be above-average. When his delivery is together, he’s extremely difficult to hit. Now, he needs to do that more often. Streamlining his delivery and making it repeatable will be job one as soon as he makes his professional debut.

The Future: If it all comes together he could be a dominant part of a starting rotation. That’s especially if he continues packing good weight and strength onto his frame. If not, his fastball-slider combination would be an excellent addition to the back of a bullpen. He’ll likely debut in the Florida Complex League with a chance to reach Low-A by the end of the 2024 season.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Suero was part of the Padres’ 2022 international signing class that has already produced players who figured into two trades. Massive righthander Jarlin Susana was shipped to the Nationals in the Juan Soto deal, and Suero was dealt to the Pirates in the deal that brought Rich Hill and Ji-Man Choi to the Padres. Suero opened eyes during spring training and is one of the more intriguing prospects in the lower levels of Pittsburgh’s system.

Scouting Report: Suero is a classic tool shed who has a ceiling that needs plenty of time to develop. He’s a twitchy athlete with smooth swings from both sides of the plate and the potential for above-average power. His frame is loose and lanky, but there’s plenty of room to add more bulk. If that happens, his impact should be amplified. As it is, he produced below-average exit velocities and swung and missed a touch too often. He gets good reads in the outfield and can play center field for now but might move to a corner as his body fills out. Scouts who saw him this spring believe enough in his body’s future to project plus raw power one day.

The Future: When they dealt for him, the Pirates were betting on Suero’s upside. It will take years to reach that ceiling, but it might be worth the wait. He’ll head to Low-A Bradenton in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Brazoban was the highest-dollar signing ($2 million) in the Pirates’ most recent international class, which opened on Jan. 15, 2024. He was lauded for his potential combination of power and speed.

Scouting Report: Brazoban has enviable size, loud tools and a shot to stick in center field. His lean frame has room to take more strength, which could amplify his raw and in-game power as he matures. Evaluators who saw Brazoban in games were less bullish on his bat-to-ball skills and could lead to a profile centered around power over hittability. He has enough speed now to stick in center field, but if he slows down he might get pushed to a corner.

The Future: Brazoban will begin his career in the DSL, where he’ll work to add hittability to his skill set.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/Medium

Track Record: In his first two seasons at South Florida, Kerkering was almost exclusively a reliever. In his draft season, he shuttled between the rotation and the bullpen and achieved mixed results. Confident in what they’d seen in previous seasons, the Phillies drafted Kerkering in the fifth round in 2022. He moved through all four levels of the minor leagues in 2023, made his big league debut on Sept. 24 and was a part of the Phillies’ playoff roster.

Scouting Report: Kerkering works largely with two pitches–a high-90s two-seam fastball and a monster of a mid-80s slider that won Best Breaking Pitch in the Florida State, South Atlantic and Eastern leagues in BA’s Best Tools voting. The combination helped him rack up 79 strikeouts in 53.2 innings before his callup. He then added six more punchouts in three big league innings. The slider is so good, in fact, that he uses it to set up his fastball. He threw it 53% of the time in the minor leagues, then went even further by throwing it on 51 of his 60 big league pitches in the regular season. The slider’s effectiveness can be explained by two factors: The velocity and fierce, two-plane movement that includes roughly 17 inches of sweep. The results were a 51% miss rate in the minors and a 40% rate in the big leagues. Kerkering also has thrown a changeup and a curveball but used neither in the majors or minors. The biggest holes scouts could find in Kerkering’s game were a lack of elite life on his fastball and a need to better learn how to deploy his arsenal in the types of situations he’d face in pressure situations in the big leagues.

The Future: Kerkering is a near-lock to make Philadelphia’s bullpen on Opening Day. He should be an elite reliever for a long time.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 70 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: The Phillies signed Aldegheri out of Italy in 2019 as part of an international class that also included Curtis Mead, who was used in a trade to bring Cristopher Sanchez into the system. Aldegheri is light on experience thanks to the pandemic and injuries to his elbow, back and shoulder that have limited him to just 117 innings.

Scouting Report: Aldegheri doesn’t have the high-octane stuff of some of the other arms in the system, but he knows how to mix, match and locate. The lefty works with four- and two-seam fastballs in front of a five-pitch mix that is complemented by the standard offspeed array. The lefty’s fastball sits in the low 90s and has peaked at 95 with cutting and riding action through the zone. Aldegheri’s slider is his only average secondary, but both his curveball and changeup grade out as fringe-average. He sells the changeup well. Aldegheri does a nice job pounding the strike zone and lowered his walk rate in a small sample at High-A toward season’s end. Scouts like his overall command and feel to pitch despite not having a knockout weapon in his mix. They also note a much better body than in season’s past.

The Future: Aldegheri will likely reach Double-A for the first time in 2024. If healthy, he might fit as a No. 5 starter or a swingman. He was left unprotected but didn’t get picked in the Rule 5 draft.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: McGowan was the Phillies seventh-round selection in 2021 out of Eastern Oklahoma State JC. He spent three seasons at the school and blossomed in his draft year after switching from a four-seamer to a sinker and upping his velocity considerably. The righthander was committed to Texas Tech but signed for $577,000. He had Tommy John surgery in 2022 and didn’t make his 2023 debut until July. He made up for lost time in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: McGowan operates primarily with his sinker-slider combo but will mix in a changeup every so often as well. The fastball sits in the mid 90s and can touch 98 with wicked running life that helped him get grounders by the bushel. The pitch is thrown from a higher than average release height for a sinking fastball. McGowan actually has two types of sliders: a sweeper for whiffs and a tighter-breaking gyro to drop in for called strikes. He throws a high-80s changeup, though some scouts think he might be a candidate for a splitter that would give him a weapon to attack north-south. He has below-average control and the Phillies would like him to learn that it’s OK to pitch to contact.

The Future: McGowan will pitch at an upper-level stop in 2024 and could be a candidate for a late-season big league debut if things fall into place. He has an outside chance for a back-end role but more likely fits as a late-inning power arm.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Ricketts’ amateur career started at California prep powerhouse Orange Lutheran High, where he caught future first-rounder Cole Winn and led his club to its first two of three consecutive wins at the prestigious National High School Invitational. He spent four years at San Diego before the Phillies selected him in the seventh round in the 2022 draft. He debuted at Low-A in 2022 then split his 2023 season between the Class A levels. An injury limited him to 70 regular season games. He made up lost reps in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Early in the season, Ricketts caught scouts’ attention because of a combination of strong bat-to-ball skills and burgeoning power. He did an excellent job making contact on pitches in the zone but could stand to chase a little less often, though scouts praised his willingness to use the whole field. He’s not a standout defender and he has below-average arm strength that plays up a bit because of a quick transfer. He’s a fair receiver and blocker and gets high marks for the way he manages a game. Ricketts is a well below-average runner.

The Future: Ricketts entered the year as one of the biggest up-arrow prospects in the system but looked a bit diminished after returning from injury. An offseason to heal could get him back in the swing of things and help him bounce back to the form he showed in early 2023. He could fit as an offensive-minded backup.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Baldwin used a 19-homer platform draft year at Missouri State to catapult himself into early Day 2 draft range, and the Braves signed him for $633,300 in the third round in 2022. After a brief pro debut mostly with Low-A Augusta, Baldwin played mostly at High-A Rome in 2023 but saw time at both Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. He was one of Atlanta’s most productive minor league hitters with a 132 wRC+, 16 home runs and 26 doubles.

Scouting Report: Baldwin has a unique setup at the plate with an extremely high initial handset, before getting into a more typical launch position with a high leg lift as the pitcher drives toward the plate. While he’s never had crazy bat speed, Baldwin does have solid raw power. He managed some of the best exit velocity numbers in Atlanta’s system this year, with a 90.1 mph average and 105.1 mph 90th percentile EVs. He has solid plate discipline and managed a 14.1% walk rate, while hammering fastballs–including those at 93 mph plus–though he needs to cut down his swing-and-miss against secondaries. Baldwin is a fair defender behind the plate. He works from a one-knee setup and presents the ball reasonably well. He improved his ability to control the running game, though his arm strength is just average. He mostly clocks 2.00-second pop times to second, but will occasionally hit 1.90 on a clean release. Baldwin is a well below-average runner.

The Future: Baldwin’s most likely outcome is a serviceable, lefthanded-hitting backup catcher who brings a solid combination of receiving ability, plate discipline and contact skills. He should spend 2024 in the upper minors. If he takes a step forward on either side of the ball he could profile more as a regular.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Hackenberg stepped into a full-time starting role from Day One with Virginia Tech. After posting a 4.50 ERA over two seasons and a stint with Team USA he ranked as the No. 148 prospect in the 2023 draft class. The Braves liked the draft-eligible sophomore better than that and selected him with the No. 59 overall pick and signed him to an over-slot bonus just under $2 million. Hackenberg made three starts after signing and looked too advanced for Low-A Augusta, but was uncharacteristically wild in his single outing with Double-A Mississippi.

Scouting Report: A Bryce Elder comparison isn’t too far off with Hackenberg, who employs a similar sinker/slider pitch mix. Hackenberg’s fastball sits in the 92-93 mph range and has been up to 96, with heavy armside running action that tends to keep contact on the ground. He generated a 55% groundball rate during his college career and was off to more of the same in his brief pro debut. Hackenberg pairs his sinker with a low-to-mid-80s breaking ball that mostly has slider shape, but he will occasionally blend into a slurvy curveball look. It’s a solid-average pitch that took a step forward as a swing-and-miss offering in college and has spin rates in the 2,500 rpm range. Hackenberg also has a firm, upper-80s changeup that is almost exclusively used against lefthanded hitters. It’s more of a fringe-average pitch without significant life or velocity separation from his fastball. But it could be useful in keeping lefty hitters off the barrel. Hackenberg historically is a strong strike-thrower, but his fastball was a bit more scattered than usual in his short pro debut.

The Future: Hackenberg has back-of-the-rotation upside. If he winds up being an Elder-esque arm with a better fastball, Atlanta will be quite happy. He should be challenged with a full season at Double-A.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Kuehler was a starter and reliever with Campbell early in his career before settling in as a full-time starter for his sophomore and junior seasons. He spent a summer with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team in 2022, then had a career year with Campbell as a junior and ranked as the No. 53 prospect in the 2023 class. The Braves signed him for just over $1 million with the 70th overall pick and he made two starts with Low-A Augusta after signing.

Scouting Report: A filled-out, physical 6-foot righthander, Kuehler showed a diverse and deep pitch mix in college that was already pared down in his short pro debut. His calling card is a fastball that averaged 94 mph with Campbell and has been up to 98 with some of the best riding life in the 2023 draft class. The pitch averaged 20 inches of induced vertical break in college, and while it wasn’t quite that high in the minors, he still has plus ride on the pitch. Kuehler has also thrown a slider, curveball, changeup and cutter, but with Augusta he primarily threw his mid-80s, short-breaking slider and worked on a low-to-mid-80s split-changeup. Kuehler’s slider has gyro shape and sometimes looks more like a cutter, but it plays well off the fastball. Since shortening his slider, he’s been able to land it for strikes more consistently. Kuehler has a below-average delivery with moving parts and a short, compact arm action, though the Braves had him work out of the stretch in Augusta to help him rotate on time and add consistency to his release point.

The Future: There’s significant reliever risk with Kuehler based on his delivery, but he’s got plenty of arm talent for an organization that has a strong track record developing college pitchers, ranging from Spencer Strider to Bryce Elder.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Braun signed with the Braves in the sixth round of the 2023 draft for $347,500 after a strong season with Cal State Northridge, where he made a successful transition to a starting role. He then had one of the better pro debuts of any drafted 2023 pitcher, as his 27 innings and 32 strikeouts between Low-A Augusta and High-A Rome were second to only fellow Atlanta farmhand Hurston Waldrep.

Scouting Report: Braun immediately became one of the better command pitchers in the system, as evidenced by his 4.7% walk rate and 25.5% K-BB rate–both marks were second-best among Braves minor leaguers with at least 10 innings. A 6-foot, 185-pound righthander, who throws from a lower release height, Braun has four distinct pitches with an advanced ability to locate them. He throws an average fastball that sits around 92-93 and touches 94-95, but he landed it for strikes nearly 70% of the time and does a nice job establishing it at the top of the zone to help set up a trio of secondaries. Braun throws a low-80s slider and an upper-70s curveball that look like solid-average pitches in a vacuum, but his ability to execute them consistently and land them at the bottom of the zone allowed them to play up in the low minors. Braun also has a low-80s changeup that is mostly used to his arm side against lefthanded hitters.

The Future: Braun has perhaps the deepest pitch mix in Atlanta’s system and might have the command to become a pitcher who is greater than the sum of his parts.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 60

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Baumann was one of the most physically imposing players in the 2023 draft class as a high schooler, and ranked as the No. 263 prospect in the class. He signed an over-slot, $747,500 deal with the Braves in the fourth round and then threw one brief, two-inning outing with Low-A Augusta before the season ended. Baumann hails from the same Hagerty High program as current Brave Vaughn Grissom.

Scouting Report: Baumann stands out for his massive, 6-foot-8, 245-pound frame and the easy velocity that he’s able to generate. In high school, he mostly pitched in the 91-93 mph range and touched 96, and he flashed that same velocity in his pro debut, but he still has room to add strength to his XL frame and could shortly be pitching regularly in the mid 90s. Baumann’s fastball has more of a sinker profile than a high-riding pitch, and he also throws from a lower release point than you might expect given his size. His changeup is ahead of his slider currently, and it could become an above-average offering. Baumann’s breaking ball has been slurvy and inconsistent in the past, but he showed some glimpses of adding more power to the pitch. It remains a work in progress for now.

The Future: The Braves are hoping to help Baumann improve the shape of his fastball and add more bite to his breaking ball, but they are excited about his raw talent, size and athleticism. He’s far away, but has a chance to develop into a workhorse starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Drake ranked as the No. 215 prospect in the 2023 draft class and signed an over-slot deal with the Braves for $747,500 in the fifth round. Drake performed well in 11 games in the MLB Draft League and was also a standout at the pre-draft combine, but struggled in a brief 18-game pro debut after signing. He hit .221/.312/.279 with a 37.7% strikeout rate in the Florida Complex League.

Scouting Report: Drake is a lean, athletic outfielder who stands out for his raw tools more than his baseball polish presently. He has shown above-average raw power with fast hands through the zone, though his approach is rudimentary as he can get overly pull-happy and also has real swing-and-miss questions. He was one of the better runners in the 2023 draft class and has top-of-the-scale, 80-grade speed that should allow him to terrorize opposing batteries and give him a chance to be an impactful defender in center field. Like his offensive game, Drake needs to refine his defense and base running, as his jumps, reads and routes can all be inconsistent.

The Future: Drake was young for the class and will be in just his age-18 season in 2024 when he’ll get his first extended taste of pro ball. His tools and natural athleticism give him upside, but the Braves might need to be patient as he develops.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 80 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Ceballos has been a notable prospect since his prep days, when he stood out for his bigtime arm strength. He developed a reputation as a solid hitter in college, first in two years with San Jacinto (Texas) JC and then during the 2023 season with Oregon. He signed an under-slot, $597,500 deal with the Braves in the third round, then had a solid pro debut in 14 games split between rookie ball and Low-A, where he slashed .300/.440/.375 with one home run.

Scouting Report: Ceballos is a large and physical third baseman with impressive raw power that mostly played to the pull side in college, though his lone home run in pro ball was an opposite-field blast. Ceballos generates impressive bat speed and torque in his swing and has a steep, uphill path that should create plenty of fly balls, but could also lead to swing-and-miss issues–which became more of a problem after Ceballos moved to Low-A Augusta and struck out at a 31.4% clip. Ceballos doesn’t have great range at third base as a well below-average runner, but he has plus arm strength, makes the routine plays and was also named to the 2023 Rawlings Gold Glove team in college.

The Future: Ceballos has caught in the past and was a potential conversion candidate for some scouts, though the Braves view him as a third baseman.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Entering the 2023 season, Banfield had established a less-than-stellar track record at the plate. However, he had what was by far the most productive season offensively and produced a career-best .258 average. He also laced a career-high 25 doubles, 23 home runs, and 76 RBIs. Banfield’s production at the plate brought optimism for the future, especially given his defensive prowess.

Scouting Report: Banfield has an interesting setup in the box with a fairly open front side and low handset. He stands nearly upright with a normal load and stride and shows plenty of bat speed. Banfield has above-average raw power that he tapped into more frequently in 2023, although his pure hit tool lacks polish. He has below-average bat-to-ball skills with an overall contact rate of just 71% and has an aggressive approach and a 38% chase rate. The root of his struggles are below-average pitch recognition and lackluster swing decisions and led to a 26.6% strikeout rate. Banfield has long been known for his defense. He moves well behind the plate, receives well, and has a railgun of a throwing arm. Banfield consistently has quick transfers and his throws have excellent carry through the bag.

The Future: Banfield appears to be on track to make his Major League debut at some point in 2024, though he will likely begin the year at Triple-A Jacksonville. Banfield’s defense is already big league caliber, but a questionable hit tool could limit his overall upside.

Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 50 | Run: 35 | Field: 60 | Arm: 70

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Sanoja signed for $500,000 as an international free agent in 2019, but was unable to make his professional debut until 2021 due to the pandemic. He has seen year-over-year improvement in each of his three professional seasons with 2023 being his most productive. Between Low-A Jupiter and High-A Beloit, Sanoja slashed .298/.348/.388 with 20 doubles, eight triples, four home runs, 67 RBIs and 37 stolen bases. Most of his production came in Jupiter, but Sanoja held his own in the notoriously pitcher-friendly Midwest League.

Scouting Report: Sanoja has an unorthodox setup in the box with his front side way open and a somewhat low handset, with his hands far away from his chest. As odd as his pre-swing look might be, it is an aesthetically pleasing and rhythmic operation. Sanoja consistently gets into a good hitter’s position and has some quickness in his hands. Given his astronomically high contact rates, there is no reason to make a ton of tweaks. Between Low-A and High-A, Sanoja had a 90% overall contact rate and a 94% in-zone contact rate. He has minimal impact, but he sprays base hits to all fields. Sanoja is a Swiss Army Knife defensively and has earned meaningful reps in center field, at shortstop, and at second base. He has advanced baseball sense with silky smooth hands and an average arm. Sanoja is also a plus runner who regularly makes his presence felt on the basepaths. Sanoja profiles best as a second baseman.

The Future: Sanoja should start the 2024 season in Beloit, but is likely to earn a promotion to Double-A Pensacola. Sanoja will be a nice utility option in the majors given his defensive versatility, but he is unlikely to debut before 2026.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Johnston had a productive three-year career at Gonzaga where he hit .312/.387/.515 with 46 extra-base hits and 69 RBIs in 109 games. He was taken in the 17th round of the 2019 draft and signed for $125,000. Though Johnston is older than the prototypical prospect, he has carved out a nice professional career. He had a productive 2021 campaign in which he hit .300 with 27 doubles, 15 home runs and 85 RBIs between Low-A Jupiter and High-A Beloit. In 2023, Johnston had a breakout year and slashed .307/.399/.549 between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Jacksonville. He set a new career high with 36 doubles, 26 home runs and 116 RBIs and was perhaps the best hitter in the Marlins system.

Scouting Report: Johnston stands straight up in the box with a slightly open front side, his right heel in the air, and wiggles his bat horizontally over his back shoulder. He has plenty of natural strength and physicality in his 5-foot-11, 205-pound frame. Johnston has above-average bat speed and a beautiful lefthanded stroke in which he extends extremely well through the baseball and does a nice job generating torque. He does big-time damage to all fields and consistently gets the ball in the air. Johnston does chase at times, although his 2023 strikeout-to-walk ratio was respectable. Johnston has an above-average pure hit tool with plus raw power. He is limited to first base defensively, but his productivity at the plate will offset any defensive concerns.

The Future: Johnston is expected to compete in spring training to be the Marlins 2024 opening day first baseman. If he doesn’t break camp, he will start the season in Triple-A Jacksonville with a big league callup on the horizon.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Vradenburg was one of the best pure hitters in college in 2023 and produced a gaudy .400/.492/.721 slash line with 22 doubles, 13 home runs and 69 RBIs across 55 games played. He was a third team All-American and first team All-Big 10 selection for his performance. Vradenburg was selected 78th overall and signed for the full slot value of $916,000. He had a quiet introduction to professional baseball and hit .236/.368/.291 with just four extra-base hits in 34 games with Low-A Jupiter.

Scouting Report: Vradenburg stands at a towering 6-foot-7, 230 pounds with physicality throughout his massive frame. He stands almost completely upright in the box and holds the bat practically straight up and down with his hands a bit far from his chest. Vradenburg has average bat speed as well as average raw power that he has yet to flash in-game as a pro. He has a sound approach with an overall chase rate of 16.7%, but his bat-to-ball skills are slightly below average given his 71% overall contact rate. Vradenburg isn’t a great athlete, but holds his own over at first base which is where he will stick.

The Future: Given his overall profile, Vradenburg will need to mash in order to produce at a respectable clip. He has less than a full pro season under his belt and will have plenty of time to get adjusted, but his initial showing was underwhelming. Vradenburg figures to start the 2024 season in Low-A before a promotion to High-A Beloit.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 40

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: De La Cruz signed at 16 years old in 2022 for $150,000 as an international free agent. He progressed quickly and made his affiliated debut in 2023. After appearing twice in the Florida Complex League, De La Cruz was promoted to Low-A Jupiter, where he showed flashes of an exciting arsenal. In 12 starts that spanned 43.1 innings, De La Cruz posted a 4.57 ERA with 42 strikeouts and 32 walks.

Scouting Report: De La Cruz has a projectable, high-waisted frame and is a high-upside ball of clay for player development to mold. He has a low-effort delivery with a short arm action and plenty of arm speed. De La Cruz’s fastball sits in the 92-94 range with carry through the zone. At just 18 years old, it is easy to envision De La Cruz eventually pitching in the mid-to-upper 90s with the offering. His breaking ball blends shape at times, but it is a plus offering with plenty of horizontal break and in 2023 generated a miss rate north of 40%. De La Cruz also features a high-80s changeup, but he threw it sparingly in 2023 and will need to continue to refine it to help complete his repertoire. In addition to the development of a third pitch, De La Cruz’s command will also need to improve.

The Future: De La Cruz will begin the 2024 season in Low-A Jupiter, but should earn a promotion to High-A Beloit before long. He has an electric two-pitch mix and no. 3 starter upside, but he will need to prove he can stick in the rotation. There is plenty of reliever risk with De La Cruz and his future could be in the bullpen.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: While no back of the baseball card stats jump out when looking at Belgrave, he was a decent reliever during his time at Maryland and struck out nearly 12 hitters per nine innings pitched. He went on to be selected in the 15th round of the 2023 draft and enjoyed a strong start to his professional career. While he threw just 8.1 innings, Belgrave at Low-A Jupiter posted a 2.16 ERA with 14 strikeouts.

Scouting Report: Belgrave has a lean build at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds and features an effective fastball-slider combination. He has a short arm stroke and attacks from a low three-quarters slot. Belgrave’s fastball sits in the 94-97 range and features some running and sinking life at times, although it has a bit of a dead zone profile. Improving the shape of the pitch will be a key going forward. Belgrave’s mid-80s slider is a legit sweeper and is by far his best pitch. He has above-average feel for the pitch and during the 2023 college season, it generated an impressive miss rate of 54%. Belgrave has below-average command, but it plays in his favor at times given his effectively wild track record.

The Future: Belgrave is a reliever through and through, but he profiles as a quality one who could potentially ascend quickly through the system. Adding more life to his fastball and improving his strike- throwing ability would go a long way for Belgrave. He figures to begin 2024 at Low-A Jupiter, but has a chance to pitch his way to Double-A Pensacola by season’s end.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 40 | Slider: 60 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Meachem had an up-and-down three-year career at north Carolina A&T, where he split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen. Seven of his 16 appearances last year were starts, but he was at his best when pitching in relief. Before the draft, Meachem had a strong stint with Team USA’s Collegiate national Team. He was selected in the 10th round and signed for $169,500. Meachem had a quality introduction to professional baseball, and at Low-A Jupiter he posted a 1.64 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 11 innings.

Scouting Report: Meachem has a compact frame at 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, with some thickness in his lower half. He pitches from a three-quarters arm slot and features a mid-90s fastball and low-80s slider. Meachem will pitch in the 92-95 range with his fastball, but it tops out at 97. It has run and ride through the zone and is at its best when elevated. Meachem’s high-spin slider flashes sharp two-plane break with some depth. He spins it well and it has a chance to eventually be a true out pitch.

The Future: Meachem is likely to begin 2024 back with Low-A Jupiter, but should earn a promotion to High-A Beloit quickly. While he projects to pitch out of the bullpen, Meachem has the makings of a fast-moving reliever who could close out the 2024 season in Double-A.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Morris pitched primarily relief during his first two seasons at nevada but made a memorable start late in his sophomore season. He pitched 8.2 strong innings against rival nevada-Las Vegas in the elimination game of the Mountain West Conference finals. Morris moved to the rotation in 2023 and struck out 85 in 81.1 innings and posted a 5.42 ERA that looks better in light of the extreme hitting environments of the MWC, where the overall ERA was 6.08. The Mets drafted Morris with the final pick of the third round and signed him for slot value of $666,500. He made two abbreviated starts in his pro debut.

Scouting Report: Morris has a deep and well-rounded repertoire, a history of throwing strikes and an athletic 6-foot-3 frame that will fit in a pro rotation. He favored his two-seam fastball and slider in college but has a true four-pitch mix. Morris sits at 93 mph and has touched as high as 97 in the past, focusing more on generating weak groundball contact than blowing the ball past hitters up in the zone. His mid-80s slider is his go-to pitch for whiffs and has above-average potential. Morris upsets hitters’ timing with a mid-70s curveball and mid-80s changeup, which both have flashed solid-average potential. He will need to throw those pitches more often–and maybe a four-seam fastball as well–to reach his upside. He ties together his repertoire of average pitches with above-average control.

The Future: Morris’ athleticism, arm strength and clean delivery should take him far in pro ball, potentially to the back of a big league rotation if he continues improving. Getting him out of Reno and into a more neutral run environment in the Mets’ system could help him see better results across his repertoire.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Stuart spent four years at Southern Mississippi but pitched only in the final two because he redshirted his first year and lost his second to the pandemic. The Mets drafted him in the sixth round in 2022. Stuart served as a workhorse reliever in college, but the Mets installed him in the High-A Brooklyn rotation in 2023, to positive results. He advanced to Double-A Binghamton on July 15 and overall led qualified minor league pitchers with a 2.20 ERA and ranked 11th with a 1.10 WHIP.

Scouting Report: Stuart moves well for his 6-foot-9, 250-pound frame and throws strikes with a 93-95 mph tailing fastball and sweepy low-80s slider. The pitches are solid-average but leave him somewhat vulnerable to lefthanded hitters. Stuart has worked to add a changeup and a cutter to become more platoon neutral, and developing a third trusted pitch will be key to him staying in the rotation. Some scouts see him settling in as a multi-inning reliever based on repertoire and command. Stuart’s control is solid for a long-levered pitcher, but his command is more scattered. He worked to tighten his delivery in 2023 to limit the running game after allowing 23 stolen base attempts.

The Future: Stuart threw more sliders than any pitch type in 2023. Emphasizing new pitch types, such as cutter, four-seam fastball and changeup, will be developmental keys in the upper minors in 2024. He has back-end rotation or bullpen upside.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: The Marlins signed Hernandez out of Venezuela in 2021 and assigned him to Rookie complex leagues for his first three pro seasons. He repeated the Florida Complex League in 2023 and experienced a mini-breakthrough that caught the Mets’ attention. They acquired Hernandez plus 18-year-old shortstop Marco Vargas from the Marlins for closer David Robertson at the 2023 trade deadline. Hernandez led the FCL with a .476 on-base percentage, finished second with 47 walks and 10th with a .295 average.

Scouting Report: Hernandez is a switch-hitting catcher with strong command of the strike zone and a contact-oriented, up-the-middle approach. He has some natural power but deemphasizes it in games, and makes himself more of an on-base threat than a threat to go yard. Hernandez has the potential to get to average defense behind the plate. He receives well and shows leadership and character traits the Mets value. His arm strength, transfers and throwing accuracy need to improve and should get better with work and experience. He is a below-average runner who will slow down as catching takes its toll on his knees.

The Future: With the notable exception of Francisco Alvarez, the Mets have not truly developed a catcher of note since Todd Hundley, which speaks to the lack of catching depth they typically have in the organization. Hernandez helps address that, though he is years away from a big league role, most likely as backup catcher candidate. He will get everyday reps at Low-A St. Lucie in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Rudick hit .341 in four years at San Diego State–including .410 to rank 10th in the nation as a senior–and struck out just 8% of the time. But the 5-foot-6 lefthanded hitter totaled just five home runs in 176 games, which pushed him down the board to the Mets in the 13th round in 2021. After a nondescript 2022 season at High-A Brooklyn, Rudick experienced a first-half breakthrough at Double-A Binghamton in 2023. He hit .289/.435/.478 with a career-high nine home runs in 58 games before a shoulder injury sidelined him and ultimately led to offseason surgery.

Scouting Report: Rudick is an undersized lefthanded-hitting outfielder with outsized plate discipline, a quality glove and improving power production. While he is unlikely to reach double-digit home runs in MLB, he did a better job picking his spots to pull the ball in 2023, a fact reflected in a career-high pull rate of 44%. Rudick’s bat-to-ball skills and swing decisions are among the strongest in the system. He rarely goes outside his zone and was the only upper-level Mets prospect to compile more walks than strikeouts. Rudick is an above-average runner and strong defensive outfielder who plays all three positions. He also pitched in high school and has an above-average arm.

The Future: Former Mets farm director Kevin Howard evoked Jon Jay as a comparison point for Rudick, whose baseball instincts elevate his profile as a future fourth outfielder. He will be 25 in 2024, so if he hits at Triple-A he could get an MLB look.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 45/Medium

Track Record: Little paired with 2019 Nationals first-rounder Jackson Rutledge to give San Jacinto (Texas) JC one of the best junior college rotations in the country as a freshman. He was limited to five appearances as a sophomore by a back injury and the coronavirus pandemic, but he went viral after he touched 104 mph in a workout video posted on Twitter. The Cubs drafted Little in the fourth round and signed him for $492,700. Little initially struggled with his conditioning and control, but he slimmed down and broke out in 2023. He rocketed from High-A to the majors and made seven scoreless relief appearances for the Cubs.

Scouting Report: Little is a jumbo-sized lefthander at 6-foot-8, 220 pounds. He hides the ball well behind his big body to generate deception and goes after hitters with an aggressive two-pitch mix. His plus-plus fastball is an explosive pitch that sits 96-98 mph, touches 100 and gets on hitters rapidly. He complements his fastball with an above-average, 80-82 mph slider that sweeps across the zone and plays well against both righthies and lefties. His pitches play well off each other and frequently leave hitters caught in between. Little is difficult to hit and racks up strikeouts and ground balls, but his control is below-average. He struggles with walks and hit batters and often has to pitch his way out of trouble.

The Future: Little has a chance to be a lefthanded middle reliever if he keeps his walks under control. He should open 2024 in the Cubs bullpen.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 45/Medium

Track Record: The Cubs drafted Vazquez as a slick-fielding shortstop out of Puerto Rico in the 14th round in 2017 and signed him for $125,000. Vazquez shined defensively from the outset, but he failed to hit and went unprotected and unpicked in two consecutive Rule 5 drafts. He took an unexpected jump as a hitter in 2023 and surprised even Cubs officials with a breakout season. He hit .273 with 20 home runs, 80 RBIs and an .826 OPS, all career highs by a wide margin, and climbed to Triple-A Iowa.

Scouting Report: Vazquez is a smooth operator at shortstop and the best defensive infielder in the Cubs system. He positions himself well with elite anticipation and instincts, and cleanly fields every ball with his soft, reliable hands. He moves efficiently from side to side and is particularly adept at charging in and making barehanded plays. He has a plus, accurate arm and a quick release to get even the fastest runners. Vazquez long had bat speed, but he finally added strength to hit the ball harder and control his barrel through his swing. He now has the bat control to square up all types of pitches and generate power with ease, especially to right-center. Vazquez’s balance and timing need to improve and he’s an aggressive swinger, but he has the tools to be a fringy hitter with average power.

The Future: Vazquez’s newfound offensive ability makes him a viable potential backup. He is in position to make his major league debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Murray was born and raised in the Bahamas before moving to Florida for high school. He earned a scholarship to Florida Atlantic and led the Owls with 14 home runs as a junior, which led the Cubs to draft him in the 15th round and sign him for $125,000. Murray broke out at Double-A Tennessee in 2023 and earned a Futures Game selection.

Scouting Report: Murray is a well-rounded player who does everything well, if nothing spectacular. He’s a switch-hitter with a calm, patient approach and excellent strike-zone discipline from both sides of the plate. He doesn’t have a ton of bat speed, but he manages counts and swings at the right pitches to do damage. His lefthanded swing is better and more powerful than his righthanded swing, though he’s able to make contact with both and has roughly even career splits. His superb swing decisions give him a chance to be an average hitter with double-digit home run power. Murray is an above-average runner underway and is quick in small spaces defensively. He reads angles and hops well, has a good internal clock and projects to be an average third baseman with an average arm.

The Future: Murray’s all-around game gives him a chance to carve out at least a part-time role in the majors. His debut could come in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Aliendo signed with the Cubs for $200,000 out of Venezuela near the end of the 2017-18 international signing period. An advanced defender but raw hitter at the time, Aliendo progressively got stronger and blossomed offensively at Double-A Tennessee in 2023. He set new career highs with 23 doubles, 16 home runs, 147 total bases and a .790 OPS while ably guiding a high-octane pitching staff and helped lead the Smokies to the Southern League championship.

Scouting Report: Aliendo is the best defensive catcher in the Cubs system and one of the best in the minors overall. He is an excellent athlete with soft, quiet hands in receiving, above-average lateral agility in blocking and a plus, accurate arm. He receives high-velocity fastballs and quality breaking stuff without issue and has a calm, mature demeanor that keeps his pitchers steady. Beyond his physical skills, Aliendo is an exceptional game-caller who is highly intelligent and is nearly fluent in English. Aliendo spent the 2022 offseason working out at the Cubs complex in Arizona to get stronger and now possesses easy power. He’s an aggressive free swinger and a well below-average hitter overall, but he gets to his power enough to project to hit double-digit home runs.

The Future: Aliendo’s power, defense and intangibles give him a chance to be a second-division starter behind the plate. Even if he doesn’t reach that, he should be a valuable backup catcher who plays in the majors for a long time.

Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: An unsigned 39th-round pick of the Astros in high school, Birdsell began his college career at Texas A&M before transferring to San Jacinto (Texas) JC and eventually Texas Tech. The Twins drafted him in the 11th round as a draft-eligible sophomore, but he returned to school and won Big 12 Conference pitcher of the year. The Cubs drafted him in the fifth round and signed him for $385,000. Birdsell made his pro debut in 2023 and was one of the biggest breakouts in the Cubs system. He led the organization with a 2.77 ERA over 24 starts and rose to Double-A Tennessee.

Scouting Report: Birdsell is a confident, big-bodied righthander who fills up the strike zone. His fastball sits 92-95 mph and gets on batters faster than they expect with his short arm action and a slight pause in his delivery. His primary secondary is a fringy, 83-86 mph vertical slider with average depth that plays well against righthanded batters. He also has a fringy, 78-80 mph vertical curveball he throws to lefties and a below-average, 88-90 mph changeup he rarely uses. Birdsell throws strikes with above-average control and commands his fastball especially well. His command and aggressive mentality help his stuff play up.

The Future: Birdsell has a chance to be a back-end starter if he sharpens his secondaries. He’ll begin 2024 back at Double-A.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: McGeary set the all-time NCAA Division II record with 75 career home runs at Colorado Mesa and won back-to-back D-II national player of the year awards. He showed his skills translated with a wood bat during a standout showing in the Appalachian League, leading the Cubs to draft him in the 15th round and sign him for $125,000. McGeary continued to mash in his first full season in 2023. He finished among the organization leaders in hits (120), home runs (19), RBI (88), total bases (202) and OPS (.859) and rose to Double-A.

Scouting Report: McGeary is a massive 6-foot-4 slugger with immense strength. He has a simple, level righthanded swing that stays in the zone and pulverizes both fastballs and breaking balls. He has plenty of bat speed, stays balanced and has a keen eye for the strike zone. McGeary’s swing is grooved and he hits the ball on the ground too often, but he swings at the right pitches and hits the ball harder than almost anyone. He uses the whole field and can clear any stadium when he gets the ball in the air. McGeary’s bat will play, but he must find a position. He was primarily a DH in college and is still learning to play first base, where he is well below-average with slow reactions and poor hands.

The Future: McGeary’s bat gives him a chance to keep rising. He should see Triple-A in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 30 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record:McCullough emerged as one of the nation’s top Division II pitchers at Wingate (N.C.) and showed his stuff played against better competition with Hyannis in the Cape Cod League. The Cubs drafted him in the 10th round after his Cape showing and signed him for $125,000. McCullough made his full-season debut in 2023 and continued to shine. He posted a 3.44 ERA in 21 starts across the Class A levels and held opponents to a .192 batting average, second-lowest in the Cubs system, before a knee injury ended his season.

Scouting Report: McCullough is an intense competitor who confounds hitters with his high-spin fastball. His fastball sits 91-95 mph and plays up with significant cut and carry at the top of the strike zone. The pitch gets on hitters quickly with his above-average extension and evades their bat paths with its late movement. McCullough’s 82-86 mph vertical slider is a fringy offering that plays up with his ability to command it and feel for when to throw it. His 84-87 mph changeup and 78-82 mph curveball are ineffective and will leave him vulnerable to lefties at higher levels. McCullough can be overly rotational in his delivery, but he has a clean arm action and throws strikes with average control.

The Future: McCullough projects to be a middle reliever who dominates with his fastball. He’ll continue starting for now.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 30 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/Medium

Track Record: The nephew of MLB infielder Bill Spiers, Carson was a savvy nondrafted free agent signing of the Reds after the five-round 2020 draft. The one-time Clemson closer saw his velocity improve in pro ball, even as he moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation. Spiers began 2023 as a reliever, but the Reds moved him back into a starting role in July when more than half of the club’s MLB rotation was on the injured list. Two months later, Spiers made his MLB debut as a starter before moving back to the bullpen.

Scouting Report: Spiers has a bucket of usable pitches but no single pitch that gives hitters something to fear. His average 92-95 mph four-seam fastball works if he keeps it at the top or bottom of the zone. Against righthanded hitters he relies more heavily on his two-seamer to get inside, which sets up his average mid-80s slider to break in the opposite direction. His fringe-average changeup was once an above-average pitch but has backed up a little in pro ball. It’s effective to generate soft contact when he dots the bottom of the zone.

The Future: Spiers’ future role will depend on the Reds’ needs. He has experience in the bullpen and in the rotation, and he’s capable of handling either role. More importantly his flexible mindset means he’s willing to help in any way possible.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Serwinowski was viewed as a projectable lefty coming out of high school, but that’s a profile that doesn’t get drafted as often in a minor league system without short-season leagues. The Reds were willing to take that risk, and it began to pay off when his velocity jumped and transformed him into a very promising power-armed lefty.

Scouting Report: The Reds have focused on filling the minors with pitchers who make hitters sweat. Sometimes the sweat comes from 97-plus mph at the top of the zone. Sometimes it’s because some of these fireballers don’t always know where those pitches are going. Serwinowski fits that mold perfectly. He has plus stuff, including a 94-97 mph fastball that’s hard to pick up thanks to his funky delivery and the angle he creates more than the movement of the pitch. He has a sweepy breaking ball that has plus potential. He has toyed with a changeup, but it’s far from where it needs to be. His control is currently well below-average, but that should improve as he gets stronger and gains experience.

The Future: Serwinowski is both exceptionally promising and extremely unpolished. He fits the Reds’ love of raw pitchers with nasty stuff and lots of polish remaining. He will get a taste of the automated ball-strike system in Low-A Daytona in 2023.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 30 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: As a third-round pick selected out of Southeastern Conference power Arkansas, Hollan may look like a pick that’s playing it safe. In reality, he’s one of the upside plays of the Reds’ 2023 draft class. He spent two years at San Jacinto (Texas) JC before moving to the Razorbacks’ weekend rotation for his draft year. He has shown flashes of dominance but moments of inconsistency as well.

Scouting Report: Hollan generally sat in the low 90s at Arkansas, but there’s plenty of hope that he could end up sitting more in the mid 90s as he continues his strength training. He’s skinny for now, and he’s touched 95-97 mph at times, including pretty regularly in fall ball at Arkansas, so there should be more velocity to come. Hollan has a slider and curveball that can sometimes get too similar and a mid-80s average changeup. None of his secondaries are an above-average pitch, but they should tick up with added velocity.

The Future: Having five picks in the top 105 gave the Reds the chance to add a pair of safe college pitchers at the top of their class and a pair of more projectable pitchers soon thereafter in Hollan and Cole Schoenwetter. If Hollan keeps adding strength, he could soar up this list over the next two years.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/Medium

Track Record: Rodriguez could be another junior college pitching success story for the Brewers, who signed him for $250,000 as a sixth-round pick from Florida Southwestern State JC in 2021. Rodriguez was the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year in 2022 and shared the honor with lefthander Robert Gasser again in 2023, when he led the Double-A Southern League with a 2.77 ERA.

Scouting Report: Rodriguez continues to surprise and has now proven successful at the upper levels. He lacks a big fastball or a wipeout secondary pitch but continually finds a way to mix and match his arsenal. Rodriguez has good control of a fastball that sits at 90-94 mph and can scrape 95 and mixes four- and two-seamers. His 83-85 changeup is his best pitch, an above-average offering with 17 inches of horizontal run to fade away from lefties. It’s the pitch that gets the highest rate of swing-and-miss and a key reason why his OPS allowed was near equal against lefties (.566) and righties (.563) in 2023. His 78-82 mph slider is a fringe-average pitch that flashes better at times, with a low-to-mid-70s curveball that he will sprinkle in occasionally when he’s ahead in the count and a mid-80s cutter that gives him six pitches to attack hitters. With a stocky, strong build, Rodriguez has been a solid strike-thrower, though his success comes more from his ability to mix his stuff and location rather than precise command.

The Future: There are still scouts who think Rodriguez could end up in a relief role, but he now looks more likely to be able to stick as a starter, most likely toward the back of the rotation, though he could continue to surprise. Rodriguez most likely opens 2024 in Triple-A, but if his success there continues, he should be in the mix for starts in Milwaukee when a need arises.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 45 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: As a junior at nebraska-Omaha in 2023, Boeve struck out just nine times in 211 plate appearances as he hit .401/.512/.563, an OBP that ranked 14th in the nation. The Brewers drafted him in the second round that year and signed him for $1.25 million.

Scouting Report: Boeve has a strong frame with a thick lower half, though it’s his contact skills that stand out more than his power. He loads with a small toe tap, has little movement in his swing with a short path to the ball. Boeve has a good sense of the strike zone and doesn’t miss much, with the hand-eye coordination and approach to spread the ball around the field. Boeve makes hard contact, though his bat path results in more ground balls and low line drives than loft, so he doesn’t project to hit for big power without a swing adjustment. An offensive-minded player, Boeve is primarily a third baseman, though he played more second base after signing while 2023 first-round pick Brock Wilken got most of the reps at third. He’s a below-average runner whose lack of first-step quickness limits him. Some scouts think he could end up in an outfield corner or at first base, while others think his defensive actions and average arm will be enough to be a fringe-average defender at third.

The Future: If Boeve can continue to progress defensively and tap into more game power, he has the upside to develop into an everyday third baseman. High-A Wisconsin is likely his next stop.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Clarke was a third-team All-American in 2021 at South Carolina, where his 23 home runs tied for the most in the country. The Brewers–who drafted Clarkee out of high school in the 40th round in 2018–picked him again in 2021 in the 10th round, signing him for $75,000. He elevated his status with a big 2023 campaign in Double-A, leading the system in both walks and home runs before continuing to perform well in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Clarke has as much raw power as any player in the organization. It’s 70 raw power on the 20-80 scale with exit velocities up to 115 mph and the ability to go deep to any part of the park. Clarke is strong with a simple lower half move to the ball, punishing fastballs and changeups left over the plate. Clarke does have patience to take his walks, but his steep swing leaves him vulnerable to swing and miss, especially against breaking stuff, leading to a 29% strikeout rate. Clarke still played 34 games at catcher last year, but he spent most of his time at first base and most likely will become a full time first baseman. He’s a well below-average runner whose value will be tied to what he does in the batter’s box.

The Future: To prove he can be more than a 4-A slugger, Clarke will have to continue to trim his swing-and-miss tendencies, but he has the patience and power to profile at first base. He will open 2024 in Triple-A nashville.

Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 70 | Run: 30 | Field: 40 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Blalock signed with the Red Sox for $250,000 as a 32nd-round pick in the 2019 draft. After the pandemic wiped out the 2020 season, Blalock spent 2021 with Low-A Salem, but Tommy John surgery erased his 2022 season. He was back pitching in 2023 when the Red Sox dealt him to the Brewers in the trade deadline deal that brought infielder Luis Urias to Boston. The Brewers added Blalock to the 40-man roster after the season.

Scouting Report: Blalock’s best pitch is his fastball, which he throws for strikes, sitting at 91-95 mph and touching 96. He throws from a near over-the-top arm slot, getting excellent carry on his fastball with 21 inches of induced vertical break, enabling him to get swing-and-miss up in the zone. There’s no wipeout secondary pitch for Blalock, whose main offspeed offering has been a low-to-mid 80s slider that flashes as an average pitch with spin in the 2,500-2,600 rpm range. The 2023 addition of an 84-88 mph split-changeup has been an asset. It’s an average pitch that plays well off his high-slot fastball to induce chase and give him a weapon against lefties. Blalock’s mid-70s curveball has good depth and is a solid-average pitch, one that could make him more effective if he increases its usage.

The Future: Blalock’s repertoire and ability to throw strikes give him a chance to be a back-end starter. If not, his stuff could play up in relief. He should open 2024 in Double-A.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 50* | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Ibarguen signed with the Brewers for just $60,000 out of Venezuela when the international signing period opened on Jan. 15, 2023, but his hitting ability and athleticism made him an intriguing sleeper. He showed why in his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League, turning 17 in July and hitting well overall before finishing on fire with a .341/.436/.659 tear in August.

Scouting Report: At 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, Ibarguen isn’t that tall, but he has a strong, compact frame. He’s a disciplined hitter for his age who didn’t chase much and has the bat control to make contact at a high clip, with a barrel tip to the pitcher in his swing but the ability to keep his hands inside the ball well. Ibarguen mostly has doubles power now but he makes hard contact for his age, with a chance for more of those doubles to turn into home runs. Ibarguen is a good athlete who signed as a shortstop but didn’t play there in the DSL, instead bouncing around between all three outfield spots and second and third base. He’s an average runner whose above-average arm could fit at third base, though he probably will continue to move around the field to develop at multiple positions.

The Future: Ibarguen has become one of the Brewers’ more promising sleepers in the lower levels of the system. If he continues to hit like he did in the DSL when he comes to the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in 2024, he could take a big leap up the rankings.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: As a high school underclassman, Letson generated little attention and wasn’t heavily recruited before he committed to Purdue. After pitching in the upper 80s and touching 90 mph in 2022, Letson during his senior year in 2023 was pitching more regularly into the low 90s and touching 93 mph. The brewers drafted him in the 11th round that year and signed him for an above-slot bonus of $482,600.

Scouting Report: Letson doesn’t have the power or polish of some of the other high school pitchers drafted in 2023, but he has an array of promising projection indicators. He has good arm speed and a classic projectable build, a skinny 6-foot-4 frame with tons of space to fill out, which should help him add velocity to a fastball with good armside run. His 78-82 mph slider slider has above-average potential, getting slurvy at times but with late break and two-plane depth when it’s at its best. Letson’s changeup is less refined, but it has a ton of fade that could make it a bigger weapon for him with more reps. Letson is a good athlete, though he’s still growing into his coordination to throw consistent strikes.

The Future: Letson is a deeper projection arm with a lot of risk, but he has some of the best upside among the organization’s lower-level pitchers. He should pitch in Low-A Carolina in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: After one season with Seminole State (Fla.) JC, Levenson transferred to Miami, where he spent two seasons with the Hurricanes and hit .295/.406/.546. He was selected to the all-Atlantic Coast Conference third team in 2023 after hitting .292/.397/.554 with 14 home runs. The Cardinals drafted Levenson in the fifth round in 2023 and signed him for $381,300. He debuted with Low-A Palm Beach after signing and hit .268/.331/.480 in 34 games.

Scouting Report: Levenson showed a combination of plate skills and average or better power both as an amateur and in his short pro sample. Levenson has a simple righthanded swing with strong wrists and loose hands which allow him to adjust to a variety of pitch types. He has a good balance of aggression and patience and rarely swings himself into outs. Levenson’s raw power is average at present and he shows the ability to get to it by hitting the ball consistently at good angles. Levenson is an average runner who could slow down to fringe-average. He has enough speed for the corner outfield where he’s a fringe-average defender with a fringe-average arm.

The Future: Levenson is an offensive-driven corner outfielder with second-division regular upside.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Pages made his bones early in his career as a defensive catcher, but took a big step forward in 2023. He technically played down a level in 2023 after spending 44 games with Triple-A Memphis in 2022. Pages hit .267/.362/.443 in 117 games with Springfield and his 16 home runs nearly equaled his total from the previous two seasons combined. Pages was added to the Cardinals 40-man roster after the season.

Scouting Report: Pages improved his contact and chase rates in 2023 which led to the best season of his career. He now shows above-average contact rates and low chase rates which point towards sustainable offensive production. Pages’ power is average currently, with average exit velocity data and consistent contact at positive launch angles. With the improvements to his approach Pages projects for fringe-average game power. After using a more traditional stance behind the plate, Pages adopted a one-knee-down catching style on the suggestion of Yankees catcher Jose Trevino. This led to more consistent framing and blocking, and paired with an above-average throwing arm and natural catching instincts, give Pages a strong defensive foundation.

The Future: Pages is a potential platoon catcher with above-average defensive ability and a chance for a league average bat.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Nunez was suspended a year by MLB for an age discrepancy which pushed his official signing date back to June of 2020. Nunez signed for $525,000 and debuted in 2021 with Low-A Palm Beach. He struggled with his command mightily over his first two professional seasons and returned to Low-A Palm Beach for his third consecutive season in 2023. He took a step forward in 2023, cut his walk rate, earned a promotion to High-A Peoria and then pitched in the Arizona Fall League after the season.

Scouting Report: Nunez mixes four pitches with a fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. Nunez sits 95-97 mph and touches 98, with four-seam and two-seam shapes on his fastball. His two-seam has a steeper plane and heavier armside run. Neither pitch has tremendous ride or sink, but they each feature above-average run and premium velocity. Nunez commands his fastball shapes with above-average feel, but his command for his secondaries is shaky. Nunez’s primary secondary is an upper-80s changeup with tumble and fade that generates high rates of swings and misses and lots of chase swings out of the zone. His go-to breaking ball is a slurvy upper-70s curveball with two-plane break. It drives whiffs but is rarely swung at or in the zone. Nunez has improved his control to below-average after having bottom of the scale control early in his career.

The Future: Nunez is a high-powered one-inning reliever who lacks the breaking ball feel for high-leverage work.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Mathews was a 19th-round draft pick by the Rays in 2022, but didn’t sign and returned to Stanford for his senior year. That was a smart move. He had his best college season, won Pac-12 pitcher of the year and led Stanford to the College World Series. Mathews had a viral moment when he threw a 156-pitch complete game against Texas in super regionals. The Cardinals selected Mathews in the fourth round and signed him to a $600,000 bonus.

Scouting Report: Mathews is a polished strike thrower with a four-pitch mix and average stuff. His fastball sits 90-92 mph and touches 94 mph with above-average ride. His best pitch is an above-average changeup that generates swings and misses. Mathews has a low-80s slider with moderate sweep and a mid-70s curveball that’s hardly used. His command took a jump to above-average in 2023 after often nibbling around the zone too much as an underclassman. Mathews has a high level of pitchability and touch for execution and throws lots of strikes while consistently working deep into games.

The Future: Mathews is a low-risk, back-end starter and innings-eater who could take a jump with a few added ticks of velocity.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 45 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Recruited out of high school as a catcher, Roberts wound up mostly playing the outfield at North Carolina and developed into one of the Tar Heels’ best hitters. He led the team with 10 home runs his junior year and was drafted by the D-backs in the fifth round. Roberts made clear he wanted to catch during the draft process and has split time between catcher, first base and the outfield as a pro. He reached Double-A Amarillo in 2023 and hit .278/.383/.523 with 17 home runs.

Scouting Report: Roberts is a short, strong lefthanded hitter who employs a quick, level swing that he uses to spray balls to all fields. He has a knack for producing backspin and good carry, especially to the opposite-field gap, and projects to be a fringe-average hitter with average power. He has a patient approach that produces walks at roughly a 13% clip, but he is prone to swinging and missing in the strike zone and has trouble against lefthanded pitching. Roberts has work to do behind the plate in terms of receiving premium stuff. He has plus arm strength and is adept at blocking pitches in the dirt.

The Future: Roberts might never be a frontline catcher, but if he develops into a passable option he could carve out a role as an outfielder/third catcher who logs at-bats against righthanded pitching.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Born in the Bronx, Cerda followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Allan, a Reds prospect, in moving to the Dominican Republic to train before signing professionally. Originally a third baseman, he moved to catcher, where his soft hands, quick feet and strong arm profiled well, and eventually signed with the Rays for $325,000. The D-backs acquired him for outfielder David Peralta at the 2022 trade deadline. Cerda played his first full season in the D-backs system in 2023 and hit .247/.402/.397 across the Class A levels.

Scouting Report: Cerda is a defense-first catcher with the attributes to be a backup. He has a simple, direct righthanded swing with few moving parts. He uses the whole field with occasional pull power. Cerda’s best offensive attribute at the plate is his eye. He had nearly as many walks (93) as strikeouts (96) last season and is a consistent on-base threat. Cerda is at least an average receiver behind the plate. He blocks well and his above-average arm strength plays up with his accuracy and quick release. He has a thick, stocky build and is a slow runner. Cerda is bilingual and works well with pitchers. He is a good teammate who brings energy, positivity and toughness.

The Future: Cerda projects as a likely backup catcher. He could become more if he develops as a hitter.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Del Castillo has been an offensive-oriented catcher since his high school days and lived up to that reputation his first two years at Miami. He entered his junior year considered one of the top college hitters in the country and a likely first-round pick, but his production tailed off, making questions about his ability to catch more pronounced. He fell to the 67th overall pick, where the D-backs took him and signed him for a slightly above-slot $1 million

Scouting Report: Del Castillo has a flat, loose lefthanded swing that generates hard contact when he gets his foot down. He showed more power in 2023 than he had in the past, seeing his top-end exit velocity climb from 107 to 110 mph. He is a selective hitter who had a 14% walk rate last year, though he can have trouble with offspeed stuff. He holds his own against lefties and has a chance to be an average hitter with double-digit home run power. Del Castillo has improved as a blocker and receiver, but he’s still a below-average defender who struggles to catch elite, lively stuff. He has fringe-average arm strength.

The Future: Del Castillo has work to do but could grow into an Alex Avila-type catcher. He finished last season at Triple-A and is in position to make his big league debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Field: 40 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Palmquist spent two seasons in the Miami bullpen as one of the top relievers in the country. He earned a USA Baseball Collegiate National Team invite heading into his draft spring and impressed during trials. Palmquist returned to Miami and made the successful jump into the starting rotation, earning first team all-ACC honors for his performance. Palmquist was drafted by the Rockies in the third round and made a single appearance in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League after signing. Palmquist began the 2023 season with High-A Spokane and struck out 35.7% of hitters over his 15 starts.Palmquist was promoted to Double-A on Aug. 24 making and made four starts with Hartford.

Scouting Report: A low-slot lefty, Palmquist lacks power on his pitches but also doesn’t throw anything straight. He expanded his arsenal in 2023 by adding a slider and a cutter to complement his curveball. His fastball sits between 90-92 mph and touches 93 mph with heavy armside run and a flat approach angle. Despite Palmquist’s lack of velocity, his fastball is quite deceptive. His most frequently used secondary is a curveball that sits between 75-76 mph with a difficult horizontal angle. Palmquist’s best pitch is his changeup, which sits between 81-82 mph with heavy armside run and tumble. Both his curveball and his changeup drive weak contact and generate whiffs in and out of the zone. Palmquist’s slider and cutter are similar variations of the same pitch with a difference of 4-5 mph of average velocity. Palmquist is an average strike thrower with a feel for his entire arsenal.

The Future: Palmquist’s lack of velocity as a starter is a limiting factor and he’ll likely settle into a bullpen role.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 45 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Cutter: 40 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Sullivan spent his freshman season at Northwestern, where he pitched well before impressing over the summer in the Cape Cod League. He transferred to Wake Forest before his sophomore season and dominated, earning all-ACC first team honors. The Rockies selected Sullivan in the second round and signed him for $1.7 million. Sullivan debuted in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League and made two appearances before he was promoted to Low-A Fresno for a single appearance.

Scouting Report: Sullivan is a low-slot lefthander who lacks power but has a high level of deception on all of his pitches. He mixes a four-seam fastball, a sweeping slider and a changeup. Sullivan’s fastball sits between 90-92 mph and touched 95 mph during the college season. His fastball plays up due to his low release height, deceptive arm action and flat fastball plane. Sullivan’s primary secondary is a low-80s changeup that generated a high rate of whiffs and is clearly the better of his two secondary offerings. His low-80s sweeper lacks bite, and it likely won’t miss bats in pro ball. He has above-average command of his pitch mix.

The Future: Sullivan has starter’s traits and a deceptive operation that might allow him to overcome his lack of velocity.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 40 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Ritter spent his freshman season with Logan (Ill.) JC before spending two seasons at Kentucky. The Rockies selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 draft and signed him for a bonus of $530,000. Ritter began 2023 in Low-A Fresno, where he hit .305/.405/.606 over 65 games before a promotion to Spokane on July 3. He hit well for 46 games before a late-season bump to Double-A.

Scouting Report: Over the last few years Ritter has grown into power but has added more swing and miss to his game. His bat-to-ball skills are below-average, and he struggles particularly to hit spin and offspeed. Despite his hit tool concerns, Ritter shows the ability to discern balls and strikes and is aggressive on pitches in the zone. Ritter has shown a knack for backspinning fly balls to his pull side when and projects to have above-average power. He’s an above-average runner, and his speed also helps him show excellent range at shortstop. Ritter is an above-average defender at shortstop with an above-average throwing arm that plays at any spot on the diamond.

The Future: Ritter could become a power-hitting shortstop with the upside of a second-division regular.

Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Prosecky was drafted in the 35th round by the Phillies in 2019 but honored his commitment to Louisville. He lost his first two seasons to the pandemic and injury, which meant he never cracked the Cardinals’ rotation. He made 26 appearances out of the Louisville bullpen in 2022 and was an all-ACC selection. The Rockies took Prosecky in the sixth round of the 2022 draft and signed him for an over-slot bonus of $300,000. He was assigned to Low-A Fresno in 2023 and got an opportunity to start.

Scouting Report: After pitching exclusively as a reliever in college, Prosecky understandably works with a fastball-heavy mix and threw his heater 67% of the time in 2023. The pitch is above-average and sits between 92-93 mph and touches 95 mph with well above-average ride that helped it miss bats and drive weak contact. Prosecky also throws a mid-70s curveball, a mid-80s changeup and a cutter at 87-88 mph. He showed improved feel for his changeup in 2023 and used it to overwhelm Low-A hitters.Prosecky is an average strike-thrower with the ability to command all of his pitches.

The Future: Prosecky could blossom into a No. 4 starter with more starting experience. His fastball-heavy approach, however, will likely land him in a relief role.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Bernard grew up in New York City and played travel ball for Canes New York 15U. He signed for $185,000, which was the seventh-highest bonus in the Rockies’ 2022 international signing class. Bernard debuted in 2022 in the Dominican Summer League, where he hit .308/.377/.439 with four home runs as a 16-year-old. Bernard repeated the DSL in 2023 due to the tax ramifications of his split bonus. He made the most of it, hitting .324/.421/.576 with seven home runs.

Scouting Report: Bernard is an aggressive power hitter who looks to do damage. His bat-to-ball skills and approach are fringy, which adds risk that the strikeouts skyrocket when he comes back stateside. Bernard’s power is his carrying tool, and he makes lots of hard contact. Bernard’s 90th percentile exit velocity of 106.3 mph in 2023 was well above the major league average, and he did so while playing a majority of the season as a 17-year-old. Bernard is likely to slow down to a below-average runner and could end up in left field.

The Future: Bernard is a young power hitter without a position and a lot of hit tool risk, but his raw juice is double-plus.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Gauthier started all four years at shortstop for Hofstra and was one of the Colonial Athletic Association’s top hitters as an upperclassman. He went undrafted as a senior, but Dodgers farm director Will Rhymes, a former CAA shortstop at William & Mary, found Gauthier and led the team to sign him as an undrafted free agent. Gauthier led the Dodgers system with a .441 on-base percentage in his first full season and followed with an even better year in 2023. He hit .312/.435/.476 and led the organization in hits (148), walks (100) and runs (111) while advancing to Double-A.

Scouting Report: Gauthier is a disciplined hitter with elite strike-zone recognition. He has more walks (226) than strikeouts (221) in his career and consistently conducts high-level at-bats. Gauthier has a good feel for picking out pitches to drive and makes consistent contact with a compact, level righthanded swing. He uses the whole field and turns around both fastballs and secondary offerings. Gauthier doesn’t hit the ball overly hard, but he reworked his body to get stronger and has started to drive balls. He projects to be an average hitter, who posts high on-base percentages and reaches double-digit home runs. Gauthier doesn’t have a true home defensively, but he is an average defender at second base and is playable at third base, shortstop and left field. He makes the routine plays and has average arm strength.

The Future: Gauthier’s ability to reach base and play multiple positions give him a path to be a bat-driven utilityman. He should see Triple-A in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Casparius played both ways for two seasons at north Carolina before transferring to Connecticut and becoming a pitcher exclusively. He led the Big East Conference with 127 strikeouts as a junior and was drafted by the Dodgers in the fifth round. Casparius has an unsightly 5.18 ERA as a pro, but he’s shown promising underlying stuff. He struck out 120 batters, tied for third-most in the Dodgers system, and rose to Double-A Tulsa in 2023.

Scouting Report: Casparius is an athletic, physical righthander with a deep pitch mix. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and touches 96 with downhill plane. His primary pitch is a plus, 84-87 mph slider with hard, downward break he can both land in the strike zone or use to get chase swings. He commands his slider better than his fastball and can manipulate it to give it added sweep. Casparius’ 83-86 mph changeup with late fade is an above-average pitch he is comfortable throwing to both lefties and righties. He also mixes in an occasional curveball and cutter. Casparius’ fastball gets hit hard, so he leans heavily on his secondaries. He tends to spin off in his delivery and has fringe-average control.

The Future: Casparius’ delivery and secondary-heavy mix portend an eventual move to the bullpen. He projects to be an effective middle reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 45 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Ramos signed with the Dodgers for $30,000 out of Panama and looked like a steal early in his career, but his aggressive approach was eventually exploited by higher-level pitching. He went unprotected and unpicked in the 2022 Rule 5 draft and used it as motivation. Ramos hit .313/.353/.500 as Panama’s center fielder in the World Baseball Classic and followed with a solid showing at Double-A Tulsa in 2023. He cut his strikeout rate, improved his walk rate and finished tied for second on the team with 19 home runs.

Scouting Report: Ramos flashes tantalizing tools that can impact a game. He has extraordinary bat speed and annihilates fastballs at any velocity with plus raw power. He regularly crushes balls 400-plus feet and can use the whole field. Ramos has long struggled to recognize or hit breaking pitches, but he is slowly improving. He has a chance to be a well below-average hitter with average power production if he can cut down his chase swings on secondary stuff. Ramos is an average runner who plays above-average defense in center field and plus defense in right. He goes back to the wall and into the gaps with remarkable ease and plays comfortably at both positions. He has plus-plus arm strength and makes jaw-dropping throws.

The Future: Ramos’ power and defense give him a path to playing time in the majors. He’ll see Triple-A in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: The younger brother of A’s second baseman Zack Gelof, Jake set Virginia’s single-season (23) and career (48) home runs records in a decorated three-year career. The Dodgers drafted him in the second round, no. 60 overall, and signed him for $1,334,400. Gelof did little for six weeks after the college season ended and fell out of shape, leading to a disappointing .226/.325/.429 slash line in his pro debut. He hit seven home runs in his final 12 games, including the postseason, at Low-A.

Scouting Report: Gelof is a strong, thick-bodied righthanded hitter with plus raw power. He posts loud exit velocities and hits balls out to all fields, even when he’s off-balance. Gelof’s power is undeniable, but his swing is long and he expands the strike zone against better stuff. He struggled against top competition in the Cape Cod League and during USA Baseball’s College national team trials. He has to shorten his swing to be a below-average hitter who gets to his power. Gelof is a sneaky athlete despite his frame and has advanced instincts and feel for the game. He’s a below-average runner and workmanlike defender at third base with an average arm.

The Future: Gelof has a chance to be a power-hitting third baseman if he shortens his swing and monitors his conditioning. He’ll open at High-A Great Lakes in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: The son of former Padres prospect and longtime major leaguer Homer Bush, the younger Bush was limited by a hamstring injury in high school and the coronavirus pandemic in college at Grand Canyon. With scouts flocking to see GCU shortstop and eventual first-round pick Jacob Wilson, Bush hit .370/.478/.500 while showing the elite athleticism to become a top draft prospect himself. The Padres drafted him in the fourth round and signed him for $511,600. Bush moved quickly in his pro debut and finished the year on Double-A San Antonio’s postseason roster.

Scouting Report: Bush is an 80-grade runner whose game revolves around his legs. He puts balls in play with a quick, level swing and uses his legs to beat out grounders and stretch singles into doubles. The Padres have asked him to improve his bunting to give him another weapon. Bush has a good sense of the strike zone and walked nearly as often as he struck out after being drafted. He hit just four home runs in three years in college, but the Padres believe he could reach double-digit home runs as he learns to backspin balls. Bush’s defense in center field is raw, but his speed allows him to outrun his mistakes and gives him a chance to be an above-average center fielder. He has exceptional makeup that provides optimism he’ll get the most from his abilities.

The Future: Bush has the potential to challenge for an everyday job as the Padres center fielder. He’ll open 2024 back at Double-A.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 80 | Field: 55 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: An unsigned 30th-round pick of the Red Sox out of high school, Martorella became a three-year starter at California and posted a .430 on-base percentage with Cotuit in the Cape Cod League. He hit a career-best .333 with 11 home runs and a .977 OPS as a junior, leading the Padres to draft him in the fifth round and sign him for $325,000. After an impressive pro debut, Martorella climbed to Double-A in his first full season in 2023. He finished tied for second in the Padres’ system with 19 home runs and went to the Arizona Fall League after the season.

Scouting Report: A physical lefthanded hitter who gets into a low crouch similar to former Padres slugger Phil Plantier, Martorella will go as far as his bat takes him. He is an all-fields masher who overpowers balls with his brute strength and has average power. Martorella’s bat speed is merely average and his swing path can be flat, but he manages the strike zone well enough to hold his own against advanced pitching. Martorella is a 20-grade runner who has to improve defensively. He is a below-average defender at first base and left field with slow reaction times. He has an exceptional makeup and work ethic that should allow him to improve.

The Future: Martorella’s lack of athleticism limits his ceiling, but his bat gives him a path to the majors as a power-hitting reserve. He’ll open 2024 back at Double-A.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 20 | Field: 40 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: A 6-foot-5, 230-pound Saskatchewan native, Hawkins saw his junior season at British Columbia wiped out by Canada’s Covid-19 protocols. He impressed with a 2.63 ERA in six starts in the MLB Draft League and was drafted by the Padres in the ninth round, signing for a below-slot $75,000. Hawkins showed loud stuff in his first full seasons and was viewed as a potential breakout candidate in 2023. He made only four starts before suffering a season-ending elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery in August.

Scouting Report: Hawkins is a tall righthander with incredibly long arms and gets significant extension down the mound. His high-spin fastball sits 93-96 mph and gets on hitters faster than they expect thanks to his extension. He generates impressive carry with his ability to backspin the ball and gets swings and misses with his heater in all quadrants of the strike zone. Hawkins’ secondaries are much more raw. His best secondary pitch is an 82-84 split-changeup that flashes average but is inconsistent. His downward-breaking, 81-84 mph slider is a fringy offering that gets slurvy. Hawkins throws his fastball for strikes with above-average control and has slowly improved his walk rate. He has a durable frame and showed the ability to log innings before getting hurt.

The Future: Hawkins will miss all of 2024 recovering. He projects to be a middle reliever who dominates with his fastball.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Perez was signed for $200,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2019 as part of the same class that also brought shortstop Aeverson Arteaga into the fold. He, too, had to wait until 2021 to make his official professional debut. He spent his first two seasons in the complex leagues before splitting his 2023 season between Low-A San Jose and High-A Eugene.

Scouting Report: Perez’s calling card is his excellent defense. He’s a quick mover behind the dish who mostly does an excellent job blocking and receiving but could stand to be a shade more consistent in both departments. His arm is a double-plus showpiece that regularly produces pop times in the 1.9-second range, and his arm strength would play up even further with a shortened throwing stroke. Perez makes plenty of contact–he struck out just 38 times in 331 plate appearances–but has yet to show much impact at all. His 90th percentile exit velocity (97.2 mph) was well below-average for his level, and he has just four home runs in 636 career plate appearances. Part of this can be attributed to the fact that while he does an excellent job hitting pitches in the zone, he tends to chase a bit too much and makes weak contact. His open stride also creates holes on the outer half of the plate. Perez is a solid athlete who runs well for a catcher. He also earns high marks for his leadership and the way he works with pitchers.

The Future: Even with further improvement, Perez is not likely to be a factor offensively. Instead, he has a ceiling as a defense-first regular on a second-division club or a strong backup on a contender.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 30 | Run: 40 | Field: 60 | Arm: 70

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Maldonado was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2021 as a sleeper in a class that was led by shortstop Diego Velasquez. He’s advanced a level year since signing and made his full-season debut in 2023 at Low-A San Jose. He was limited to 65 innings because of a forearm strain that landed him on the 60-day injured list in August.

Scouting Report: Maldonado worked in a starter’s role at San Jose but has the explosive pitch mix to become a powerful late-inning reliever. He works mostly with two pitches: a mid-90s fastball and a mid-80s slider that flashes plus but needs more consistency to reach that ceiling. He has a changeup that might settle in around fringe-average and could function as a solid third option. His control is spotty now but could get to below-average with further refinement or if he moves to the bullpen and airs it out for an inning or two at a time. He’s gained significant weight since signing and will need to keep his conditioning in check to reach his ceiling.

The Future: Maldonado will move to High-A Eugene in 2024 and has a likely future as a power reliever who can pitch the late innings.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: When the Orioles failed to sign third-rounder Nolan McLean in 2022, Bright became the highest-drafted pitcher they signed from that draft class. He signed for a below-slot $400,000 in the fifth round. Baltimore was drawn to his pitch shapes rather than his college performance. He spent most of 2023 at High-A Aberdeen and struck out 35% of batters before finishing well at Double-A Bowie.

Scouting Report: Bright spent his first full pro season expanding his pitch mix beyond his college repertoire. He throws an above-average 91-94 mph fastball that plays up at the top of the zone due to its plane. He tunnels a plus curveball in the mid 70s effectively off his heater. While he struggled with consistency on his slider and changeup early, both showed flashes of being at least average during the season. He ended the season with attractive swing-and-miss on his changeup, a pitch with depth and strong horizontal break. His hard, mid-80s gyro slider also progressed to be an effective pitch in the zone. Bright found success as the season went on due to improvements in those pitches as well as developing understanding of how to best use them. A high walk rate limits his upside.

The Future: Bright quietly had one of the more intriguing seasons on the Orioles farm, and the club believes further delivery refinements and strength gains can help his starter mix play up into a back-end rotation role. He’ll begin 2024 at Double-A Bowie.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Armbruester was the 2019 Northwest Conference pitcher of the year at Division III Pacific Lutheran and the 2021 Mountain West Conference pitcher of the year at New Mexico. He nearly added that honor to his trophy chest for the Orioles organization in 2022. He followed that up by spending 2023 in the high minors, pitching to contact and missing barrels at Double-A Bowie before a more uneven stint at Triple-A Norfolk, where he ended up behind in counts more and was punished when he returned to the zone.

Scouting Report: Armbruester leaned heavily on his fastball and cutter in 2023–perhaps too much so–but those pitches grade among his best offerings. His low-90s heater works well at the top of the zone due to a deceptive arm action and good plane. His cutter in the 86-88 mph range is Armbruester’s primary weapon to lefties. The pitch has above-average potential, as does his sweepier 81-83 mph slider. Armbruester added a curveball as his fourth pitch as the season progressed and was able to get swinging strikes and ground balls on the offering.

The Future: There’s No. 5 starter potential with Armbruester given his ability to fill up the strike zone and carry his stuff deep into games, but the lack of an elite weapon against lefties may push him to the bullpen. He’ll start 2024 at Triple-A Norfolk with a chance for a major league debut.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Cutter: 55 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: When MLB moved the 2021 draft from June to July, it made Rhodes an eligible sophomore. He signed with the Orioles for an above-slot $1.38 million as the 76th overall pick that summer. He reached Double-A Bowie in his first full season and took a step forward there in 2023, improving his chase rate and hitting 17 home runs with some improvements in his hard-hit rate.

Scouting Report: Rhodes led all minor leaguers in the increase of his 90th percentile exit velocity, up to 102.9 mph from 98.5 mph, as he added physicality to try to catch up in that department. Still, he will need to continue to add strength and improve the consistency of his contact quality to have anything more than fringe-average power. That’s because his overall slugging production was underwhelming despite his home run total. He can be an average hitter, but that offensive profile will be challenged by the fact that Rhodes is a corner-only outfielder at this point. He is an average runner despite stealing just eight bases in 2023 and he has an average arm.

The Future: Considering he signed as a sophomore, Rhodes spending his entire age-22 season at Double-A and holding his own keeps a second-division regular profile alive. He may end up back in Double-A to master the level in 2024, given the Orioles’ high-minors outfield depth.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Pham was primarily a reliever at San Francisco and signed for just $25,000 as a senior in 2021, but his ability to miss bats with a broad arsenal led the Orioles to stretch him out as a starter for 2023. With the help of a cutter he added for 2023, Pham missed bats at an elite level–13.3 strikeouts per nine innings and an 18% swinging-strike rate–at High-A Aberdeen. While his strikeout rate fell at Double-A Bowie, he still ended the year with a 2.57 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over two levels.

Scouting Report: Pham used a five-pitch mix and a consistently smart attack plan to his benefit in 2023. His low-90s fastball is just average, but it plays up at the top of the zone and is hard to barrel. When the pitch is in the 93-95 mph range, everything else plays up. Pham’s above-average cutter in the mid 80s misses plenty of bats, while his slider, curveball and splitter all flashed at least average potential. His ability to mix, attack weaknesses and keep hitters off-balance is a separator. His plus control helps his repertoire play as well.

The Future: Pham’s lack of elite velocity and stuff could create a challenging path to a No. 5 starter role, though his aptitude and arsenal give him a chance. He’ll likely be back at Double-A Bowie to begin 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 55 | Control: 60

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Meidroth was limited to 19 games in his first two college seasons at San Diego as a result of the pandemic-compressed 2020 campaign and a shoulder injury in 2021. When he got on the field in 2022, his bat-to-ball skills, elite strike-zone judgment and feel for the game vaulted him from a potential Day 3 draftee to the Red Sox in the fourth round, where he signed a below-slot bonus for $272,500. He excelled at the start of 2023 in High-A Greenville, which resulted in a quick promotion to Double-A, where he appeared comfortable against the quality of competition.

Scouting Report: Though Meidroth’s squat frame makes him easy to overlook, he tends to win over evaluators with his plate discipline, direct swing with a high-contact, all-fields approach and average defensive instincts at multiple spots. Power will never be his hallmark, but the Red Sox believe he has a chance to increase his bat speed to help more of his liners find the gaps with the potential for double-digit homer totals. Defensively, he’s a sure-handed fielder with quick hands who shows adequate range and arm strength at both second and third base, suggesting a floor as a righthanded utility infielder with a chance to exceed that profile.

The Future: Meidroth could compete for a Triple-A spot out of spring training, and his well-rounded game could make him a big league infield depth option at some point in 2024. He could emerge as a bottom-of-the-order regular if he gains strength and bat speed.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Monegro had the lanky build of a basketball player as an amateur when the Red Sox signed him for $35,000 shortly before the 2020 coronavirus shutdown. In pro ball, he has gained strength, power and shown the ability to develop pitches to attack different parts of the zone. After a poor Florida Complex League season in 2022, when he posted a 7.36 ERA and 12% walk rate, he made a major jump in stuff and command in 2023 and sprinted from the FCL to High-A Greenville.

Scouting Report: In 2023, Monegro attacked the strike zone with three pitches that project as average or better. His four-seamer has solid velocity, averaging just under 95 mph, and plays well at the top of the zone. His 12-to-6 curveball got plenty of swings-and-misses against Class A hitters, and his 88-90 mph cutter improved his ability to compete in the strike zone and keep hitters off his fastball. Monegro also has a two-seamer and splitter, though the latter is a work in progress. In order to stick as a starter, he’ll likely need to either sharpen one of his pitches into a plus offering or develop the splitter into a solid offering.

The Future: After racing across three levels in 2023, Monegro should open 2024 in High-A Greenville and could reach the upper levels by the end of the year. He has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter or middle-innings reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 35 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Dobbins was a promising power arm at Texas Tech but blew out his elbow and required Tommy John surgery prior to his junior year. The Red Sox felt comfortable with their history with him and bet on his athleticism and work ethic to give him a strong chance of recovering. They drafted him in the eighth round in 2021. He had a decent pro debut in Low-A Salem in 2022, then asserted himself as a prospect in 2023. He posted an 8.8-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio with High-A Greenville that led the South Atlantic League and earned a quick promotion to Double-A Portland.

Scouting Report: Dobbins fills the strike zone with four pitches that project to be fringe-average or better. He has above-average command of a fastball that sits at 93-94 mph and tops out at 96. He also has a slider that showed potential to miss bats in the zone, a curveball, a splitter with good action that he’s still learning to control, and a sweeper he developed in 2023. His control is above-average with average command.

The Future: Dobbins has enough tools to become a potential back-end starter if he can develop one pitch–likely his slider–into a plus offering, but he more likely fits as a multi-inning or bulk reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: The Red Sox identified Bastardo as a pitcher who received little instruction but had fastball life and the solid changeup shape to suggest back-of-the-rotation potential as he added physicality. The team signed him for $35,000 in 2018 as a bet on his potential. After modest early-career performance, Bastardo impressed with a four-pitch mix and 32% strikeout rate at High-A Greenville in 2023, which was fourth-highest in the South Atlantic League among pitchers with at least 80 innings. He struggled to throw strikes or miss bats upon reaching Double-A at the end of the year.

Scouting Report: Bastardo generates good arm speed from his lean 6-foot-1 frame. It creates both solid velocity at 92-97 mph and three solid secondary pitches, headlined by an above-average changeup along with a viable slider and curveball. In the South Atlantic League, Bastardo’s mix generated both swings-and-misses and solid groundball totals. He still looks like he has room to fill out and add strength that would lead to improved control and command.

The Future: Bastardo’s mix of four pitches could allow him to emerge as a No. 5 starter if he improves his strike-throwing. At the least, he stands a solid chance of emerging as a multi-inning reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 45 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: When the Red Sox made Rodriguez-Cruz their fourth-round pick in 2021, he was Boston’s highest selection of a high school pitcher since Michael Kopech in 2014. They signed Rodriguez-Cruz, a projectable, rail-thin 17-year-old with some feel for four pitches, for an under-slot bonus of $497,500. He held his own as a 19-year-old in the Low-A Carolina League in 2023, but elbow inflammation limited him to two innings over the final two months.

Scouting Report: Rodriguez-Cruz attacks the strike zone aggressively with a mix of four pitches that mostly project as average. He averaged 92-93 mph on his fastball in 2023 and touched 95. The pitch lacks elite shape, but Rodriguez-Cruz’s frame has room to add power and reach above-average velocity. He reshaped his changeup into a hybrid splitter in 2023 and altered his slider to create glove-side movement and get on the hands of lefties. Rodriguez-Cruz also has a strike-stealing slow curve. He has the feel to shape and reshape pitches, making Rodriguez-Cruz a work in progress who nonetheless has plenty of potential to make gains in both power and pitch quality as he develops.

The Future: Rodriguez-Cruz has back-of-the-rotation potential if he fills out and gains power. If that doesn’t happen, his feel for pitching gives him a chance to be an up-and-down depth contributor.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Serna was inked out of Mexico in 2019 but the pandemic canceled the minor league season and pushed his debut until 2021. The righthanded hitter walked more often than he struck out at both stops in the complex leagues. He had a rough introduction to full-season ball in 2022 but rebounded in 2023 with an excellent year across both Class A affiliates.

Scouting Report: Serna is an intriguing hitter who makes sound swing decisions with decent thump but needs to improve the trajectory of his contact. He has quick hands and a quick bat and rarely misses pitches inside the zone. Serna’s chase rate was a bit high, which leads to weak contact on pitches he cannot impact. He did a better job elevating the ball when he was at Low-A but regressed into beating the ball into the ground when he moved to High-A. He projects as an average hitter with below-average power and doesn’t have a frame that looks like it can add much more strength. Serna is a steady defender who could be fringe-average at second base, where his below-average arm is less of an issue because of the new shift restrictions that limit positioning infielders in the outfield.

The Future: The 2024 season will be a big test for Serna, who will reach the upper levels for the first time. His limited defensive profile will mean he needs to hit to his complete potential to reach his ceiling of a bat-first everyday second baseman.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 40

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Peralta’s stock has risen quickly over the last year, which has helped become one of the bigger potential breakout prospects in the international signing period that opened on Jan. 15, 2024.

Scouting Report: Peralta has a lean frame with plenty of remaining projection, which in time should amplify his tool set. The switch-hitter has compact swings from both sides of the plate that helps him generate bat-to-ball skills and loft with bat speed that should help him produce plenty of power. Peralta is a strong athlete with plus speed.

The Future: Peralta will begin his career in the DSL and could rise quickly up the ranks if his tool set plays as expected.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: At Virginia Tech and then with the Rays, Seymour has proven to be a funky lefty who always seemed to leave hitters wondering why and how he got them out. Something seemed off to start 2022, which proved to be a torn elbow ligament that needed Tommy John surgery. He made it back to the mound late in 2023 and once again looked like his old funky self. In 2021 and 2023 combined, he recorded a 1.76 ERA.

Scouting Report: Seymour has an exaggerated and high-tempo hip turn to begin his delivery. Not only does it seem odd to watch, but it also hides the ball well and seems to aid in the deception of his plus low-80s changeup. Seymour’s changeup has solid separation and exceptional deception. Even hitters who are looking for it see fastball out of his hand. Seymour’s low-90s fastball is a solid pitch in its own right thanks to plus life when he gets it above hitters’ hands. He has a below-average slider and slow curve, but both seem almost superfluous because he has yet to develop feel for either of them. He is an average strike-thrower.

The Future: While Seymour has long been a starter, the expectation of most evaluators is that he will eventually move to the bullpen, where his fastball/changeup approach will bedevil hitters an inning or two at a time. He should get a chance to return to Double-A Montgomery for a third and hopefully final time to start 2024, but he should get to Triple-A Durham soon if everything goes as hoped.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 40 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: After a solid but modest debut in the Florida Complex League in 2021, Sasaki was one of the better players in the Low-A Carolina League in 2022 as he helped the RiverDogs to their second of three straight titles. Sasaki was once again one of the more polished hitters in 2023, this time in the High-A South Atlantic League. He then had a solid stint in the Arizona Fall League, where he stole 13 bases in 13 tries in 22 games.

Scouting Report: Sasaki has simplified his setup as a pro, raising his hands but toning down a coil and timing step he once used. It has helped him get on time more consistently, and he’s developed into a line-drive hitter who tries to hit the ball up the middle or to right field, the opposite field for the righthanded hitter. Sasaki is a top- or bottom-of-the-order tablesetter with below-average power. A nearly double-plus runner, Sasaki is also an above-average defender in center field and left. He can play right, but his arm is fringe-average.

The Future: Sasaki was Rule 5 eligible and unpicked, which isn’t all that surprising because he’s yet to play above Class A. He most likely profiles as a fourth outfielder who can play left and center field, run and hit for average. There is still some concern about how well he can hold up over a full season. He’ll jump to Double-A Montgomery in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 65 | Field: 55 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Morgan will be a hero in Baton Rouge for the rest of his life. His play against Wake Forest was the signature highlight of Louisiana State’s 2023 national championship run. In an eighth-inning scoreless tie with a runner on third base, Morgan charged a bunt, fielded it cleanly and short-arm flipped it home to keep the game scoreless, setting up Tommy White’s extra-inning heroics. Morgan was named to the College World Series all-tournament team. The Rays picked him in the third round a couple of weeks later. His 2023 pro debut ended because of a minor arm injury, but he should be fine for 2024.

Scouting Report: It’s odd to start a scouting report on a first baseman by talking about his defense, but Morgan isn’t a typical first baseman. He plays the position like a shortstop, with excellent range, quick reactions and soft hands. There have been sporadic attempts to try to see what he can do in the outfield, but he’s a below-average defender out there despite his plus-plus defense at first. Offensively, Morgan is a line-drive hitter who aims to hit for average and hit doubles. James Loney’s offensive approach and impact is an optimistic ceiling, but Morgan has shown hints of more power in batting practice.

The Future: The Rays emphasize defense more than most organizations, which is good news for Morgan, who has a light bat for a first baseman, but the Rays’ love for gloves could help a plus-plus defender find a way to a useful MLB role.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Field: 70 | Arm: 40

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: After coming out of the bullpen for two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette, Cooke made the jump to the rotation in his third season. He went 7-3 with a 2.03 ERA with 90 strikeouts and 37 walks in 79.2 innings as a starter in 2021, prompting the Blue Jays to draft him in the 10th round and sign him for $141,900. After breaking camp with Low-A Dunedin in 2022, Cooke worked as a multi-innings piggyback starter. He was promoted to High-A Vancouver on Aug. 2 and has been exclusively a reliever since. He broke camp with Vancouver in 2023 and made nine appearances before he was promoted to Double-A New Hampshire. He spent a majority of his season at Double-A before earning a late-August promotion to Buffalo.

Scouting Report: One of the best athletes in the Blue Jays organization, Cooke saw a giant leap in stuff in 2023. He mixes three pitches, all of which can flash above-average. He has a unique ability to ride a fastball, spin a breaking ball and turn over a changeup. Cooke’s fastball sits 95-96 mph and touches 97-98 at peak, with ride, run and a difficult angle for hitters to get on plane. He spins his sweeper slider at 2,800-3,000 rpm with nearly a foot and a half of sweep on average. His slider sits 83-85 mph. He shows average command of his fastball and slider and fringe-average command of his changeup. His offspeed is infrequently used but shows heavy tumble and fade when he lands it. Overall, Cooke shows high-leverage stuff and intensity.

The Future: Cooke is a high-powered reliever who has refined his arsenal with a potential high-leverage relief future. His 40.6% strikeout rate ranked third among minor league relievers with at least 30 appearances in 2023 and he is in line to make his major league debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Dallas spent his freshman season at Panola (Texas) JC, before transferring to Tennessee. He enjoyed success over two seasons with the Volunteers, striking out 143 batters and walking just 26 in 124.1 innings. Dallas was selected by the Blue Jays in the fourth round of the 2021 draft but didn’t debut until the following spring. He spent all of his 2022 season at High-A Vancouver and returned there to begin 2023, but his improved physique and stuff saw him earn promotion to Double-A New Hampshire after five starts.

Scouting Report: Dallas mixes a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball, cutter and a changeup. His primary pitch is his mid-80s slider, which sees heavier usage than his fastball. Dallas’ slider is a true sweeper that sits 84-85 mph with 13-14 inches of horizontal break, and he shows easy plus command of the pitch. His fastball sits 92-94 mph with average ride and cut. Dallas generates lots of bad contact against his fastball but does not generate many whiffs. He mixes a curveball at 81-82 mph with two-plane break and a cutter sitting 89-91 mph. Dallas’ firm upper-80s changeup is thrown just a few times a game and isn’t a major part of his repertoire. He shows average command of his pitch mix, with a knack for consistently landing his slider in the zone.

The Future: Dallas is an undersized starter with a shot at a back-of-the-rotation role.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 30 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: A shoulder injury sustained while playing high school football forced Watts-Brown to redshirt at Long Beach State in 2021. He returned fully healthy in 2022 and broke out, earning second-team Freshman All-America honors. Watts-Brown transferred to Oklahoma State for 2023. Over 15 starts with the Cowboys, he struggled with his command, walking 48 batters in 84.1 innings and finishing the season with a 5.03 ERA. Despite his poor performance, teams still liked his projectable frame and pitch mix. The Blue Jays drafted Watts-Brown in the third round and signed him for an above-slot bonus of $1 million.

Scouting Report: Watts-Brown has a prototypical tall picther’s frame, with a smooth rhythmic operation on the mound and a high three-quarters slot. He mixes four pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and an infrequently used changeup. Watts-Brown’s fastball sits 90-93 mph with above-average ride and run, but the pitch lacks velocity and deception and rarely misses bats. His slider is the crown jewel of his arsenal. It’s a mid-80s gyro slider with late bite, and it’s equally effective against righthanded and lefthanded hitters. Watts-Brown mixes a curveball as his third pitch. It sits 80-82 mph with depth. He rarely throws his changeup, a mid-80s offspeed pitch he pockets in most starts. Watts-Brown has below-average command at present but could evolve to fringe-average with time and pro instruction.

The Future: A projectable righthander with command concerns, Watts-Brown could develop into a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 30 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: A highly touted prep player out of the state of Oklahoma, Bohrofen ranked 141st in the 2020 draft class. He honored his commitment to Oklahoma, lasting one season with the Sooners before transferring to Arkansas. He spent two seasons with the Razorbacks. After a down year in 2022, Bohrofen roared back in 2023 by hitting .318/.436/.612 with 16 home runs. The Blue Jays drafted him in the sixth round and signed him to a near-slot bonus of $302,000. In his pro debut, Bohrofen played in 17 games with Low-A Dunedin hitting .307/.442/.677 with six home runs.

Scouting Report: A powerful lefthanded hitter with a smooth swing, Bohrofen is a power-over-hit prospect with solid on-base skills. He is an excellent fastball hitter and does most of his damage there. He struggles against good spin, but his strong swing decisions limit some of his exposure. Bohrofen has strong on-base skills to go along with above-average game power. He makes consistent hard contact at positive angles and shows the ability to drive the ball to his pull side. Bohrofen is a fringe-average runner now who likely slows down. He has enough range to handle an outfield corner with an average throwing arm.

The Future: Bohrofen fits the profile of the modern slugger. How much contact he makes as he moves up will dictate whether or not he reaches everyday regular status.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Perez signed in January 2022 as an under-the-radar target. He grew up in a remote area of Nicaragua and was not considered a notable signing. Perez debuted in the Dominican Summer League in 2022, making 12 starts and showcasing advanced command. He made 10 starts in the Florida Complex League in 2023 and impressed over 49.2 innings. The most memorable moment of Perez’s season came on Aug. 7 when he tossed seven no-hit innings to combine with two relievers to complete a no-hitter.

Scouting Report: A tall, projectable righthander, Perez has made his name early on the quality of his command. He mixes three pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. Perez’s fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 94 at peak with ride and run. He shows good command for the pitch and consistently lands it in the zone. His most frequently thrown secondary is a low-80s gyro slider with some cut. He shows tremendous feel for the pitch. Perez’s changeup sits 82-83 mph with nice tumble and fade, and he commands it. His control and command are above-average and he projects to remain a starter long term.

The Future: Perez is a talented strike-thrower with a projectable mix and body who should grow into a back-end starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: As a senior at Carlsbad High in New Mexico, Perry won a state title as a two-way standout serving the role of ace pitcher and starting shortstop. Ranked as the top player in the state, he slipped under the draft radar and the Blue Jays selected him in the 12th round in 2022. They signed him for $200,000. Perry debuted in the Florida Complex League in 2023.

Scouting Report: Perry is a projectable young righthander with a feel for spin. He mixes four pitches: a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. His four-seam fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 95 with heavy bore. Perry’s slider is his most-used secondary. It sits 81-83 mph with cut. He uses his curveball at a similar rate to his slider, Perry’s curveball sits 79-81 mph with two-plane break and heavier sweep than his slider. Perry is still developing feel for his changeup, and it was infrequently thrown in 2023. Perry shows fringe-average command of his secondaries.

The Future: Perry is a young projectable pitcher with starter traits and an opportunity to develop into a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 30 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Shaw was a draft find for the Blue Jays in their own backyard. He was a well-known Canadian amateur who attended high school in the United States before moving back to Canada. The Blue Jays drafted Shaw in the 12th round in 2023, signing him for an above-slot bonus of $282,500. He debuted in the Florida Complex League playing in nine games.

Scouting Report: Shaw is a hit-over-everything second baseman with an advanced knowledge of the strike zone and excellent barrel control. His carrying tool is hitting, with a swing designed for a high rate of line drives and balls to the gaps. He is rarely fooled and shows the ability to spit on breaking stuff on the black. Shaw should hit for high averages while running near equal strikeout and walk totals. His power is below-average and his best-struck balls come in the form of line drives. Due to his build, he’s unlikely to push below-average power totals. He’s an average runner whose stride is limited by his diminutive frame. He shows average fielding skills at second base and a fringe-average arm.

The Future: Shaw is a young, bat-first second baseman with outlier contact and approach for his age and experience.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Despite regularly throwing a mid-90s fastball, Leasure has consistently flown under the radar since being drafted by the Dodgers in the 14th round in 2021 after his five-year career at Division II Tampa. He lost one college season to Tommy John surgery but recovered with no lingering issues. Leasure sat in the low 90s in college, but the Dodgers’ pitching development staff helped him add more velocity. Leasure was acquired by the White Sox in the deal that sent Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly to the Dodgers.

Scouting Report: Leasure now has a double-plus fastball that sits 95-98 mph and touches 100 and is the jewel of his arsenal. He elevates the pitch, and while it’s relatively straight, it does have solid life up in the zone. He complements his heater with an above-average hard slider that’s just a tick under 90 mph, and he lands it to both sides of the plate. What will help Leasure get to the next level is the recent addition of a curveball that has flashed plus potential and could be a weapon against lefthanded hitters. Leasure works out of the stretch on the third base side of the rubber and maintains rhythm with his three-quarters slot that offers good extension. He’s more of a control-over-command profile, and he’s shown enough improvement that he could be an above-average strike-thrower.

The Future: Leasure may get to Chicago at some point in 2024. He’s been projected as a mid-leverage reliever, but with the potential for elite swing-and-miss stuff, it’s not out of the question to see him closing games.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Keener spent three seasons at Wake Forest, where he pitched mostly out of the bullpen before breaking out in the 2022 Cape Cod League and then during his junior year in 2023. With the deep pitching staff at Wake Forest, Keener got just eight starts in 23 games in his final college season. He posted a 2.69 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 20 walks in 70.1 innings. The White Sox grabbed him in the third round in 2023, signing him for $800,000, and he began his pro career with four games at Rookie-level Arizona Complex League followed by three starts at Low-A Kannapolis.

Scouting Report: Keener has a three-pitch mix with a fastball that sits 93-94 mph and has been up to 97 with above-average life. His primary pitch is an above-average mid-80s slider that he used around 40% of the time in his final season at Wake Forest. His slider has sharp, two-plane break and gets lots of chases out of the zone, though he also can land it for strikes at a high clip. On top of the fastball/slider combination, Keener uses a firm, upper-80s changeup that also gets swings and misses.

The Future: Keener’s athleticism, control, three-pitch mix and projectable frame indicate that he can make it as a starter. With his college experience, he could jump right to High-A Winston-Salem out of spring training in 2024. He’ll continue his professional career as a starter, with a move to the bullpen always a possibility in the future.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Burke completed his college career in 2022 with one season at Miami after two years at Southeastern Louisiana. He had an outstanding season with the Hurricanes and hit .347/.425/.599 while earning second-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. A football player in high school, Burke consistently plays hard and has drawn comparisons with former White Sox outfielder Adam Engel. Burke was drafted in the 11th round in 2022 and signed for $225,000. His 2023 season was delayed by lower back inflammation. He made it to Low-A Kannapolis on May 11, where he posted an outstanding batting line of .315/.416/.512 and continued to hit after a promotion to High-A Winston-Salem. He finished the year with an assignment to the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Burke has an aggressive approach at the plate, with a little wrap to his load, good timing and above-average bat speed. He grades as a tick below-average hitter with below-average power but is able to strike line drives to the gaps. But he has also shown a tendency to roll over on the ball when he doesn’t get the bat head out in front. Burke is an above-average defender and has above-average speed and has mostly played center field. His average arm will allow him to play both left and right field. Burke plays the game hard and regularly demonstrates intentional pre-game work.

The Future: Double-A Birmingham is Burke’s likely destination in 2024. He is the kind of player that every manager wants on his team, and could become a solid fourth outfielder.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: An unheralded prospect who wasn’t a regular until his senior season at North Carolina State, Tatum had tools and athleticism that intrigued the White Sox. Chicago drafted the lefthanded-hitting outfielder in the 16th round in 2021. After a hot start at High-A Winston-Salem in 2023, Tatum cooled off after moving up to Double-A Birmingham.

Scouting Report: Tatum’s speed and defense stand out most. He projects as a fringe-average hitter with fringe-average raw power. Using a short stroke with above-average bat speed, Tatum does a nice job hitting the ball back up the middle, but he gets in trouble when he tries to sell out for power. A late bloomer who turned 24 one month after being promoted to Double-A, Tatum has added strength and shows good doubles power from a flatter hitting plane. He’s a selective hitter–he drew 100 walks in 2023 to rank eighth among all minor league hitters–but he struck out too often at 27%. A plus runner, Tatum stole a combined 47 bases in 2023, and his on-base skills will continue to give him opportunities to swipe bags. In addition to using his wheels on the basepaths, Tatum is an above-average defender in center field with a fringe-average arm.

The Future: It’s tempting to slap a fourth outfielder label on Tatum, but he could turn into more than that as a late bloomer with some exciting tools and somewhat limited baseball experience for his age. If he can make more consistent contact, he could be a starter on a second-division team.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Oppor was drafted from his Wisconsin high school by the Athletics in the 11th round in 2022, but the lanky southpaw instead headed south to Florida for a season of junior college ball at Gulf Coast State JC. He was offered $225,000 by the A’s as a draft-and-follow but instead decided to go back into the 2023 draft. That proved to be a smart move when the White Sox took him in the fifth round and signed him for a $550,000 bonus. Oppor got into just five games in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League before pitching in instructional league.

Scouting Report: With a high-waisted, loose athletic frame, Oppor throws an above-average fastball in the 90-94 mph range, but he has touched the upper 90s in bullpen sessions. His breaking ball is more of a hybrid and is thrown like a slider at 80-82 mph with good horizontal shape and sweep finish. He rarely uses his 81-84 mph changeup, but a key goal in his development moving forward is improving his feel of the offering to give him a complete three-pitch mix.

The Future: Oppor is still a work in progress with exciting projection remaining as he adds strength to what is currently an extremely lean frame. Whether he eventually becomes a bullpen arm is to be determined. He’ll get to Low-A Kannapolis some time in 2024 but may begin in extended spring training.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Walters was the best reliever in college baseball in each of the last two seasons, twice earning first-team All-America honors. While he was draft-eligible in 2022–and picked in the 18th round by the Orioles–he opted to return to Miami for a final season. After another impressive season anchoring the Hurricanes’ bullpen, the Guardians drafted him 62nd overall.

Scouting Report: Walters primarily comes right after hitters with his fastball. The pitch can reach triple digits and typically sits in the mid 90s with exceptional ride and carry. The pitch got whiffs 36% of the time, making it one of the best fastballs in the draft class. He mixes in a sweeping slider and a firm changeup with fading life. He pounds the strike zone and pitches with above-average control.

The Future: While there was some talk of Walters moving to the rotation at Miami after his return to school, that never materialized and he’s likely going to continue to develop as a reliever. While that puts a bit of a damper on his prospect value, he has the potential to become a high-leverage reliever. First up will be his professional debut. That will likely come at High-A Lake County, but don’t expect him to stay in the Midwest League for long.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Frias was not a high-profile signing in 2018 when the Guardians inked him to an $80,000 bonus out of Colombia. The pandemic slowed his emergence and he didn’t make his U.S. debut until 2021 in the Arizona Complex League. Since then, however, Frias has significantly raised his profile. He had a big 2023, first playing for Colombia at the World Baseball Classic and then turning in an impressive season with High-A Lake County.

Scouting Report: A switch-hitter, Frias has a smooth swing from both sides of the plate and has long shown an impressive feel for the barrel. After getting overly aggressive at the plate in 2022, he worked to reign that in and in 2023 cut his strikeout rate from 24.9% to 20.9% while maintaining his walk rate. He’s gained strength since signing and now shows average power potential, especially as a righthanded hitter. Frias has standout defensive tools and was voted best defender in the Midwest League by opposing managers. His infield actions, above-average arm strength and hands give him plus defensive ability at the hot corner.

The Future: Frias was not added to the 40-man roster in November and went unpicked in the Rule 5 draft. Both of those developments are mostly attributable to the fact he has yet to reach the upper levels. That will change in 2024, when he should progress to Double-A Akron.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Field: 60 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Devers, the younger brother of Marlins prospect Jose Devers and the cousin of Red Sox all-star Rafael Devers, signed with the Guardians in 2019 out of the Dominican Republic but the pandemic delayed his professional debut until 2021 in the Arizona Complex League. He moved up to Low-A Lynchburg in 2023, had a breakout season and earned postseason all-star honors in the Carolina League.

Scouting Report: Devers has the kind of disciplined, hit-over-power approach that so many of Cleveland’s hitters employ. He does a nice job of controlling the strike zone and uses his plus speed well on the bases. He came on strong in the second half of the season and did a better job driving the ball as he got more used to facing older competition. Devers is a standout defender at shortstop with all the tools to man the position. His speed and instincts give him above-average range and his plus arm and athleticism play well.

The Future: The Guardians left him off the 40-man roster and unprotected in the Rule 5 draft, where he went unpicked, though that shouldn’t be taken as any slight to a 20-year-old who has yet to play above the Carolina League. Devers has exciting upside and will look to build on his breakout campaign when he advances to High-A Lake County in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Rodriguez was one of the youngest players in the 2017 draft class. He was seen as a developmental project at the time and that promise is now getting closer to paying off. He advanced to Triple-A Columbus in 2023 and was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason to prevent him from becoming a minor league free agent.

Scouting Report: Rodriguez has done a better job of tapping into his power over the last two years, which has helped him emerge as a prospect. His 29 home runs in 2023 led all of the organization’s minor leaguers. With improved power has come more swing and miss, though Rodriguez is adept at working walks. Rodriguez is a below-average runner, but his plus arm plays well in right field.

The Future: Rodriguez will play all of 2024 as a 24-year-old and has put himself in position to make his major league debut sometime during the summer. His powerful righthanded bat gives him intriguing upside, especially for an organization that’s short on power hitters.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Smith pitched for the Canadian Junior National Team during high school and was drafted in the 16th round by the Twins in 2018 but opted to attend Hawaii instead of signing. After three years in college, Smith signed with Cleveland as an undrafted free agent after the 2020 draft was shortened to five rounds. He pitched well in three seasons as a professional and in November was added to the 40-man roster.

Scouting Report: Smith has a big, powerful build and a fastball to match. He relies heavily on the pitch, which averages about 95 mph and gets a lot of swings and misses, both in and out of the zone. The pitch plays up further thanks to the excellent extension he gets in his delivery. His slider is his best secondary offering. It’s more of a fringy offering that doesn’t miss nearly as many bats, but it’s enough to keep batters honest. He also mixes in an occasional below-average changeup and pitches with average control.

The Future: Smith spent much of 2023 at Triple-A and is now on the 40-man roster, which puts him firmly in contention for a spot in the Guardians’ bullpen sooner than later. He’ll need to continue refining his slider to become a high-leverage weapon in the big leagues, but he looks to be at least a solid relief option.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Signed for $500,000 in January 2024, Rodriguez played at the U-15 World Cup Americas Qualifier and posted a .400/.478/.600 slash line, which accounted for the second-highest OPS on the team. He’s the son of Brewers Venezuelan supervisor Jose Rodriguez.

Scouting Report: Rodriguez’s swing is both quick and direct and produces plenty of line-drive contact. He doesn’t swing and miss much and currently has doubles power that could get louder as he matures and gains strength. Rodriguez has solid hands and footwork at shortstop, and his athletic actions at the position gives him a good chance to stick there going forward.

The Future: Rodriguez will begin his career in the DSL, where he’ll add to the team’s cadre of middle-diamond talents.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: After being named the Big 10 freshman of the year in 2021, Anderson struggled as a sophomore. He answered any questions about his bat with a dominant junior season. Anderson became the first player to hit 15 home runs in Big 10 conference play. He hit 21 home runs overall and finished eighth in Division I with a .414 batting average.

Scouting Report: Like many recent Tigers’ draftees, Anderson’s best position is in the batter’s box. He has an aggressive approach at the plate, trusts his hands and uses the entire field with a level swing. His power is just as potent going the opposite way as it is when he’s yanking a ball down the line. The well-built Anderson has average hitting potential with above-average power, which gives him a path to being an offense-first second baseman. His glove isn’t as advanced as his bat. Anderson makes the plays on what he gets to and his average arm is accurate, but his range is below-average thanks to a lack of quickness.

The Future: After an impressive stint at Low-A Lakeland, Anderson is ready for High-A West Michigan. He joins a conga line of bat-first, defensively limited second basemen that stretches from West Michigan to Erie to Toledo, all of whom will be trying to hit their way to Detroit.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Generally the worst profile in baseball is to be a minor league reliever. Most of the best relievers in the majors were starters who converted to relieving eventually, but the Tigers have had a knack for developing solid bullpen pieces with Corey Knebel and Jason Foley among recent examples. Mattison could be next after he dominated at two levels in 2023.

Scouting Report: Mattison’s plus-plus fastball is exactly what you want to see from a late-inning power arm. He is content to rear back and climb the ladder and gets swings and misses on back-to-back-to-back 96-98 mph fastballs that hitters just can’t seem to lay off. He has exceptional carry and solid control and command of the pitch, and he’ll cut it as well. There’s energy in Mattison’s less-than-picturesque delivery, but it works in short relief stints. His low-80s, above-average curveball acts almost as a changeup. It can flummox hitters’ timing, as he can drop it in on hitters geared up for 96+ mph. He throws his fringe-average slider for strikes, but he could use a better power secondary offering.

The Future: Mattison’s excellent fastball and effective curve give him the building blocks to be a big league reliever, but the improvement of his slider or a cutter would help as he gets closer to the majors.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/Medium

Track Record: Veneziano has had an up-and-down pro career since signing with Royals in 2019 as a 10th-round pick from Coastal Carolina. After a down year in 2022 in his first shot at Double-A, he returned to northwest Arkansas and showed drastically better control. His walk rate dropped from 11.7% to 3%, while his strikeout rate ticked up from 22.8% to 28.4%. The improvement earned him a promotion to Triple-A Omaha before getting to the big leagues late in the season for two short relief appearances.

Scouting Report: The keys to Veneziano’s improvement in 2023 were figuring out his body, gaining confidence and challenging hitters more effectively. His fastball has ticked down a few miles per hour in the last two years, but it’s still an effective pitch when sitting 93-94 mph and touching 97. Against righthanders, he likes to use the pitch up and away. Veneziano’s heater helps his above-average changeup play up. It’s an out pitch for him at 86-88 mph, and he went to it more often in 2023. Veneziano throws his 85-86 mph sweeping slider for strikes, using it as a chase pitch. It’s more of a contact pitch than something to use to put hitters away. Veneziano loses the zone at times when he lowers his arm slot, causing him to miss up and away to his arm side, but he usually has a clean delivery from a three-quarters slot.

The Future: Veneziano can be a solid back-of-the-rotation starter or could thrive as a multi-inning power lefty in the bullpen. Now that he’s on the 40-man roster and has gotten a taste of the big leagues, he’ll head to spring training with a chance to earn a spot on the Royals’ Opening Day pitching staff if he continues throwing consistent strikes.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: A well-regarded pitching prospect in high school in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Champlain went to nearby Southern California for a disappointing three-year college career. The Yankees drafted the beefy 6-foot-5 righthander in the ninth round in 2021 and began working with him to improve his pitch selection. Champlain got into just 16 Low-A games before being bundled with two other pitchers to the Royals at the 2022 trade deadline for Andrew Benintendi. Champlain ran up a 9.84 ERA in 32 innings at High-A Quad Cities in 2022 but took big steps forward in 2023, with strong performances at both High-A and Double-A northwest Arkansas.

Scouting Report: Champlain was given two goals to meet in 2023–improving command of his fastball and using his breaking balls more–and he was successful on both counts. Champlain delivers his fastball at 94-98 mph with good life to both sides of the plate. Both of his breaking pitches project as above-average. His 83-86 mph slider shows more sweep than a true gyro, and his 77-81 mph curveball that he throws for strikes is hard and tight with good shape. Champlain is aggressive on the mound and not afraid to throw his breaking balls when behind in the count. His changeup, which he generally used five or six times per game, is still very much a work in progress. It’s a harder pitch at 87-88 mph that resembles a splitter with more vertical drop. It should be an average offering in time. Champlain’s energetic delivery lends deception, and his arm works well.

The Future: now that he’s using his changeup more often, Champlain more safely profiles as a potential back-of-the-rotation starter or possible high-leverage bullpen arm.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Roccaforte was a productive hitter and outfielder for three college seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette, hitting .325 for his career and setting the school record for doubles in a season with 26 in 2023. That total tied him for fourth in all of Division I. He became the highest Ragin’ Cajun drafted since 1995 when the Royals selected him with a supplemental second-round pick in 2023 and signed him to an $897,500 bonus. Roccaforte started his pro career in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League and went 4-for-4 with four stolen bases in his first game. He finished his season with 27 games at Low-A Columbia, where he hit .257/.377/.356 with 11 stolen bases.

Scouting Report: A high in-zone contact hitter with good bat-to-ball skills, Roccaforte starts his swing in a traditional position with a small leg kick. While he hit a combined 28 home runs in his college career, he shows more gap-to-gap power now and could add more juice as he gains experience. In his first pro season, he worked on staying through the middle of the field to keep his bat path in line with the pitch as long as possible. Roccaforte is at least an above-average defender with an average arm who is capable of playing all three outfield positions. He was 16-for-19 in stolen base attempts in his pro debut and should have multiple seasons with 20 or more steals in his career.

The Future: Roccaforte has a chance to break camp with High-A Quad Cities in 2024 after an impressive debut. He projects as a fourth outfielder with a bit more upside because of his makeup.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Vaz began his career at Louisiana State-Eunice JC before transferring to Vanderbilt, where he didn’t earn regular playing time until his second season with the Commodores. The Royals signed him to a $125,000 bonus in the 15th round of the 2022 draft, and he quickly turned into one of the best pure hitters in their system. The son of Roberto Vaz, a former minor leaguer and current hitting coach in the Cubs system, Javier hit .279 and walked 64 times compared to 50 strikeouts across two levels in 2023 and ended the year with Double-A northwest Arkansas.

Scouting Report: Vaz has advanced bat-to-ball skills and defensive versatility. His setup and swing mechanics are efficient, he makes elite swing decisions and consistently finds the barrel. He uses small ball to his advantage, and his 3.3% swinging-strike rate was the third-lowest rate among minor leaguers with at least 400 plate appearances. He has well below-average power but can drive balls to the gaps, and he turned on enough pitches to hit a career-high eight homers in 2023. A plus runner, Vaz is an efficient basestealer who swiped 30 bags on 33 attempts in 2023. A fringe-average defender with a below-average arm, Vaz adds value by playing multiple positions both in the middle infield and outfield.

The Future: A gamer and fierce competitor, Vaz’s advanced contact ability, speed and defensive versatility make him an intriguing prospect in a super utility role. He should reach Triple-A Omaha in 2024, and a late-season callup to Kansas City is not out of the question.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Field: 45 | Arm: 40

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Klein was the last of the Royals’ six picks in the five-round 2020 draft, and he might have already reached the big leagues if not for a shin injury that ruined his 2022 season. The Eastern Illinois product came back healthy in 2023 and split the season between Double-A northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. He shares a similar profile as fellow Royals prospect reliever John McMillon by racking up plenty of strikeouts to go along with a high walk rate.

Scouting Report: Hitters do not get comfortable at-bats against Klein. He attacks with a double-plus fastball that sits 95-97 mph and touches 100 while playing up in the zone with vertical movement. His above-average 12-to-6 curveball is a hard downer at 82-84 mph that complements his fastball thanks to its hard drop, but he needs to land it more often for strikes down in the zone. Klein resumed throwing a high-80s slider/cutter that is now a plus pitch and a second swing-and-miss offering. Klein varies the usage of the two breaking balls depending on the game, but they are both wipeout offerings. His fourth pitch is a split-grip changeup that he doesn’t need much as a reliever. He lacks athleticism, and the stiffness of the body affects his ability to repeat his delivery, thus negatively impacting his control.

The Future: The Royals added Klein to the 40-man roster, and he has a good chance to earn a bullpen spot out of spring training in 2024. He can work himself into high-leverage situations if he continues to reduce his walk rate.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: The Royals drafted Bowlan in the second round in 2018 and he was tracking toward a big league debut in 2021 until an elbow injury required Tommy John surgery that summer. He returned just over a year later, but has been more hittable and also dealt with shoulder and groin issues. Bowlan split his 2023 season between Double-A northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha before making his big league debut in late September, pitching in a pair of games during the last week of the season.

Scouting Report: The velocity on Bowlan’s mid-90s four-seam fastball returned in 2023. His gyro slider averaged 85-86 mph with good movement and was his best swing-and-miss secondary. Bowlan also throws an upper-80s changeup that has some action but is too firm. He added a low-80s curveball with downward break prior to his surgery, but he needs to rebuild his trust in the pitch. Bowlan was a good strike-thrower early in his career, but his walk rate has nearly doubled upon reaching the upper minors after surgery. There’s optimism his control can recover as more time elapses following surgery.

The Future: The Royals hope Bowlan fully returns to form as he learns to trust his stuff again after the injury. He could factor into the back of the Royals’ rotation at some point in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Sandlin was a successful pitcher at Eastern Oklahoma State JC before transferring to Oklahoma in 2022, where he started for a Sooners team that reached the College World Series. The Royals signed him to an above-slot $397,500 bonus that year in the 11th round. Sandlin was dynamic in his full-season debut in 2023, striking out 79 and walking 13 in 12 starts for Low-A Columbia. He was promoted to High-A Quad Cities on June 23 and made a pair of starts before a lat injury ended his season. Sandlin’s 25.5 K-BB% ranked 11th among minor league starters with at least 50 innings.

Scouting Report: While he has a four-pitch mix, Sandlin relies most heavily on the mid-90s fastball that touches 97 mph and has above-average ride. Sandlin’s preferred secondary is a mid-80s slider with horizontal break and high spin rates. He also throws a low-80s curveball with two-plane break and bite, and he mixes in a changeup that breaks like a splitter as well. He’s still refining his arsenal–especially his secondaries–so there’s a chance they continue to improve. The fastball and slider are above-average offerings right now, and some believe he may profile best in the bullpen, where he can dominate with those pitches alone.

The Future: Sandlin is a sleeper who could take a jump forward in 2024 if he improves the rest of his arsenal. He should begin the year with High-A Quad Cities.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Cameron made just 18 starts at Central Arkansas after losing his junior season to Tommy John surgery. The Royals made him their seventh-round selection in 2021 and signed him to a below-slot $197,500 bonus. Cameron quietly took a step forward in 2022 when he struck out 53 batters in 31 innings with High-A Quad Cities. He returned to the level again in 2023 before earning a promotion to Double-A northwest Arkansas, where he posted a 6.10 ERA in 72.1 innings with 74 strikeouts.

Scouting Report: Despite sitting in the low 90s, Cameron generated plenty of whiffs at the lower levels with his fastball because of its deceptive life and carry through the zone. His fastball did not fare as well in his first taste of the upper minors and would benefit from added velocity. The Royals have seen Cameron touch 95 mph and believe there’s more in the tank. Cameron struggled with his endurance and holding velocity following surgery and plans to address the issue with an aggressive offseason conditioning plan. His best secondary pitch is a plus low-80s changeup with good vertical separation off his fastball, as well as tumbling action and good command. He also shows feel for an above-average upper-70s curveball with 11-to-5 shape and tight break that he throws for strikes and tunnels well with his fastball. He does a good job repeating his delivery.

The Future: Cameron will return to Double-A northwest Arkansas looking for another chance against Texas League hitters.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: - | Field: 60 | Arm: 55

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Ugarte signed with the Royals in the international period that opened on Jan. 15, 2024. The Venezuelan-born shortstop had been training in the Dominican Republic. He recently gone through a growth spurt that saw him add four inches to his frame.

Scouting Report: Evaluators highest on Ugarte believe in his sound swing from the right side, which has a chance to produce both contact and impact. They’ve also noticed significantly more bat speed as he’s matured. He’s a solid defensive shortstop but is only a 40-grade runner and could move to third base if he packs more strength onto his frame.

The Future: Ugarte will begin his professional career in the DSL.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Wyatt attracted attention prior to his senior season when he touched 95 mph at the 2022 World Wood Bat Championship in Jupiter, Fla. The Royals drafted the Connecticut native in the third round and signed him for $1,497,500 to keep him from his Southern California commitment. They took it slowly with the young righthander, who did not pitch during the Arizona Complex League season and then strained his back midway through the Royals’ fall instructional league program.

Scouting Report: Wyatt took a step forward in both stuff and performance as a high school senior. He pitched at 92-95 mph while touching 97 with excellent armside life. His heater pairs well with his low-80s slider, which is a plus pitch with sharp bite and huge sweep away from righthanded hitters to miss bats. He also started throwing a mid-to-upper-80s cutter that doesn’t get many whiffs but generates weak contact and tunnels well with his fastball. Wyatt has flashed feel for a changeup in the past, but it’s more of a fringe-average pitch that he doesn’t throw much. Wyatt is shorter in stature at 6-foot-1, has a longer arm action and historically struggled to command his fastball as an amateur, creating some reliever risk.

The Future: Like the Royals have done with other prep arms, Wyatt is expected to stay behind in extended spring training to start 2024 before venturing to either the Arizona Complex League or Low-A Columbia.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Bloss spent three seasons with Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, earning an All-Patriot League first-team selection after his third season. He transferred to Georgetown for his fourth season and went 8-4, 2.58 with 96 strikeouts and 24 walks across 76.2 innings. Bloss won Big East pitcher of the year and was a unanimous first-team all conference selection. The Astros took Bloss in the third round of the 2023 draft and signed him for a below-slot bonus of $497,500. Bloss debuted in the Florida Complex League making two appearances before a promotion to Low-A Fayetteville.

Scouting Report: A strong-framed and athletic pitcher, Bloss has the broad- shouldered build of your typical innings-eater. Bloss mixes primarily a four-seam fastball, a curveball, a slider and a changeup. Bloss’ fastball sits 93-95 mph and was clocked as high as 97 while at Georgetown. Due to the spin efficiency and lower release height he’s able to create a flat plane of approach on the pitch which makes it difficult for hitters to get on plane. His primary secondary is an upper-70s curveball at 77-78 mph with heavy two-plane break. Bloss’s slider is hard at 85-87 mph with heavy cut, and he shows above-average command of the pitch. His changeup is an upper-80s offspeed with two-seam fastball movement. Bloss has fringe-average command but should develop into an average strike-thrower.

The Future: A late blooming college arm with a four-pitch mix led by a plus fastball, Bloss has a chance to blossom into a back-of-the-rotation starter with the ability to be effective out of the bullpen.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Blubaugh spent three years at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, winning Horizon League relief pitcher of the year in 2021 and 2022, as well as consecutive first team all-conference selections. Blubaugh was selected by the Astros in the seventh round of the 2022 draft, signing for a below-slot bonus of $172,500. Blubaugh was assigned to High-A Asheville to begin 2023, appearing in 22 games and typically going 3-4 innings in a piggyback fashion with another starter. Blubaugh was promoted to Double-A Corpus Christi on Aug. 26, making four appearances before participating in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Blubaugh has an athletic build with prototypical size for a starter and a clean, athletic operation. He mixes four pitches from a high-three quarters slot. His fastball sits 91-93 mph touching 94 with ride and run. Blubaugh’s slider, curveball and changeup are used at a similar rate, with his changeup outperforming the two breaking balls. Blubaugh’s changeup sits 81-83 mph with some tumble and fade and is his best swing-and-miss pitch. Blubaugh throws two sweepy breaking balls in a traditional sweeper slider which sits 79-81 mph and a mid-70s curveball with two-plane break. Blubaugh’s slider is his primary secondary against righthanded batters, and he uses the changeup and curveball heavily against lefties. He shows above-average command of his fastball but fringe-average command of his secondaries.

The Future: Blubaugh has a chance to start if he improves command of his secondaries. If not, he could find more velocity and long-term success as a reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: DeVos spent his first two collegiate seasons pitching out of Davidson’s bullpen. He went undrafted as an eligible sophomore and made a successful jump into the Wildcats rotation. DeVos earned first-team all conference honors by going 9-2, 2.40 and leading the Atlantic-10 Conference in strikeouts. He was selected by the Astros in the fifth round of the 2022 draft and signed for a below-slot bonus of $197,500. DeVos began 2023 with Low-A Fayetteville and made 13 appearances before he was promoted to High-A Asheville.

Scouting Report: DeVos mixes four pitches in a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. His fastball and slider see the majority of his usage with his curveball supplementing the slider against lefthanded hitters. DeVos’ fastball sits 91-92 mph but what it lacks in power it makes up for in shape, with heavy ride and late life. His primary secondary is a mid-80s slider with ride and around 7-9 inches of sweep. The slider outperformed the rest of DeVos’ arsenal this season, driving whiffs in and out of the zone. DeVos’ curveball sits 77-78 mph with moderate two-plane break and is his go-to secondary against lefthanders but induces few swings and misses. DeVos’ rarely thrown changeup sits 85-86 mph with moderate fade. DeVos shows above-average command of his fastball but fringy to below-average command of his secondaries.

The Future: DeVos’ fastball shape and quality slider give him a chance to make it as back-of-the-rotation starter, but his high-ride fastball and slider might ultimately work best in the bullpen.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Ochoa is the son of a former pitcher by the same name who played parts of three seasons in the Expos system in the early 2000s. A native of Venezuela, Ochoa emigrated to Texas when he was 10 years old. In his senior year, Ochoa hitt .602 with 11 home runs. He was selected by his hometown Astros in the 11th round and signed for a bonus of $300,000. Ochoa debuted in the Florida Complex League hitting three home runs over a dozen games.

Scouting Report: A physical teenager at 6-foot-4, 210 lbs, Ochoa has flashed the plate skills to consistently tap into his power. Ochoa shows good bat speed and a discerning eye at the plate but also ran into some difficulty against spin on the showcase circuit in 2022. He showed more refined barrel accuracy in the spring and post draft. With a strong approach and improving contact skills, Ochoa now gets to his plus raw power more consistently. At 18 years old, Ochoa’s exit velocity data is already near major league average. He is an average runner who will likely move to an outfield corner, and his plus throwing arm that was up to 95 mph on the mound is an asset in the field.

The Future: A tooled-up power hitter who could climb up the rankings in the coming years, Ochoa has everyday regular upside with some hit tool risk.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Santa signed late in the international free agent class of 2019-2020 and quickly transformed into one of the Astros’ highest-upside pitching prospects. Santa made a big velocity jump in spring of 2022, peaking at 98 mph on the backfields. He was assigned to Low-A Fayetteville to begin 2022 but an elbow injury in his first appearance forced him to the injured list for the remainder of the season. Santa returned to Fayetteville in 2023, making 26 appearances for the Woodpeckers. He racked up 119 strikeouts but walked 74 over 87.1 innings.

Scouting Report: Santa’s fastball sits 94-95 mph and touches 97-98 at peak with heavy bore. Despite several good characteristics, Santa does not miss many bats with the pitch. His primary secondaries are a slider with heavy cut in the mid-80s and a two-plane curveball in the 78-81 mph range. Each pitch gets whiffs both in and out of the zone. Santa also throws a mid-80s changeup, but it’s rarely used. Santa’s command is well below-average and strike-throwing is the biggest question mark in the profile.

The Future: Santa is likely a middle relief candidate if his command improves to fringe-average in the coming years.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 30

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: A touted Florida high school arm, Mederos’ strong commitment to Miami landed him on campus, where he was immediately thrown into the Hurricanes’ rotation. He transferred to Oklahoma State as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2022. Mederos ran up a 5.40 ERA in two college seasons, but the Angels liked his premium arsenal and drafted him in the sixth round in 2022 and signed him for an under-slot $227,750. Assigned to Double-A Rocket City in 2023, Mederos struggled with the pre-tacked baseball in the Southern League. The Angels again took a flier by calling him up twice over the summer. He made three bumpy relief appearances.

Scouting Report: Mederos is a strong, tall righthander with multiple swing-and-miss weapons. His fastball has ticked up in pro ball and now sits 94-98 mph and peaks at 99. He has improved his command while adding powerful sink and armside run. Mederos’ primary out pitch is a mid-to-upper-80s, two-plane slider that flashes plus and is effective against hitters on both sides of the plate. He has added power to his downer curveball, which now ranges from 80-86 mph, though he needs to throw it for more strikes to make it an effective swing-and-miss pitch. He has a firm, upper-80s changeup with fade that he rarely uses. Praised for his makeup and leadership, Mederos is working on harnessing his emotions. He gets into trouble while getting into hitters’ counts too often. With a high-effort delivery, his projected control is limited and may never be more than fringe-average.

The Future: Mederos’ power sinker and bat-missing breaking stuff could play in high-leverage relief role, though the Angels see his upside as a groundball-heavy back-end rotation arm.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Rios spent his first two years at Stanford as a bullpen catcher who accumulated just eight plate appearances. He earned a starting role in left field with Stanford his junior year and went on to slash .384/.485/.707, leading to Pacific-12 Conference player of the year honors. Angels scout Scott Richardson followed his progress closely, and the team selected him in the third round of the 2023 draft, signing him under slot for $847,500. After the draft, he struggled offensively with Low-A Inland Empire before hitting well at instructs while catching.

Scouting Report: Rios has a short and compact stroke from the right side with great balance and feel for the barrel. Not selling out for power, he swings with intent, allowing his natural strength to help make hard contact to the gaps with near-average power projection. He is a disciplined hitter with good pitch recognition and zone awareness, giving more confidence to his ability to hit for average and reach base with limited swing-and-miss. He is a serviceable defender at best in the outfield who played left field exclusively his junior year and early pro career. He continued catching at instructs, with promising raw traits and glimpses of a fine arm, but his throwing mechanics need attention to stick behind the plate and control the running game. His defensive home is in question, and he’ll play multiple positions during development with catching and left field being the focus.

The Future: With a limited track record, Rios needs more offensive reps to reach his above-average offensive upside while also needing to find a true defensive home. If he can catch, his profile will grow significantly with his offensive prowess.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Field: 40 | Arm: 40

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Laverde signed with the Angels out of Venezuela for $350,000 at the start of the 2022 international signing period. He performed well in his pro debut that summer in the Dominican Summer League, posting an .807 OPS while throwing out 41% of basestealers. He carried his performance into a standout showing at instructs. Laverde again impressed in his stateside debut in 2023, slashing .306/.419/.455 in the Arizona Complex League with 28 walks to 31 strikeouts, flashing shades of former Angels catching prospect Edgar Quero.

Scouting Report: Laverde is a well-rounded, athletic lefthanded-hitting catcher. He has a flat plane, line-drive swing with high in-zone contact and the ability to manipulate the barrel. A patient hitter who focuses on contact, he has shown an advanced ability to make adjustments and rarely chases out of the zone. Laverde is strong and has a mature frame. He can impact the ball to the gaps with hopes of tapping into more over-the-fence power as he grows. A converted outfielder, Laverde is new to catching. His hands and feet worked well while honing his technique in his setup with Angels catching coordinators. He has a good foundation for lateral movement and receives well. Laverde has above-average arm strength, but his throwing mechanics and release need work. He is an near-average runner with aggressive baserunning instincts and is praised for his elite makeup.

The Future: Laverde has a lot of work to become an everyday catcher, but his hitting ability gives him a chance to be on the strong side of a platoon. He will make his full-season debut as a teenager in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Although Joswa Lugo is the big-ticket signing of the Angels’ 2024 international class, Alvarez is an excellent complimentary piece. He signed for $685,000.

Scouting Report: Alvarez is a lean, athletic center fielder with a well-rounded skill set. He’s a relatively advanced hitter with a compact swing and an advanced understanding of the strike zone for his age. He moves well for his size and has good instincts in center field, where he has a chance to stick, though depending how he develops physically, there’s a chance he could outgrow the position and shift to right field.

The Future: Alvarez became one of the Angels’ best outfield prospects the moment he signed, although he’s years away from the big leagues in the best scenarios.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Perkins showed explosive stuff as an amateur and piqued the A’s interest after throwing more strikes upon transferring from Indiana to Louisville in 2022. They signed him for $270,750 in the fifth round and he trended up in his first full season of pro ball in 2023, posting a 4.10 ERA in 107.2 innings between High-A Lansing and Double-A Midland. Perkins continued on to the Arizona Fall League and did not allow an earned run in 12.1 innings.

Scouting Report: A full offseason committed to a plyo-ball routine helped Perkins’ velocity tick up in 2023. His four-seamer averaged nearly 95 mph and has decent shape, playing well at the top of the zone because of his lower release angle. He also throws a low-90s cutter that has above-average potential. Perkins missed fewer bats upon reaching Double-A. Settling on a more precise slider could help improve his swing-and-miss potential at the upper levels. His mid-80s offering flashes above-average potential, but has inconsistent shape and sometimes blends into a slurve-like offering. There’s some debate internally whether the pitch is better suited by adding more sweep or more depth. Perkins also throws a firm upper-80s changeup that elicited the most whiffs of any offering in the zone. He has been an average strike-thrower so far, and utilizes a quick, compact delivery and shorter arm stroke.

The Future: Perkins needs to unlock more consistent secondaries to stay on a starter track, although his stuff might play up in a high-leverage relief role.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 55 | Control: 45