A 12 months in the past, we supplied one Rookie of the Yr candidate for each group. How’d we do? We nailed the NL prime rookie (Paul Skenes) and likewise picked out two others who obtained votes (Jackson Chourio and Mason Miller). That’s a ok success charge to strive the entire train once more. We mentioned who we thought had been the general favorites on a current episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast and you’ll examine it right here.
Beneath is a prospect for every group we predict has the possibility to usher in subsequent 12 months’s ROY {hardware}, all with the caveat that Roki Sasaki will leap to the highest of any checklist as soon as he indicators with a Main League group.
Blue Jays: Will Wagner, 2B/1B/3B (No. 18)Acquired from the Astros within the Yusei Kikuchi deal on the Commerce Deadline, Wagner had no hassle carrying his repute as an above-average hitter to the Blue Jays system and was referred to as as much as the Majors after solely seven Triple-A video games. He went 25-for-82 (.305) in 24 video games in The Present earlier than being shut down with a left knee damage, and as issues stand, he’s doubtless slotted in as Toronto’s Opening Day second baseman. The left-handed slugger not often misses on swings within the zone, and he confirmed just a little extra pop than anticipated in his MLB debut.
Orioles: Coby Mayo, 3B/1B (No. 1/MLB No. 8)He acquired his ft moist in Baltimore final 12 months and undoubtedly realized from his 41 at-bat debut. There’s no query the facility is prepared for the large leagues after slugging .592 within the Minors final 12 months and .564 in 2023. The O’s are going to must discover a spot for him within the lineup each day, with the possibility for him to be a ROY frontrunner.
Rays: Carson Williams, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 4)Starter-turned-dominant-reliever Mason Montgomery is likely to be a darkish horse candidate right here, however Williams has the next ceiling … if he can get to the Majors for lengthy sufficient. The 21-year-old shortstop is a stellar defender with a rocket of an arm able to being an MLB asset proper now, and his power-speed combo (20 HR, 33 SB in ‘24) makes him such an intriguing prospect. His strikeout charges have trended downward however stay excessive, and he performed all of final season with Double-A Montgomery. Proper now, Taylor Partitions and José Caballero are Tampa Bay’s most important shortstop choices, so it’s doable it gained’t take a lot for Williams to squeeze previous them and get sufficient MLB at-bats for ROY consideration.
Purple Sox: Roman Anthony, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 3)The Purple Sox have 4 prospects ranked amongst baseball’s 25 greatest, all of whom are practically prepared for prime time, and Anthony stands out probably the most. Signed for first-round cash ($2.5 million) as a supplemental second-rounder out of a Florida highschool in 2022, he has blossomed into an offensive drive who profiles as a star on an outfield nook. He slashed .291/.396/.498 with 18 homers and 21 steals in 119 video games at age 20, main the Double-A Jap League in slugging (.489) and OPS (.856) earlier than posting even greater numbers in Triple-A.
Yankees: Jasson Domínguez, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 14)Domínguez may need pushed for Rookie of the Yr honors in 2024 if he hadn’t blown out his elbow the earlier September and required Tommy John surgical procedure. Famously signed for $5.1 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2019 as probably the most hyped worldwide prospect ever, he is a possible middle fielder with 20-20 upside. He batted .314/.376/.504 with 11 homers and 16 steals in 58 Minor League video games between three ranges (largely in Triple-A) final 12 months.
Guardians: Chase DeLauter, OF (No. 2/MLB No. 41)Foot and leg accidents have slowed DeLauter’s progress since he turned the primary first-round choose from James Madison (sixteenth general in 2022), however he’ll be a franchise cornerstone if he can keep wholesome. Few prospects can match his package deal of measurement (6-foot-3, 235 kilos), athleticism, efficiency and plate self-discipline. He slashed .261/.341/.500 with eight homers in 39 video games between three ranges (largely in Double-A), then ranked because the No. 2 prospect within the Arizona Fall League for the second straight 12 months.
Royals: Noah Cameron, LHP (No. 12)Cameron made his Triple-A debut on July 31 and was at his greatest on the Minors’ prime stage, ending with a 2.32 ERA, 62 strikeouts and solely 11 walks in 54 1/3 innings for Omaha. His 78-81 mph changeup was significantly devastating, with a 46.7 p.c whiff charge, however a full four-pitch repertoire (together with a four-seamer, cutter and curveball) stored Triple-A hitters guessing. Cameron was a straightforward 40-man add when he turned Rule 5-eligible this offseason, and he ought to head into Spring Coaching aiming to win a rotation spot.
Tigers: Jackson Jobe, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 5)Jobe is the highest pitching prospect on our present High 100 for a motive. He has 4 pitches that would all be categorised as not less than plus in his four-seamer, slider, cutter and changeup, and he put all of them on show with 4 MLB appearances between the common season and postseason in 2024. The 22-year-old right-hander is definitely a starter and he’d must go nicely above his profession excessive of 95 2/3 innings to be a real Rookie of the Yr candidate. However the Tigers clearly belief him and his stuff already, and even when he takes a quick take a look at Triple-A primary, Jobe is simply too proficient to maintain out of the MLB rotation for lengthy, if wholesome.
Twins: Luke Keaschall, 2B/OF/1B (No. 3/MLB No. 63)The one factor making this choose “dangerous” is that Keaschall, the Twins’ second-round choose in 2023, had Tommy John surgical procedure in August. However that was timed so he’d be able to swing the bat within the spring. It’s fairly clear his superior strategy on the plate will assist him get to the large leagues rapidly after attending to Double-A in his first full season and ending with a .903 OPS. He’s proven he can deal with three positions, giving the Twins extra choices to get him within the lineup.
White Sox: Colson Montgomery, SS (No. 3/MLB No. 37)Although Montgomery had a tough .214/.329/.381 season in Triple-A with 18 homers in 130 video games, he completed robust earlier than raking within the AFL. The 2021 first-rounder from an Indiana highschool not solely has the facility potential anticipated from a 6-foot-3, 225-pounder, but additionally endurance on the plate and stunning athleticism.
Angels: Caden Dana, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 68)Dana’s large league debut was strong, and although his following two outings didn’t go as deliberate in September, that ought to simply give him info he’ll use to make changes. The 2024 Futures Gamer will pitch all of 2025 at age 21, so there’s loads of time right here and he has superior really feel for a four-pitch combine that ought to enable him to search out constant success.
Astros: Jacob Melton, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 89)When the Astros had been negotiating the Justin Verlander commerce with the Mets in 2023, they most well-liked to surrender High 100 prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford so they might maintain on to Melton. A 2022 second-round choice from Oregon State, he combines plus uncooked energy and pace and slashed .253/.310/.426 with 15 homers and 30 steals in 105 video games between Double-A and Triple-A.
A’s: Jacob Wilson, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 24)If it hadn’t been for accidents, Wilson would have graduated off of prospect lists this previous season and wouldn’t be into account. Assuming well being, it’s straightforward to count on Wilson to maintain doing what he’s performed all over the place: hit. Whereas he performed simply 53 video games within the Minors this previous season, he hit .433 with a 1.141 OPS, even exhibiting extra extra-base pop than some anticipated. Seeing him hit over .300 and play a strong shortstop within the large leagues ought to assist his candidacy.
Mariners: Tyler Locklear, 1B (No. 6)With a profession OPS of .874 within the Minors and a few large league homers below his belt, there are some expectations that Locklear, the Mariners’ second-rounder in 2022, ought to have the ability to convey some right-handed thump to the lineup in ’25. The strikeout charge crept up in 2024, particularly in his transient debut with Seattle, however he does draw walks to assist offset that.
Rangers: Kumar Rocker, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 58)After the Mets drafted him tenth general in 2021, Rocker endured a failed bodily, shoulder surgical procedure after which Tommy John surgical procedure. However the former Vanderbilt star seems to be able to repay the Rangers for his or her gamble to surprisingly choose him with the No. 3 general choose in 2022. He confirmed an upper-90s fastball and wipeout mid-80s slider this summer season whereas compiling a 1.96 ERA, a .180 batting common towards and a 55/5 Okay/BB ratio in 36 2/3 Minor League innings between three ranges (largely in Double-A) earlier than making his large league debut in September.
Braves: Drake Baldwin, C (No. 5)Introduced up as a sleeper choose for Nationwide League {hardware} in a current Pipeline Inbox, Baldwin might not be under-the-radar anymore. He’s a strong receiver who reached Triple-A and hit 16 homers with a .370 OBP within the Minors, then had a .942 OPS over 13 AFL video games earlier than taking part in for Staff USA within the Premier12 event in Mexico and Japan. Sean Murphy is within the large leagues, however after he hit .193 final 12 months, the door could possibly be opening.
Marlins: Agustin Ramirez, C/1B (No. 3/MLB No. 96)Acquired from the Yankees within the Jazz Chisholm Jr. commerce in July, Ramirez loved a 20-20 season within the Minors — a feat completed solely twice by large league catchers in AL/NL historical past. Ramirez batted .267/.358/.487 with 25 homers and 22 steals in 126 video games between Double-A and Triple-A and gives strong energy and arm power, although his defensive recreation nonetheless requires a variety of polish.
Mets: Brandon Sproat, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 40)The 2023 second-rounder’s first full season couldn’t have gone a lot better after he posted a 3.40 ERA with 131 strikeouts in 116 1/3 innings throughout three ranges. Sproat completed out the 12 months in Triple-A Syracuse, that means he ought to enter his second spring with an eye fixed on the Majors, and the Mets have rotation openings aplenty with Luis Severino, Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana hitting free company. Even when New York makes additions (which it ought to), Sproat’s fastball, slider, changeup and cutter might all play within the bigs rapidly and assist him elbow his method into an early beginning spot and sufficient success for ROY consideration.
Nationals: Dylan Crews, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 1)Relying on the place Sasaki lands, Crews needs to be the NL frontrunner. He’s proven regular enchancment in strategy and output at LSU and each Minor League cease he’s made, giving many confidence he’ll construct on the modest success he confirmed in 31 video games with the Nats in ’24. His pace and protection are already Main League property, and he’ll have many avenues to offer large league worth in his age-23 season. The open query: whether or not he begins in middle or proper on Opening Day. Both method, count on him to be within the ROY combine.
Phillies: Andrew Painter, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 32)All eyes had been on Painter as he made his return to the aggressive mound this fall within the AFL after a two-year layoff on account of Tommy John surgical procedure. He definitely didn’t disappoint, incomes AFL Pitcher of the Yr honors after ending with a 2.30 ERA, .189 batting common towards, 0.89 WHIP and an 18/4 Okay/BB ratio (10.34 Okay/9, 2.3 BB/9) over 15 2/3 innings. The Phillies’ brass have stated they imagine he’ll contribute sooner or later in 2025 and there’s no motive to suppose he gained’t succeed.
Brewers: Jacob Misiorowski, RHP (No. 3/MLB No. 80)If Milwaukee decides to maintain Misiorowski in a aid position (because it did with him at Triple-A), he could possibly be this 12 months’s Mason Miller or Cade Smith. The 6-foot-7 right-hander averaged 98 mph along with his four-seamer with Nashville and touched as excessive as 100.7 mph. His low-90s slider and mid-80s curveball had been additionally tough to the touch, however as all the time, management could possibly be a problem (10 walks in 17 2/3 innings). The Crew continues to view Misiorowski as a starter however acknowledges he could possibly be a dominant nearer if shifted full-time.
Cardinals: Thomas Saggese, INF (No. 4)Toss apart Saggese’s .204/.250/.306 line from final season’s 18-game MLB pattern for a second. Extra lately, the 22-year-old reined in his beforehand overaggressive strategy within the Arizona Fall League, permitting his spectacular bat-to-ball expertise to lead to higher general contact within the desert. If that holds, Saggese could possibly be a candidate to flirt with a .300 common and produce 20-plus homers over a full Main League season on the keystone, aka prime Rookie of the Yr numbers.
Cubs: Matt Shaw, INF (No. 1/MLB No. 22)Shaw had a spectacular first full professional season after the Cubs drafted him thirteenth general out of Maryland in 2023. He slashed .284/.379/.488 with 21 homers and 31 steals in 121 video games, turning into certainly one of 4 20-30 gamers within the Minors, successful Double-A Southern League MVP accolades, rising his manufacturing after a promotion to Triple-A and starring with Staff USA on the Premier12 event in November. A complicated hitter with strong energy and pace, he is able to beginning at second or third base.
Pirates: Bubba Chandler, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 15)Chandler not solely reached Triple-A in 2024, he dominated, with a 1.83 ERA and 12.4 Okay/9 over seven begins, exhibiting off elite-level stuff with lots left within the tank. Even when he begins again at Indianapolis in 2025, it’s not tough to examine a Skenes-like path for the 22-year-old right-hander, and everyone knows how that turned out this 12 months.
Reds: Rhett Lowder, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 33)Lowder whetted the urge for food of Reds followers with a 1.17 ERA over six begins, and he did that strolling extra and placing out fewer than standard. Cincinnati’s current acquisition of Brady Singer does make the rotation just a little extra crowded, however Lowder’s mixture of stuff and command ought to enable him to cement a spot.
D-backs: Jordan Lawlar, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 9)The 2021 sixth general choose doubtless would have graduated in ’24 if he hadn’t been restricted by proper thumb and left hamstring accidents. He’s presently making up for the misplaced time with Tigres del Licey in LIDOM, the place he’s getting constant seems to be at shortstop (and some additional at third base). Lawlar’s loudest software is his plus-plus pace, and he reveals above-average pop as nicely. He’d doubtless be a greater hitter than Geraldo Perdomo if given the correct quantity of at-bats at quick or he could possibly be an possibility at third if Eugenio Suárez will get harm or declines at age 33.
Dodgers: Dalton Dashing, C/OF (No. 1/MLB No. 39)Probably the greatest catching prospects within the Minors, Dashing began getting a while within the outfield late in the summertime so the Dodgers might discover a technique to get him extra at-bats behind Will Smith in 2025. He slashed .271/.384/.512 between Double-A and Triple-A, tied for second amongst Minor League catchers with 26 homers in 114 video games and was named Dodgers organizational participant of the 12 months and the Double-A Texas League’s prime prospect. He options well-above-average uncooked energy, a affected person strategy, strong arm power and bettering receiving expertise.
Giants: Carson Whisenhunt, LHP (No. 3)A 2022 second-round alternative out of East Carolina, Whisenhunt owns one of many Minors’ greatest changeups and units it up with a low-90s fastball, upper-70s curveball and mid-80s cutter. He logged a 5.42 ERA with 135 strikeouts in 104 2/3 innings in Triple-A.
Padres: Tirso Ornelas, OF (No. 17)Jackson Merrill 2.0 isn’t strolling by way of that door. Ethan Salas (No. 1/MLB No. 19) and Leodalis De Vries (No. 2/MLB No. 28) are simply too distant for a magical rookie repeat in San Diego. That stated, Jurickson Profar and David Peralta are each free brokers, that means for now, the Padres have openings on the grass. Ornelas might not less than be a fourth outfielder to start the 12 months — one with first rate pop from the left facet and a capability to make above-average contact on pitches within the zone — with the possibility to win extra taking part in time relying on what different strikes are coming.
Rockies: Drew Romo, C (No. 8)Romo had a very strong 12 months in Triple-A (.297/.339/.499 with 14 homers and strong catch-and-throw expertise) to earn his first callup to the large leagues. He’s a greater backstop than Hunter Goodman, who can give attention to different positions, so Romo ought to not less than share time with Jacob Stallings behind the plate in Denver.
