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Krylian

By Krylian
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Went to the Dunedin Jays game tonight, specifically to see Khal Stephen but also because it was $2 Wednesday...$2 admission , beer, hot dogs and popcorn. Gotta love minor league ball. The line score f

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Anonymous 5 days ago   Did you find out any intel in who looked g

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1. Ricky Tiedemann LHP Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 220 | B-T: L-L Age: null BA Grade/Risk: 60/Extreme. Track Record: 

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Atlanta's Top 10...

 

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-L

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 60/High

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Caminiti was the top-ranked high school pitcher in the 2024 class and signed with the Braves for $3,553,800 as the organization’s first pick at No. 24 overall. A former two-way player with impressive raw power in high school, Caminiti is now a full-time pitcher and turned in an electric 2025 campaign, primarily with Low-A Augusta. He missed two months of the season with forearm tendinitis. He got on the mound in May, threw a handful of tuneup games in the Florida Complex League, then posted a 2.08 ERA and 31.9% strikeout rate in 56.1 innings and 13 starts with Augusta. Among minor league pitchers who were 18 or younger with at least 50 innings, Caminiti ranked third with 90 strikeouts and fourth in strikeout rate. He’s a cousin of the late Ken Caminiti.

Scouting Report: Caminiti has a lean and athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds. He creates a tough angle for hitters by working from the first base side of the rubber and throwing across his body with a low release height. Caminiti lowered his arm slot in 2025 and simultaneously added a bit of extension, which helped his four-seam fastball play better at the top of the zone. He went from a two-seam grip in high school to a four-seam grip with the Braves, and in 2025 averaged 93-94 mph and touched 97. The flat nature of the pitch combined with its power should allow it to be at least a plus offering, and he did an excellent job using it to attack the strike zone and get ahead in counts. While the fastball is the centerpiece of Caminiti’s arsenal, he has flashed exciting secondaries as well. He got plenty of whiffs on both his slider and changeup against Low-A hitters in 2025. He throws a low-80s, sweeping slider as his go-to secondary pitch. It grades well analytically and can be a nightmare for lefthanded hitters, but it needs more consistency. The Braves are hoping he can add a harder and shorter breaking ball, such as a gyro slider, in the future. Caminiti started throwing a kick changeup in 2025. The pitch sits in the 85-88 mph range with solid armside life and occasional splitter-like depth at its best. It was a reliable miss and chase offering at the lower levels, but it remains a work in progress that Caminiti will need to locate more consistently after he threw it for strikes less than half the time in 2025.

The Future: Caminiti is the highest-upside arm in Atlanta’s system and has the stuff to become a solid No. 3-type starter who pitches a shade better than that on his best days. Those most excited about Caminiti’s future could envision a Chris Sale-esque low-slot lefty who dominates with a fastball and slider. While his upside is tantalizing, Caminiti still has a long way to go. After dominating Low-A, he should be ready to start the 2026 season with High-A Rome, where adding command and consistency to his secondaries and potentially deepening his arsenal will be developmental keys.

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

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Ritchie signed with the Braves for $2.4 million as the 35th overall pick in the 2022 draft as a cerebral three-pitch righty with polish beyond his years. He dealt with Tommy John surgery and recovery in 2023 and 2024 but had a strong 2025 season. Ritchie threw 140 innings—a top 15 mark among minor league pitchers—across three levels and posted a 2.64 ERA and 24.8% strikeout rate. He started the Futures Game at Truist Park and was the Braves’ 2025 minor league player of the year.

Scouting Report: Ritchie continues to stand out for his advanced feel to pitch, but his arsenal today looks nothing like it did when he was drafted. Previously a fastball/slider/changeup pitcher, Ritchie now throws seven unique pitches and has an uncanny ability to separate them and manipulate his arsenal seemingly overnight. Ritchie averaged 93.5 mph with his four-seam fastball and touched 96-97. He also throws a two-seam fastball with similar power, an upper-80s changeup, a low-80s curveball, a mid-80s gyro slider, a sweeper that’s a tick or two softer and a cutter around 90 mph that pushes 92. Ritchie is comfortable landing his entire mix. While that could be enough to keep hitters off-balance, he lacks a true wipeout offering. In the past, his gyro slider was a swing-and-miss pitch, but it backed up in 2025 to the point where Ritchie threw it less in the second half of the season. Rediscovering that breaking ball or adding more velocity—perhaps by doing a better job sitting into his back leg in his delivery—could help him find another gear.

The Future: Ritchie is nearing his big league debut and has the tools to be a solid No. 4 starter. He could get an MLB opportunity in 2026.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 50 | Sweeper: 50 | Control: 50.

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R

Age: 20

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Fuentes signed with the Braves out of Colombia in 2022 without much fanfare, but he elevated his stock as a pro thanks to a strong combination of strikes and fastball life. He pitched effectively at three minor league levels in his age-20 season in 2025, but struggled with fastball location and home runs in his first four major league starts in June and July.

Scouting Report: Fuentes has a solid frame with more physicality than his official 6-foot, 170-pound frame indicates. He attacks hitters from a low release point and does a nice job getting off the rubber with above-average extension—which helps him throw one of the flattest fastballs in the game. Fuentes added nearly a tick and a half to his fastball velocity and averaged 94.7 mph while touching 98-99. The pitch has both power and life that makes it a swing-and-miss heater at its best, but its shape is reliant on him pounding the upper third of the strike zone and above. Fuentes’ brief major league stint showed what could happen to his fastball when he put it in the heart of the zone too often—namely, an .886 opponent slugging percentage and six home runs allowed in just 13 innings. Sharpening his fastball command will be important, as will developing secondaries to keep hitters from sitting on his fastball. Fuentes has toyed with both a sweeper and gyro slider, as well as an 80-83 mph curveball with more depth and an upper-80s splitter. He has a strong track record as an above-average strike-thrower, though his command is not yet at that level.

The Future: In 2026, Fuentes will pitch as a 21-year-old who has outlier fastball traits and a solid control foundation. His future role will depend on his secondary development and fastball command.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 55.

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Murphy starred as a two-way player at his suburban Chicago high school as a shortstop/righthander. He signed for $2,556,900 as Atlanta’s first-round pick in 2022 and has pitched well whenever he’s been on the mound. A Tommy John surgery cut short a potential breakout season in 2024, but Murphy returned to the mound in late July 2025 and continued posting. He had a 1.19 ERA in 30.1 innings between Rookie ball and Low-A with a 25.5 K-BB% that was second-best in the Braves’ system among pitchers with at least 30 innings.

Scouting Report: Murphy is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound righthander who works with a clean delivery and three-quarters slot. He primarily works with a three-pitch mix led by a 90-92 mph fastball. His four-seam fastball was down about a half tick of velocity in 2025, and he averaged just under 91 mph while touching 94. The pitch is light on power but has always played up thanks to tremendous riding life and a flat approach angle. The shape of Murphy’s fastball could allow it to be effective in the majors even with below-average power, though adding more velocity remains a crucial goal. Murphy throws a mid-80s slider that lacks depth but has solid gloveside action, as well as a downer curveball in the mid 70s. The Braves were happy with his slider progress, and he threw the pitch more frequently compared to 2024. Murphy is also experimenting with a kick changeup, but he’s yet to fully break the pitch out in games. He’s an above-average athlete and average strike-thrower and who has always done a nice job attacking the top of the zone with his fastball.

The Future: Murphy’s post-surgery 2025 season was a success. Now he needs to find a way to add more power to his mix and show he can miss bats in the upper minors. He has back-end starter upside.

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

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-L

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: McKenzie ranked as the No. 46 prospect in the 2025 draft and signed an over-slot deal with the Braves for $2,997,500 in the fourth round—the largest bonus in Atlanta’s class. McKenzie was an up-arrow prospect early in the spring with his Corinth Holders High team in North Carolina. He showed improved fastball velocity and a refined changeup, but his velocity was more inconsistent closer to the draft. He threw at instructional league but not in official games after signing.

Scouting Report: McKenzie is a lanky 6-foot-2, 190-pound lefthander with a smooth delivery that features a lengthy arm action and a cross-body finish. He’s been up to 95 mph with his fastball—and touched 94 mph in instructs—but his average velocity comes and goes and can sit in the low 90s or upper 80s depending on the start. He has great aptitude to spin a breaking pitch with huge spin rates. McKenzie’s curveball sits 75-79 mph and routinely gets into the 3,000 rpm range with great depth and biting action at its best. It would be unsurprising if he developed that breaking ball into more of a classic sweeper slider as he adds more strength and power. The development of his mid-80s changeup this spring was key in pushing him up draft boards, and was a pitch Braves officials were enamored of after signing him. He uses a circle change grip that he holds deep in his hand and generates hellacious depth at its best. It has high-end bat-missing potential as he learns to land it with more consistency. McKenzie has been a solid strike-thrower, but the length of his arm action could inhibit his command.

The Future: McKenzie is slated to pitch at Low-A Augusta in 2026. He has the tools to become a solid No. 3 or 4 starter but has a long way to go. His workmanlike makeup and coachable mindset are assets.

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

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Lodise was one of the best players in college baseball in 2025, when he was the Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year after hitting .394/.462/.705 with 17 home runs and 18 doubles for Florida State. He ranked as the No. 26 prospect in the class but fell to the second round, where the Braves signed him to a $1,297,500 bonus. Lodise played 25 games with High-A Rome after signing and hit .252/.294/.398 with a 38.5% strikeout rate and 4.6% walk rate.

Scouting Report: Listed at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Lodise is a strong and physical athlete who packs a punch at the plate and likes to swing the bat—a lot. He’s an aggressive hitter who swung 53% of the time in his three-year college career and then 54% of the time in his pro debut. That aggression leads to lots of chases as well. Lodise will need to become more selective, and the Braves are also hoping a few mechanical tweaks will help him make contact more in different parts of the zone. Without improving in this area, Lodise could be a streaky hitter who doesn’t walk much—he had a sub 10% walk rate in college—and is reliant on how often he can turn on the ball for extra-base damage. He’s a solid runner and potentially underrated defender at shortstop. He has better lateral range than his speed might indicate and has a plus arm that helps him make difficult plays from deep positions in the hole. He also has solid arm versatility and is comfortable throwing on the run and from different slots.

The Future: Lodise has everyday upside as a pull-side power hitter with the defensive chops to stick at shortstop. Whether he gets to that upside depends heavily on the progress he can make with his approach and contact.

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

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R

Age: 24

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Mild

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Braun has been a reliable starter and strike-thrower for the Braves since he signed as a sixth-rounder out of Cal State Northridge for $347,500 in 2023. In each of the last two seasons he eclipsed the 140-inning mark, and in 2025 he posted a 3.67 ERA in 26 starts and 149.2 innings between Double-A Columbus and Triple-A Gwinnett. Braun’s 145 strikeouts were the most in Atlanta’s system.

Scouting Report: Braun is a 6-foot, 185-pound righthander who works out of the stretch and sets up on the third base side of the rubber. He continued to add more pitches to his arsenal in 2025 and now has six distinct offerings. Braun’s four-seam fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 95, but he also worked in a two-seam fastball much more frequently compared to the 2024 season. His go-to pitch at this point is a mid-80s sweeping slider, which gets heavy usage and is his most consistent swing-and-miss offering. Braun has also worked to implement an 87-91 mph cutter and continues to throw a softer, downer curveball at 78-82 mph and an upper-80s changeup with increased usage versus lefties. Nothing Braun throws is plus. Instead, he relies on his advanced control and command—the best in the system—and an ability to mix and match. Braun’s fastball command has always been a strength, and his career 6.7% walk rate points to above-average control.

The Future: The Braves are hoping there’s a bit more velocity to be found with Braun that could unlock a bit more upside. An optimistic outlook could be a Chris Bassitt-like pitcher who finds success with below-average velocity by throwing the kitchen sink with good control. Braun should be ready to help the major league team in 2026, which will be his 40-man roster evaluation season.

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

Ht: 6'8" | Wt: 245 | B-T: L-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Baumann signed an over-slot $747,500 deal as a fourth-round pick in 2023 and has been an imposing workhorse since. After a rock-solid first full season with Low-A Augusta in 2024, Baumann replicated his efforts in 2025 with High-A Rome. He posted a 3.40 ERA over 23 starts and 113.2 innings with a 22.5% strikeout rate and 6.4% walk rate.

Scouting Report: Baumann has been a monstrous, physical presence since his prep days. He stands 6-foot-8, 245 pounds and attacks hitters from a high release point with a delivery that is surprisingly coordinated and synced up for a 20-year-old pitcher of his size. He added more than a tick of velocity to his fastball this year and now averages 95 mph and will touch 99. His four-seam is a steep offering that doesn’t generate a ton of whiffs. As a remedy, he began incorporating a two-seamer that would play off his release height and potentially be a weapon at the bottom of the zone. Baumann’s ability to throw his fastball for strikes has been an asset for multiple years now—he’s thrown it for strikes more than 70% of the time in 2024 and 2025—but there are questions about his secondary pitches. He throws a mid-80s slider with some sweep, a low-80s curveball with more depth and an 86-90 mph splitter. All his secondaries earn fringy reviews and leave him without a reliable swing-and-miss pitch to put hitters away. The splitter could be his best bet, though Baumann might also try to add a harder, tighter gyro slider or a cutter in 2026.

The Future: Baumann’s fastball velocity and command remain strengths, but his secondaries could limit him to a back-end starter or reliever role without improvement. He should begin to face upper-minors competition in 2026.

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

Ht: 6'8" | Wt: 250 | B-T: R-R

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The Braves took a shot on Sinnard’s upside with a $735,300 deal in the third round out of Indiana even after he missed his 2024 draft year with Tommy John surgery. He then dealt with a nerve issue after his surgery but made his pro debut in 2025. Sinnard split time between Low-A Augusta and High-A Rome, posting a 2.86 ERA over 16 starts and 72.1 innings with a 28.3% strikeout rate. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League after the season.

Scouting Report: Sinnard has an extra-large frame at 6-foot-8, 250 pounds with plenty of strength and broad, coat-hanger shoulders. He primarily works with a three-pitch mix that includes a fastball, slider and splitter. Sinnard’s fastball averaged 93-94 mph and touched 97. It’s a steep pitch that comes from a higher slot, with solid riding life, but because of his steep approach and release height the Braves worked with him to add a two-seam variant. Both Sinnard’s slider and splitter were effective swing-and-miss pitches against Class A hitters. Sinnard’s slider is an upper-80s breaking ball with short, biting action. His splitter is an 80-85 mph pitch with spin rates around 800-900 rpm with solid depth. He uses the slider at a heavy clip versus righties and breaks out the splitter more often against lefties. He also has a rarely used low-80s curveball. The Braves were impressed with the control and command Sinnard showed throughout the season. He tends to attack the zone more than the team would like him to in pitcher’s counts, and he might have more strikeout potential if he gets more aggressive and uses his secondaries with the intent to be chase pitches below the zone.

The Future: Sinnard now needs to show he can miss bats at more age-appropriate levels. He has backend rotation upside and enough pure stuff to carve out a reliever role if necessary.

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

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 178 | B-T: B-R

Age: 17

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme

Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: The Braves have not received great returns from the international market in years, but Tornes, the team’s $2.5 million Cuban headliner from the 2025 class, has the potential to change that. The physical switch-hitter was lauded for his offensive prowess before signing and then ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Dominican Summer League in 2025.

Scouting Report: Officially listed at 6-foot-2, 178 pounds, Tornes is both young for the class and more physically developed than his peers. He has a strong, athletic build that still has more strength potential, with clean hitting mechanics from both sides of the plate to go with excellent bat speed. While some scouts described Tornes as an aggressive, free swinger in his debut, he showed an impressive blend of hitting ability and power with a knack for making adjustments and covering the entire zone. While he didn’t hit a single home run, his exit velocity data is tremendous. His 105.4 mph 90th percentile exit velocity was fifth among Braves prospects with at least 100 plate appearances, and the best mark of any hitter younger than 22 years old. Tornes has turned in plus run times and impressed internal and external scouts with his defensive instincts and athleticism in center field. There’s a split camp on whether he’s destined for a corner or will continue to move well enough to stay in center, but his defensive progress is already better than it was billed. His arm might be his loudest individual tool, with both excellent strength and accuracy on his throws.

The Future: Tornes’ collection of physical tools gives him more upside than any hitter in the system, but he’s years away from the majors with plenty of refinement still needed. He should make his stateside debut in 2026 in what will be his age-17 season.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60
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Miami's Top 10...

 

Ht: 6'5" | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-L

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 70/High

Adjusted Grade: 55

Track Record: The top high school lefthander in the 2023 draft class, White signed with the Marlins for a well over-slot $4.1 million as the 35th overall pick. He wasted no time making an impact in his first full pro season, striking out nearly 30% of hitters with a 2.81 ERA across two Class A levels in 2024. He remained on his meteoric trajectory in 2025 with a 2.31 ERA and dominant 38.6% strikeout rate while advancing from High-A Beloit to Triple-A Jacksonville. Control remains White’s lone blemish. His walk rate climbed from 9.2% in 2024 to 13.6% in 2025, and he has said he plans to overhaul his delivery ahead of his fourth professional season.

Scouting Report: White has begun to grow into his long-levered 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame. He’s added roughly 10 pounds since 2024, with even more physicality likely to come. The added strength has only sharpened his already electric arsenal. Working from a compact arm stroke that stays hidden until the last instant, he fires from a high-three-quarters arm slot and unleashes a fastball that sits 94-96 mph, touches 99 and carries late life through the zone. The pitch rides up on hitters with both vertical carry and subtle armside run—a combination that produced a 34% miss rate and swing-and-miss utility against both righthanded and lefthanded bats. His best weapon is a sweeping low-to-mid-80s slider that tunnels perfectly off his heater. It misses bats at a premium clip—50% miss rate, 31% chase rate in 2025—and can both back-foot righties and dart away from lefties. His mid-80s changeup took a leap forward in 2025, showing fade and late tumble, and it was particularly effective against righthanders, who struggle to pick it up before it dives below the barrel. White ranked third among minor leaguers with at least 80 innings in strikeout rate in 2025, and all three of his pitches are legitimate putaway options. The question, as it often is with young power arms, is control. White is unlikely to ever be a precise, paint-the-black type. For now, his focus is simply filling the zone consistently. His walk rate climbed in 2025, a sign of either chasing whiffs off the plate or losing rhythm in his delivery. That inconsistency can lead to inefficiency, which was frequently evident, as he pitched into the sixth inning just twice in 2025. Yet, even when laboring, White competes and tends to tighten his execution when traffic builds.

The Future: White’s raw stuff is already among the most advanced in the minors and is only getting better, giving him all the ingredients of a frontline starter. If he can refine his delivery and strike-throwing, he has the makings of a potential ace. White reached Triple-A as a 20-year-old in 2025 and should reach the majors in 2026.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Sweeper: 70 | Changeup: 65 | Control: 45.

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-L

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 60/Average

Adjusted Grade: 50

Track Record: A standout two-sport athlete in high school, Snelling chose baseball over football after signing with the Padres for $3 million—$1 million over slot—as a supplemental first-round pick. He dominated his first full season in 2023 with a 1.82 ERA, rising to Double-A and earning Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors. But a rocky 2024 followed. Snelling’s command and sharpness faded en route to a 6.01 ERA in 16 starts before he was traded to the Marlins. He rebounded in 2025, ranking fourth in the minors with 166 strikeouts, fifth with a 2.51 ERA and excelling at Triple-A Jacksonville with a 1.27 ERA and 81 strikeouts to 17 walks over 63.2 innings.

Scouting Report: Snelling’s 2024 struggles stemmed from erratic command, a passive approach and a velocity dip that left him sitting 91-93 mph and topping out at 95. His 2025 rebound began with regained power and subtle tweaks to his delivery, which is now more upright and repeatable and helped restore his reputation as an advanced strike-thrower. From a high three-quarters slot, he averaged 94.5 mph and touched 99 with a relatively flat approach angle to produce a 30% miss rate and 31% chase rate on fastballs—including 37% and 40%, respectively, at Triple-A. He also leaned more on a sharp, two-plane low-80s curveball now viewed as plus, reshaped his slider into a tighter gyro look and turned his firm, high-80s changeup into a reliable chase weapon against righthanded hitters. The improved mechanics yielded a career-best 7.1% walk rate alongside a 30.3% strikeout rate.

The Future: After quelling many of the doubts raised by his uneven 2024, Snelling now straddles the line between a No. 2 and No. 3 starter who could break camp with the Marlins in 2026. If he begins in Triple-A, his major league debut shouldn’t be too far down the road.

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

Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 60/Average

Adjusted Grade: 50

Track Record: Arquette broke out in 2024 at Washington, where he hit .325/.384/.574 with 12 home runs. He then transferred to Oregon State in 2025, shifted from second base to shortstop and elevated his game further by slashing .354/.461/.654 with 19 home runs. The Marlins drafted him seventh overall and signed him for a slot value bonus of $7,149,900.

Scouting Report: At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Arquette looks the part of a modern slugger. His free and easy righthanded swing generates above-average bat speed and plus raw power, allowing him to drive the ball to all fields while punishing mistakes to his pull side. Though swing-and-miss and chase tendencies have accompanied that pop, he refined his approach in 2025, showing improved plate discipline and producing a thunderous 93.5 mph average exit velocity with a 59% hard-hit rate. At times, he over-corrected—his 60% zone-swing rate reflected a bit of hesitation—but the overall approach was more measured and mature. Arquette moves well for his size, grading as an average runner once underway. He’s never been a true basestealing threat, yet he matched his college high with seven steals in 27 games at High-A Beloit to align with the Marlins’ emphasis on basepath aggression. Defensively, he’s shown enough fluidity and arm strength to stick at shortstop, with above-average instincts, reliable hands and a plus, accurate arm from a lower slot. His physicality and offensive profile could ultimately fit at third base if a move becomes necessary.

The Future: Arquette’s combination of body control and powerful frame made him one of few sure-thing middle infielders in a 2025 draft class thin on them. He has the bat, arm strength and internal clock to remain at a premium position and should at least reach the upper minors in 2026.

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

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-R

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: After an injury-shortened first full pro season in 2022 and a relatively poor 2023 campaign, Mack finally broke through in 2024, launching 24 home runs and lighting up the Midwest League on his way to Double-A Pensacola and Top 100 Prospects status. His ascent continued in 2025. It took just 13 strong games in Double-A to earn a promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville, where he hit .250/.320/.459 with 18 home runs, 18 doubles and a 90 mph average exit velocity over 99 games.

Scouting Report: Mack features a distinctive look in the box. The lefthanded batter stands tall with a high handset and compact load. Earlier in his career, he used a leg kick for timing and rhythm, but he pared it down in 2025. His quick bat and strong forearms help him generate above-average raw power that plays in games despite a modest hit tool. Mack’s pitch recognition and discipline are roughly average—he swung and missed in the zone 25% of the time and chased 28%—but when he connects, the contact is loud, producing high-end exit velocities to his pull side. A below-average runner overall, he moves fluidly for his size and position with a smooth gait and better-than-expected agility. Behind the plate, he’s an above-average receiver who presents pitches quietly and earns strikes on the edges, aided by near plus mobility and soft hands. His plus arm controls the run game. He threw out 32% of basestealers in 2025.

The Future: Mack’s blend of defense, power and a refined approach makes him one of the top catching prospects in the upper minors. The Marlins are expected to add Mack to the 40-man roster this offseason to shield him from the Rule 5 draft. He will likely begin 2026 at Triple-A as the Marlins find playing time for him along with big league catchers Agustin Ramirez and Liam Hicks.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Ryn: 40 | Field: 60 | Arm: 65.

Ht: 6'5" | Wt: 202 | B-T: R-R

Age: 17

BA Grade/Risk: 60/Extreme

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The Marlins were enamored of Defrank’s blend of raw stuff and athleticism when they signed him out of the Dominican Republic in 2025. They signed him for $560,000, handing him the fourth-largest bonus given to a pitcher in that international signing class. He quickly validated the investment, posting a 3.19 ERA with 34 strikeouts to 10 walks over 31 innings in the Dominican Summer League. He was 16 years old for most of the season.

Scouting Report: Defrank stands out before even taking the mound. He boasts a listed 6-foot-5, 235-pound frame that’s unusually thick and muscular for a teenager. The Marlins were first drawn to his exceptional arm speed and athleticism, traits that allowed him to reach the mid 90s at signing and sit in the upper 90s now while occasionally touching triple digits. His fastball features both run and ride. It’s still a bit raw in shape but already overpowering for his age. He complements it with a plus changeup showing heavy sink and fade, along with a sweeping slider that many evaluators project as a future plus pitch. Defrank uses a high leg kick and a fluid three-quarters release that accentuates his arm speed. His physicality is an asset, but maintaining it will be crucial, because avoiding bad weight as he matures will be key to preserving his velocity and smooth delivery. Right now, he shows a standout combination of flexibility and power that allows him to get his body into ideal positions as he moves down the mound.

The Future: Having turned 17 in August, Defrank could return to the DSL in 2026, with a U.S. debut later in the year well within reach. If he can maintain his athleticism and continue refining his delivery, he has the ingredients of a future frontline starter—though he remains several developmental steps away from realizing that potential.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Sweeper: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45.

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 265 | B-T: R-R

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Alderman was one of the most visible successes under the Marlins’ revamped player development efforts, which emphasized simplified communication to help hitters focus on three key pillars: swing decisions, contact rate and quality of contact. After hitting eight home runs with a .242 average in 2024, Alderman broke out in 2025, slugging 22 homers with 22 steals and a .285/.338/.482 line across 110 games at Double-A Pensacola and 20 at Triple-A Jacksonville. The performance marked not just a surge in output, but proof of concept for Miami’s developmental overhaul.

Scouting Report: Alderman is a stocky righthanded hitter with massive power—a defining trait that’s endured even after trimming 20 pounds since being drafted. He’s worked diligently to streamline his swing, quieting his mechanics and maintaining a tighter path than most hitters with his power profile. Despite that progress, chase tendencies remain. He swung at pitches out of the zone 30% of the time in 2025, showing improved restraint against high velocity but continued vulnerability to spin. Even so, Alderman’s overall approach improved markedly, as he attacked strikes aggressively and limited mistakes. Whether his bat-to-ball skills hold up against major league pitching will be his key test. Defensively, Alderman projects as a corner outfielder with a plus arm that once produced mid-90s velocity off the mound in his amateur days. He’s a solid runner underway, though he’s still refining his timing on the bases.

The Future: Alderman’s power surge in 2025 vaulted him into near-big league readiness and solidified his status as a bat-first corner outfielder with a power-over-hit profile. His defense has improved, but his impact will come at the plate. A strong spring could earn him a spot on the Opening Day roster.

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

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 170 | B-T: L-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Cannarella burst onto the scene as the 2023 ACC freshman of the year after hitting .388 with 24 stolen bases at Clemson. He followed with another standout campaign in 2024, increasing his home run total from seven to 11 despite playing through a shoulder injury that limited his running game and ability to throw. After having labrum surgery before the 2025 season, Cannarella returned to form as a junior. He cemented his offensive reputation as a career .360/.453/.551 hitter, and the Marlins drafted him 43rd overall and signed him for a slightly over-slot bonus of $2,277,425. He batted .284/.337/.375 with six doubles in 22 games during his pro debut with High-A Beloit.

Scouting Report: A wiry 6-foot center fielder, Cannarella stands out for his exceptional athleticism, defense and pure hitting ability. The lefthanded batter hits from an open stance with a somewhat busy hand load, but he consistently makes quality swing decisions and above-average contact to produce sharp line drives to all fields. Offensively, he’s a clear hit-over-power player—he hit just three home runs as a junior and is unlikely to exceed double digits in pro ball—but his advanced barrel control and feel for the zone give him a realistic chance to remain a .300 hitter. Cannarella’s calling card is his defense. His plus speed and outstanding instincts make him a natural in center field, where he routinely tracks down balls in the gaps and makes highlight-reel plays. His arm strength remains a concern. It was below-average even before his labrum injury and has since regressed further.

The Future: Cannarella’s near-elite center field defense and above-average hit tool make him worth the gamble even if his arm strength never fully returns. He’s expected to open 2026 back at High-A Beloit.

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

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-L

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Compton made an immediate splash as a freshman at Arizona State in 2024, hitting .355/.427/.661 with 14 home runs and 16 doubles to earn Pac-12 freshman of the year honors. He carried that momentum into a strong summer with Cotuit in the Cape Cod League and entered his 2025 draft-eligible season with high expectations. Though he regressed slightly, Compton still produced a solid .278/.383/.498 line with nine home runs and 19 doubles while upping his walk rate from 10.8% to 15.3%. The Marlins drafted him in the second round and signed him for $2 million, which was slightly under slot value. Compton hit .217/.354/.359 with two home runs, a 32.7% strikeout rate and 16.8% walk rate in his first taste of pro ball with High-A Beloit.

Scouting Report: Compton packs considerable strength and power into his barrel-chested 6-foot-1, 225-pound frame. He generates easy plus raw power with a short, compact lefthanded swing that produces 90th percentile exit velocities around 110 mph. While power is his calling card, his approach remains volatile. After a strong start to 2025, his discipline regressed, as he expanded the zone too often and swung through quality velocity. He hit just .139 against fastballs at 93 mph or higher. He’ll need to refine his pitch recognition and contact skills, particularly against spin. Compton does show some on-base ability with a 13.2% career walk rate as an amateur, but there’s pressure on his bat given his likely future in left field, where he profiles as an average runner and a fringy thrower and defender.

The Future: The Marlins bet on Compton’s power when they selected him in the second round. For him to meet those expectations, continued refinement of his approach will be key. He’s expected to begin that process back at High-A Beloit in 2026.

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

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: A two-sport star at Liberty High and Missouri’s 2022 Gatorade player of the year, Milbrandt was drafted by the Marlins in the third round in 2022 and signed for an over-slot $1.5 million. After posting a 5.09 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 97.1 innings between Low-A Jupiter and High-A Beloit in 2023, he took a step forward with a 4.33 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 97.2 innings the following year. His 2025 campaign was his best yet: a 3.00 ERA with 113 strikeouts, 48 walks over 90 innings and a late-season promotion to Double-A Pensacola.

Scouting Report: At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Milbrandt boasts an athletic frame, low-effort delivery and plus arm speed. Prior to the 2025 season, he added roughly 20 pounds of healthy weight to better harness his mechanics and address control issues that plagued his first two pro seasons. Working from a mid-three-quarters arm slot, he sits 94-96 mph with his fastball, touches 98 and is most effective when elevating it for swings and misses. He leaned more heavily on his slider in 2025—up to about 30% usage—and the mid-to-high-80s pitch produced a 33% miss rate and 43% chase rate with sharp two-plane break. He also mixes in a tight low-80s curveball with strong vertical depth that misses bats at a 46% clip and elicits chases 36% of the time, while also showing a high-80s cutter that evaluators believe could become a plus pitch after it generated a 40% whiff rate in 2025.

The Future: The Marlins get one more season to evaluate Milbrandt for the 40-man roster. That provides time to continue developing him deliberately while refining his mechanics and tightening his command. He has the pure stuff to project as a back-end starter, but improved strike-throwing will be essential to keep him from shifting to the bullpen.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 60 | Control: 40.

Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 160 | B-T: S-R

Age: 20

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: Caba signed with the Phillies for the top bonus in their 2023 international class and impressed in his debut, which was cut short by a left elbow injury. He returned in 2024 with no lingering effects, earning the No. 1 spot on the Florida Complex League prospects ranking before a late-season promotion to Low-A Clearwater, where he played 26 games. The Marlins acquired Caba from Philadelphia in a December 2024 trade for Jesus Luzardo. In 2025, he appeared in 51 games for Low-A Jupiter, hitting .222/.335/.278 with one home run. He missed two months after spraining his left thumb while sliding into second base.

Scouting Report: Caba hasn’t yet replicated the offensive success of his 2024 stateside debut in the FCL. He has struggled to find consistent impact in Class A with two organizations. He hits from both sides of the plate with a flat, contact-oriented swing and lacks the strength to produce more than modest exit velocities. Though his batting line hasn’t reflected it, Caba shows patience and rarely chases. Evaluators believe that even modest offensive improvement could carry him through the system because of his elite defense. A fluid, instinctive shortstop with an above-average arm, Caba’s twitch and body control allow him to make rangy plays to either side look routine. A plus runner, he stole 50 bases in 79 games in 2024 but just 14 in 51 games in 2025. He capped his season in the Arizona Fall League.

The Future: Caba will be just 20 years old entering his fourth professional season. The athletic middle infielder will need to show real offensive progress to unlock his full potential. If his bat develops, he projects as a top-of-the-order catalyst with Gold Glove-caliber defense at a premium position. If it doesn’t, his glove alone may not be enough to lift him beyond a replacement-level profile.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 35 | Run: 60 | Field: 70 | Arm: 55.
Spanky__99 FCL Blue Jays

Spanky__99

Old-Timey Member
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New York's Top 10...

 

Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 214 | B-T: R-R

Age: 24

BA Grade/Risk: 65/Average

Adjusted Grade: 55

Track Record: When the Mets drafted McLean in the third round in 2023, he was primarily a righthanded reliever and power-hitting outfielder for Oklahoma State. He continued as a two-way player in pro ball until the second half of 2024, when he dropped hitting after reaching Double-A Binghamton. Focusing his energy solely on pitching paid dividends in 2025, when McLean raced through Double-A with a 1.37 ERA in five starts, reached Triple-A Syracuse on May 9 and led all minor league pitchers with 38 strikeouts in July. The Mets called McLean up for his MLB debut on Aug. 16, and he fired 5.1 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts against the Mariners. He threw four quality starts in eight tries while pitching to a 2.06 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 48 innings.

Scouting Report: The Mets knew McLean had an athletic, strong, 6-foot-2 frame and a promising fastball/slider foundation when they drafted him. They quickly learned about his adaptability and strong work ethic. All through his time in the minor leagues, McLean worked to refine his pitch shapes and expand his repertoire to find the right mix to combat batters of both hands. Ultimately, he reached that point in the second half of 2025, as typified by his Aug. 27 start against the Phillies when he pitched eight scoreless innings and generated at least one whiff on six different pitch types. McLean’s main weapons are a plus mid-90s two-seam fastball that averages 16 inches of armside run and a double-plus mid-80s sweeper that breaks 16 or more inches to his glove side. This vicious east-west attack delivered from a low three-quarters slot sets up the rest of his arsenal, which against righthanded batters consists mostly of plus low-80s curveballs and above-average mid-90s four-seam fastballs to change eye levels. Against lefthanded batters, McLean emphasizes his breaking pitches along with his low-90s cutter to work inside and his mid-80s changeup to attack armside. He has shown a growing willingness to front-door his two-seamer to lefty hitters and also to back-foot them with his slider. What makes McLean difficult to handle is his quality stuff and unpredictability. He throws each of his six pitch types—ranging from 77 mph curveballs to 98 mph fastballs—to any batter in any count. His control is average and likely to improve with experience, as his delivery is simple and repeatable.

The Future: In the words of one scout, McLean’s high-spin breaking stuff and low-spin changeup are “how you draw it up.” He showed in his eight-start MLB debut that he is major league ready. He was the Mets’ best pitcher down the stretch and is ready to assume a prominent role in the rotation. He has the ingredients to become a prototype No. 2 starter. McLean retains his rookie status for 2026 and will likely add Prospect Promotion Incentive eligibility, giving the Mets a chance to add a draft pick after the first round if he factors for a major award in his first three seasons.

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

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 184 | B-T: L-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Mild

Adjusted Grade: 50

Track Record: Benge played outfield and pitched for two seasons at Oklahoma State, where he was roommates with fellow two-way player and future Mets teammate Nolan McLean. The Mets drafted Benge with the 19th overall pick in 2024. He dropped pitching as a pro and established himself as a Top 100 Prospect in 2025 when he hit .281/.385/.472 with 15 home runs and 22 stolen bases in 116 games across three levels. He reached Triple-A Syracuse in mid August. His 150 wRC+ ranked 19th in the minors among batters with 400 plate appearances.

Scouting Report: Benge has quality tools across the board, but his top attribute is his ability to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. High-A Brooklyn hitting coach Bryan Muniz describes it as his “superpower.” While most of Benge’s batted balls go to left field, he is beginning to hunt pitches he can drive for power, and he hit a vast majority of his 15 homers to right field in 2025. He is a versatile and fairly discerning hitter with a high zone-contact rate against all pitch types. He should hit for average, walk and produce above-average power. Benge hangs in versus lefthanders but has not shown the same level of impact in same-side matchups. He posts average run times to first base but is a bit faster underway. Most rival clubs see Benge as a solid-average defender in center field and above-average in a corner. His plus arm plays in right field. The Mets laud his leadership skills.

The Future: Benge is an athletic, hard-working, do-everything type of hitter and a future quality regular. The question is whether he will mash enough for a corner or defend well enough for center to become an occasional all-star. He finished 2025 at Triple-A and, given his age, production and progression, could play his way into the Mets’ big league plans early in 2026.

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

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Tong burst on the prospect scene in 2024 when he struck out 160 batters in 113 innings. He followed with an epic 2025 season, mostly at Double-A Binghamton, in which he led all minor league pitchers with 179 strikeouts, a 1.43 ERA and a .148 opponent average. He was recognized as the BA Minor League Pitcher of the Year. The Mets called up Tong on Aug. 29.

Scouting Report: Tong’s game revolves around his fastball and the mechanics he uses to achieve its unique characteristics. His delivery was inspired by former Giants ace Tim Lincecum—a fellow smaller-statured, hard-throwing righthanded starter. Tong loads his arm in a similar fashion, with a deep arm plunge as he puts his weight on his back leg. Firing forward, Tong points his lead foot toward the first-base dugout and tilts his torso dramatically to achieve his high overhand arm slot. He gets incredible extension and true backspin on a four-seamer that yields more than 19 inches of vertical ride—one of the highest totals among minor league starters. Tong upped his velocity from 92 mph in 2024 to 94 in 2025 and developed a Vulcan grip for his changeup. The mid-80s pitch produced devastating results against minor league batters but did not have the same success in MLB. He throws occasional high-spin curveballs and sliders that have at least average potential. Tong’s effortful mechanics inhibit his command on all pitches, and he has run higher walks rates throughout his career.

The Future:Tong was 22 when called up following just two Triple-A starts, and his inexperience showed at times. He throws fastballs or changeups about 85% of the time and will need better command of those pitches or better breaking stuff to become a No. 3 starter. He will get another MLB look in 2026.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 40 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45.

Ht: 5'6" | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Williams drew notice on the amateur circuit as a shorter-stature player with a high energy level and quality tools. The Mets drafted him 14th overall in 2022 and watched him reach Double-A at the tail end of a breakthrough 2023 season. Wrist surgery limited him to 33 games in 2024, but Williams rebounded in 2025 with a strong season spent mostly at Double-A, plus 34 games at Triple-A. Williams tied for the Mets’ minor league lead with 226 total bases and finished ninth in the minor leagues with 58 extra-base hits.

Scouting Report: Williams does a little of everything well, highlighted by his plus speed and versatility to play shortstop, second base and center field. He stays within his strike zone, consistently draws walks, gets on base and steals bases. He’s best when he leans into things he does best—hitting line drives, taking extra bases and occasionally hunting a pitch to drive over the wall with fringe-average power. His swing gets too big at times and costs him with empty fly outs. Dialing in his bat-to-ball skills could also improve his overall contact rate on in-zone pitches, which is ordinary. Williams sees most of his action at shortstop and has improved there since turning pro with a quicker first step and enhanced range. He’s average at the position and also fluid. His above-average arm plays in the middle infield and surprisingly well in the outfield, where his competitive throws averaged 91.4 mph. He is a capable outfielder with decent routes and jumps and average range.

The Future:Williams showed off his best self in 96 Double-A games, hitting .281/.390/.477 with 62 walks, 44 extra-base hits and 32 steals in 39 tries. He has a chance to become a table-setting regular, most likely in the middle infield.

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

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R

Age: 25

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Mild

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: The Mets drafted Sproat in the third round in 2022 but did not sign him. They picked him again in the second round in 2023 as a Florida senior and signed him for slot value. Sproat breezed through High-A and Double-A in 2024 before hitting a wall at Triple-A Syracuse. He continued to flounder at the level in 2025, and through his first 22 starts for Syracuse, spanning two seasons, Sproat ran up a 6.45 ERA with a 15.7% strikeout rate. He righted the ship in late June 2025, and in 11 appearances afterward he had a 2.44 ERA and 30% strikeout rate. The Mets called up Sproat on Sept. 7, and he made four MLB starts of varying quality.

Scouting Report: Coming out of college, Sproat was regarded as an athletic righthander with arm speed who emphasized his fastball and changeup. Shaky control introduced reliever risk. As a pro, he’s morphed into a pitcher whose control is good enough to start and whose breaking stuff stands out. Sproat threw his mid-80s sweeper and high-70s curveball about a third of the time in his MLB debut and leaned on them as putaway pitches. He also throws a harder slider. Sproat’s sinker sits 94-96 mph, but despite that velocity, it operates as a groundball or set-up pitch rather than a whiff pitch. The same goes for his average four-seamer. Lefthanded batters saw Sproat better and were largely responsible for his ballooning Triple-A ERA. He mitigated the effect by throwing more four-seam fastballs, curves and changeups to lefties. His power changeup remains a plus pitch at 89-91 mph with lots of armside life.

The Future:Sproat throws hard, throws strikes and has a wide repertoire, including strong feel for spin and offspeed. He has all the ingredients to be a No. 4 starter, and he’s ready now to assume that role.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50.
Headshot of A.J. Ewing
OF / 2B

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 160 | B-T: L-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: The Mets drafted Ewing near the end of the fourth round in 2023, using the compensatory pick they gained from Jacob deGrom signing with the Rangers. Ewing quickly hit his way out of the Florida Complex League in 2024 and started back at Low-A St. Lucie in 2025. He advanced to High-A Brooklyn at the end of April and moved to Double-A Binghamton in mid August. He batted .315/.400/.429 in 124 games, ranking fifth in the minors with 70 stolen bases, sixth with 10 triples and eighth with 153 hits.

Scouting Report: Ewing has a well-rounded game centered on strong swing decisions, line-drive contact to all fields and plus speed. He tweaked his swing in 2025 to improve his batted-ball angles and make more contact. Ewing’s line-drive rate climbed by more than 10 percentage points, while his swinging-strike rate fell from 12% to about 9% as he moved up the ladder. His instincts and decision-making stand out, as evidenced by a system-best .401 on-base percentage and 70-for-81 showing on the bases. Ewing hits the ball hard enough to run into a few home runs, but his spray approach limits his power to below-average. A high school shortstop, Ewing has primarily played center field in pro ball with occasional starts at second base. He’s improved his jumps and max speed in the outfield and should be an above-average option in center and a plus one on the corners with an above-average arm.

The Future:Ewing does a lot of things that can help a team win, beginning with the potential for plus hitting ability and plus speed. Additionally, he bats lefthanded, gets on base and plays up the middle. The versatility to play outfield and infield only helps his cause. Ewing finished 2025 at Double-A and should reach Triple-A in 2026, putting him on the MLB radar as a 21-year-old.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 40 | Run: 65 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55.

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-L

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The Mets acquired Clifford when they dealt Justin Verlander to the Astros at the 2023 trade deadline. He has blossomed into their top power prospect, hitting 19 home runs in 2024—mostly at Double-A—and a career-high 29 homers in 2025 to lead the system and rank sixth in the minors. He also paced Mets minor leaguers with 93 RBIs and 85 walks while tying for the lead with 226 total bases. Clifford spent most of 2025 at Double-A before moving to Triple-A on Aug. 12.

Scouting Report: Not many minor league batters hit the ball as hard as Clifford, whose 108.6 mph 90th percentile exit velocity was one of the top figures in the minor leagues. He gets the most out of his double-plus raw power by hitting the ball in the air to his pull side. The biggest improvement the lefthanded-hitting Clifford made in 2025 was improving against high fastballs and dramatically improving his overall zone-contact rate. He also upped his aggressiveness to swing at more pitches and put more early-count offerings in play. The strategy reduced his strikeout rate by four percentage points without sacrificing power. He takes his walks, but his flyball profile will translate to low batting averages. Despite his size, Clifford is an average runner who is capable on the outfielder corners. His plus arm plays in right field. He is also a quality defender at first base.

The Future:The Mets laud Clifford as a hard worker dedicated to improving his craft in the batting cage. His bat will determine how far he advances in MLB. He has the power-and-patience approach that could play if he can clear the high offensive bar at first base. Clifford could hit his way into a big league look in 2026 after returning to Triple-A to open the season.

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

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The Mets liked Reimer in high school more than most teams and went over slot to sign him in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. The decision looks good after Reimer hit 17 home runs with a 157 wRC+ in 2025 that ranked fourth among all minor league batters with at least 400 plate appearances. He announced a breakout season with a three-homer game for High-A Brooklyn on April 30. Promoted to Double-A in late June, Reimer struggled with strikeouts initially before finishing with a .627 slugging percentage in his final 30 games.

Scouting Report: Player development is seldom linear, and Reimer is a perfect example. In his first full pro season in 2023, he got on base at a high clip but showed limited power. Then he missed all but 25 games in 2024 with a hamstring injury. Heading into 2025, Reimer made key adjustments to improve his bat speed and range of motion to put himself in better position to stay behind the ball and rotate through the hitting zone. The result was one of the best 90th percentile exit velocities in the system and a swing optimized to pull the ball in the air. Reimer has a good zone-contact rate for a young hitter with plus power, and he does a good job swinging at strikes, so he should maintain an average hit tool. He is an average runner who will slow down but has good baserunning instincts. Reimer has the above-average arm to play third base, but he needs to tighten up his ball security and throwing accuracy after making 16 errors in 2025.

The Future:Reimer started 15 games at first base in 2025 and might see more time there. Such a move would up the pressure on his bat, but he has shown the ability to adapt to challenges in the batter’s box. Reimer will be ready for Triple-A early in 2026 and could enter the MLB picture late in the season.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55.

Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-R

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The Mets chose Wenninger out of Illinois in the sixth round of the same 2023 draft class that yielded Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat. Coming out of school, Wenninger was a tall strike-thrower with a nasty splitter—a combination he used to dominate Class A hitters in 2024 with 140 strikeouts in 115 innings. He proved it was no fluke with a breakthrough 2025 at Double-A that included a 2.92 ERA and 147 strikeouts in a system-best 135.2 innings. Wenninger pitched the clinching win for Binghamton in both rounds of the Eastern League playoffs, striking out 20 in 11 innings and allowing two runs on four hits.

Scouting Report: Wenninger is a strong athlete and, in player development parlance, a great worker. In 2025, he proved he was much more than that by holding higher velocity, expanding his repertoire and leaning into his double-plus splitter. Wenninger improved his average four-seam fastball velocity to 94.5 mph and topped out near 98. The pitch gets above-average ride from his high arm slot. He incorporated a mid-90s sinker to help him work armside to righthanded hitters. Wenninger merged his slider and cutter into a tight mid-80s slider he threw dramatically more often. His mid-80s splitter remains his bread-and-butter pitch. He can throw it in the zone for whiffs or in the dirt for chases to batters on either side of the plate. Late in the season, he began incorporating a spike-grip curveball in the low 80s for a different look. Wenninger throws strikes with all his pitches and has strong mound presence.

The Future:Wenninger has all the ingredients to be a No. 4 starter. He could be more than that if his splitter plays as successfully in the majors as it does against minor league hitters. He is ready for Triple-A and a likely MLB debut in the second half of the season.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Split: 70 | Control: 50.

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 205 | B-T: L-L

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Like fellow top Mets prospects Nolan McLean and Carson Benge, Santucci has a background as a two-way player. He played both ways as a Duke freshman before committing to the mound and becoming the Mets’ second-round pick in 2024. Santucci got off to a rough start at High-A Brooklyn in 2025—8.14 ERA, seven home runs in six starts—before righting the ship and cruising to Double-A Binghamton in July. He pitched to a 1.95 ERA and .186 opponent average with two home runs allowed in his final 20 starts, striking out 30% of batters. He pitched effectively in the Eastern League playoffs.

Scouting Report: Santucci throws his slider more than his four-seam fastball—an approach that works because he commands his powerful, deceptive slider. It averages 87 mph and maxes out near 93 with a lot of vertical drop. He can locate the pitch for strikes or bury it late in the count. It looks like a fastball out of the hand before falling off the table. Santucci’s fastballs averages 94 mph and tops out at 97 with enough ride and extension in his delivery to help the pitch play up. He began incorporating a low-80s curveball to give him a change-of-pace pitch. His changeup is in the development stage, and he doesn’t throw it often. He walked 14% of batters as a college junior, but he improved his control dramatically by focusing on throwing to the middle of the plate and letting the action on his pitches take over.

The Future: Santucci stands out in a Mets system that has largely been devoid of lefthanders for the past decade outside of David Peterson and Steven Matz. Santucci’s platoon-neutral slider, quality velocity and improved strike-throwing give him a real shot to become a No. 3 or 4 big league starter, just like Peterson and Matz. He will be ready for Triple-A in short order.

The Future: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50.
Spanky__99 FCL Blue Jays

Spanky__99

Old-Timey Member
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Philly's Top 10...

 

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 65/Average

Adjusted Grade: 55

Track Record: Miller’s amateur history is long and decorated. He was a part of three of USA Baseball’s National Teams, and he hit .423 as a member of the 18U squad. That track record of success led the Phillies to call Miller’s name in the first round of the 2023 draft despite a broken left wrist that sidelined him for the bulk of his senior season at Florida’s New Port Richey High. So far, the risk has been well worth the reward. Miller has improved in every area and now stands not only as the Phillies’ top prospect but also a premier overall talent. He advanced to Triple-A in his second full season as a professional and was slated for further development in the Arizona Fall League before being pulled before Opening Day.

Scouting Report: Out of the draft, few believed in Miller’s ability to play shortstop. Now, it’s hard to find scouts who think he doesn’t have the chops to man the position for years in the big leagues. Miller’s actions have become more explosive, his footwork has steadied and his arm stroke has improved, leading to more consistent, accurate throws with plenty of zip for shortstop or third base. Now, scouts believe he can handle every type of play a shortstop would be required to make, including slow rollers, grounders deep in the hole and flies to the shallow part of the grass. About the only thing standing in his way is the presence of Phillies megastar Trea Turner. No matter where he winds up, Miller has the offensive chops to profile. He began his 2025 season back at Double-A and struggled early. Evaluators inside and outside the system attributed his slow start to an inordinately high amount of breaking balls thrown his way. Once he adjusted his approach and started letting it rip on fastballs he could handle, his fortunes began to turn. After an excellent May, Miller hit a summer swoon before producing a sweltering August and September that saw him hit .356/.491/.607 with six home runs across 36 games in Double-A and Triple-A. In time, Miller has a chance to be a well-rounded hitter who hits for average, gets on base and produces power in near-equal measure. That prognosis is a departure from his amateur scouting report that predicted power over hitting ability. The improvement stems from an ability to cover the entirety of the plate, handle multiple pitch types and a knack for knowing when to unleash his best swings. Miller is an average runner whose value on the basepaths is boosted by outstanding instincts that allowed him to rack up 59 stolen bases in 2025.

The Future: Miller was slated to get reps at third base in the AFL, and he will likely get experience there during spring training and the regular season in order to clear a path to the big leagues. Once ready, he has the skills to provide the Phillies with value on both sides of the ball.

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

Ht: 6'7" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 65/High

Adjusted Grade: 50

Track Record: Drafted in the first round in 2021, Painter’s 2022 season was one for the record books. He became one of just a handful of high school pitchers to reach Double-A in their first full professional seasons. His elbow started barking during the spring of 2023, and the resulting Tommy John surgery kept him out of action until the 2024 Arizona Fall League. Painter spent his 2025 season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he showed flashes of his upside but also plenty of areas that required further polish.

Scouting Report: The biggest area of concern during Painter’s 2025 season was about the downgrade in fastball quality. The pitch retained its premium velocity but began showing more cut than carry and became more hittable as result. The Phillies attribute some of that backslide to Painter’s arm slot dropping as the season wore on. If he can raise his arm slot back to where it was pre-injury and get behind his four-seamer more often, the team believes the pitch will return to its previous form. Painter also made several alterations to his arsenal, including the additions of a two-seamer and a sweeper and a move to a split-changeup grip. The sweeper was introduced as another way to combat lefties, and the new changeup worked better with his delivery and produced much more movement. Beyond addressing the downturn in fastball quality, Painter’s next step is to turn his control into command and learn which of his pitches play best in different sections of the strike zone and how to properly sequence his mix.

The Future: Despite Painter’s middling year, scouts are still quite bullish and see a future as at least a midrotation starter. How his fastball looks next season and beyond will go a long way toward determining whether those evaluations come true.

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

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 175 | B-T: L-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 50

Track Record: The son of four-time all-star outfielder Carl Crawford, Justin has been one of the most productive hitters for average in the minor leagues since the Phillies drafted him 17th overall out of high school in 2022. Crawford spent all of 2025 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and hit .334 to rank third in the full-season minor leagues. He owns a career .332 average as a pro.

Scouting Report: There’s little doubt about Crawford’s ability to make hard contact. Now, the question is whether he’ll ever get the ball in the air often enough to turn it into impact. His groundball rate over the last two seasons is 60.2%, fourth-worst in the minors among players with 500 or more at-bats. He’s made minor improvements year over year in that department, but he still lets the ball travel too far into the strike zone to put balls over infielders’ heads and into gaps, where his double-plus speed would open the door for extra bases. If Crawford’s power never materializes, it’s imperative that he sticks in center field. Whether he can is the subject of debate. Scouts see a player whose elite speed can help him make up for late jumps and rough routes, while analysts rate him as one of the worst defensive center fielders in the minor leagues. Part of the reason for the disparity is because the Phillies have had Crawford play a more shallow center field in order to amplify his excellent ability to come in on shallow flies. The strategy downgrades his chances of reaching deeper drives, thus dinging his ratings. His game-breaking speed and average arm would make Crawford a plus defender in left field, but a long-term move would require him to unlock more power to fit the offensive profile.

The Future: Crawford will have an opportunity to make the Phillies’ Opening Day roster, but his ultimate value will key on whether he can turn his raw strength into higher-quality contact.

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

Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: After a middling first two professional seasons in the Dominican Summer League, Escobar took off in his first stateside season in 2024, batting .338 with a .495 on-base percentage in a Florida Complex League season shortened by shin splints in both legs. He spent most of 2025 with Low-A Clearwater before advancing to High-A in July and finally to Double-A for five games. Escobar finished with 15 home runs and an 18.2% strikeout rate in 120 games.

Scouting Report: Escobar’s game is predicated on plenty of contact with sprinkles of power as well. He pairs a zone-miss rate of just 16% with a 90th percentile exit velocity of 104.7 mph. To get the most out of his strength and bat-to-ball skills, Escobar will have to learn to turn on pitches and pull them with authority, which is a weak point of his game at the moment. Toward the later part of the season, scouts noticed that pitchers were having success pounding him inside with fastballs as well as a little bit more willingness to chase than he’d shown at either Class A stop. It’s crucial that Escobar gets to every ounce of his offensive potential, because his defensive value is likely to be fringe-average at best. His body is already softer than one would like, and he’ll have to stay on top of his conditioning in order to stick at second base. His footwork gets lazy at times, which leads to a lack of range on grounders and waning accuracy on his throws. Both of those areas need to be sewn up if Escobar is to remain up the middle.

The Future: Escobar will likely return to Double-A Reading to begin 2026. If he can stay on top of his conditioning and do a better job protecting the inside part of the plate against premium velocity, he has a chance to be an offensive-minded second baseman.

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

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The University of Arkansas ruled the back half of the first round of the 2025 draft. Four Razorbacks were taken in a 16-pick stretch, beginning with Wood the Phillies at pick No. 26. Wood spent three seasons in Fayetteville that culminated with a 19-strikeout no-hitter against Murray State in the College World Series. A little less than a month later, Wood heard his name called in the draft, and he signed for $3 million. He made his pro debut toward the end of the season with Low-A Clearwater, including an outing in the Florida State League playoffs.

Scouting Report: There’s zero doubt that Wood has the stuff to dominate hitters. The question is: Will he do so as a starter or as a reliever? The righthander’s 2025 season was interrupted by a shoulder injury that cost him two months, and his heaviest career workload is 59.1 innings, which came in 2024 and includes a stint in the Cape Cod League. One factor pointing toward a future in a rotation is a full, four-pitch repertoire headed by a dynamite fastball/curveball combination that he leaned on heavily with Arkansas. Beyond its velocity, Wood’s fastball earns raves for its analytical properties and the resulting miss rate of 32% in college. The Phillies would like Wood to use his slider—which they believe has at least average potential—and his changeup as he integrates himself into pro ball. The changeup, held with a split-finger grip, was seldom used in college and is a clear fourth pitch at this point. Another part of Wood’s professional education will involve learning how to moderate his between-start workload.

The Future: Wood’s college pedigree should allow him to move quickly through the system, and he should reach High-A Jersey Shore early in 2026 and could make it to the upper levels quickly. He’ll get plenty of chances to start, but he has a fallback option as a shutdown reliever as well.

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

Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-L

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: Nori was one of the older high school players available in the 2024 draft, but the Phillies still felt strongly enough about his profile to select him 27th overall and pay him $2,497,500 to turn pro out of his Michigan high school rather than matriculate to Mississippi State. In his first full season as a pro, Nori raced from Low-A Clearwater to Double-A Reading and ranked among the top five in the organization in hits (127), walks (75) and stolen bases (52).

Scouting Report: Nori’s game is based on contact and speed, and he showed both skills in spades in 2025. His zone-miss rate was just 13.1%, good enough to place him among the best in the system. His at-bats are professional, he knows the strike zone and he has just enough raw thump to occasionally put a charge into a ball. To get to more power, he’ll need to add more of a load to his swing and put his lower half to better use, though his body is compact and likely maxed out, so he won’t be able to rely on further projection for a power boost. He also could stand to improve his direction to the ball, which scouts say sometimes includes a leak to his pull side. Nori is a solid center fielder who could get to plus by ironing out some of the routes he takes to fly balls, though his plus speed might help him make up for some of the messier paths. His fringe-average arm fits just fine up the middle but would limit him to left field if he had to move off the position.

The Future: Nori will return to Double-A Reading, where his experience in colder weather will help him survive the early months in the Eastern League. He has a chance to be a table-setter who gets on base and holds down center field, but he’ll need plenty of work to reach that ceiling.

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

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 225 | B-T: L-R

Age: 24

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Average

Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: Rincones was drafted out of Florida Atlantic in 2022 and has spent most of his pro career showing flashes of his tools in between stints on the injured list. He dealt with a shoulder injury in 2022 and then had surgery on his left thumb in 2024. He made up for lost time in the Arizona Fall League, where he walked more than he struck out and was named to the league’s annual Fall Stars Game. The son of a former Mariners minor league pitcher, Rincones was healthy at Triple-A Lehigh Valley for the entire 2025 season and set career highs for games played (119) and home runs (18).

Scouting Report: Rincones is one of the best ball-strikers in the organization, and his average, 90th percentile and maximum exit velocities all rank among the best in the system. He does a good job of staying within the strike zone, and his chase rate is above-average as well. Both traits showed up in his 80 walks, which were second in the system behind only top prospect Aidan Miller. Rincones’ biggest weakness is lefthanded pitchers, who held him to a slash line of just .107/.215/.107 without an extra-base hit over 65 plate appearances in 2025. By contrast, those numbers against righthanders were .261/.392/.480 with all of his 18 home runs. All but one of his 78 games in the field came in right field, where his improved conditioning helped him play fringe-average defense. He has above-average arm strength and threw out five runners on the bases in 2025. Rincones’ well below-average speed is masked by excellent instincts on the bases that allowed him to swipe 21 bases in 26 tries with Lehigh Valley.

The Future: Rincones’ looks like a strong-side platoon player on a contender or a regular on a non-contender. The 2025 season was his best yet, and he could be in line to make his MLB debut in 2026.

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

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: Fisher was a two-sport athlete in high school who won Gatorade player of the year for the state of Indiana after racking up 42 touchdowns in his senior season at Evansville High, the same school as former big leaguer Don Mattingly, whose son Preston is the Phillies’ general manager. Drafted in the seventh round in 2025, Fisher was signed away from a commitment to Indiana with a $1.25 million bonus, the second largest in the Phillies’ draft class and the highest seventh-round figure in draft history.

Scouting Report: Fisher’s combination of stuff and athleticism made him an extremely attractive prospect. He starts his four-pitch mix with a low-90s fastball with plenty of cut-ride action from a lower release height. The pitch topped out at 95 mph in his final season of high school. His best offspeed pitch is a potentially plus slider, and he backs it with a slower curveball and a potentially fringe-average changeup. He shows a strong feel for spin throughout his arsenal. Like Dante Nori in 2024, Fisher was 19 when he was drafted and was one of the older prep players on the board. The righthander has an ideal pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, though there’s still room for strength gains and he showed signs of fatigue down the stretch in high school. Fisher does a good job repeating his delivery and projects for average control, especially if he gets stronger and can maintain his best stuff throughout the course of the longer seasons he’s set to encounter in the minor leagues.

The Future: Fisher did not debut in 2025 and instead headed to fall instructional camp. His combination of stuff, analytical markers and athleticism could add up to a high ceiling, and the Phillies bet big on those variables coalescing into a pitcher who will be well worth the wait over the next few years.

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

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 213 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: Chace signed with the Orioles in 2019 but didn’t debut until 2021 after the pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor league season. After three nondescript seasons with Baltimore, Chace broke out in 2024 and was included in a trade to the Phillies that sent Gregory Soto to the Orioles. Chace looked poised to raise his profile even higher in 2025—and perhaps finish the year in the big leagues—but he reported to spring training out of shape and with diminished stuff. He eventually required Tommy John surgery, which he had in June.

Scouting Report: At his best, Chace worked with a mid-90s fastball that peaked at 98 mph and had the analytical characteristics to miss plenty of bats. The pitch’s diminished velocity was the first sign of trouble in 2025. He complemented his fastball with a short, hard slider and a sweeper, as well as a changeup. The slider featured sharp break and was effective against hitters from both sides of the plate, while the sweeper was one of his go-to offerings to get hitters to swing and miss. The changeup was Chace’s least-refined offspeed pitch, but scouts believed it had a chance to get to average with further development. He was also set this season to work on honing his command and doing a better job of getting ahead of hitters to set up his best strikeout pitches. He made six starts at Double-A Reading before landing on the injured list, and his control still showed the need for sizable improvement. He walked 12 hitters in 16.2 innings.

The Future: Chace’s injury has dimmed his ceiling and delayed his timeline to the big leagues. He should return at some point this summer and could jump on the reliever track once he returns. Before a decision is made, he and the team will have to see if his stuff returns intact.

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

Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 150 | B-T: L-L

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: The Rangers drafted Obermueller in the 19th round in 2024, but he chose to return to Iowa for another chance to improve his draft stock. He responded by cutting his walk rate nearly in half while raising his strikeout rate a few ticks as well. The Phillies pounced on him in the second round in 2025 and signed him for $1,197,500. After tossing a career-high 83.1 innings, Obermueller was shut down after signing.

Scouting Report: The Phillies liked what they’d seen from Obermueller in 2024, when he was teammates with righthander Marcus Morgan, whom the Phillies drafted in the ninth round that summer. They became even more interested in Obermueller when he started throwing strikes at a much higher clip thanks to a much more controlled delivery than he had shown in years past. Couple those gains with a delivery that features a low release height, excellent extension and a low-90s sinker that clipped 97 mph in his draft year, and the upside was enough to make them pull the trigger in the second round. Obermueller backs his fastball with a sweeper that featured 20 inches of break. He also has a firm, seldom-used changeup that scouts believe could be average if he throws it more often. The Phillies also might work with Obermueller to add a shorter breaking ball to his mix to give him another offspeed pitch he can throw in the zone to set up his sweeper to finish hitters.

The Future: Obermueller’s smaller frame and currently limited pitch mix might lead him down a reliever’s path. For now, the Phillies will bet that the gains he showed in his draft year will be sticky enough to give him a chance to stick as a back-end starter in a few years. If not, his sinker and slider should be an effective combination in the late innings.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45.
Spanky__99 FCL Blue Jays

Spanky__99

Old-Timey Member
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Wasington's Top 10...

 

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 180 | B-T: S-R

Age: 18

BA Grade/Risk: 60/Average

Adjusted Grade: 50

Track Record: Willits was originally slated to graduate from Fort-Cobb Broxton High in 2026, but the Oklahoma prep reclassified to become draft eligible in 2025. Doing so made him one of the youngest players available in his draft class, and when the Nationals selected the shortstop first overall, he became the youngest player ever drafted 1-1 based on baseball age. Willits was 17 years, six months and 21 days old on June 30 of his draft year, younger even than the youngest 17-year-old top overall picks such as Ken Griffey Jr., Bryce Harper and Carlos Correa. Willits is the son of former big leaguer Reggie Willits, a switch-hitting outfielder who played six seasons for the Angels. These days, Reggie serves as associate head coach at Oklahoma, where his oldest son Jaxon is the Sooners’ shortstop. Eli had committed to Oklahoma before he signed for $8.2 million, which was nearly $2.876 million under slot for the No. 1 pick. Willits got the cachet associated with being drafted first overall; Washington freed up bonus pool money to apply toward signing high schoolers Landon Harmon, Miguel Sime Jr. and Coy James in the third, fourth and fifth rounds. Willits signed on July 19 and saw action in 15 games for Low-A Fredericksburg. He hit .300, drew seven walks and stole two bases while handling shortstop in 14 of his appearances.

Scouting Report: Willits is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound switch-hitter with a chance to make an impact in every facet of the game with his hitting, running and fielding ability at shortstop. The hallmarks of his offensive game are his bat-to-ball skills—he struck out just a handful of times as a high school senior—and swing decisions that fuel an above-average hit tool. Willits showed sharp zone-contact skills in his pro debut while recognizing pitches and staying in his strike zone with a low chase rate. He hits all different pitch types, while his balanced, line-drive stroke from both sides of the plate allows him to use all fields. If Willits adds good weight to his frame and develops his lower half, he should improve his below-average exit velocities and find at least average power as he learns to hunt his pitch to inflict damage. He is a plus runner who not only poses a basestealing threat but runs the bases efficiently. Willits’ body control, range and above-average arm stand out in the field, where he is a no-doubt shortstop. He appears to have the “it” factor and the poise necessary to draw in teammates and emerge as a team leader.

The Future: Willits’ well-rounded profile makes him the Nationals’ likely shortstop of the future. That future could arrive as early as at some point during the 2028 season, following two-plus solid development years in the minor leagues. Willits will be just 20 years old in 2028, which, barring an extension, will also be the final season of club control for shortstop CJ Abrams in Washington.

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

Ht: 6'6" | Wt: 235 | B-T: R-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 60/High

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: The Nationals’ Juan Soto trade with the Padres is the gift that keeps giving. CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore and James Wood are already established in Washington. Susana is next. He ended 2024 on a roll, with a 2.79 ERA and 123 strikeouts in his final 77.1 innings, mostly for High-A Wilmington. Susana opened 2025 at Double-A Harrisburg but never really got going before he lost nearly three months with a sprained elbow. He looked electric upon his return in July but then injured his right lat and had season-ending surgery in September.

Scouting Report: Few pitchers can match the electricity of Susana’s repertoire. He pitches at 99-100 mph with his four seam fastball and tops out near 104. The pitch is delivered at a lower release height, which, coupled with its incredible velocity, compensates for ordinary shape. Susana’s 99 mph two-seamer tops at 102 and has plus horizontal life. It helps him change batters’ eye levels and elicit ground balls. His mid-80s slider has become a devastating pitch as he has harnessed command of it. He manipulates the pitch to produce curveball action at lower speeds and power slider movement up to 91 mph at the other extreme. Susana found a power changeup grip that works in 2025. The pitch has splinker-like action with sink and diving action at 93-94 mph and up to near 97. Susana took major strides with his mental preparation and physical conditioning, and he now throws more quality strikes than ever. He flies open at times and misses east and west, so true command could be elusive.

The Future: The Nationals’ media guide lists Susana at 6-foot-7, 283 pounds, calling to mind a pair of jumbo-sized all-stars: starter Michael Piñeda and closer Felix Bautista. The Nationals will give Susana every chance to start, where his pitch quality could make him a No. 2 or 3 starter. He is expected to be ready to go by midseason at the earliest.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45.

Ht: 6'6" | Wt: 220 | B-T: R-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 60/Extreme

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Sykora had top-two rounds talent in the 2023 draft coming out of Round Rock High in Texas. When he slipped to the Nationals in round three—but still signed for $2.6 million, or late first-round money—he used the perceived slight as motivation. Sykora unleashed his fury on Carolina League batters in 2024, leading all Low-A pitchers with 129 strikeouts in 85 innings for league-champion Fredericksburg. He had surgery on the labrum in his hip in the offseason and got a late start in 2025. After Sykora missed time with a triceps injury in July while at Double-A Harrisburg, it was later revealed he had a UCL tear in his elbow. Sykora had Tommy John surgery in August.

Scouting Report: Sykora idolizes Texas pitching icon Nolan Ryan, and like The Ryan Express, he uses a power approach consisting mostly of a high-octane fastball and a devastating breaking pitch. Sykora pitches at 95-96 mph with his four-seam fastball and tops out at 99. He compensates for average fastball shape with strong extension and pure velocity. The pitch should continue to play as Sykora recovers from TJ. He improved the horizontal life on his low-80s slider, which gets up near 87 mph, and he threw the pitch for strikes at a high rate. He also threw it more than his fastball in 2025. Sykora’s mid-80s splitter tumbles and fades to his arm side with consistently low spin rates. Sykora needs to tighten up his fastball command to different parts of the zone, but his wandering control is typical for a young power pitcher and will likely improve.

The Future: Given that he had TJ late in the 2025 season, Sykora probably won’t be at full strength again until 2027, when he will still be just 23 years old. His stuff and control make him a candidate to be at least a No. 3 starter.

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

Ht: 6'6" | Wt: 205 | B-T: L-L

Age: 20

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The Guardians drafted Clemmey out of a Rhode Island high school in the second round in 2023, going nearly $1 million over slot to sign him for $2.3 million. Cleveland dealt him to the Nationals at the 2024 trade deadline as part of the package for Lane Thomas. Clemmey logged 116.2 innings in 2025 and led all Nationals minor league pitchers with 136 strikeouts but also 73 walks. He reached Double-A Harrisburg in mid August and saved his best work for last, when he posted a 2.04 ERA with 15 strikeouts and five walks in his final 17.2 innings.

Scouting Report: Clemmey’s exciting stuff gives him the potential to become a top overall lefthanded pitching prospect. It will come down to control, after he walked more than 14% of batters in 2025 to rank 11th worst among minor league pitchers with at least 100 innings. The 6-foot-6, long-limbed Clemmey has worked hard to streamline and repeat his mechanics, and his zone and strike rates on his fastball continue to creep upward. Opposing hitters have a hard time seeing his 93-94 mph four-seam fastball that reaches near 98. His arm slot and low release height make his heater difficult to square up for batters of both hands. He upped his sinker usage in 2025 to introduce a new wrinkle. Scouts would like to see him improve his fastball command to his glove side. Clemmey’s mid-80s slider has plus potential but wasn’t the same type of swing-and-miss weapon as it had been at Low-A in 2024. He threw many more changeups in 2025 to develop the high-80s pitch with above-average potential and good fade.

The Future: Clemmey exudes confidence and is a strong competitor with the athleticism to continue improving his command, which will determine his future role. He has the raw talent to become a No. 3 or 4 starter or potentially a high-leverage relief weapon.

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

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: King starred at Division II Wingate for two years before the Nationals drafted him 10th overall out of Wake Forest in 2024. In his pro debut, King helped lead Low-A Fredericksburg to the 2024 Carolina League title. He got off to a slow start with High-A Wilmington in 2025 but recovered to reach Double-A Harrisburg on June 3. King showed speed with 30 stolen bases in 125 total games but hit just .244/.294/.337 with six home runs and a 32-to-116 walk-to-strikeout ratio. His bat showed improved life in the Arizona Fall League after the season.

Scouting Report: Despite King’s poor results in his first full season, scouts remain optimistic about his future because of his overall athleticism and twitch, enhanced by his enthusiasm. Early in the season, he appeared to be selling out for power by trying to pull the ball in the air, which spiked his strikeout rate. King reverted to a more dynamic hitting style by putting aggressive swings on pitches in all parts of the zone and hitting to all fields. He maintained strong exit velocities in 2025, even if hits weren’t falling. King has strong bat-to-ball skills but needs to be more selective after an alarming chase rate of 37% in 2025. Some would like to see him move his contact point forward and with a swing coming from a lower slot to avoid excess groundball contact. If he can make things work, King can be a solid-average hitter with fringe power or better. He is a double-plus runner and efficient basestealer. King played more third base and center field at Wake Forest, but he settled in as a reliable everyday shortstop with an above-average arm. He has the athletic ability to adapt at the position and learn its nuances.

The Future: King has interesting tools and the athleticism to stay up the middle. He could be a few tweaks away from realizing his offensive potential and becoming a solid regular.

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

Ht: 6'6" | Wt: 234 | B-T: L-L

Age: 25

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The Nationals drafted Bennett out of Oklahoma two years after they chose fellow Sooner Cade Cavalli in the first round. Bennett was a second-round pick in 2022 who got into 15 games in 2023 before missing most of July and September and having Tommy John surgery after the season. Bennett missed all of 2024 and returned to the mound in May 2025, ultimately making 19 appearances spanning 75.1 innings. Most of the innings were compiled for Double-A Harrisburg, and he added more in the Arizona Fall League after the season.

Scouting Report: Bennett is a 6-foot-6 lefthander with a wide assortment of pitches that play up because he gets down the mound with plus extension. While he doesn’t blow batters away with raw velocity, Bennett is around the zone with six different pitches he can use to attack both sides of the plate. His four-seam fastball velocity was a tick higher in 2025 than it had been during his pro debut and averaged 92-93 mph and topped out near 96. His low three-quarters arm slot adds deception. He mixes in sinkers and occasional cutters to vary his fastball looks. Bennett’s carrying secondary pitch is his mid-80s changeup that fades to his arm side and flummoxes minor league righthanded batters, who hit .210 with no home runs against him in 2025. He has good touch on an average low-to-mid-80s slider and high-70s curveball, both of which he can spot for strikes and elicit some chases. He throws breaking pitches only about 20% of the time, opting for more of a fastball/changeup attack. Bennett has plus control of his entire arsenal.

The Future: Given his wide repertoire of quality stuff, lefthandedness and feel for the strike zone, Bennett is a no-doubt starter with a good chance to settle in as a No. 4 type in a rotation.

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

Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 197 | B-T: R-R

Age: 20

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The Nationals bet big on Dickerson in the second round of the 2024 draft, taking the New Jersey prep two-sport athlete—he also starred in hockey—in the second round and going way over slot to sign him for $3.8 million. That was nearly double the slot value for the 44th pick. Dickerson debuted in the Florida Complex League in 2025 but stayed just six games before the Nationals promoted him to Low-A Fredericksburg. He hit well for the first 20 games but his production tapered off and he finished his time in the Carolina League with a .204 average, 25% strikeout rate and five home runs in 83 games.

Scouting Report: The Nationals got an incomplete look at Dickerson in his first full season because he played through a wrist injury. Despite that mitigating factor, he grinded through a full season and showed plus bat speed and aptitude to drive the ball for power to his pull side on occasion. Like many young hitters, Dickerson will need to hone in on his strike zone and make more contact in the zone and avoid chasing out of it. He can get too passive at times. He hits the ball hard enough consistently enough to provide at least average power, while his quality swing decisions should make him an above-average hitter. Dickerson is a solidly-built, 5-foot-11 athlete who moves well on the infield and can convert routine plays at shortstop. He is a plus runner but doesn’t have classic shortstop range, and his arm is borderline for the left side of the infield. Dickerson saw time at second base late in the season, and some scouts have floated center field as a possible destination.

The Future: Scouts who like Dickerson view him as a potential big league second baseman with solid all-around tools with enough hitting ability and power to play regularly.

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

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R

Age: 18

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: James is a veteran of USA Baseball who played for the gold medal-winning 15U National Team in 2022 and for the 2023 18U National Team as an underclassman. As a senior in 2025 he won Gatorade North Carolina player of the year honors by hitting .605 with nine home runs for Davie County High. James had top-three rounds talent in the 2025 draft and wound up signing a bonus commensurate with a top 40 overall pick when the Nationals paid him $2.5 million in the fifth round. He worked out at the organization’s West Palm Beach, Fla., complex after signing but did not get into an official game.

Scouting Report: James makes hitting look easy with a loose, whippy righthanded swing and an ability to find the barrel. He makes a ton of hard, line-drive contact with strong hand-eye coordination and a compact swing. James hits velocity and does a good job using all fields to keep defenses guessing. He should grow into 20-homer power based on his feel to hit and present strength, but he doesn’t have much projection remaining in his 6-foot, 185-pound frame. James has sure hands in the batter’s box and is a reliable shortstop, but he might be stretched to play the position professionally. He’s an average runner with ordinary range in the field and an average arm that could be stretched on the left side of the infield. James’ time at other positions should increase as he moves up the ladder.

The Future: Many scouts see James as a bat-first second or third baseman capable of hitting for average, getting on base and delivering average power. The Nationals will have to find playing time for a cadre of young shortstops in 2026 that also includes Luke Dickerson, Angel Feliz and 2025 first overall pick Eli Willits, so it wouldn’t be surprising if James begins in the Florida Complex League.

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

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: The Nationals in recent years have had mixed results in international free agency. They have gotten limited production from Dominican shortstop Armando Cruz and Cuban outfielder Cristhian Vaquero, their top signees in 2021 and 2022, but players from the 2024 and 2025 signing classes offer hope. That includes Feliz, a Dominican shortstop who signed for $1.7 million in 2024. He played well in the Dominican Summer League in his debut, then turned in a fine season in the Florida Complex League in 2025. Feliz finished third in the FCL with 51 hits and seventh with 69 total bases before moving to Low-A Fredericksburg for 31 games to finish his season.

Scouting Report: Feliz is a strong-bodied, 6-foot-3 shortstop who hits the ball hard for a teenager. His tall, rangy frame could add more good weight as he matures, which, combined with his bat speed, gives him a chance to grow into above-average power. He competes in the box with a slightly open stance and tracks pitches well for his age. Feliz hits the ball where it’s pitched on a line but must continue proving himself against velocity, especially on inside pitches. His ability to hit to all fields with authority suggests a future average hit tool or better. Feliz is a well below-average runner who has acceptable range at shortstop as a teenager but could outgrow the position as he matures. His above-average arm would fit at third base if he has to move, and he already has pro experience at second base.

The Future: Feliz can do a little bit of everything, except run, at a young age, but he risks falling into more of a reserve profile unless his power takes a step forward. The Nationals praise his leadership and poise, so they are optimistic that his game will develop.

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

Ht: 6'5" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme

Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: Harmon threw the best fastball of any high school righthander in the 2025 draft class and trailed only lefthander Jack Bauer among all prep pitchers. Harmon helped pitch East Union High to a Mississippi 2A state title in 2025, the program’s second in three years. He was committed to Mississippi State before he aligned with the Nationals in the third round and signed for $2.5 million, a bonus akin to a top-40 overall pick.

Scouting Report: Harmon is a projectable 6-foot-5 righthander with long limbs and a high-waisted frame. He is tall, lean and flexible with a loose arm that generates easy velocity. Harmon sits in the mid 90s and has been up to 98 mph with riding life and late cutting action to his glove side. His delivery is clean and repeatable, and he throws strikes from a three-quarters arm slot and slight crossfire landing. Harmon’s fastball has double-plus potential and could top out at 100 mph one day, but his secondary pitches need more work. He throws a low-80s sweeper and a slider in the high 80s, both of which he can locate well for his age. Refining them into above-average pitches will be a key development goal. He occasionally throws a low-80s changeup that will be another point of emphasis. Adding strength to his frame and testing his stuff against professional hitters to see what needs to be tweaked are the next steps.

The Future: High school righthanders are among the most volatile draft commodities. Harmon has a great foundation for the Nationals to build upon, as they did with Travis Sykora from the 2023 draft, but it will be years before the righthander’s full potential comes into focus. The Nationals will likely hold Harmon back in extended spring training, as they did Sykora, before assigning him to the Florida Complex League or Low-A Fredericksburg in 2026.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50.
  • 2 weeks later...
Spanky__99 FCL Blue Jays

Spanky__99

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

Well, I'm going to post the AL East at least, the Jays drop on Wednesday...

Boston Red Sox...

 

Ht: 6'6" | Wt: 250 | B-T: L-L

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 60/Mild

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: After two years at Wichita State as a power-hitting first baseman and lefthander, Tolle transferred to Texas Christian in 2024 and focused increasingly on the mound. A strong junior season at TCU—he went 7-4 with a 3.21 ERA and 37% strikeout rate—and evident aptitude to develop in a new program convinced the Red Sox to draft Tolle in the second round. He signed for a slightly over-slot $2 million and was Boston’s highest selection of a pitcher since 2017. Tolle combines distinct mound traits—a mountainous build and a funktastic delivery with incredible extension—and in his 2025 pro unveiling, he made huge gains in his velocity and pitch shapes. He overwhelmed minor league hitters with a 36.5% strikeout rate, which was fourth-highest among minor league pitchers with at least 80 innings, while zooming from High-A through the upper levels. Tolle emerged as the best Red Sox pitching prospect in years, and in late August, he made his MLB debut little more than a year after signing.

Scouting Report: Tolle leverages his immense 6-foot-6, 250-pound frame to propel himself down the mound and punch hitters in the face while averaging seven and a half feet of extension on his fastball. That elite attribute from a low three-quarters arm slot was hard on hitters when he sat at 91 mph at TCU, and the basis of dominance when he jumped to an average of 95 in the minors. He then averaged 96.6 mph in his big league cameo and hit triple digits for the first time in his life on a pitch that averaged 16.7 inches of ride and 6.7 inches of armside run. Tolle reshaped his secondary mix throughout the season, most notably with the introduction of an 88-90 mph cutter in August that immediately surpassed his gyro slider, kick changeup and curveball in usage. In the minors, he proved capable of missing bats in the zone with that entire mix, and his pitch shapes graded as average or better across the board. In the big leagues, he lacked command of his secondaries and struggled while leaning hard on a fastball he threw 64% of the time, too often down the middle. If Tolle can harness his secondaries—likely with a more balanced fastball/cutter/slider combination with occasional changeups and curveballs to righthanded hitters—in a way comparable to what he showed in the minors, he has the makings of a rotation workhorse.

The Future: While Tolle wore a jet pack in his 2025 ascent, he’ll likely open 2026 in the Triple-A rotation to better define and refine his secondary mix. His double-plus fastball gives him an obvious late-innings floor, but the immense developmental strides he made in 2025 suggest a midrotation—or better—ceiling. “This is hard for me to say, but this guy, he’s a Jonny Lester-type guy to me—can’t-miss, dominant, big leaguer,” Double-A Portland manager Chad Epperson said. “This guy’s going to be really, really special.”

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50.

Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R

Age: 20

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Arias featured natural shortstop actions and unusual feel to shoot liners all over the field as an amateur in Venezuela. That pairing of skills, along with startling maturity, led the Red Sox to sign him for $525,000 in 2023. In 2024, he was named MVP of the Florida Complex League in a season he finished with 36 games for Low-A Salem. Arias returned to the Carolina League to open 2025 and advanced to Double-A Portland as a 19-year-old, becoming one of eight teenage position players at the level.

Scouting Report: Arias has a clock, feel and adaptability on both sides of the ball that are atypical for his age. Despite an excellent 2024 season, there were concerns that Arias’ attack angle was too steep, rendering him vulnerable to pitches at the top of the zone. He made posture adjustments to flatten his bat path in 2025, resulting in a jump in his in-zone contact rate from 82% in 2024 to 94% in 2025. He struck out just 10% of the time. That approach came with some compromises to his quality of contact, particularly when expanding the zone. Arias’ groundball rate rose from 38% in 2024 to 46%. He’s also an all-fields hitter, resulting in a clear hit-over-power profile, but with exit velocities topping out around 110 mph, he does have sneaky pop and the chance to add more if he can add strength. Defensively, Arias has tremendous instincts and sound mechanics that permit him to reliably turn balls in play into outs, profiling as a solid to above-average shortstop despite a lack of burst.

The Future: Arias has the balanced two-way impact to profile as an everyday shortstop—with a chance to push his ceiling if he can grow into more power. He’ll open 2025 back in Double-A, with a strong chance to reach Triple-A by mid 2026.

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

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-L

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Mild

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Even as a soft-throwing junior at Virginia following two years at Army, Early impressed the Red Sox with his pitchability and secondary weapons. Boston placed a fifth-round wager on Early, believing he could make major gains in his stuff in a professional training environment. That’s exactly what happened over his first two full professional seasons. In 2025, Early combined a 32% strikeout rate in the upper levels with minimal hard contact, then impressed in his big league unveiling, including an 11-strikeout effort against the Athletics on Sept. 9 that tied a Red Sox franchise record for a pitcher making his debut.

Scouting Report: Early’s fastball, which averaged 90 mph as a college junior, now sits at 93-94 and tops out at 97. Though the offering, which features 15 inches of induced vertical break, garners pedestrian stuff grades, Early creates evident deception that allowed him to attack the zone and get whiffs in his debut. He paired the fastball with an excellent mid-80s changeup with sink and fade to his arm side as well as a slider and curveball against righties, while crushing lefties by mixing his four- and two-seamer with a low-80s sweeper that produced a 100% whiff rate—not a typo—on 10 regular season swings. Early has an athletic delivery that he repeats and that permits him to command his arsenal to all parts of the zone. He has struggled at times to maintain stuff after his first time through the order.

The Future: Early’s mix and command are those of a starter, and he’ll be in the big league rotation mix to open 2026. He has the floor of a multi-innings bullpen weapon and ceiling of a No. 3 starter. Likelier, he projects as a No. 4, so long as he can add strength to achieve a starter’s durability.

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

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: After mostly playing shortstop in high school, Witherspoon became a two-way player at Northwest Florida State JC. Both Witherspoon and his twin brother Malachi showed live arms that resulted in the pair transferring to Oklahoma for the 2024 season. After a solid sophomore season, Witherspoon tightened his delivery and added strength entering 2025. He dominated for the Sooners by going 10-4 with a 2.65 ERA and 32% strikeout rate to emerge as the best college righthander in the draft. Witherspoon projected as a top 10 pick, but when he remained available at No. 15, the Red Sox pounced. They made him their highest pick ever for a college righthander and signed him for $5 million.

Scouting Report: Witherspoon is a natural tinkerer with grips and pitch shapes, something that flows out of his catch play with his twin brother, a second-round pick by the Tigers. Hearkening to his days as a shortstop, Witherspoon shoots the ball out of his ear, a raptor-like delivery that creates deception. He built a five-pitch arsenal around a fastball that averaged 96 mph and topped out at 99. He bumped up his usage of a swing-and-miss low-90s cutter that proved to be an in-zone weapon, while also setting up a gyro slider for chase. He also showed the ability to shape and change speeds with a high-70s curveball and flashed a changeup that showed potential, though he seldom needed it in college. He repeats his delivery well, resulting in a low walk rate and the ability to get pitches to all quadrants.

The Future: Witherspoon shows No. 3 starter potential. He’ll open 2026 in High-A or perhaps even Double-A and could move quickly. If he pounds the strike zone and finds the right breaking pitch shapes, he could be fast-tracked to the big leagues by early 2027 or even late 2026.

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

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 160 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 60/High

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: After he signed for $75,000 out of Venezuela in 2019, Perales quickly started generating buzz with a quick arm that unleashed mid-90s fastballs. His development proceeded slowly in part due to elbow discomfort in both 2021 and 2022, but a solid 2023 campaign served as a prelude to an early breakout in 2024, when a broader mix resulted in a 39% strikeout rate at High-A and Double-A. However, Perales had Tommy John surgery in June, shortly after his promotion to Double-A. He added significant strength while rehabbing, and when he returned to games in September 2025, he showed triple-digits velocity even as he worked to regain command.

Scouting Report: Perales has a bazooka. He sat 98-101 mph in his brief return to the mound in 2025, with 17 to 20 inches of ride. His fastball can be a swing-and-miss weapon when he keeps it in the zone, but his ability to do so was inconsistent. He more reliably located his low-90s cutter—a pitch that contributed to his 2024 breakout—and that pitch may end up being his primary offering, with the fastball looming as a putaway pitch. His gyro slider and splitter have depth to stretch the zone vertically, but for now his splitter is too often non-competitive below the zone. The development of his splitter as a reliable weapon, not to mention improved control to leave hitters on the defensive, will dictate whether he’s a starter or a late-inning reliever.

The Future: Perales has upside to rival any pitcher in the Red Sox system, if he can harness his stuff in the zone. If that happens, and he returns to 2024 form, he has the upside of a No. 3 starter. Otherwise, his future will be as a leverage reliever. He’ll compete for a big league bullpen spot in 2026, but more likely will open the year in the Triple-A rotation.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 45 | Cutter: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Splitter: 45 | Control: 40.

Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 163 | B-T: R-R

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Mild

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Garcia stood out in amateur workouts in Venezuela both by the way he glided across the outfield and drove the ball out of the park. Still, his early pro development was deliberate, and he entered 2024 as a fourth outfielder in Low-A. Thanks to major strength and bat speed gains entering that year, he asserted himself as a prospect. He led the Red Sox system with 23 home runs while reaching Double-A in 2024, then again led the system with 21 round-trippers in 2025, a year spent mostly at Triple-A Worcester but that also included his first MLB callup.

Scouting Report: Over years of strength work and bat speed training, Garcia has grown into power. His maximum exit velocity jumped from 105 mph in 2022 to 113 in 2025. His hips explode open on pitches in the bottom half of the zone, resulting in tape-measure shots, though a steep bat path has rendered him vulnerable to whiff on pitches above the belt. He has worked to flatten his swing to counter those pitches, while also training diligently to improve his swing decisions. Still, his 35% chase rate and 34% whiff rate at Triple-A point to a below-average hit tool. Defensively, Garcia plays with skill and flair, delighting in catching fly balls at his hip. His range and arm are above-average in right field and he’s at least adequate in center. Though he has average speed, Garcia is a smart player and good baserunner, though not a basestealer.

The Future: If Garcia keeps building on his swing decision improvements of recent years, he has a chance to become a big league regular. At the least, his defense and power suggest a strong floor as a righthanded-hitting fourth outfielder who could be a big league consideration to open 2026.

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

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Valera’s $45,000 signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2023 garnered little notice. Since then, strength and stuff gains in professional baseball made him a head-turner as an 18-year-old in the United States in 2024, when he forged a 1.99 ERA while holding hitters to a .125 average in a season he finished in the Low-A Carolina League. That performance resulted in an aggressive assignment to High-A Greenville as a 19-year-old in 2025. Valera’s 5.45 ERA belied an ability to work in the zone (6% walk rate) and miss bats while doing so (28% strikeout rate). He missed three months of 2025 with elbow soreness but returned to games by the end of the season.

Scouting Report: Valera has a powerful 6-foot-3 starter’s build and backs it with a high-octane four-seam fastball that averaged 96.7 mph and topped out just over 100 in 2025. The pitch—which he keeps in the zone—has more cut than ride, a trait that limits whiffs but still leaves batters taking defensive hacks. He started to incorporate a two-seamer late in 2025 to spread the zone with power stuff. Valera also shows the ability to land spin in the zone at a high rate, using a sweeper against righthanded hitters and a shorter gyro slider against lefties. He’ll need to improve the feel for his changeup—the least consistent of his secondaries—to get swings-and-misses against opposite-hand hitters.

The Future: Between his youth, power stuff and ability to work in the strike zone, Valera is young enough to dream on his midrotation potential. Still, there’s also a potential fast track into a big league bullpen. He will open 2026 either back in High-A or in Double-A; if the former, he’ll probably be a quick mover to the upper levels.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 45 | Sweeper: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 55.

Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Gonzales is wonderfully perplexing. Though he towered over other amateur showcase participants, the industry ignored him at ages 14 and 15 when he lacked strength and featured below-average tools. But Gonzales improved through game play, and despite an ugly swing, showed big exit velocities while uncorking 98 mph throws from the outfield as a 17-year-old at a scouting event in Colombia. The Red Sox signed him for $250,000 in 2024, unsure whether he would end up on the mound or in the batter’s box. Instead, Gonzales displayed uncanny bat-to-ball skills during an outstanding Dominican Summer League season, and the Red Sox pushed him to Low-A Salem as an 18-year-old in 2025 before a season-ending promotion to High-A Greenville.

Scouting Report: Gonzales looks almost apologetic for his 6-foot-4 size in the box, hunching in his open stance. But as he unfolds, he generates rockets to all fields, with a 90th percentile exit velocity of 107 mph and a top end at 113 mph. He’s comfortable catching pitches deep and lining the ball to right field, suggesting true all-fields power potential, and he swings at strikes. The caveat: Gonzales’ flat path produces plenty of contact but also a poor 57% groundball rate. If he can adjust his bat path to hit the ball in the air more frequently—sacrificing contact to tap into some of the 70- or 80-grade raw power that now plays below-average—he could be a monster. After Gonzales spent 2024 playing first base, the Red Sox tried him in the outfield in 2025. He moves well for his size and has the arm for either corner but will need to improve his jumps and routes to profile anywhere but at first.

The Future: Gonzales has a wide range of outcomes, from an all-star corner outfielder to a high-contact yet low-power first baseman who struggles to be more than a fringy roster member.

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

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 181 | B-T: R-R

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Fajardo signed with the White Sox for $400,000 out of Venezuela in 2024. He pounded the strike zone with a low-90s sinker and gyro slider in his 2024 pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, finishing the year with a 3.91 ERA, 30% strikeout rate and 4% walk rate that was one of the lowest in the league. The Red Sox acquired Fajardo from Chicago for reliever Cam Booser in December 2024, and Fajardo made a jump while splitting 2025 between the Florida Complex League and Low-A Salem. He posted a 2.25 ERA and 29% strikeout rate between the levels and was one of four minor league pitchers to throw at least 70 innings without yielding a home run.

Scouting report: Fajardo has a repeatable, athletic delivery without a lot of deception, but he throws strikes and avoids barrels by using different shapes to get to different areas of the strike zone. After his fastball sat 92 mph with the White Sox in 2024, he typically pitched at 94 with both a four-seamer and sinker in 2025 while topping out at 96. Fajardo has room to add muscle to his 6-foot-3 frame and turn that top-end velocity into a baseline. He actually threw his high-80s slider slightly more than his fastball in 2025, and he also liberally employed his changeup against lefthanded hitters. Fajardo’s control allows him to spread the zone. For now, he lacks an above-average offering, but he’s young enough to believe he could develop one.

The Future: Fajardo should compete for a spot in the High-A Greenville rotation as a 19-year-old in 2026. He lacks the ceiling of other pitchers in the top system but has a clearer path to being a back-end starter than most, with a big league ETA of 2027 or 2028.

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

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 180 | B-T: B-R

Age: 17

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: As an amateur, Soto produced explosive contact with feel to play shortstop, a combination that led the Red Sox to confer upon him a $1.4 million bonus, their highest of the 2025 international signing period. His performance in the Dominican Summer League in 2025 did nothing to dampen excitement. Though a wrist injury limited the switch-hitter’s ability to bat righthanded in stretches, Soto still showed loud tools to emerge as one of the better prospects coming out of league.

Scouting Report: Soto has added significant size and strength since signing with the Red Sox, creating formidable offensive potential. He generates plenty of bat speed with a whippy—and sometimes long—swing, resulting in a 90th percentile exit velocity of 102 mph. He’s aggressive on pitches in the zone but has strong bat-to-ball traits, helping to hold his strikeout rate to 16%. He’s more advanced as a lefthanded hitter (.311/.372/.432) than when hitting righthanded (.294/.324/.412) but exhibits good baseline traits from both sides and the aptitude to hone his swings and improve. For now, Soto shows a shortstop’s natural movements, but he may outgrow the position and land at third base, where his arm and power would play. The Red Sox gave him some exposure to both second and third base in 2025. His speed is currently fringy but could move in either direction depending on the kind of size and strength he adds to a 6-foot-2 frame that is continuing to fill out.

The Future: Soto will play in the United States in 2026 and has the kind of skill set to make his stay in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League either brief or non-existent before he reaches full-season ball at Low-A Salem.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55.
Spanky__99 FCL Blue Jays

Spanky__99

Old-Timey Member
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Jays top 10 drops today. ⚾💥

Tampa Bay Rays...

 

Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 60/Average

Adjusted Grade: 50

Track Record: Growing up, Hopkins was always known as TJ’s little brother. TJ Hopkins was a star athlete at Summerville (S.C.) High and went on to be a four-year outfield starter at South Carolina. Eventually, he became a major leaguer by spending 25 games with the 2023 Reds. Brody, who is five years younger, quickly made a name for himself as well. He was a baseball and football star (as a big-play wide receiver) in high school before heading to the College of Charleston as an outfielder who also pitched sporadically. After 50 games in the outfield and two on the mound for the Cougars, Hopkins transferred to Winthrop for the 2023 season, focused on pitching and saw his career take off. He was wild as a college pitcher, but his athleticism and stuff enticed the Mariners to draft him in the sixth round in that same year. In July 2024, Seattle sent him to the Rays as part of the return for outfielder Randy Arozarena. Hopkins took a step forward with his control in 2025, and was especially effective over the final two months at Double-A Montgomery. He struck out 32% of batters while allowing just four runs in his final six starts.

Scouting Report: Hopkins has the best stuff of any Rays minor league starter, with an all-out, all-power, all-the-time approach that is quite unusual for a starting pitcher. There is nothing subtle about Hopkins’ stuff, as even his curveball and changeup will flirt with 90 mph. He’ll have outings where he doesn’t throw a pitch under 88-89 mph. It’s an approach seen from very few MLB starters. Jacob Misiorowski and Max Meyer were the only MLB starters in 2025 who averaged 87 mph or harder with every pitch. Hopkins doesn’t change speeds much, but he does force hitters to protect the entire strike zone. He’s able to work up and down to lefthanded hitters thanks to a 96-97 mph four-seam fastball that touches 100. He throws it from a flat approach angle of less than four feet, with enough life to get above bats at the top of the zone. His hard 89-91 mph changeup gets below hitters’ bats with just enough movement to pair with that extreme power, and his hard 92-93 mph cutter can get in under their hands. He can take that same up-and-down approach with righthanded hitters, but he can also mix in a bigger 87-88 mph power curve. He has also toyed with a 87-88 mph sweeper that runs away from them. Hopkins has a long arm action, which can lead to control issues, but he is athletic enough to repeat his delivery well. His 12% walk rate is high, but his ability to limit hard contact helps make his fringe-average control work.

The Future: Hopkins carries a bit more reliever risk than some other Rays starters thanks to his still-developing control, but he’s made massive strides in just three years. He could develop into a front-of-the-rotation starter if everything clicks, with the kind of arsenal that gives hitters nightmares on a regular basis.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 70 | Changeup: 45 | Sweeper: 55 | Cutter: 65 | Control: 45.

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-R

Age: 20

BA Grade/Risk: 60/High

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Gillen was long viewed as one of the best pure hitters in the 2024 prep draft class, but he was tougher to evaluate because he missed extended time with shoulder and wrist injuries. A strong senior season at Westlake High in Texas helped Gillen rise up draft rankings, and the Rays selected him with the 18th overall pick. Tampa Bay immediately moved him from shortstop to center field as a pro. A calf injury delayed the start of Gillen’s 2025 season at Low-A Charleston by a month, but he would have led the Carolina League with a .433 on-base percentage if he had qualified. He missed the final three weeks after injuring his hand sliding into second base.

Scouting Report: Gillen is an exceptionally polished hitter for a teenager. He crowds the plate, with a compact stance, very little pre-pitch movement and a modest load. His stance helps give him excellent plate coverage. His short swing, bat speed and ability to clear his hips allows him to turn on inside pitches, but he’s just as comfortable serving the ball to left field when pitchers work him away. Gillen’s power is modest, but he should develop into a hitter who hits bushels of line-drive doubles. He’s a plus runner with the ability to steal 30-plus bases at a high success rate. Defensively, made a speedy conversion to the outfield. He has no hesitation to leave his feet, but he does so in a calculated manner that turns doubles into line outs without turning singles into triples. His old shoulder injury means he has a below-average arm, which is a big reason he moved to the outfield.

The Future: Gillen’s polished lefthanded bat gives him a chance to be an impact regular in center field in an organization that emphasizes outfield defense. His lofty on-base percentages can be expected to dip as he faces better pitching, but his power should tick up as well.

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

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Williams hit 20 home runs and stole 33 bases for Double-A Montgomery in 2024, but the Rays were aware that he was not a finished product as a hitter. Still, Williams’ struggles at Triple-A Durham in 2025 were surprising. His 34% strikeout rate was the second-highest in the International League. After trading away Jose Caballero, waiving Ha-Seong Kim and placing Taylor Walls on the injured list, Williams was called up to Tampa Bay. He hit five homers in 32 games, but it was an all-or-nothing approach that included a 42% strikeout rate.

Scouting Report: Coming into 2025, there was hope that Williams could be an offensive force as well as a plus defender. Triple-A exposed more issues at the plate, and while there is still hope for offensive improvement, it’s more realistic to now project Williams as a strong defender who could hit enough home runs to have value as a bottom-of-the-order bat. If he can get a pitch up in the zone, he can get to his plus power. He has well above-average bat speed, and his 23 Triple-A home runs led all minor league shortstops, but there’s little adjustability to his swing. Teams learned that he’s almost helpless when pitchers work the bottom of the strike zone, especially with changeups. Defensively, Williams projects as a reliably plus or better defender at shortstop. He is tall and rangy, and he knows how to use his plus arm to full advantage. His hands are soft. He’s a plus runner who should steal 15-20 bases a year if he hits at all.

The Future: Williams has a much wider array of possible outcomes than most players who have already reached the majors. His contact issues could completely derail his career, but as a true shortstop who could hit 20 home runs, he could be a valuable player even with frightening batting averages.

Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 60 | Run: 60 | Field: 65 | Arm: 65.

Ht: 6'5" | Wt: 189 | B-T: R-R

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: A standout on the mound and in the classroom at Oakmont High in Roseville, Calif., Nichols was part of coach Jay Johnson’s final recruiting class at Arizona. Nichols bounced between the Wildcats rotation and bullpen for all three years of college. His stuff was exceptional, but he struggled with consistency, largely because of control troubles. The quality of Nichols’ stuff made him an enticing sixth-round pick for the Rays in 2023.

Scouting Report: The Rays are consistently the best organization in baseball in helping pitchers improve their strike-throwing. Nichols is one of the prime beneficiaries. His delivery and arm action were already relatively clean, but the Rays’ combination of middle-middle catcher setups and emphasis on pitchers trusting their stuff has led to significant control strides. After walking 10% of batters he faced in college, Nichols slashed that to 6% across High-A and Double-A in 2025. His 68% strike percentage ranked 10th best among all minor league pitchers with 100 innings. Getting ahead of hitters more consistently allowed him to carve them up with his hard slider. If anything, Nichols may be in the zone a bit too much. The majority of the 21 home runs he allowed in 2025 came when he was ahead in the count. His plus fastball and plus slider could be more effective if hitters worried more about chasing them out of the zone. His below-average changeup needs to improve to better attack lefthanded batters, who were responsible for 16 of his 21 homers he allowed.

The Future: No Rays pitcher has made bigger strides in the past two years than Nichols. He now has a track record of success as a starter, including an 0.97 ERA in 37 innings for Double-A Montgomery to end the season. Nichols will head back there to start 2026. He projects as a midrotation starter.

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

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R

Age: 20

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: A Marlins signee out of Venezuela in 2022, Suarez barely got to get comfortable wearing teal. Miami traded him with Marcus Johnson to the Rays for JT Chargois and Xavier Edwards in 2023. Suarez was impressing at High-A Bowling Green in 2025 when he went down with a sore shoulder in early May. He missed three months, and when he returned, the Rays promoted him all the way to Triple-A for his final two starts of the season.

Scouting Report: The Rays emphasize throwing strikes more than any other organization, but even in an org full of strike-throwers, Suarez’s plus-plus control stands out. He walked eight batters in 52 innings all season, when 10 minor league pitchers walked at least that many in a single start in 2025. He ranked second in the minors in strike percentage in 2025 among pitchers with 50-plus innings. Suarez is no soft-tossing control wizard. His above-average four-seam fastball sits at 94-95 mph and can touch 97, and it has above-average life. His hard high-80s cutter gives him a plus secondary offering, and he’ll use an average low-80s downer curveball to give lefthanded hitters something to worry about. That curve has been especially important to lefties because Suarez is still looking for a changeup grip that he’s comfortable throwing. His hands are smaller than many pitchers, and as of yet, he hasn’t gotten comfortable with any of the multiple changeup grips he has tried to throw.

The Future: Suarez figures to earn a spot in the Double-A Montgomery rotation in 2026 with a strong spring training. He will be one of the Southern League’s younger starters as a 21-year-old. His exceptional control gives him a chance to develop into a midrotation starter, though he may need to learn to expand the zone more often to become more unpredictable.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Cutter: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 70.
 

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The son of a high school baseball coach, Pierce seems to always be in control as a defender. But that attribute was likely to carry him only to the late second or third round coming into 2025. Significant improvements at the plate in his senior season pushed Pierce into the first round in a loaded prep shortstop draft class. He showed both more consistent contact and improved power. The Rays drafted him 14th overall and signed him for $4.31 million.

Scouting Report: The Rays are loaded with plus defenders at shortstop, from Taylor Walls in the majors to Carson Williams, Gregory Barrios and Adrian Santana in the minors. But Pierce has a chance to be the equal or better of all of them if everything clicks. He glides around the infield, making the tough plays look easy with a quick first step, hands that erase bad hops and a 65 arm on the 20-to-80 scouting scale that matches Williams as the best in the organization. Offensively, Pierce has more upside than all the Rays shortstops but Williams. Earlier in his amateur career, he struggled to string together consistent at-bats. He has some noise in his setup that may contribute to that. He cocks the bat and has a big bat waggle at times, but as he filled out, his bat control and contact ability has improved. Pierce has the size and strength to combine average power with a fringe-average hit tool. He’s continued to fill out and is already 10 pounds heavier and stronger than he was when the Rays drafted him.

The Future: Pierce should spend most or all of 2026 at Low-A Charleston, where he can be expected to play excellent defense and provide sneaky power. His defense gives him plenty of chances to develop into a big leaguer, and his power potential gives him a chance to be a star if he can continue to make strides at the plate.

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

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 191 | B-T: L-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Summerhill was considered one of the top pure hitters in the 2025 college class after producing for average both at Arizona and in the Cape Cod League. But he missed a month of his junior season with a broken hand, and that may have cost him a spot in the first round. Summerhill was hitting .409/.500/.656 at the time of the injury but hit just .263/.412/.434 after he returned. The Rays drafted him with the 42nd overall pick. Summerhill’s older brother Colin, an Angels undrafted free agent in 2024, beat Brendan to pro ball by a year.

Scouting Report: Summerhill immediately became one of the Rays’ best contact hitters as soon as he signed. He’s long shown excellent barrel control and adjustability in his swing. There’s no one way to pitch him. If a pitcher succeeds in one at-bat, there’s little guarantee that the same approach will work the next time. Summerhill’s power has always been modest. He could sell out for a few more home runs, but it’s more likely he’ll settle in as a plus hitter with fringe-average pop. Summerhill played both center and right field in college and eventually fits as a corner outfielder for the Rays. But that means he’ll likely get plenty of time in center field for now, because the Rays try to play three center field-capable outfielders most of the time. He’s an above-average runner who should be at least average in the corners with a chance to be above-average. He has an average arm.

The Future: Summerhill’s brief pro debut for Low-A Charleston ended early because of an oblique injury, but he should be full speed for spring training. He fits the kind of well-rounded college hitter that the Rays covet in the draft. He should be a key part of the High-A Bowling Green outfield for most of 2026.

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

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The Rays knew when they traded Randy Arozarena at the 2024 deadline that they needed to nail the trade, because Arozarena was one of the team’s best trade chips. A year and a half later, Brody Hopkins is the team’s best prospect. Smith, the other prospect in the deal, had a tougher time in 2025. After hitting for average and power in 2024, Smith saw his strikeout rate spike to 31% at High-A Bowling Green while he hit .237 and his power dipped. On the bases, Smith has been consistent. He’s stolen 41 bases while getting thrown out six times in each of the past two seasons.

Scouting Report: Smith never seemed to get comfortable at the plate with Bowling Green. He struggled more with velocity than he ever did before. He has always been quiet in his setup, but in 2025, he struggled to get in rhythm and get his hands going. When he tried to tweak his stance, his struggles spiraled. He ended up fouling away pitches he should have been pulling for extra-base damage. Smith has a knack for driving the ball in the air when he’s synced up. While he struggled more than expected at the plate, there was a much more positive development in 2025 in the field. With the Mariners, Smith was splitting time almost equally between all three outfield spots. The Rays challenged him to focus on center field. He responded by steadily getting better defensively. By the end of the year, he was the Rays’ best defensive minor league center fielder. He now projects as a plus center fielder. He’s a plus runner with a plus arm.

The Future: Smith’s defensive improvements reduce the pressure on his bat, but he will have to show that his 2025 hitting struggles were a blip more than a trend.

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

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 240 | B-T: L-L

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: After a strong 2023 and first half of 2024, Isaac’s career hit a speed bump at Double-A Montgomery. His 2025 season never really got going. A sore elbow sidelined him for the first 10 days of the season, and when he was activated, he was limited to DH. The Rays shut Isaac down for good on July 5 with a wrist injury after just 41 games.

Scouting Report: Isaac’s injury issues made him a tough player to evaluate in 2025. He was helpless against lefthander, which hasn’t been an issue in the past, but his power and bat speed were still impressive despite the injuries. No Rays minor leaguer hits the ball harder than Isaac, but he is going to have to make adjustments to get to that power consistently. He has struggled to pull the ball in the air. Fewer than 20% of his fly balls at Double-A were pulled to right field, while 80% of his ground balls in 2025 were pulled. His ability to clear the fence in center and left field has allowed him to get to his power anyway. Isaac’s swing is steep. He can drive pitches at the top of the zone, but is somewhat helpless against pitchers working down in the zone. He has solid pitch recognition skills, but pitchers can toy with his timing. He is too often tardy on quality fastballs and he struggles to handle changeups, as well. Isaac was an average defender at first base in 2024, but he didn’t get on the field in 2025. He is an average runner despite his 6-foot-4, 240-pund frame.

The Future: Isaac will play the entire 2026 season as a 22-year-old, so despite lost time, he’s still on a good timetable, even with a return to Double-A. With his ability to drive the ball and draw walks, he could be productive even with a strikeout rate near 30%. But he needs to stay healthy to refine some of the apparent flaws in his game.

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

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 185 | B-T: L-R

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: As a 17-year-old catcher coming out of Alberta, Flewelling was not exactly a high-profile, low-risk pick. But the Rays loved his power potential, and they were one of the teams that also believed that he could stick behind the plate. They drafted him in the third round in 2024. Flewelling more than rewarded their faith by being one of the pleasant surprises on the Low-A Charleston club. His surface-level stats (.229/.393/.336) weren’t anything special, but his batted-ball data shined while he proved to be a reliable catcher defensively.

Scouting Report: If Flewelling was a first baseman, his offensive ability would still be intriguing. But he pairs an exceptional batting eye, plus power and solid contact ability with work behind the plate to create one of the better sleeper prospects in the game. Flewelling had one of the best chase rates in the Rays’ system, and he paired it with plus power potential. While he hit just six home runs in 2025, he should develop above-average power. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 105 mph is excellent for a teenager. As a catcher, he’s already an above-average framer, and he embraces the intellectual aspects of leading the pitching staff. He carries himself like a veteran, rather than one of the youngest players on the team. Flewelling turns in average pop times with plus accuracy, which helped him throw out 27% of basestealers. He caught 75 games in 2025. That topped Ethan Salas’ 2024 season as the most games caught by an 18-year-old in pro ball this decade.

The Future: The Rays haven’t produced a homegrown long-term starting catcher at any point in their history. Flewelling has a lot of development left, but his combination of defense, savvy and hitting ability could finally end the three-decade drought.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50.
Spanky__99 FCL Blue Jays

Spanky__99

Old-Timey Member
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28 minutes ago, Pendleton said:

Just noticed these this morning, have been forgetting to check this section. But looks like I'm just in time to catch up before the Jays list drops today, thanks for posting these @Spanky__99

I was going to do the whole MLB but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. I just click on unread content to not miss anything, seems easier. But it's my pleasure. I'll post the chat as does get deeper on hints of movement in the system.

 

 

Spanky__99 FCL Blue Jays

Spanky__99

Old-Timey Member
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Just dropped...

Toronto Blue Jays top 10...

 

Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 225 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 60/Mild

Adjusted Grade: 55

Track Record: Over three seasons at East Carolina, Yesavage went from a reliever to a key piece of the Pirates’ rotation. As a junior in 2024, he went 11-1 with a 2.03 ERA and struck out 145 in 93.1 innings. Late in that season, Yesavage suffered a partially collapsed lung due to an off-the-field medical procedure. He returned during regionals and outpitched Wake Forest ace Chase Burns. After Yesavage ranked as the No. 11 player in the 2024 class, questions around his medicals dropped him to the Blue Jays at pick No. 20. He signed for a little over $4.75 million and would debut the following spring with Low-A Dunedin. Toronto was deliberate with Yesavage’s workload and slowly moved him across each level of the full-season minors before he made his major league debut on Sept. 15. Not only did Yesavage make the Blue Jays’ postseason roster, he made five starts during Toronto’s run to the World Series. His biggest moment came in Game 5 of the World Series when Yesavage threw seven innings of one-run ball, striking out 12 Dodgers batters to set a World Series rookie record.

Scouting Report: A physical 6-foot-4 righthander with a prototype starter’s build, Yesavage employs an unusual operation with a nearly perfectly over the top arm slot. Pitching exclusively from the stretch, he gets deep into his back leg as his arm plunges back before he catapults the ball over the top. His vertical arm angle and ability to hide the ball create a deceptive look that keeps opposing hitters off-balance. Yesavage employs a three-pitch mix of four-seam fastball, slider and splitter. The movement on his pitch mix is highly unusual. None of his pitches break glove side. Yesavage’s four-seam fastball is his primary pitch, thrown just under 50% of the time. Due to his over-the-top arm slot, he generates outlier ride on his fastball, averaging nearly 20 inches of induced vertical break in his brief MLB sample. His ride-cut shape and mid-90s velocity create a fearsome combination of traits that drove above-average whiff rates at every level. His slider is used nearly one-for-one to his splitter, and is the harder of his two secondaries. His slider sits in the upper 80s and touches the low 90s with cutter-like shape, generating an unusual three inches of armside run. Yesavage’s slider is an above-average pitch due to its velocity and unique break, but his splitter is his signature pitch. It sits 83-84 mph with excellent velocity and vertical separation off his fastball. His splitter generates whiffs at elite rates and is a true plus-plus offering. Yesavage shows average control and relies on a heavy dose of chase swings to boost his strike rates.

The Future: Yesavage enters 2026 as an American League Rookie of the Year frontrunner and key part of the Blue Jays’ rotation. He could develop into a No. 2 starter at peak.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Split: 70 | Control: 60.

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R

Age: 20

BA Grade/Risk: 60/High

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: At 17 years old, Nimmala was the youngest player selected in the 2023 draft and debuted in the Florida Complex League months before his 18th birthday. His production was heavily disjointed in his first two full seasons. A rough start in 2024 for Low-A Dunedin led to a stint on the development list after 29 games. Upon his return, Nimmala showed improved posture in his swing and hit .265/.331/.564 over the final 53 games. The 2025 season was the reverse, as Nimmala started hot with High-A Vancouver, hitting .289/.372/.538 over the first 45 games. From June 1 onward, things took a gnarly turn and he hit .184 over the final 75 games.

Scouting Report: A young shortstop with exciting skills on both sides of the ball, Nimmala still has remaining projection in his broad-shouldered frame. At the plate, he sets up slightly open, deploying a toe-tap timing mechanism. He looks to meet the ball out in front, which at times is to the detriment of his contact quality when he catches the ball off the end of the bat. Nimmala showed improvements to his contact in 2025 which resulted in a drop in strikeout rate. His bat-to-ball skills are fringe, which he couples with above-average swing decisions. Nimmala produced improved underlying power in 2025 with a jump in exit velocity data. He struggled to pull the ball in the air, however. Due to his plus bat speed, current power and remaining projection, Nimmala should be an above-average power hitter. He is an above-average runner who will show plus run times on jailbreaks to first base. He’s an above-average defender at shortstop with a plus arm who looks likely to stick at the position.

The Future: Nimmala will look to find more consistency at the plate in 2026, and if he does he’ll develop into an above-average everyday shortstop. Double-A is next.

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

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-R

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 60/High

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: In the months leading up to the 2025 draft, no player had more helium than Parker. A four-year varsity starter for Purvis High in Mississippi, his impressive performance at East Coast Pro in 2024 got the hype train to leave the station. The Blue Jays drafted Parker with the eighth overall pick in 2025 and signed him for just under $6.2 million. He didn’t debut following the draft but did participate in unofficial bridge league games. Parker’s birth name is Joseph, but he goes by JoJo. His twin brother Jacob is an outfielder who played for Purvis and will attend Mississippi State.

Scouting Report: Parker is a physical shortstop who stands 6-foot-2 with a strong muscular build and room to add more strength. He was one of the older players in the 2025 high school class but shows arguably the best balance of hitting and power among his prep peers. Parker sets up with an open stance with a narrow base. He rests the bat on his shoulder and then engages his load with a leg kick that feeds into an aggressive stride. Parker shows plus bat-to-ball skills and a patient approach. He can get overly passive at times, taking too many hittable pitches in the zone. He does a good job of pulling pitches located on the inner half of the plate and shows plus raw power. His swing is more geared toward hard line drives than lofted fly balls, but he should grow into above-average power at peak. Parker is an average runner, who gets out of the box well, but he’s unlikely to impact the game much with his speed. Parker is a shortstop at present but is likely to move to third base. He lacks the quick-twitch mechanisms and range needed to play shortstop. He does have a strong internal clock and an above-average arm.

The Future: Parker projects as an above-average regular at third base who could one day grow into an all-star.

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

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-L

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 60/High

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: King was just 17 years old on draft day when the Blue Jays selected him in the third round in 2024. A projectable 6-foot-4 lefthander from Naples, Fla., he was one of the brightest performers in Toronto’s farm system in 2025. King began in the Florida Complex League, making six appearances and striking out 41 batters to seven walks across 24 innings. He was promoted to Low-A Dunedin on June 29 and made 11 appearances and 10 starts. Over 37.2 innings with Dunedin, King struck out 64 batters to 30 walks, pitching to a 3.35 ERA.

Scouting Report: King has all the ingredients of a midrotation stalwart. His operation gets deep into his glutes, allowing him to drop and drive with a strong lead leg block. His low three-quarters arm slot creates a deceptive angle for both lefthanded and righthanded batters, though he saw more success in opposite-handed matchups in 2025. King is still learning to repeat his mechanics, something that should help him find more consistency with his release point. King mixes three pitches in a four-seam fastball, curveball and changeup. King’s fastball is plus and sits 93-95 mph with above-average ride and heavy armside run. King had some of the highest total movement on his fastball of any lefthander in professional baseball in 2025. His primary secondary pitch is a two-plane curveball that sits 80-82 mph with good depth. His curveball boasted a whiff rate north of 50% in 2025. King’s changeup is a clear third pitch and was used sparingly in 2025. King shows fringe-average control and struggled with strike-throwing with Dunedin.

The Future: King is poised to build on his breakout 2025 on his way to his final destination of midrotation starter.

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

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 201 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Stanifer signed for $125,000 as an Indiana prep pick in the 19th round of the 2022 draft. After spending 2023 in the Florida Complex League before making 19 appearances for Low-A Dunedin in 2024, Stanifer broke out in a big way in 2025. He spent the first seven weeks of the season working as a piggyback starter in tandem with top prospect Trey Yesavage. Stanifer was promoted to High-A Vancouver alongside Yesavage on May 19. Stanifer moved into the rotation at High-A and was promoted to Double-A on Sept. 5 and made two starts.

Scouting Report: Stanifer stands 6-foot-3 with a board-shouldered, muscular build and little in the way of remaining projection. He works exclusively from the stretch with a high leg lift that contracts into his body before he drives toward the plate. He’s a short-strider with a short arm action and releases the ball from a three-quarters arm slot. Stanifer mixes a trio of pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. His four-seam fastball sits 93-96 mph with plus ride and heavy armside run. Despite a lack of extension, Stanifer creates a deceptively flat plane of approach to the plate, leading to impressive whiff rates against the pitch. His primary secondary pitch against righthanders is a low-to-mid-80s slider that looks like a harder curveball with heavy vertical drop. His slider is a plus bat-missing pitch that generated elite whiffs rates in 2025. His changeup is his go-to secondary in off-handed matchups. Stanifer shows average feel for his changeup, but it’s primary function is driving weak ground balls, not generating whiffs. Stanifer shows fringe-average control across his arsenal.

The Future: Stanifer carries a fair amount of relief risk but showed the ability to start over the final three months of the 2025 season and has No. 4 starter upside.

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

Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 220 | B-T: L-L

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 60/Extreme

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The Blue Jays drafted Tiedemann out of junior college in the third round in 2021 and signed him for $644,800. He dominated in his 2022 debut, starting in Low-A and reaching Double-A in his age-19 season. Tiedemann was limited to just 61.1 innings in 2023 and 2024 because of persistent elbow pain. He had Tommy John surgery in late July 2024 and missed all of 2025. The Blue Jays added Tiedemann to the 40-man roster following the 2025 season and they plan to slowly ease him back into game action in 2026.

Scouting Report: Despite a physical, 6-foot-4 build, Tiedemann has struggled to maintain health for most of his career. When Tiedemann is healthy and locked in, his arsenal plays up due to his low three-quarters arm slot. His arm swing is long, but it helps him hide the ball, creating deceptive traits. Since his initial elbow injury in 2023, Tiedemann has struggled to consistently repeat his mechanics and release point. He mixes three pitches in a four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. His fastball sits 94-96 mph with heavy armside run that plays up due to his arm slot. In 2024, Tiedemann generated less armside run on his fastball compared to previous seasons, possibly a product of his lingering elbow injury. Tiedemann’s slider is his primary secondary weapon. It has had varied shapes over the seasons, showing traditional break in 2023 and more sweeper action in 2022 and 2024. When at his best, Tiedemann shows the ability to use his slider against batters of both hands, wearing out the armside half of the plate. His changeup was viewed as his best secondary as an amateur, but it has become less effective in pro ball.

The Future: Tiedemann will likely see a heavy dose of relief work in 2026 as he builds up his workload, but his midrotation upside remains.

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

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R

Age: 18

BA Grade/Risk: 60/Extreme

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Sanchez signed with the Blue Jays out of the Dominican Republic for $997,500, the second-highest bonus in their 2025 class. He made his debut in the Dominican Summer League a few months later and was one of the standout performers on the circuit. Sanchez hit .341/.439/.565 with eight home runs and ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the league.

Scouting Report: A large, physical slugger standing 6-foot-3 with plenty of space to add muscle and strength to his frame, Sanchez already shows in-game power with plus bat-to-ball skills. In 2025 he missed at pitches in the strike zone just 10.8% of the time and ran solid underlying swing-decision metrics. Sanchez is prone to expanding the zone at times, which leads to whiffs. When he stays inside the zone and looks to do damage on pitches over the plate, he produces hard barrels all over the yard. Sanchez shows plus raw power, having hit a ball 115.8 mph in 2025. Sanchez already shows the ability to pull the ball hard and in the air and produces a high rate of barrel contact. He projects to grow into a plus power hitter at peak with elite high-end exit velocities and the ability to get to it in games. Sanchez is a fringe-average runner who will likely slow down as he matures. His lack of range and questionable actions likely mean a permanent move to third base lingers in the future. He’s a natural fit for third base with an above-average arm capable of making all the necessary throws.

The Future: Sanchez has the tools and requisite bat-to-ball ability and power to grow into an above-average third baseman with peak seasons featuring 30 home runs. He’s viewed as one of the top players coming stateside in 2026 and should play in the Florida Complex League.

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

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-R

Age: 25

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Mild

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: After hitting 18 home runs with Duke in 2021, Schreck struggled in his followup and transferred to Vanderbilt for his graduate student season. The Mariners drafted Schreck in the ninth round in 2023 and signed him for $75,000. He spent 25 games with Low-A Modesto following the draft. Schreck began the 2024 season with High-A Everett and earned a promotion to Double-A weeks before the 2024 trade deadline. He was traded to the Blue Jays for veteran third baseman Justin Turner. Schreck split his 2025 season between Double-A and Triple-A, hitting a combined .249/.395/.459 with 18 homers across both levels. Schreck missed a month in the middle of the season with a hand injury.

Scouting Report: A well-rounded player with strong plate skills and the ability to fill-in at all three outfield positions, Schreck proved that his contact skills and approach were no flukes in 2024. He replicated his plus zone-contact rate and swing decisions at Double-A and Triple-A in 2025. Schreck rarely expands the zone and uses an aggressive approach on strikes, leading to lots of contact. His ability to discern balls from strikes is his greatest asset, leading to clear plus plate skills. Schreck saw a jump in his exit velocity data in 2025 and hit a career-high max exit velocity of 111.9 mph. He shows the ability to hit the ball hard in the air to his pull side, optimizing his average underlying power. Schreck is likely to hit 15-18 home runs annually while providing solid batting averages and high on-base percentages. Schreck is an average runner who saw time in all three outfield spots in 2025. He is below-average in center field but is fringe-average in a corner spot with an average arm.

The Future: Schreck looks like a second-division regular with a bat-driven profile.

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

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R

Age: 24

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: After three seasons at Lafayette College, Bloss transferred to Georgetown in 2023 and won Big East Conference pitcher of the year honors. He was drafted by the Astros in the third round in 2023 and began his first full season in 2024 at High-A Asheville. Bloss dominated, earning a promotion to Double-A Corpus Christi by May. After four starts, Houston called Bloss up directly from Double-A on June 21. Bloss exited his MLB debut with shoulder discomfort but returned in early July to make two starts. The Astros traded him to the Blue Jays as a part of the Yusei Kikuchi deal at the 2024 trade deadline. Bloss made six starts for Triple-A Buffalo in 2025 but struggled with his control before requiring season-ending UCL surgery in May.

Scouting Report: Bloss has a prototype pitcher’s build with the size expected of a starter. He begins from a semi-windup with a high leg lift before driving down the mound with plus extension. His extension improves the plane on his fastball, allowing him to create more ride than expected from his high three-quarters arm slot. Bloss mixes five different pitches, throwing four-seam and two-seam fastball variants, a slider, curveball and splitter. Bloss’ four-seam fastball sits 93-95 mph and touches 97 with true ride-cut shape. It’s an above-average offering and his most heavily used pitch. Bloss reworked his slider in 2025 by showing a baby sweeper shape with around seven to eight inches of sweep. He ditched his sweeper for a curveball with heavy two-plane break. It sits in the upper 70s. He altered his changeup to use a splitter grip in 2025 as he added more armside run to the pitch. Bloss struggled with the Triple-A zone but projects for average command.

The Future: Bloss should return to action in the second half of 2026 and looks like a No. 4 starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 45 | Split: 50 | Control: 50.

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 185 | B-T: L-L

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: Cook redshirted as a freshman at Southern Mississippi and then played sparingly as a two-way player as a sophomore. A lefthanded thrower, he dropped pitching heading into 2025 and put together a strong season as an outfielder, hitting .350/.436/.468 with 19 extra-base hits as one of the toughest players to strike out in college baseball. The Blue Jays drafted Cook in the third round and signed him for $922,500.

Scouting Report: One of the best athletes in the 2025 draft class, Cook is an excellent mover who made rapid improvements as a hitter in his platform season. He is a lefthanded hitter with an inside-out swing who looks to hit inside the baseball and spray line drives to the opposite field. This approach means Cook rarely swings and misses, and he ran a 4% swinging-strike rate with Southern Miss in 2025. Despite his contact-centric profile, Cook shows above-average on-base skills with a good balance of patience and aggression. His power is well below-average and isn’t a major part of his game. He hit three home runs with Southern Miss but has good size and enough bat speed to grow into 8-12 home run power. He’ll likely collect a majority of his extra bases hitting the ball to the gaps and using his top-of-the-scale speed. Cook is an 80-grade runner who consistently will show home-to-first run times of 3.8 seconds. However, he is a poor basestealer and was caught on five of eight attempts with Southern Miss. His speed translates to the field, where he’s a plus center fielder capable of covering large swaths of ground in the outfield. The former pitcher has a plus arm .

The Future: Cook has many tools but is more raw than other college draftees. He has the attributes to develop into an everyday center fielder.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 80 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60.
Laika Cooperstown

Laika

Community Moderator
Posted
Posted
On 11/13/2025 at 4:12 PM, Spanky__99 said:

Atlanta's Top 10...

 

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-L

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 60/High

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Caminiti was the top-ranked high school pitcher in the 2024 class and signed with the Braves for $3,553,800 as the organization’s first pick at No. 24 overall. A former two-way player with impressive raw power in high school, Caminiti is now a full-time pitcher and turned in an electric 2025 campaign, primarily with Low-A Augusta. He missed two months of the season with forearm tendinitis. He got on the mound in May, threw a handful of tuneup games in the Florida Complex League, then posted a 2.08 ERA and 31.9% strikeout rate in 56.1 innings and 13 starts with Augusta. Among minor league pitchers who were 18 or younger with at least 50 innings, Caminiti ranked third with 90 strikeouts and fourth in strikeout rate. He’s a cousin of the late Ken Caminiti.

Scouting Report: Caminiti has a lean and athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds. He creates a tough angle for hitters by working from the first base side of the rubber and throwing across his body with a low release height. Caminiti lowered his arm slot in 2025 and simultaneously added a bit of extension, which helped his four-seam fastball play better at the top of the zone. He went from a two-seam grip in high school to a four-seam grip with the Braves, and in 2025 averaged 93-94 mph and touched 97. The flat nature of the pitch combined with its power should allow it to be at least a plus offering, and he did an excellent job using it to attack the strike zone and get ahead in counts. While the fastball is the centerpiece of Caminiti’s arsenal, he has flashed exciting secondaries as well. He got plenty of whiffs on both his slider and changeup against Low-A hitters in 2025. He throws a low-80s, sweeping slider as his go-to secondary pitch. It grades well analytically and can be a nightmare for lefthanded hitters, but it needs more consistency. The Braves are hoping he can add a harder and shorter breaking ball, such as a gyro slider, in the future. Caminiti started throwing a kick changeup in 2025. The pitch sits in the 85-88 mph range with solid armside life and occasional splitter-like depth at its best. It was a reliable miss and chase offering at the lower levels, but it remains a work in progress that Caminiti will need to locate more consistently after he threw it for strikes less than half the time in 2025.

The Future: Caminiti is the highest-upside arm in Atlanta’s system and has the stuff to become a solid No. 3-type starter who pitches a shade better than that on his best days. Those most excited about Caminiti’s future could envision a Chris Sale-esque low-slot lefty who dominates with a fastball and slider. While his upside is tantalizing, Caminiti still has a long way to go. After dominating Low-A, he should be ready to start the 2026 season with High-A Rome, where adding command and consistency to his secondaries and potentially deepening his arsenal will be developmental keys.

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

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Ritchie signed with the Braves for $2.4 million as the 35th overall pick in the 2022 draft as a cerebral three-pitch righty with polish beyond his years. He dealt with Tommy John surgery and recovery in 2023 and 2024 but had a strong 2025 season. Ritchie threw 140 innings—a top 15 mark among minor league pitchers—across three levels and posted a 2.64 ERA and 24.8% strikeout rate. He started the Futures Game at Truist Park and was the Braves’ 2025 minor league player of the year.

Scouting Report: Ritchie continues to stand out for his advanced feel to pitch, but his arsenal today looks nothing like it did when he was drafted. Previously a fastball/slider/changeup pitcher, Ritchie now throws seven unique pitches and has an uncanny ability to separate them and manipulate his arsenal seemingly overnight. Ritchie averaged 93.5 mph with his four-seam fastball and touched 96-97. He also throws a two-seam fastball with similar power, an upper-80s changeup, a low-80s curveball, a mid-80s gyro slider, a sweeper that’s a tick or two softer and a cutter around 90 mph that pushes 92. Ritchie is comfortable landing his entire mix. While that could be enough to keep hitters off-balance, he lacks a true wipeout offering. In the past, his gyro slider was a swing-and-miss pitch, but it backed up in 2025 to the point where Ritchie threw it less in the second half of the season. Rediscovering that breaking ball or adding more velocity—perhaps by doing a better job sitting into his back leg in his delivery—could help him find another gear.

The Future: Ritchie is nearing his big league debut and has the tools to be a solid No. 4 starter. He could get an MLB opportunity in 2026.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 50 | Sweeper: 50 | Control: 50.

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R

Age: 20

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Fuentes signed with the Braves out of Colombia in 2022 without much fanfare, but he elevated his stock as a pro thanks to a strong combination of strikes and fastball life. He pitched effectively at three minor league levels in his age-20 season in 2025, but struggled with fastball location and home runs in his first four major league starts in June and July.

Scouting Report: Fuentes has a solid frame with more physicality than his official 6-foot, 170-pound frame indicates. He attacks hitters from a low release point and does a nice job getting off the rubber with above-average extension—which helps him throw one of the flattest fastballs in the game. Fuentes added nearly a tick and a half to his fastball velocity and averaged 94.7 mph while touching 98-99. The pitch has both power and life that makes it a swing-and-miss heater at its best, but its shape is reliant on him pounding the upper third of the strike zone and above. Fuentes’ brief major league stint showed what could happen to his fastball when he put it in the heart of the zone too often—namely, an .886 opponent slugging percentage and six home runs allowed in just 13 innings. Sharpening his fastball command will be important, as will developing secondaries to keep hitters from sitting on his fastball. Fuentes has toyed with both a sweeper and gyro slider, as well as an 80-83 mph curveball with more depth and an upper-80s splitter. He has a strong track record as an above-average strike-thrower, though his command is not yet at that level.

The Future: In 2026, Fuentes will pitch as a 21-year-old who has outlier fastball traits and a solid control foundation. His future role will depend on his secondary development and fastball command.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 55.

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Murphy starred as a two-way player at his suburban Chicago high school as a shortstop/righthander. He signed for $2,556,900 as Atlanta’s first-round pick in 2022 and has pitched well whenever he’s been on the mound. A Tommy John surgery cut short a potential breakout season in 2024, but Murphy returned to the mound in late July 2025 and continued posting. He had a 1.19 ERA in 30.1 innings between Rookie ball and Low-A with a 25.5 K-BB% that was second-best in the Braves’ system among pitchers with at least 30 innings.

Scouting Report: Murphy is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound righthander who works with a clean delivery and three-quarters slot. He primarily works with a three-pitch mix led by a 90-92 mph fastball. His four-seam fastball was down about a half tick of velocity in 2025, and he averaged just under 91 mph while touching 94. The pitch is light on power but has always played up thanks to tremendous riding life and a flat approach angle. The shape of Murphy’s fastball could allow it to be effective in the majors even with below-average power, though adding more velocity remains a crucial goal. Murphy throws a mid-80s slider that lacks depth but has solid gloveside action, as well as a downer curveball in the mid 70s. The Braves were happy with his slider progress, and he threw the pitch more frequently compared to 2024. Murphy is also experimenting with a kick changeup, but he’s yet to fully break the pitch out in games. He’s an above-average athlete and average strike-thrower and who has always done a nice job attacking the top of the zone with his fastball.

The Future: Murphy’s post-surgery 2025 season was a success. Now he needs to find a way to add more power to his mix and show he can miss bats in the upper minors. He has back-end starter upside.

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

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-L

Age: 19

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: McKenzie ranked as the No. 46 prospect in the 2025 draft and signed an over-slot deal with the Braves for $2,997,500 in the fourth round—the largest bonus in Atlanta’s class. McKenzie was an up-arrow prospect early in the spring with his Corinth Holders High team in North Carolina. He showed improved fastball velocity and a refined changeup, but his velocity was more inconsistent closer to the draft. He threw at instructional league but not in official games after signing.

Scouting Report: McKenzie is a lanky 6-foot-2, 190-pound lefthander with a smooth delivery that features a lengthy arm action and a cross-body finish. He’s been up to 95 mph with his fastball—and touched 94 mph in instructs—but his average velocity comes and goes and can sit in the low 90s or upper 80s depending on the start. He has great aptitude to spin a breaking pitch with huge spin rates. McKenzie’s curveball sits 75-79 mph and routinely gets into the 3,000 rpm range with great depth and biting action at its best. It would be unsurprising if he developed that breaking ball into more of a classic sweeper slider as he adds more strength and power. The development of his mid-80s changeup this spring was key in pushing him up draft boards, and was a pitch Braves officials were enamored of after signing him. He uses a circle change grip that he holds deep in his hand and generates hellacious depth at its best. It has high-end bat-missing potential as he learns to land it with more consistency. McKenzie has been a solid strike-thrower, but the length of his arm action could inhibit his command.

The Future: McKenzie is slated to pitch at Low-A Augusta in 2026. He has the tools to become a solid No. 3 or 4 starter but has a long way to go. His workmanlike makeup and coachable mindset are assets.

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

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Lodise was one of the best players in college baseball in 2025, when he was the Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year after hitting .394/.462/.705 with 17 home runs and 18 doubles for Florida State. He ranked as the No. 26 prospect in the class but fell to the second round, where the Braves signed him to a $1,297,500 bonus. Lodise played 25 games with High-A Rome after signing and hit .252/.294/.398 with a 38.5% strikeout rate and 4.6% walk rate.

Scouting Report: Listed at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Lodise is a strong and physical athlete who packs a punch at the plate and likes to swing the bat—a lot. He’s an aggressive hitter who swung 53% of the time in his three-year college career and then 54% of the time in his pro debut. That aggression leads to lots of chases as well. Lodise will need to become more selective, and the Braves are also hoping a few mechanical tweaks will help him make contact more in different parts of the zone. Without improving in this area, Lodise could be a streaky hitter who doesn’t walk much—he had a sub 10% walk rate in college—and is reliant on how often he can turn on the ball for extra-base damage. He’s a solid runner and potentially underrated defender at shortstop. He has better lateral range than his speed might indicate and has a plus arm that helps him make difficult plays from deep positions in the hole. He also has solid arm versatility and is comfortable throwing on the run and from different slots.

The Future: Lodise has everyday upside as a pull-side power hitter with the defensive chops to stick at shortstop. Whether he gets to that upside depends heavily on the progress he can make with his approach and contact.

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

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R

Age: 24

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Mild

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Braun has been a reliable starter and strike-thrower for the Braves since he signed as a sixth-rounder out of Cal State Northridge for $347,500 in 2023. In each of the last two seasons he eclipsed the 140-inning mark, and in 2025 he posted a 3.67 ERA in 26 starts and 149.2 innings between Double-A Columbus and Triple-A Gwinnett. Braun’s 145 strikeouts were the most in Atlanta’s system.

Scouting Report: Braun is a 6-foot, 185-pound righthander who works out of the stretch and sets up on the third base side of the rubber. He continued to add more pitches to his arsenal in 2025 and now has six distinct offerings. Braun’s four-seam fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 95, but he also worked in a two-seam fastball much more frequently compared to the 2024 season. His go-to pitch at this point is a mid-80s sweeping slider, which gets heavy usage and is his most consistent swing-and-miss offering. Braun has also worked to implement an 87-91 mph cutter and continues to throw a softer, downer curveball at 78-82 mph and an upper-80s changeup with increased usage versus lefties. Nothing Braun throws is plus. Instead, he relies on his advanced control and command—the best in the system—and an ability to mix and match. Braun’s fastball command has always been a strength, and his career 6.7% walk rate points to above-average control.

The Future: The Braves are hoping there’s a bit more velocity to be found with Braun that could unlock a bit more upside. An optimistic outlook could be a Chris Bassitt-like pitcher who finds success with below-average velocity by throwing the kitchen sink with good control. Braun should be ready to help the major league team in 2026, which will be his 40-man roster evaluation season.

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

Ht: 6'8" | Wt: 245 | B-T: L-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Baumann signed an over-slot $747,500 deal as a fourth-round pick in 2023 and has been an imposing workhorse since. After a rock-solid first full season with Low-A Augusta in 2024, Baumann replicated his efforts in 2025 with High-A Rome. He posted a 3.40 ERA over 23 starts and 113.2 innings with a 22.5% strikeout rate and 6.4% walk rate.

Scouting Report: Baumann has been a monstrous, physical presence since his prep days. He stands 6-foot-8, 245 pounds and attacks hitters from a high release point with a delivery that is surprisingly coordinated and synced up for a 20-year-old pitcher of his size. He added more than a tick of velocity to his fastball this year and now averages 95 mph and will touch 99. His four-seam is a steep offering that doesn’t generate a ton of whiffs. As a remedy, he began incorporating a two-seamer that would play off his release height and potentially be a weapon at the bottom of the zone. Baumann’s ability to throw his fastball for strikes has been an asset for multiple years now—he’s thrown it for strikes more than 70% of the time in 2024 and 2025—but there are questions about his secondary pitches. He throws a mid-80s slider with some sweep, a low-80s curveball with more depth and an 86-90 mph splitter. All his secondaries earn fringy reviews and leave him without a reliable swing-and-miss pitch to put hitters away. The splitter could be his best bet, though Baumann might also try to add a harder, tighter gyro slider or a cutter in 2026.

The Future: Baumann’s fastball velocity and command remain strengths, but his secondaries could limit him to a back-end starter or reliever role without improvement. He should begin to face upper-minors competition in 2026.

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

Ht: 6'8" | Wt: 250 | B-T: R-R

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The Braves took a shot on Sinnard’s upside with a $735,300 deal in the third round out of Indiana even after he missed his 2024 draft year with Tommy John surgery. He then dealt with a nerve issue after his surgery but made his pro debut in 2025. Sinnard split time between Low-A Augusta and High-A Rome, posting a 2.86 ERA over 16 starts and 72.1 innings with a 28.3% strikeout rate. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League after the season.

Scouting Report: Sinnard has an extra-large frame at 6-foot-8, 250 pounds with plenty of strength and broad, coat-hanger shoulders. He primarily works with a three-pitch mix that includes a fastball, slider and splitter. Sinnard’s fastball averaged 93-94 mph and touched 97. It’s a steep pitch that comes from a higher slot, with solid riding life, but because of his steep approach and release height the Braves worked with him to add a two-seam variant. Both Sinnard’s slider and splitter were effective swing-and-miss pitches against Class A hitters. Sinnard’s slider is an upper-80s breaking ball with short, biting action. His splitter is an 80-85 mph pitch with spin rates around 800-900 rpm with solid depth. He uses the slider at a heavy clip versus righties and breaks out the splitter more often against lefties. He also has a rarely used low-80s curveball. The Braves were impressed with the control and command Sinnard showed throughout the season. He tends to attack the zone more than the team would like him to in pitcher’s counts, and he might have more strikeout potential if he gets more aggressive and uses his secondaries with the intent to be chase pitches below the zone.

The Future: Sinnard now needs to show he can miss bats at more age-appropriate levels. He has backend rotation upside and enough pure stuff to carve out a reliever role if necessary.

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

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 178 | B-T: B-R

Age: 17

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme

Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: The Braves have not received great returns from the international market in years, but Tornes, the team’s $2.5 million Cuban headliner from the 2025 class, has the potential to change that. The physical switch-hitter was lauded for his offensive prowess before signing and then ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Dominican Summer League in 2025.

Scouting Report: Officially listed at 6-foot-2, 178 pounds, Tornes is both young for the class and more physically developed than his peers. He has a strong, athletic build that still has more strength potential, with clean hitting mechanics from both sides of the plate to go with excellent bat speed. While some scouts described Tornes as an aggressive, free swinger in his debut, he showed an impressive blend of hitting ability and power with a knack for making adjustments and covering the entire zone. While he didn’t hit a single home run, his exit velocity data is tremendous. His 105.4 mph 90th percentile exit velocity was fifth among Braves prospects with at least 100 plate appearances, and the best mark of any hitter younger than 22 years old. Tornes has turned in plus run times and impressed internal and external scouts with his defensive instincts and athleticism in center field. There’s a split camp on whether he’s destined for a corner or will continue to move well enough to stay in center, but his defensive progress is already better than it was billed. His arm might be his loudest individual tool, with both excellent strength and accuracy on his throws.

The Future: Tornes’ collection of physical tools gives him more upside than any hitter in the system, but he’s years away from the majors with plenty of refinement still needed. He should make his stateside debut in 2026 in what will be his age-17 season.

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

LMFAO

Orgfiller All-Star

Orgfiller

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Quote

Sanchez shows plus raw power, having hit a ball 115.8 mph in 2025.

Jesus Christ, almost 116 mph max exit velo as a 17 year old is insane, that has to be minimum a 70 grade power projection. Combine that with BA giving him a 55 hit tool and his encouraging low K rate and it's hard not to dream a little about the kind of player he could become.

Spanky__99 FCL Blue Jays

Spanky__99

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
2 minutes ago, Orgfiller said:

Jesus Christ, almost 116 mph max exit velo as a 17 year old is insane, that has to be minimum a 70 grade power projection. Combine that with BA giving him a 55 hit tool and his encouraging low K rate and it's hard not to dream a little about the kind of player he could become.

Yeah, that's up in Vlad territory, love this Org.

AMS528 Draft Eligible

AMS528

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

So it appears that Nimmala has gone from it being unclear if he would stick at short, to now being rated the top defensive infielder in the org, described as being an above average defender at SS. 

That really changes his floor (and ceiling), and explains why even after a mediocre hitting year he's stayed high on everyone's lists. He doesn't need to be an elite hitter to succeed, but becoming an above average hitter with above average power would make into a star. Obviously there's still risk if his hitting never develops at all. 

Orgfiller All-Star

Orgfiller

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
38 minutes ago, Laika said:

Juan "Soto" Sanchez I guess? 

Juan Soto's max EV at the MLB level: 116.6 mph. No others above 116.

Just gonna leave that information there with no further comment.

Pendleton Vancouver Canadians

Pendleton

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Orgfiller said:

Jesus Christ, almost 116 mph max exit velo as a 17 year old is insane, that has to be minimum a 70 grade power projection. Combine that with BA giving him a 55 hit tool and his encouraging low K rate and it's hard not to dream a little about the kind of player he could become.

 

Barger career high EV (in the MLB) was 116.5..... absolutely insane for this kid to be hitting the ball that hard at his age, against any level of pitching. 

 

 

Spanky__99 FCL Blue Jays

Spanky__99

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

lol... Silvio gettin' told to calm down in the chat room... 😂

 

Anonymous
3 hours ago
 
 
You're killin' me, Geoff, Juan Sanchez won't be a part of a future Jays' lineup?
 
Geoff Pontes
 
1 hour ago

Calm down he's only going to be 21 at that point. He's a mid-season callup and will hit 50 home runs in 50 games. Canada will be then be renamed "Sanchezian"

Orgfiller All-Star

Orgfiller

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

Interesting that Pinango got unprotected. He seems to think guys with his profile - good not great hitting, bad defense - don't tend to get picked often so they rolled the dice they can still retain him.

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