The BSBWrites Top 50 Prospects: First Update of 2024

Image Credits: Rob Lynn Photography

The time has come ladies and gentleman! The baseball season has returned, from Major League Baseball, to the entire way through Minor League Baseball as well. The BSBWrites Top 50 was new to the website towards the back half of last season, and for the first time in our history, we’ll have updates throughout the season on the list. There will not be major changes right away to the structure of the list, but the general outline stays the same. Players who are promoted to the Major Leagues are removed as soon as they debut, as opposed to a service time outline or any sort of prospect eligibility. For the first update this year, a lot of the write ups will be the same as before, since they were based on 2023 stats, and nearly zero new statistics have been recorded yet. If they have, the service time would not accurately reflect the statistics or players.

Now that I’ve established how the write ups and BSBWrites Top 50 eligibility works, I’d like to remind anyone reading of the scale that is used to grade players on the list. The grading scale is from 20-80, meaning that a 20-grade prospect would project to be a bad or incredibly below-average Major League Player, and an 80-grade prospect showing potential Hall of Fame value in the future, or incredibly better than average. This ranking scale is the best to showcase players’ abilities in my opinion, as you get a really good idea at the future value of players we’ll be ranking. There will also likely be three updates total this year, with this one being the first, the second being right after the MLB Draft to include baseball’s newest stars, and the third at the end of the year to account for players who had tremendous seasons.

The last thing I’d like to touch on before we get into the player rankings themselves, are a few of the players who fell off the list, or were removed due to Major League promotions. Wyatt Langford, Jackson Merrill, Jackson Chourio, and Colt Keith were removed because they made their Major League Debuts. The most notable player on this list is definitely Wyatt Langford, who would have been the number one prospect in baseball on this update if he had not been promoted.

Unfortunately, a few players will be making their way off of the list due to poor performance or other factors. These players included, Druw Jones, Yanqiuel Fernandez, Justin Crawford, and Samuel Zavala. For Druw Jones, he was removed due to concerns I have with his swing and ability to stay healthy, as the swing I saw from Druw Jones wouldn’t play in even baseball’s lowest levels. If he can’t stay on the field as well, I worry he won’t be able to improve upon his swing to make changes and improvements. For Yanqiuel Fernandez, he was removed due to struggles at Double-A, most notably coming with his swing decisions, and high chase rates. As you’ll see when we get into the player rankings themselves, these types of concerns were my reason for moving around a lot of players. In most cases, it wasn’t severe enough to drop a player from the list, but Yanquiel was a player where that was the case. For Justin Crawford, it was the uncertainty it projecting his future. His playstyle fits more with a Billy Hamilton type, which just makes him hard to project. While his numbers were good, I have a tough time figuring out where to put him on the list, just due to his lack of extra-base hit potential. A lot of the players who made the list over him are much easier to project, making them safer option for the time being. For Samuel Zavala, it was simply the fact that other players on this list have preformed better in most cases, and I feel more confident in them than Zavala since I may have initially jumped the gun on him with placing him inside the top 50.

Now that all of this has been said, let’s get into the rankings.

Prospect #1: Dylan Crews, OF, Washington Nationals

Dylan Crews is a prospect who I genuinely believe to be a generational talent. For those of you who have been following along with my content since before the 2023 MLB Draft, you’ve heard me ring this same sentiment for awhile now, and I continue to believe this fact. Crews is one of the more well rounded prospects in all of Minor League Baseball, as the tools he presents are off the charts all across the board. Being one of the best hitters to take on the college stage, many had high expectations for him once he made it to pro ball, and he hasn’t let them down. Starting out with Low-A, Crews showed his talents to the fullest in 14 games at Fredericksburg, where he hit 5 homers, slashed .355/.423/.645 with a .485 wOBA and a 192 wRC+. Washington along with the rest of the baseball world loved what they saw in Crews, and allowed him to make the jump to Double-A, where he would totally skip High-A. In his time with Harrisburg, Crews did slow down, but he still impressed a lot of people. Hitting to a wRC+ of just 75 in Double-A, its clear some adjustments may have to be made, but nonetheless, his talents are off the charts, and I fully expect him to be baseball’s next big thing.

Crews possesses one of the most mechanically perfect swings in all of Minor League Baseball, as his short but quick approach will help him along the way. Crews impressed scouts and coaches across the nation as he displayed one of the best eyes for the strike zone they’ve ever seen. This pairing of a quick but powerful swing along with good defense and his unique two-strike approach makes him a well rounded talent.

Prospect #2: Jackson Jobe, RHP, Detroit Tigers

Jackson Jobe, the third pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, has really showed how good he can be through his first pro seasons. As I previously mentioned, Jobe was taken number three overall during the 2021 MLB Draft, and he would sign with the club for $6.9 million. Jobe had extremely high expectations coming out of the draft, as his almost 3,000 RPM slider was one of the best pitches the game had seen in years. Jobe would miss all of that year, but would show decent signs during the 2022 season. Fast forwarding to 2023, and Jobe has proved himself to be one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. Jobe would throw just 16 innings in Low-A, where he would strike out almost 30% of batters he faced. Jobe would spend the majority of the season in High-A after that, where he would post a 3.60 ERA, with an almost 34% K rate. Jobe would finish the year with 6 innings in Double-A where he would not allow a run.

Jobe’s pitch mix is one of the more effective mixes you’ll find in Minor League Baseball. With Jobe having a solid fastball on the mound, pairing that with his wipeout slider at almost 3,000 RPM is a dangerous combination. With high strikeout rates at every level so far, and limiting contact, Jobe is a dangerous pitcher to face.

Prospect #3: Colson Montgomery, SS Chicago White Sox

Colson Montgomery, a 2021 first round selection out of high school has looked really solid since joining professional baseball. As I previously mentioned, Montgomery was drafted in the first round in the 2021 MLB Draft, and some labeled him as a steal of a pick. This past year, Montgomery battled a lot of injuries, but still played some good baseball. Montgomery would spend 10 games with the complex leagues due to rehab, and he would tear it up, posting a wRC+ of 173 during this stint. He would then make his way back to High-A where he would play in 17 games, and he’d again be fantastic. Colson would hit 3 homers, 24.4% BB%, and a wRC+ of 198 during this stint. Colson would earn one final promotion to Double-A after this, where he would hit 3 homers, 129 wRC+, and he’d walk 15% of the time. Montgomery’s potential is unlimited, and its really impressive to see what he managed to accomplish while still being injured.

Montgomery is one of my favorite prospects in this list, as his raw tools just jump off the page in every way possible. His overall bat-to-ball ability is one of the best in all of MiLB, and his raw tools at such a young age make him a threat in every way possible. The interesting thing will be seeing a full season from Montgomery, but expect him to make his way on to the Major League field later this year.

Prospect #4: Walker Jenkins, OF, Minnesota Twins

Walker Jenkins, the 5th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft has certainly proved himself to be one of the better prospects in Minor League Baseball. Going into just minutes before the draft, Jenkins was projected to go as high as number one overall, but fell to the Minnesota Twins at number 5 overall. This was far from Jenkins’ fault, as he was the best high school prospect available, but fell anyways. He would earn a little over $7 million dollars in his signing bonus, which was the full slot value. After being selected, Jenkins would start out in the Complex Leagues, where he would post a wRC+ of 138, and start to showcase his talents. Jenkins would then be moved to Low-A, where again he would keep hitting and keep impressing. Jenkins would hit a wRC+ of 182, which is incredibly impressive. Although there isn’t a large amount of statistics to take a look at, Jenkins is by far on the track to do great things. I remain impressed with Walker, and I just don’t see what he’s doing in any other MiLB player behind him in these rankings.

Jenkins’ rare combo of power, speed, and overall hitting ability will be a huge thing for him going forward. Jenkins’ ceiling is unlimited given his well rounded skills, especially as he continues to fill out. Keep in mind, Jenkins is just coming out of high school, so his physical makeup is only going to get better. With this much power at his age, there’s only room for improvement.

Prospect #5: Roman Anthony, OF, Boston Red Sox

Roman Anthony, the first young Red Sox prospect on this list, impressed many people during his 2023 season. Anthony is a name who has flown relatively under the radar throughout his career so far, but he’s looked like a future all-star hitter. Anthony began his season with the Red Sox Low-A affiliate, and he would be fairly solid, posting a wRC+ of 109. He would officially break out at High-A, where he would hit 12 homers, and a 164 wRC+ throughout 54 games. He would be promoted to Double-A shortly after, where he would continue to impress. With a 185 wRC+ in 10 games to close the season, Anthony became a highly ranked prospect among most prospect fans, and for me, he’s a slam-dunk top 10 prospect in the game.

Anthony, similarly to his Red Sox teammate Marcelo Mayer, has an incredibly easy to replicate swing. His sweet lefty stroke is easy to replicate, and it has the capability to produce high power, while also not sacrificing hard hit line drives. His good eye at the plate will be something special once he hits the big league level.

Prospect #6: Ricky Teidemann, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays

Jay’s Grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 65 | Control: 45 |

Ricky Teidemann, a former 3rd round pick back in 2021, has blossomed into the best left-handed pitcher in all of MiLB since joining the pro scene. After being drafted, he didn’t pitch at all in 2021, as the Blue Jays let him take the year off. His first year in pro baseball would be the next season in 2022, when he started out in Low-A. He’d pitch his way into Double-A during his first season, as scouts across the nation would begin to take notice of the things he was doing for the Blue Jays. After making a name for himself during the 2022 season, 2023 would be a big year for Teidemann. He would battle some injuries during the season, but he’d spend the most time in Double-A. In his 32 innings with the Fisher Cats, Tiedemann would pitch to a 5.06 ERA, but he would strike out almost 40% of the batters he faced. The main reason for a high ERA would be due to his mass amount of walks, meaning that most of the time when runners got on via walks, they would score. Anyways, Teidemann would be promoted to Triple-A for his last start of the season, where he would strike out 6 batters across 4 innings, while allowing no earned runs.

Teidemann is by far one of my favorite prospects in the MiLB. His ability to balance his pitch mix is incredible, as his changeup is the perfect pitch to play off his fastball. My main concern is his walk problem, but with some work on control, he should be okay. But if not, you may see some issues arise in his future.

Prospect #7: Coby Mayo, 3B/1B, Baltimore Orioles

Coby Mayo, another very talented Orioles prospect, makes his way into the top 50 prospects list after being unranked for most of the season. Mayo was acquired by the Orioles during the shortened 2020 MLB Draft in the 4th round, and he may have become the steal of the draft. Mayo began the 2023 season in Double-A with the Bowie Baysox, where he would be a phenomenal hitter. Mayo would play in 78 games for Bowie, and he would hit 17 homers, a 178 wRC+, and 30 doubles. Mayo would hit for a combined 49 extra base hits at Double-A, meaning over half of his 88 hits would go for extra base hits. I would get the chance to see Mayo in Altoona, and I was very impressed. Mayo would then be promoted to Triple-A, where he would be very good in 62 games. Mayo would hit 12 homers, 127 wRC+, and 15 more doubles. Mayo would actually be on the brink of entering the big leagues before the season concluded.

Coby Mayo was truly one of the most impressive prospects I had the chance to lay my eyes on this season, and his tremendous ability to drive the ball is only going to get better. His 45 doubles and 29 homers across two levels was very impressive. His power ability has the chance to push a 70-75 grade as he continues to climb and improve.

Prospect #8: Samuel Basallo, C/1B, Baltimore Orioles

Samuel Basallo, an International Free Agent signing by the Orioles back in 2021, showed his strengths in a huge way during the 2023 season. The Orioles knew they liked what they saw in Basallo, as he was given $1.3 million out of the Dominican Republic when he was really young. Basallo was solid during his 2021, and 2022 seasons, but nothing like how good he was during the 2023 season. He would spend the majority of his time in Low-A, where he would be fantastic in 83 games. He’d hit 12 homers, 11.6% BB%, and a 149 wRC+, before ultimately earning a promotion to High-A. He’d go on to spend 27 games in High-A, and hit 8 homers, 16.5% BB%, and a 195 wRC+. Basallo would go on to make one final stop in Double-A, where he’d post a wRC+ of 220 in 4 games. Basallo is just 18-years-old, but he has all the makings to be a superstar in the big leagues.

Basallo has one of the best eyes in all of Minor League Baseball, as his ability to seak out his pitch is a very important one. His ability to hit the ball hard to all fields is also huge, as he hits a lot of balls hard. Basallo is one of my favorite prospects to watch, especially because of how much room he has to grow.

Prospect #9: Ethan Salas, C, San Diego Padres

Ethan Salas, the young and up and coming phenom for the San Diego Padres burst onto the scene in 2023, as he made his professional debut at just 16 years old. Granted he turned 17 just a little bit later, playing professional baseball is a very impressive thing to do. Salas was the top international signing prospect for 2023, as he signed for $5.6 million with the Padres during his signing period. Salas would start out in Low-A, where he would play just 48 games, and hit really solidly. Salas hit 9 homers, while posting a wRC+ of 122. As you can see, Salas was really good, and to see his development beginning at such a young age was honestly a great sign as for his future. The San Diego Padres would decide that Salas had played enough at Low-A, and would give him the promotion to High-A just a little bit later. Salas would start to struggle, as he posted a wRC+ of just 35 in 9 games. People would really begin to ask questions after this, as the Padres would again promote him, this time to Double-A. Unsurprisingly, Salas would again struggle in 9 games, as he posted a wRC+ of just 51. The ceiling for Salas is unlimited, especially given his age. But, if San Diego truly wants to make the most of him and his development, they need to slow down.

Salas possesses some of the best potential out of any player in this list, as his age especially just gives him unreal potential. While I stay really reserved on Salas and careful about where I rank him, he still has a lot of potential. If San Diego takes their time with his development, and he stays consistent, this kid is something special.

Prospect #10: Marcelo Mayer, SS, Boston Red Sox

Marcelo Mayer, a former 4th overall pick by the Red Sox in 2021, turned a lot of heads with his raw tools and talent. Mayer was one of the more hyped prospects during his draft class, as many expected him to go number one overall. However, he did not, and fell to Boston at number 4. Mayer is relatively known for his well rounded play, and solid tools across the board. Mayer began his 2023 season in Low-A, and he would hit fantastically. In 35 games, Mayer hit 7 homers, with a 139 wRC+, and showing good plate discipline. He would be promoted to Double-A shortly after, and he would run into some trouble offensively. He would record a wRC+ of just 63 in 43 games with Portland, and he overall looked lost at the plate. Mayer is still incredibly young however, and he should still be more than okay with some more time.

Mayer has some of the easiest mechanics in all of Minor League Baseball, as his smooth lefty swing and quick hands make him extremely effective. Mayer never appears as though he has to try at the plate, making his game just overall really easy. I’ve always had my reservations about Mayer, and just how good he can be, but with some more time he should become a great player.

Prospect #11: Cole Young, SS/2B, Seattle Mariners

Cole Young, another star middle infielder on this list, really impressed a lot of people in the pro baseball world during his 2023 season. Young, a first rounder back in 2022, came into baseball extremely hot. Many people felt like this was just an unrealistic pace for Young to play at, but he played at almost the same pace if not better in 2023. Young began the year at Low-A, and would prove to be an extremely valuable part of the Mariners future, as his 128 wRC+ was very impressive. Young would earn a promotion to High-A after 78 games at Low-A, and he would continue to be an incredible bat. Young would play 48 games at High-A, and he would actually improve, as he hit 6 homers and a 142 wRC+.

Cole Young is an incredibly talented hitter, as his ability to limit strikeouts and put the ball in play is very valuable as he climbs the MiLB ladder. As well as limiting strikeouts, Young has very good bat-to-ball skills which will help him a lot throughout his career.

Prospect #12: Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Minnesota Twins

Emmanuel Rodriguez, a star prospect in the Minnesota Twins organization, comes into this list after having a really good 2023 season. Rodriguez spent all of his 2023 season in High-A, as he played a career high 99 games this year as well. During his time at High-A this year, he hit 16 homers, walk rate just over 20%, and a 145 wRC+. Rodriguez has a really solid swing from the left-handed side of the plate. Even though he has high walk rates, I don’t think he is too hesitant to swing, as he still puts the ball in play a solid amount. With him not switching levels at all this year, there isn’t as much to talk about, but Rodriguez is an incredible hitter with a very bright future ahead.

Like I previously mentioned, Rodriguez has a mechanically sound swing that provides him with a lot of chances to succeed. Rodriguez also boasts his solid eye at the plate, which will forever help his on base percentage.

Prospect #13: Cade Horton, RHP, Chicago Cubs

Cade Horton, the 7th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, made his pro debut during the 2023 season, and he impressed a lot of people. Horton began his pro career at Low-A, where he would pitch just above 14 innings before he earned his next call-up. Horton would pitch in 4 separate games, posting a 1.26 ERA, and a K rate just over 38%. Horton would then head to High-A, where he would continue his dominance. He’d pitch in 11 games, posting a 3.83 ERA, 35.1% K rate, and a WHIP of 1. Horton would then again be promoted, this time to Double-A. At the Double-A level, Horton would pitch in 6 games, recording an ERA 1.33, 28.4% K rate, and a WHIP just over 1. Horton dominated every level he played at last season, and he’s proved himself to be the future ace of the Chicago Cubs.

Horton is a 4 pitch starter, but his arsenal is mainly dominated by his fastball and slider combination. His fastball earned a 60 grade on my system, followed by a 70 grade slider. These two pitches led to a lot of his strikeouts. His changeup and slider are on the more average side of things, but they help to keep hitters off balance instead of just using his two best pitches.

Prospect #14: Andrew Painter, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

Andrew Painter, a first round selection during the 2021 MLB Draft, has become one of the better pitchers in all of Minor League Baseball. He’s struggled with injuries badly, which is why he’s fallen on my list, but when he’s healthy he’s one of the better pitchers on this list. Since Painter did not pitch at all last year, I will be focusing more on his raw talent and stint at Double-A in 2022. In this stint, Painter pitched to a 2.54 ERA, with an almost 34% K%, and a 1.8% BB%. His last stint in pro baseball was incredible overall, but the fact he can’t stay healthy is what will hurt him. As for how he’ll be in the future, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Painter’s overall raw tools are some of the best I’ve seen in awhile. His control is phenomenal, and his ability to pair his very good fastball with his strikeout breaking pitches is really a sight to see.

Prospect #15: Spencer Jones, OF, New York Yankees

Spencer Jones, a former first round pick out of Vanderbilt University has made himself into quite the player since being drafted. He started to make waves on the national scene in 2023, after getting off to a hot start in the early part of the year. He began in High-A, where he’d hit 13 homers, 9.2% BB%, .182 ISO, slashed .268/.337/.450 with a .355 wOBA and a 114 wRC+. Jones has often drawn comparisons to a left-handed Aaron Judge, which I think is a pretty fair comparison. Jones would finish the year at Double-A, where he’d play more towards league average, trending around a 100 wRC+. Although Jones finished the year slowly on paper, he certainly is far from average as a whole. His elite barrel rates and power truly make him one of the biggest prospects in the game. He’s truly a “can’t miss” prospect.

As I previously mentioned, Jones is known for his big power at the dish. His sweet, lefty swing allows his power to come very easily, allowing him to compare to players such as Aaron Judge, Matt Olson, and Cody Bellinger. Not only are his barrel rates incredible, but he also has an amazing eye at the plate. Jones went without whiffing in 2024 Spring Training for quite a few games. Also in Spring, he hit a 470 foot homer as well. Jones is a generational left-handed hitting outfielder, who I can’t wait to see play this upcoming season.

Prospect #16: Termarr Johnson, 2B, Pittsburgh Pirates

Termarr Johnson, a first round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2022 MLB Draft has had quite the impact on the franchise thus far. Johnson was drafted 4th overall during that draft, with many people saying he had the best raw power and hit tool in the entire draft. Johnson would sign with the Pirates for $7.2 million, and would begin his pro journey mainly in Low-A. He would hit well in his first taste of pro ball with a 139 wRC+. This past year, he would start off at the same level, and he would hit 13 homers with a 141 wRC+ in 75 games. He would then earn his promotion to High-A, where he would continue his hot streak, hitting 5 homers and a 142 wRC+ in 30 games. Termarr would however post some really concerning chase rates, which is why he fell slightly on my list.

The main thing that jumps off the page when it comes to Termarr Johnson is obviously his high power grade. Johnson has the ability to find often, loud barrels at the plate, which is a huge key to his success. With the ability to play a solid second base, and a decent speed tool as well. Overall, Johnson’s unique power/contact combo makes him a big threat in year’s ahead.

Prospect #17: Carson Williams, SS, Tampa Bay Rays

Carson Williams, the first member of the Tampa Bay Rays on this list, has risen up the prospect rankings very quickly in the past season. Williams was drafted in the later portion of the 2021 MLB Draft by Tampa Bay, and he’s seen himself develop beyond expectations. Most experts saw the selection of Williams as a reach, but they couldn’t have been more wrong. Williams spent all but 10 games during the 2023 season at the High-A level, where he would 23 homers, 131 wRC+, and display good plate discipline. Williams would do this across 105 games, and his display of power was especially impressive. Williams would go on to make it to Triple-A before the season finished, but due to only playing 10 games between Double-A and Triple-A, there isn’t much to talk about. Williams is currently in the Arizona Fall League, where he continues to make a bigger name for himself by day.

Coming out of the draft, Williams wasn’t the biggest power guy in most people’s eyes, but that narrative has completely changed since entering pro ball. With 23 homers across his 115 games this past year, he may have flipped the script on his game. His simple righty swing will be valuable going forward, along with a solid eye at the plate.

Prospect #18: Mick Abel, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

Mick Abel, another very talented right-handed pitcher in the Phillies organization, impressed a lot of people over the last few seasons. This past year, Abel spent most of the season in Double-A, but he did reach Triple-A at the end of the year. In Abel’s 22 games with Reading, he pitched to a 4.14 ERA, 27.5% K%, and a 1.24 WHIP. Although he walked a lot of batters, Abel has a lot of solid pitches to use to his advantage. When I saw him in person when he pitched against the Altoona Curve, I was very impressed with his overall pitch mix and usage. Abel earned a promotion to Triple-A at the end of the season for one start, where he would 4.2 innings, and striking out 6 batters.

His pitch mix is really solid all around, and similarly to his counterpart Painter, his fastball is a great setup pitch for his off-speed pitches. Abel is able to attack hitters heavily with his stuff, which makes strikeouts easy to come by for Abel. If he can lower his walk rates, he has all the makings to be a number 2 starter.

Prospect #19: Lazaro Montes, OF, Seattle Mariners

Lazaro Montes, a Seattle Mariners outfielder, may be a name that not many people will recognize, as he’s flown significantly under the radar in most lists. Montes is currently the 12th best prospect in the Mariners system according to MLB Pipeline, but this is so far from where he should be in actuality. Montes spent most of this past season playing in the Complex Leagues, but due to the questionable competition he’d be facing, I want to focus more on his time in Low-A. Montes spent 33 games in Low-A with the Seattle Mariners, where he hit 7 homers, 13.5% BB%, and a 165 wRC+. Montes was incredibly good during this stint, which was great to see given his age of just 18-years-old. With Montes being so young and his raw talents being off the charts, he only has room to improve.

Montes has some of the best raw talents you’ll find in the top half of this list. His overall ability to hit well, mixed with power which would produce over 34 homers at a 162 game rate, should be catching more eyes across the levels. He’s often referred to as “Baby Yordan”, as he compares well to Yordan Alvarez. With his age, his tools will only improve, so make sure you jump on the Montes bandwagon before it’s too late.

Prospect #20: Chase DeLauter, OF, Cleveland Guardians

Chase DeLauter, a former first round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, has truly made a name for himself since jumping on to the professional scene. DeLauter really started to pick things up last year though, as he went off at all of the levels he played at. Firstly, he played most of his season at High-A, where in 42 games, he’d hit 4 homers, post a 5.7% BB%, 12.5% K%, slashed .366/.403/.549 with a .427 wOBA, and a 164 wRC+. Cleveland would then send him to Double-A, where he’d finish the season posting a 149 wRC+ at that level in just 6 games played. DeLauter would then head to the Arizona Fall League, where he really impressed a lot of people around Minor League Baseball.

DeLauter provides a lot of offensive upside, paired with solid plate discipline, making him an easy choice for a newcomer on this list. DeLauter gets a lot of hate for his unorthodox finish to his swing, where he doesn’t really finish fully, but with the numbers he’s put up, it’s not that big of a deal. If everything goes right, DeLauter will be a great hitter as he climbs the rankings, transitioning into a fantastic future big leaguer.

Prospect #21: Rhett Lowder, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

Jay’s Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 65 |

Ahead of the 2023 MLB Draft, the world got a look at Rhett Lowder during Wake Forrest’s College World Series run. This included an epic pitching dual where Lowder would go toe-to-toe with MLB’s number one overall pick, Paul Skenes. Lowder would end up being drafted by the Reds 7th overall, but due to arm injuries he didn’t get to pitch at all during his first pro season. However, we know that Lowder is incredibly talented, and with him actually getting the shot to pitch this year, I’m confident he’ll dominate the Minors with ease.

The way Lowder dominates hitters is by using his pitch mix to his advantage. His fastball is very good, and his slider and changeup both play well off of it. Watching him pitch in the College World Series was a sight to see, and he’s incredibly talented. If his mix continues to develop, Lowder might see himself pushing the top 15 players on this list at some point soon.

Prospect #22: Josue De Paula, OF Los Angeles Dodgers

Josue De Paula, another young outfielder that not many people know, makes his debut on the BSBWrites top prospects list right behind Lazaro Montes. Now, amongst those people who are familiar with these two players, they are compared to one another very often. Similarly to Montes, De Paula has some of the best raw tools on the board, and especially given his age of just 18-years-old, they will only improve like Montes. De Paula spent the entire season in Low-A, where he showed signs of being a really strong prospect. De Paula hit just 2 homers across 74 games, while also posting a 13.5% BB%, and a 118 wRC+. While these numbers are good, they may not be as strong as you’d expect to see here at the number 26 spot on this list. However, his raw tools are a fantastic sign of things to come.

While De Paula still has a way to go, he is still an incredible prospect on all cylinders. Given the fact that he’s just 18-years-old, his ceiling is incredibly high, and his future is very bright. Similarly to Montes, make sure you get on the bandwagon before it’s too late.

Prospect #23: Robby Snelling, LHP, San Diego Padres

Jay’s Grades: Fastball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Curveball: 65 | Control: 60 |

Robby Snelling, one of the few left-handed pitchers on this list, made a huge impact across the league during his 2023 season. Snelling was selected in the first competitive balance round of the 2022 MLB Draft, but due to injury, his 2023 season was actually his first. Snelling began his pro career in Low-A, where he pitched like an ace, and didn’t stay there long. Snelling would throw 51.2 innings, while striking out just shy of 30% of batters he faced, and posting an ERA just above 1.50. Snelling would the be promoted for the first time in his young career, traveling to High-A. Snelling would continue to pitch at an elite pace, as he pitched to a 2.34 ERA, with a 27.8% K rate in 34.2 innings. Snelling would once again earn his final promotion of the year to Double-A, where he would pitch in 17.1 innings. Snelling would once again be really good, as he posted an ERA of 1.56, and a K rate of 26%.

Coming out of the 2022 MLB Draft, Snelling was often overlooked, as star prospect Dylan Lesko took most of the spotlight. However, Snelling has presented himself as the better prospect to this point. Although a small pitch mix, Snelling uses it in a great way, and being extremely effective. His breaking balls are very good, and they should help him heavily as he continues to make it to the MLB level.

Prospect #24: Owen Caissie, OF Chicago Cubs

Owen Caissie, a trade acquisition by the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Yu Darvish, has been worth every bit of this deal so far. When he was brought over to the Cubs, many scouts and experts thought that Caissie was unestablished, but had a strong future, and they’re starting to see that future develop. Caissie would spend all of this past season at Double-A with the Cubs, but he raked. Caissie would hit 22 homers, 14.4% BB%, .409 wOBA, and a 144 wRC+ at this level. Owen has always been a solid hitter overall, but he was on another level this past year. Caissie was also named Cubs Minor League Player of the Year honors, which was very deserved. This season was very productive for Owen, and he will only get better with time.

Heading into the season, the Cubs future outfield was mainly structured around Pete Crow-Armstrong, but I honestly think Caissie outplays PCA in some areas. Caissie saw developments all across his game, but especially in his power. His power stroke combined with no sacrifice of fewer balls in play is a huge advantage he has, especially to continue to have the eye he has. Caissie is far from a complete project, especially defensively, but he is hugely underrated, and deserves to be in this spot.

Prospect #25: Brady House, 3B, Washington Nationals

Brady House, a former Nationals first round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, played well at 3 different levels in 2023. House was always regarded as a good hitter, but he took that to new heights in all levels this past year. House started out in Low-A, where he only played 36 games. House hit 6 homers, 10.1% BB%, 142 wRC+, and a .404 wOBA. The Nationals would love what they saw in House and his approach, as they promoted him to High-A after this time. House would again not be around long, as he played just 16 games at High-A. In this period, he hit 3 homers, 145 wRC+, while also with a wOBA above .400. The Nationals would send him to Double-A, where he would play 36 games just like Low-A. House hit 3 homers, and a 127 wRC+, while impressing a lot of people.

House was one of the prospects I was lucky enough to see in person at the end of the year in Altoona, and he blew me away. House didn’t seem to chase much, and played above what his BB-K ratio would suggest of his plate discipline. All of his contact was very loud, and hit very hard. House’s simple swing will also help him when it comes to hitting velocity, something he’ll see more of soon.

Prospect #26: Tommy Troy, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks

Tommy Troy, a first round selection by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023, is one of the most talented middle infielders in the entirety of Minor League Baseball. Before the draft, Troy played at Stanford University, where he proved his talents on the big stage at the College World Series. After being drafted, Troy would get the chance to play a little bit in professional baseball during his first season, where he impressed. At High-A, where he spent most of his first year, he hit 4 homers, posted a 12.1% BB%, .357 wOBA, and a 114 wRC+. Troy is easily one of my favorite prospects, and although his first season was in limited time, he’s in for a big year this next year. He draws comparisons to another Diamondbacks first rounder, Jordan Lawlar, which I think is fair. One thing is for certain though, these two will make a lethal pairing in the Chase Field infield someday soon.

Troy possesses all the tools to make him a big leaguer, most notably a sweet swing which is built for line-drive success. The way that Troy holds his finish through the zone is an incredibly valuable tool, one which you see more and more players doing in today’s game. His swing is easily replicable, and his defense is solid as well. As Troy molds into a professional player, you could be looking at a Jordan Lawlar type prospect, one which ranks at the top of the prospect rankings.

Prospect #27: Harry Ford, C, Seattle Mariners

Harry Ford, a former first round pick by the Mariners in 2022 and World Baseball Classic hero for Great Britain, has begun to climb the rankings more and more the last few years. Ford was drafted in hopes to be the Mariners next big hitting prospect, and he might just be that. He spent all of this season with the High-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, where he put up fantastic numbers. Ford would play 118 games, and hit 15 homers, 18.3% BB%, and a 135 wRC+. Ford’s plate discipline would also take huge steps forward this year, as his walk and strikeout rates would improve significantly, which was also nice to see. With Ford only playing at one level this year, there’s not that much to discuss numbers wise, but Ford took huge strides this year, and he may be pushing the top 25 by the end of next season.

Ford has a swing that’s built for extra base hits. His unique speed for the catcher position will also help him turn singles into doubles, and it’s done just that. Ford is also a solid catcher, but needs some work. With his swing, and his unique speed at the catcher position, the sky is the limit for Ford in the big leagues.

Prospect #28: Jace Jung, 2B, Detroit Tigers

Jace Jung, a first round pick by the Detroit Tigers back in 2022, has become a top tier hitter since joining the pro ball scene. Jace’s brother Josh, was also drafted in the first round, so the baseball blood in the Jungs runs deep. Jace began the year playing in High-A, where he would play an incredible 81 game stretch. In this 81 game stretch, Jung hit 14 homers, 15.3% BB%, and a 136 wRC+. Jung’s power ability really took a step forward during this time, which was nice to see as his swing is built more for balls in the gap. Jung would then earn a promotion to Double-A, where he would continue to be a great hitter. Jung would play in 47 games with Erie, and he would again hit fantastically. In this time at Double-A, Jung hit 14 homers, 11% BB%, and a 154 wRC+. It’s safe to say that Jung really found his groove during this portion of his season, as he finished the year hitting really well.

Like I previously mentioned, Jung’s swing is built for hitting balls in the gap, but his power really came into play this season. Jung finished with 28 homers, as his power tool became one of the highlights of his game. Jung is a decent defender, but will probably stick at second base in the future. Jung projects to move into the top 35 prospects or higher by the end of next season, as he continues to improve and fly up the rankings.

Prospect #29: Noah Schultz, LHP, Chicago White Sox

Jay’s Grades: Fastball: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Slider: 65 | Control: 55 |

Noah Schultz, a 6’9” left-handed pitcher in the Chicago White Sox organization, made a huge name for himself during his first professional season in 2023. Schultz, a former first-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, didn’t pitch during his draft year. Schultz would only be able to throw just 27 innings during this past season, but the impact he made didn’t go unnoticed. In this 27 inning stretch, Schultz struck out 36.5% of the batters he faced, while pitching to an ERA of just 1.35. Schultz dominated the hitters he faced, as he became a big asset to the White Sox future. Although he didn’t pitch much, it was really nice to see Schultz prove why he was drafted in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft.

Schultz attacks hitters with a decent fastball, but his real dominating factor is his sweeping-slider. It sits in the low 80s, and is a huge key to his strikeout numbers. Schultz also has a solid changeup under his belt as well to keep hitters off balance. Although we only saw little action from Schultz this season, he proved that the sky is the limit for him in the future, and he definitely deserves this spot on the list.

Prospect #30: Matt Shaw, SS, Chicago Cubs

Matt Shaw, a first round pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2023, blossomed into a consensus top 100 prospect in most outlets. However, I think Shaw is even better than that. Shaw signed for roughly $8.49 million after the draft, and with a deal done, it was time for Shaw to head into pro ball. After a few games at the complex leagues, Shaw would make his affiliated debut with the Cubs High-A affiliate. Shaw would play 20 games, and he would hit 4 homers, 4.5% BB%, and a 197 wRC+. The Cubs would then promote Shaw to Double-A, where he played 15 games, hitting 3 homers, 4.3% BB%, and a 120 wRC+. Shaw would finish his first season showing that he can be a tremendous hitter, and that was in just his first few pro games.

Matt Shaw was one of the more experienced college bats in the entire draft, and he proved that in pro ball. His easy, right-handed swing generates a lot of power and hard hit balls. He has a solid eye at the plate, and it should improve with time in pro ball. Shaw is a solid shortstop, but he will probably be moved to second base in the future.

Prospect #31: Thomas Saggese, 2B/3B, St. Louis Cardinals

Thomas Saggese, a trade acquisition at this year’s deadline in the Jordan Montgomery trade, has blossomed into an incredible prospect with the Cardinals. Before being dealt to the Cardinals, Saggese was already making a name for himself. He began the season in Double-A with the Rangers, where he hit 15 homers while posting a 132 wRC+. The Rangers would then make the decision to deal Saggese to the Cardinals for Montgomery, hoping he could bolster their rotation. Saggese would join the Cardinals Double-A affiliate for just 33 more games, where he would go off. Saggese would hit 10 homers, 10.1% BB%, and a 168 wRC+. The Cardinals would then promote him to Triple-A, where his production would slow down. But given the fact that he only played 13 games, it’s too small of a sample size to be too harsh on him for it.

Saggese generates easy power from the right-handed side of the box, which was a big part of his 2023 season. Saggese’s easy right-handed swing and good approach at the plate make him a very advanced hitter. The sky is the limit for Saggese as a hitter, as his projections point to good signs.

Prospect #32: Dylan Lesko, RHP, San Diego Padres

Jay’s Grades: Fastball: 65 | Changeup: 75 | Curveball: 50 | Control: 55 |

Dylan Lesko, a Padres first round pick at 15th overall in 2022, has blossomed into the pitcher the Padres thought he would be when they drafted him. Lesko was in the running for being taken number one overall before having Tommy John surgery before the draft, but fell into the Padres’ lap. The Padres have been extremely careful since signing Lesko, but he’s been really good when he’s thrown. Lesko started his pro career in the Complex Leagues before joining the Low-A affiliate, where he’d go on to pitch 16 innings for that Low-A affiliate. Lesko would pitch to a 4.50 ERA, but his raw stuff was incredible. He struck out almost 34% of batters he faced, and posted a WHIP of 1.31. The Padres would decide they saw enough of Lesko at Low-A, and they decided to send him to High-A for the rest of the year. Lesko would pitch just 12 more innings that year, and he’d post the same ERA of 4.50. Lesko would also improve his strikeout rates to 37.7%, and post an opponent BA of .190. Even though he barely pitched, Lesko looked fantastic on all cylinders in his raw talent, and he deserves to make it into the top 50.

As you can tell by my grades, Lesko is a pitcher with some of the better raw stuff on this entire list. His pitches dominante hitters in every way, especially his 75 grade changeup. Lesko has a really good, 65 grade fastball, which really helps set up his off-speed pitches. His 75 grade changeup is the perfect follow-up to his high 90s fastball, and his curveball is a good pitch to mix in and keep hitters off balance. Lesko’s curveball isn’t a perfect pitch just yet, but it will get there. Like I touched on previously, Lesko is a guy who had number one overall potential, and you may just see him shoot up the rankings once he really gets going.

Prospect #33: Roderick Arias, SS, New York Yankees

Roderick Arias, a former top international signer from the Dominican Republic, posseses all the tools to be an MLB superstar someday in the near future. He already has a lot of hype riding behind him, as the Yankees gave him $4 million to sign with them. Since signing, Arias has become a superstar. He first began in the Dominican Summer League, where he played 31 games and posted a 113 wRC+. From then, he got even better when he made his transition to the Complex Leagues. In that 27 game stint, he recorded a wRC+ of 143, while showcasing his talents to a new level.

Arias possesses some of the best bat-to-ball skills on this entire list, as some people even think he has a chance to project to be better than Jasson Dominguez. As Arias continues to rise on this list, his on-base skills will continue to show themselves to the world. With his elite bat-to-ball abilities, and other skills, Arias is a perfect newcomer to the BSBWrites Top 50.

Prospect #34: Jett Williams, SS/OF, New York Mets

Jett Williams, one of the Mets’ two first round draft picks in the 2022 MLB Draft, has really proven to be an integral piece of the Mets franchise’s future. Williams played at three levels during the 2023 season, and he showed a lot of promise at all three. Williams began the season with the Mets Low-A affiliate, where he would do fantastic things at the plate. He’d play 79 games there, and in those 79 games, he’d hit 6 homers, 19.9% BB%, and a 136 wRC+. The Mets would like what they saw, and give him a shot at the High-A level. Williams would play just 36 games at High-A, and again he would do fantastic things at the plate. Williams would hit 7 homers, 20.4% BB%, and a 176 wRC+. The Mets would again like the development they saw from Jett, and they would promote him to Double-A for the Rumble Ponies championship run. He would struggle, but he only played a handful of games, so we’ll have to see more from Jett to make a definitive conclusion about his stay.

As you could probably tell from Williams’ high walk rates, his plate discipline is fantastic overall. Williams saw his walk and strikeout rates sit around the same number, which is always great to see. Williams isn’t going to be a 40 home run hitter, but you might see 15-20 long balls from the first rounder at the MLB level. Although he’s built more for line drives, Williams is incredibly talented, and he surely has a big future in the MLB.

Prospect #35: Kyle Teel, C, Boston Red Sox

Kyle Teel, a Red Sox first round pick in 2023, and who they hope to be their catcher of the future, looked really good during his first taste of pro baseball this year. Teel, a really strong catcher drafted out of Virginia University, has all the makings to be a star in the making. After signing his pro contract, Teel would play a few games in the Complex Leagues, but eventually play his first affiliated ball with the Red Sox Low-A affiliate. Teel would play 14 games, and he was great. Teel hit no homers, but posted a BB% of 16.7%, and a wRC+ of 166. Teel would also slash .377/.485/.453 with a .438 wOBA. The Red Sox would then make the surprising call to give Teel a shot at Double-A. In 9 games at Double-A, Teel would crank his first homer, while also posting a 20.5% BB%, and a 167 wRC+. Teel was stunning during his first taste of pro ball, while also being a solid catcher behind the plate. Teel is something special, and I can’t wait to see what happens next with him.

Teel is a really special hitter all around. Teel’s swing is similar to others in this list in the sense that it’s built for line drives and balls in the gap. Teel has done just that, but I still believe his power will develop more down the line. Although he hasn’t shown that yet, it’s definitely inside of him. His pop time however carries his defense as a catcher, as his framing and receiving could use some work. However, Teel is a huge threat to face, and I look forward to seeing more of him in 2024.

Prospect #36: Anthony Solometo, LHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Jay’s Grades: Fastball: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Slider: 60 | Control: 55 |

Anthony Solometo, arguably the biggest breakout player in all of Minor League Baseball this season, has really made a name for himself in terms of prospect status. Solometo has always had good raw stuff, but really got it going this year. Solometo was a projected first round pick that fell into the hands of the Pirates at number 37 overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, and he’s been worth every penny of his $2.8 million signing bonus. Solometo began the year with High-A Greensboro, where he pitched 58.2 innings, while striking out 29.1% of opposing batters, while maintaining an ERA of just 2.30. After this really good stretch in High-A, Solometo would join my hometown, Double-A Altoona Curve for the remainder of the season. Anthony would go on to pitch 51.2 innings in Altoona, while striking out 23% of batters he faced, and maintaining an ERA of 4.35. Solometo would be added to the All-MiLB 2nd team during the MiLB Award ceremonies, which was a great way to cap off a breakout year.

While Solometo’s ERA would see a spike after his Double-A promotion, this didn’t always tell the full story regarding his starts. He knows the strike zone well, and attacks hitters at a fantastic rate, and in most of his games at Double-A, he only allowed a few baserunners overall. It seemed for Solometo that these baserunners would come mainly on homers instead of base hits, which could lead to the spike in ERA. Regardless, Solometo’s strong fastball and good slider are a fantastic combination, and he pitched far better than the numbers suggested at Double-A. With Solometo being just 20-years-old and always improving, be on the lookout for Anthony to continue to improve and rise up these rankings in the coming years.

Prospect #37: Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Bubba Chandler, a former two-way prospect as well as a two-sport athlete, has made himself into one of the more intriguing Minor League pitching prospects the game has to offer. Chandler is one of the best arms in the Pirates system, but also MiLB as a whole. Chandler got hit around a little more than expected in 2023, so I’d like to focus more on his raw stuff like we did previously with Christian Scott. Bubba Chandler spent most of his 2023 with High-A Greensboro, but the one game I saw him pitch in person with Altoona was truly incredible. I also had trackman access during this game, which made observing this start even more fascinating. His fastball is truly incredible, and it would likely grade out to be one of the better fastballs in the Majors if he debuted today. I often saw consistently easily reaching over 20 IVB, as well as getting solid HB around the 9-13 range. Also, it would often reach around 2,400-2,500 RPM. This fastball shape is phenomenal, and it would be almost unhittable to a hitter. His slider is also really good, as it gets some solid “cutter” like shape. I often saw it around 7 or so IVB, and -4 or so HB. His curveball and changeup both play up also, and with a fastball as good as his, everything else becomes harder and harder to pick out.

All things considered, on a raw movement scale, Bubba Chandler likely possesses one of the best fastballs in all of Minor League Baseball, which will he a huge tool for him going forward. His slider which ends up being more of a cutter is also extremely well thrown. As well as his changeup which plays well off of his fastball. By year’s end, Chandler might be towards the top of this list, as the combination of elite pitch shapes, as well as more time at Double-A will be great for him.

Prospect #38: Drew Gilbert, OF, New York Mets

Drew Gilbert, a very highly touted prospect, and main trade acquisition in the Justin Verlander trade for the Mets, has blossomed into quite the player since he was drafted. This year, Gilbert began the season with the Astros High-A affiliate, and he hit really well. Gilbert played 21 games at High-A, and he’d hit 6 homers, 6.3% BB%, and a 194 wRC+. Although this wasn’t much, Gilbert looked really good. Houston would promote him to Double-A, where he’d play 60 games before being traded. Gilbert would again hit 6 homers, 12.5% BB%, and a 91 wRC+. Although he was still figuring things out, the Astros would need a starter, and Gilbert was on the block. After coming to the Mets, Gilbert played 35 more games at Double-A, where he significantly improved. Gilbert hit 6 homers again, 12.3% BB%, and a 167 wRC+. With Gilbert improving by the day, the Mets continue to look like the winners in this deal, as they got a top tier prospect in Gilbert.

Although power isn’t his specialty, Gilbert still holds a lot of power potential for the future. He’s primarily just a good hitter, and to put it simply he just hits the ball hard and to all fields. His easy swing makes it simple for Gilbert to get good contact on the ball. Gilbert is a good fielder, and his glove will also help him a lot at the next levels he plays at.

Prospect #39: Xavier Isaac, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays

Xavier Isaac, a former first rounder by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022, was often seen as a reach when he was first chosen. But, since making his way into pro baseball, this is not the case. When we focus in on his time with Low-A, where he spent the majority of the 2023 season, we see how talented of a hitter he could be. In 90 games, he hit 13 homers, 14.9% BB%, .396 wOBA, and a 138 wRC+. Isaac regularly posted exit velocites above 110 MPH, which is a super impressive sign to see. Isaac is still very young, coming in at just 20-years-old, so he has plenty of time to grow.

Isaac is a player I love watching hit, and he’s truly talented in all aspects of the game. From high exit velocities, to working favorable counts, Isaac is genuinely one of the most talented players the game has to offer.

Prospect #40: Arjun Nimmala, SS, Toronto Blue Jays

Arjun Nimmala, a first round pick in 2023, has the chance to make Major League history the first time he steps on the field at that level. Arjun has the chance to become the first Indian born player to ever make the Major Leagues, which is some added pressure. He’s already become the first Indian born player to be picked in the first round also. But, Arjun is the definition of a player who does everything well, and is extremely balanced when it comes to his game. He has fantastic bat speed, and an incredibly projectable skillset. Although it wasn’t much, Nimmala played his first 9 games of pro baseball last year, where he posted a 148 wRC+, and showed his strengths in a new way. Since he doesn’t have a whole lot to go off of numbers wise, his raw tools are what jump out to scouts in the game.

As I previously mentioned, Nimmala’s bat speed and raw talents are all very projectable, making him a true asset to the Blue Jays organization. Since he was a high schooler, Nimmala worked with Francisco Lindor in Florida, which is a testament to his skill level. It’ll be interesting to see how he plays in his first full pro season, but for now, Nimmala is one of the most exciting players on this list.

Prospect #41: Dalton Rushing, C/1B, Los Angeles Dodgers

Dalton Rushing, a consensus top 50 prospect among most outlets, has blossomed himself into becoming one of the top prospects the Dodgers have to offer. Rushing was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2022 MLB Draft, and Rushing has been fantastic since. He played the entire year for the Dodgers High-A affiliate, where he played a fantastic 89 games. Rushing hit 15 homers, 18.9% BB%, while also posting a wRC+ of 146. Rushing was truly an incredible hitter this year, and I believe he’s only unlocked a fraction of his potential. Similarly to some other guys on this list, since Rushing only played at one level this year, there is less to discuss, but he was spectacular nonetheless.

Rushing is a very talented hitter, as his swing consistently produces hard hit balls across the diamond. His power is by far the most impressive part of his game, as his 15 homers in 89 games would produce almost 30 homers in a 162 game level. Rushing still needs a lot of improvement defensively, but he probably will move to first base in the future.

Prospect #42: Colt Emerson, SS, Seattle Mariners

Colt Emerson, a first round pick in last year’s MLB Draft, has shined ever since he made the jump to the professional scene. Emerson was one of the top prep bats in the draft, and some people were surprised to see him slip to the Mariners at pick number 22 overall. Scouts were slightly concerned about his size and projectability, as he comes in at just 6’1″, 190 LBS, which in today’s athletic culture, tends to be on the smaller side of things. Emerson debuted in professional baseball last year in Low-A, all while he was just 17-years-old. He did well in his small sample size, recording a 147 wRC+, and hitting over .300 with solid plate discipline. His eye is the thing that stands out to me, as his selections at the dish have always been solid. He has a quick bat, which will help him a lot in tougher counts. His power isn’t quite there, but it will develop with more time and as he grows into his body. This year, he headed back to Low-A, with hopes to climb the rankings later this year.

Emerson’s main trait is his raw ability with the bat, as I touched on earlier. His discipline is very good, as his ability to look for and hit his pitch will be increasingly valuable as he climbs the levels of the Minor Leagues. He’s able to work counts in his favor, and he stays alive till he gets his pitch. He plays solid defense, with a good speed trait, and his bat is just as good. If everything goes right this year, I could very easily see a world where he reaches Double-A before season’s end.

Prospect #43: Jacob Wilson, SS, Oakland A’s

Jacob Wilson, a top 6 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, has been making a lot of noise in his first year of professional baseball. Jacob, son of former big leaguer Jack Wilson, has had no better mentor so far on his professional upbringing. Before being drafted by the A’s in last year’s draft, Wilson was a standout player at GCU, where he ended up being the only player in program history to be selected in the first round. Wilson would sign for $5.5 million dollars, and would immediately begin his pro journey. He’d play well in his first taste of pro ball, making it up to High-A and posting a wRC+ of 135. Wilson would enter the 2024 season heading to Double-A, where he’d preform even better. He put up a 219 wRC+ in 22 games, even flashing a little bit of power with 3 home runs in this short time also. Wilson would earn his Triple-A call up, where he currently continues to play.

Wilson has always been known for his extreme contact driven approach, which has led to him having a lot of success against more skilled pitching. His ability to put the ball in play and avoid striking out is incredibly valuable, often drawing him comparisons to Luis Arraez of the San Diego Padres. Wilson may not have the 30+ homer potential that some players on this list possess, but he will certainly be an on-base threat to any opposing pitcher.

Prospect #44: Leodalis De Vries, SS, San Diego Padres

Leodalis De Vries, the top international signer in last year’s international signing class, has impressed player evaluators everywhere thus far. De Vries, a switch-hitting shortstop with all the potential in the world, looks to be taking the same path as Ethan Salas had following his international signing a few years back. De Vries is currently just 17-years-old, and playing at Low-A for the Padres, which is absolutely incredible. He was signed by the Padres for around $4.65 million dollars, which is a testament to what San Diego believes he can be given his age. Due to De Vries’ lack of play thus far, we have to base his projection more off of raw talent, and it certainly is there. Scouts have awed at his plate discipline, and pitch recognition, which will lead him to a lot of success as he continues along his professional journey. He’s also very fast in comparison to his elite bat, which when paired with one another, make for a dangerous combination.

Even though he’s just 17-years-old as of the time I’m writing this, De Vries has already impressed me with some of the best tools on this list, especially as he continues to grow into his body. His bat speed has really impressed me for his age, and when you add in the plate discipline with this, you can start to see the makings of a hitter who will do damage at the plate. Although we haven’t seen him play much affiliated ball, it’s extremely clear to me that he will continue to climb this list as he plays well in the lower minors.

Prospect #45: Jonny Farmelo, OF, Seattle Mariners

Farmelo, one of the Mariners few first round picks during the 2023 MLB Draft , has really made a name for himself during the 2024 season. Farmelo was picked by the Mariners with the pick they earned from the ROY campaign of Julio Rodriguez, and he was signed for $3.2m. Farmelo has been worth every single penny. Farmelo has played in 45 games thus far. where he’s hit 4 home runs, driven in 25 runners, stolen 18 bases, posted a 16.4% BB%, a 23.3% K%, .267/.402/.426 slashline with a .400 wOBA, and a 129 wRC+ to this point so far. Farmelo has shocked a lot of people with his tools so far this year, as most people saw his fellow first rounder Tai Peete as the better player. However, Farmelo has put this narrative to rest, as he’s hit like the hitter we all knew he could be this year. Farmelo has shown tremendous plate discipline for a player of his age and caliber, and there’s a good chance that with more time he’ll shoot up this list in no time.

Farmelo is a pretty well balanced player, as his swing is built for line drives to the whole field. Farmelo has also shown that his speed can allow him to stretch almost any ball in the outfield to a potential extra-base hit. Farmelo’s power is still very raw, but he may not profile to be a 30 home run hitter. Still there’s a really good chance Farmelo is a top 30 prospect in all of baseball within the next year’s time frame.

Prospect #46: Felnin Celesten, SS, Seattle Mariners

Felnin Celesten, another member of the Seattle Mariners loaded farm system, looks to be one of the more intriguing names on this list. Celesten was the number 2 international prospect during the 2023 signing class, and the Mariners scooped him up for a crisp $4.7m. Due to his age, Celesten has gotten little experience in professional baseball so far, only playing at the Complex Leagues. One thing is for sure though, the switch-hitting shortstop flat out rakes. Celesten has played in 25 games so far this year, and he’s hit 2 home runs, driven in 17 runners, stolen 4 bases, posted a 13.3% BB%, 20.4% K%, slashed .309/.398/.485 with a .412 wOBA, and a 126 wRC+. Although Celesten hasn’t shown the power ability just yet, he’s one of the best pure hitters on this entire list. I’ll be incredibly interested to see more of Celesten as he works his way through the Minors, but I think we’re looking at a really solid prospect here.

Celesten has shown the ability to hit well to all fields, and he’s occasionally shown some serious power potential. Celesten has blasted a ball off of the batters eye this year, and if he can start doing that more consistently, he has a shot to be very similar to Francisco Lindor. His speed is very good, and his fielding is solid. But, overall, Celesten is a fantastic player from head to toe.

Prospect #47: Brandon Sproat, RHP, New York Mets

Sproat, a right handed pitcher that the Mets have fallen in love with, has pitched incredibly well thus far this year. He’s a very interesting prospect, as he was a product of the Florida Gators. Also, Sproat was drafted two years in a row by the Mets, as they weren’t going to let him get away easily. Sproat has spent this year between A+ and AA, but he’s looked really solid at both levels. He’s spent the past 4 games with Binghamton, and he’s pitched to a K% over 32%, with an ERA under 1.4 so far. He’s one of the more interesting types of pitchers on this list, as he likely profiles to be a #2-3 starter at best. But, he’ll still be darn good no matter how he’s utilized.

Sproat is a legitimate 4 pitch pitcher, and his arsenal is in an interesting place right now. His fastball has often touched the triple digits this year, but it’s shape is interesting. He isn’t a high IVB pitcher, but due to his release, his fastball may find some efficiency similarly to Paul Skenes. His curveball and changeup are both solid pitches, with his changeup especially tunneling well off of his heater. His slider may be more like a cutter, but it’s still super effective. Sproat will be a pitcher to keep an eye on in the next few year’s of his career.

Prospect #48: Kevin McGonigle, SS, Detroit Tigers

McGonigle, a former Comp-A pick by the Detroit Tigers in 2023, has looked really solid through his professional career so far. McGonigle was signed for around $2.85 million in the draft, and he’s been worth every single penny. This year, Kevin has played all his games at Low-A, where he’s his 2 homers, driven in 24, stolen 10 bases, put up a 13.5% BB%, 11% K%, slashed .341/.422/.481 with a .423 wOBA and a 157 wRC+. McGonigle was always anticipated to be a solid player, especially given the fact that he was projected to be one of the steals of the draft last year, but I don’t think many people expected this rise to the top. McGonigle is likely one of the best pure hitters on this entire list which is a huge testimony to his game.

McGonigle’s main skill is his ability to hit the ball to all fields, and use tremendous plate discipline at the dish. His power isn’t tremendous, but it will certainly play at the MLB level. His fielding and speed are all solid tools as well. He honestly reminds me of another Tigers top infield prospect, Colt Keith, and I think that’s exactly who he profiles to be throughout his time in the Minor Leagues.

Prospect #49: Brayden Taylor, 3B/SS, Tampa Bay Rays

Brayden Taylor, a first round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2023 MLB Draft, is really starting to blossom into the player we all knew he could be once he reached professional baseball. Taylor was one of my favorite prospects of last year’s draft, as the TCU star has shown amazing tools to this point. Taylor has spent all of this season thus far at High-A, where he’s been phenomenal. In 66 games, he’s hit 10 home runs, recorded a 16.4% BB%, 24.7% K%, .280/.401/.508 slash line, with a .413 wOBA, and a 152 wRC+. As you can see, Taylor is incredibly talented, and as he matures even further as a professional hitter, I’d expect him to slide up this list. Taylor profiles as a third baseman in the future, where he would end up as one of the best in all of our game.

As I mentioned before, Taylor has a solid amount of power although it isn’t the key focal point of his game on the field. He has a really quick bat, with solid direction in his swing. His pull-side power will be the place where he’ll shine the most, but he’ll use all fields to the best of his advantage as he matures.

Prospect #50: Bryce Eldridge, 1B, San Francisco Giants

Bryce Eldridge, a first round pick by the Giants during the 2023 MLB Draft, has risen through the minors very quickly since making his professional debut. Originally a two-way player, Eldridge got moved to first base only after being drafted, and it’s safe to say the move has paid off. He’s already at High-A after a recent promotion, following how well he did in Low-A. In 51 games at San Jose, Eldridge hit 10 homers, drove in 45 runners, posted a 7.4% BB%, slashed .263/.323/.478 with a .366 wOBA, and a 109 wRC+. I firmly believe that Eldridge could be a 150 wRC+ hitter if everything goes correctly, and he can work on his plate discipline. Eldridge is a strong hitter, and will likely hit for plenty of power in the Bay Area. Although he’s just 19, Eldridge has a chance to make it to Double-A before the end of the year, and he’ll likely keep progressing if all goes to plan.

Eldridge comes in at 6’7″, 223 lbs, as he’s an absolute beast of a human being. His raw physical abilities are part of the reason he’s regarded as such a good hitter, and I can only imagine he’ll continue to succeed. As I previously mentioned, his plate discipline could use some work, but he’s an absolutely fantastic power bat. If he keeps developing even further, not only will he be a 150 wRC+ hitter, but he may flirt with 35 home runs in a season.

Graduations

This section of the BSBWrites Top 50 is reserved for showcasing players who were on this list, but were taken off after they graduated from the list. This way, readers can see who moved off of the list, while still remembering that they were on the list in the first place.

Prospect #1: Jackson Holliday, SS, Baltimore Orioles

Jackson Holliday has been on a quick track in 2023, as he was one of the biggest prospect risers in the last few years. Holliday was selected number one overall by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2022 MLB Draft, where many people considered him a reach of a pick with Druw Jones available as well. But those thoughts were put to bed after Holliday entered pro ball. After playing a few games in Low-A during the 2022 season, Holliday would also begin there in 2023. Holliday would record a 226 wRC+ while almost hitting .400 at the plate. After Baltimore saw this incredible production, he would be promoted to High-A after just 14 games. At High-A, Holliday would continue his hot stretch as he would record a 162 wRC+, 5 homers, while also slashing .314/.452/.488. Once again, he would be promoted, this time to Double-A. Again, Holliday would hit the ball incredibly well, as he hit 3 homers, .338/.421/.507 slash line with a 154 wRC+. One final time, Baltimore would promote him again, this time to Triple-A. Holliday would record a wRC+ of 109 in just 18 games for the Tides. Holliday would go on to be named Minor League Player of the Year by many outlets, including Baseball America.

Holliday has displayed incredible talents across the board, as his overall mechanics are some of the best in the league. Holliday’s power has the chance to be really good as he fills out further beyond his 19-year-old frame. The only area of concern in Holliday’s game is his fielding ability, but with a little work this shouldn’t be a problem.

Prospect #46: Tyler Black, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers

Tyler Black, a very talented hitter in the Brewers organization, really put up a great season on all cylinders. Black was a first round pick during the first competitive balance A round of the 2021 MLB Draft, and he has looked very good since then. Black began the 2023 season at the Double-A level, where he played 84 games. Black hit 14 homers in this stretch, 15.8% BB%, and a 146 wRC+. As you can see, Black was a phenomenal hitter, and the Brewers agreed when they promoted him to Triple-A. Black played the remaining 39 games of his season at Triple-A, where he’d hit 4 homers, 15.6% BB%, and a 141 wRC+. Black would play very similarly to his fantastic time at Double-A, which was great to see.

Black is a really talented hitter across the board, but his overall bat-to-ball skills are what makes him the most valuable. Black’s easy, left-handed swing, paired with his good approach in general, will make him an incredibly good hitter as he continues to advance up the rankings. Black’s defense could use some work, which could maybe eventually lead to a change in position. But as for now, Black projects to be one of the better prospects in the Brewers future, and he deserves to hold this spot in the top 50.

Prospect #4: Paul Skenes, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Jay’s Grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 70 |

Paul Skenes came into the 2023 MLB Draft as a can’t miss prospect, with the sky as his limit for his future. Skenes was arguably the most hyped college draft prospect since the likes of Stephen Strasburg, or Bryce Harper were emerging. Skenes can consistently dial up his fastball to the triple-digit mark, as he can sometimes get close to 103 mph and higher. Skenes signed for a record breaking contract amount of $9.2 million dollars, after the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him with last year’s number one selection. Skenes broke the SEC record for most strikeouts in a single season with 209, as he pitched his way to a National Championship over the summer. Due to Skenes’ limited pro ball action, I have little to talk about when it comes to the numbers. I’m concerned with the lack of usage Skenes has gotten since he made his way into professional baseball. Skenes has yet to throw more than three innings in a given outing in his pro career. Although I understand why Pittsburgh is saving his arm since they want him to have innings left for a big-league impact later this year, he needs to be stretched out more. I personally view Jobe and Skenes as the 1 A, 1 B, starting pitching prospects, so the order is really a toss up. But I chose Jobe due to fewer concerns in his arsenal, more time in professional baseball, and other factors. But, this choice could truly go either way. With this being said, I think Skenes is a little further out when it comes to getting to the big leagues than most people may think.

Skenes may possess a relatively flat fastball but it really isn’t that bad. However, he has two plus pitches other than his heater. His slider, some consider one of the best pitches in all of baseball. Its an excellent put away pitch, and with his fastball as his primary pitch, this combo is lethal for hitters. Once you throw his changeup into the mix, he becomes even harder to consistently pick up on the mound.

Prospect #43: Christian Scott, RHP, New York Mets

Jay’s Grades: Fastball: 70 | Changeup: 65 | Slider: 55 | Control: 60 |

Christian Scott, a former pitcher for the University of Florida and current New York Met, has some of the best raw stuff on this list. Scott is one of the more polished arms as well, and there’s a good shot he debuts in the Majors at some point this season. Scott’s main draw is his fastball which has been the talk of analytics communities across the country. His fastball grades out near the 18+ mark when it comes to IVB, as well as his HB on the pitch sometimes nearing 15+. His unique three quarter release allows him to get more run on the pitch, which is a unique quality to Scott. His changeup has good arm side run, and it plays really well of the elite fastball. His sweeper is also a good pitch, as it plays well off his fastball similarly to his changeup. Scott put up ERAs under 2.50 in both levels he spent significant time at last year, and I really think it’s sustainable. Especially given the fact that his K% is seen over 30% most of the time.

Scott is truly one of my favorite pitchers on this list, as he’s definitely one of the more polished arms here. The only reason he’s ranked this low is due to the incredibly high ceilings players at the top of the list have. But, at his peak, Scott might be on par with a pitcher like Jackson Jobe when they both reach the Majors and establish themselves. His unique release, excellent raw movement, and more, make him an easy top 50 prospect in my eyes.

Prospect #20: Adael Amador, SS/2B, Colorado Rockies

Adael Amador, a name that many fans might not know about yet, has surely begun to put his name on the map after a great 2023 season. Amador was signed by the Rockies for $1.5 million during the 2019-20 International Signing Period, and the expectations were high for him in pro baseball. Amador spent the majority of his 2023 season at the High-A level, where he was an exceptional hitter. In 54 games, Amador would hit 9 homers, more walks than strikeouts, and a 144 wRC+. With Amador being a member of the Colorado Rockies, the offensive environment in Coors Field should help with his power development once he reaches the MLB. Amador would finish the season reaching Double-A, but would not play well in 10 games.

Amador possesses as much potential as anyone on this list, but the main place I hold my reservations is when it comes to his ability to swing consistently at his pitch. Amador walked 12% of the time as opposed to a 10% K rate, which is good. But, typically when you see this in MiLB players, they don’t swing very much due to lower quality of pitching, which you see hurt them as they move higher up the chain. Along with this, his 41.3% swing percentage and 65.1% z-swing percentage were iffy marks at best. Regardless of this, Amador’s swing is very good, and his mechanics will play at any level.

Prospect #31: Drew Thorpe, RHP, Chicago White Sox

Jay’s Grades: Fastball: 60 | Changeup: 65 | Slider: 55 | Control: 60 |

Drew Thorpe, a former 2nd overall pick by the New York Yankees back in 2022, became one of better MiLB pitchers in 2023. Thorpe would make his pro debut during this season as well, immediately starting at the High-A level. Thorpe would pitch the majority of the season at this same level, throwing 109 innings. Thorpe dominated hitters on all cylinders, striking out 32.4% of batters he faced, and posting an ERA of just 2.81. Thorpe would finally begin to make his name heard as one of the top pitchers in 2023, and the Yankees would promote him to Double-A to finish it off. Thorpe would go on to dominate the Double-A level, throwing 30.1 innings, striking out 40% of batters he faced, and posting an ERA of just 1.48. Thorpe would then go on to be named 2023 MiLB Pitching Prospect of the Year during the MiLB Awards.

Thorpe was very clearly one of the more dominant pitchers in all of baseball this year, as his Pitching Prospect of Year Award speaks for that itself. Thorpe has a solid pitch mix, and his ability to not fear hitters was really good to see, and a positive indication for things to come. With pitching seeming to be an area where the Yankees need to improve, it may not be long till you see Thorpe in the rotation in the big leagues.

Prospect #13: Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Atlanta Braves

Jay’s Grades: Fastball: 65 | Splitter: 70 | Slider: 65 | Control: 55 |

Hurston Waldrep, a first round pick by the Atlanta Braves during the 2023 MLB Draft, has already risen to the top of this list after pitching just shy of 30 innings in his debut season. Waldrep possesses some of the best overall tools of any pitcher on this list, and he’s only going to rise with more experience. Waldrep maintained strikeout rates of over 24% at every level he pitched this season, while also keeping his ERA equal to or below 3.00. Since he pitched limited time so far, I don’t have many numbers to review, but what I’ve seen from Waldrep has really impressed me. I may be slightly jumping the gun on Waldrep when comparing this list to other expert lists, but I truly believe this is where Hurston belongs as his talents and future potential are unlimited.

Waldrep’s best strikeout pitch is by far his splitter, as it has generated a lot of strikeouts throughout his time in college and in pro baseball. His fastball is a really good pairing with the pitch, and his slider can also substitute well to keep hitters off balance when they see his splitter often. Although the sharp break of the pitch will make it incredibly hard to recognize.

Prospect #2: James Wood, OF, Washington Nationals

James Wood, an integral piece of the Juan Soto trade back in the summer of 2022, has made himself into quite the standout prospect since joining the Washington Nationals. Granted, Wood was already on the rise before he was acquired, but his hype hit new heights since joining the Nationals. Since coming over, Wood has played at Low-A, High-A, and Double-A for the Nats, but primarily spent his time between High-A and Double-A in 2023. Wood would hit 8 homers, slash .293/.392/.580 with a .421 wOBA and a 155 wRC+ at High-A before he was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg. Playing with a loaded Harrisburg team, Wood was one of the bigger standout players, as his power reached new heights with the Senators. Wood would play 87 games at Double-A, and he would hit 18 homers, slash .248/.334/.492 with a .366 wOBA and a 124 wRC+ before season’s end. Wood would take home Nationals MiLB hitter of the year award, as well as Nationals Prospect of the Year honors from Baseball America. The 6’6″ slugger is just getting started, as 2024 should be a big year for Wood.

Wood’s solid mechanical swing makes for a lot of really good use of his power ability at the plate. With a player of his size, strikeouts are always a concern as they lead to a lack of overall offensive production. While Wood strikes out a good amount, he is not a three true outcome hitter, and he still manages to hit the ball hard for base hits. With sneaky good speed, Wood has a lot of potential to leg out extra base hits on balls players usually couldn’t leg out. If he can keep the strikeouts down, Wood has all the makings of a future big league star.

Prospect #18: Brooks Lee, SS, Minnesota Twins

Brooks Lee, yet another first rounder from the 2022 MLB Draft, slides into this spot at number 23 overall. Lee has all the tools to be one of the better pure hitters in the Minor Leagues, especially considering he already is one. Lee began the 2023 season with the Minnesota Twins Double-A affiliate, where he would be really good, and look incredibly talented at the plate. Lee would play 87 games, and he’d hit 11 homers, a 120 wRC+, and a good walk to strikeout rate. Lee shows advanced plate discipline, and this will help him a lot as he moves up the rankings. The Twins would promote him to Triple-A for 38 games to conclude the season, where he would struggle. Lee would hit just 5 homers, and a 78 wRC+. The most redeeming part of his stint in Triple-A was that he barely struck out, but he still has a ways to go before he’s big league ready.

Lee has fantastic plate discipline as I previously mentioned, and that’s by far his best tool. His walk to strikeout rates are really good all across the board. With his solid overall ability to hit the ball hard, Lee could one day become a fantastic big leaguer.

Conclusion

The BSBWrites Top 50 is something I’ve really enjoyed writing and putting out there over the two times I’ve done it so far. Although it’s a lot of hours of work every time, it’s really important to me to highlight the game’s upcoming stars, so we know about them before they make it to the show. For example, can you imagine if the game of baseball didn’t know who Bryce Harper or Mike Trout was before they made it to Major League Baseball? It’s a crazy thought, and one I hope is never a reality regardless of the player. With a lot of the players on this list being in Triple-A, expect this list to change a lot between now and our draft update in July. Regardless, I look forward to seeing how this list ages in the coming years!z