Kevin McGonigle Picture: Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos
With the draft behind us and the commerce deadline looming, I’ve made quite a few updates to The Board. The signing deadline for drafted gamers has handed, and the 2025 class has now been ported over to the professional aspect of The Board. Now you can see the place your favourite workforce’s new draftees line up of their farm system, and I could but add a number of extra of the very late spherical and/or undrafted gamers who signed for method over slot (taking a look at you, Brewers). I’ve additionally peeled away from the lists these gamers who’ve exceeded the rookie eligibility threshold; they’ve been moved onto the Graduates tab on The Board. Which means that the farm system values have shifted, and can proceed to in actual time as trades are made this week.
Most significantly, nevertheless, I’ve made a sweeping replace to the Prime 100 Prospects listing. As I famous within the spring with our final Prime 100 replace, there are a few issues to bear in mind as you learn, particularly when you’re new to FanGraphs prospect stuff. First, the “Prime 100” title is unfair search engine marketing nonsense; I rank gamers as deep as I’ve them graded as 50 FV prospects or higher, and as of this replace, that’s 99 guys. Second, keep in mind that Future Worth is a worth grade. The instruments and supreme potential upside of a participant matter quite a bit, as does the size and consistency of a participant’s efficiency monitor report and their proximity to the majors. There are gamers who’ve expertise upside higher than their FV grade, but when they’re dangerous for no matter cause, or in the event that they’re within the low minors, I need to replicate that threat/time component of their grade.
Lastly, keep in mind that an actualized “50” is a mean on a regular basis participant at a given place. Not “common” within the sense that I’m averaging each huge leaguer who performed that place to create a efficiency baseline. Relatively, “common” right here implies that the participant would fall towards the center of the pack after we’re speaking in regards to the high 30 or so gamers at their place throughout a multi-year window. That’s a excessive bar. Actually glorious, tenured gamers are inclined to occupy their spot on a giant league roster for lengthy durations of time. It’s onerous for prospects to crack into that All-Star-caliber group, and even tougher to maintain some measure of manufacturing for six-plus years of workforce management. Forty- and 45-grade gamers are good huge leaguers, too, and there are numerous extra of them throughout the professional baseball expertise distribution than there are gamers who’re 50s and above.
This listing overwhelmingly displays my particular person evaluations and grades, with sourced opinions from scouts and executives contributing to pick out gamers the place I wanted to fill a niche in my viewing, or to cross-check my pondering. The in-person appears to be like I’ve gotten on the majority of this group, plus information and video, have contributed to my conclusions right here.
Under you’ll discover the up to date listing, adopted by a rundown of the clusters of gamers that shaped round related profiles all through the rankings. I present some commentary on the clusters, with a give attention to gamers whose grades have modified on this replace. If you would like extra data, please head over to The Board, the place you will discover software grades, pitch repertoires, full scouting experiences, and extra. I’ll be updating the hard-hit charges (as of seven/22) of the place participant prospects all through the remainder of this week, so test again to see how these have modified in comparison with final 12 months.
Up to date Prime 100 Prospects
…
60 FV Prospects
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
1
60
Kevin McGonigle
2B
20.9
DET
↑
2
60
Jesús Made
SS
18.2
MIL
3
60
Samuel Basallo
C
21.0
BAL
4
60
Sebastian Walcott
SS
19.4
TEX
5
60
Konnor Griffin
SS
19.3
PIT
↑
6
60
Chase Burns
SP
22.6
CIN
↑
7
60
Bubba Chandler
SP
22.9
PIT
8
60
Andrew Painter
SP
22.3
PHI
9
60
Max Clark
CF
20.6
DET
↑
McGonigle’s BP on the Futures Recreation was opinion-altering. He has actual juice in his fingers, and he’s going to get to his energy in video games not solely as a result of he’s a skillful hitter, however as a result of his swing is geared for launch. His arm isn’t a match at shortstop. You would argue he must be the lone 65 FV prospect given the state of second base on the huge league stage proper now, which other than Ketel Marte and Jazz Chisholm Jr., is actually gentle on energy hitters. Basallo would have ranked first if not for his lack of plate self-discipline. He’s not a great catcher proper now, although at his measurement, age, and relative inexperience as a consequence of damage, you’ll be able to mission he’ll keep behind the dish. However he may chase himself right into a disappointing final result. Made’s shortstop protection is getting higher and is perhaps actually nice at peak. He’s among the best pure athletes within the minors, and has ridiculous vary and physique management. You would argue for any of Made, Griffin, and Walcott to be no. 1. Griffin has probably the most current energy of that group (his swing appears to be like like a righty model of Roman Anthony’s), however his size causes him to push numerous contact the alternative method. Walcott is extra usually on time to drag, however he’s a decrease launch man. Neither of them has absolutely actualized their energy but; after they do, it’s going to be numerous enjoyable. Made is fairly simply the perfect pure hitter of the three.
55 FV Prospects
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
10
55
Jordan Lawlar
SS
23.0
ARI
11
55
Bryce Eldridge
1B
20.8
SFG
12
55
Josue De Paula
RF
20.2
LAD
↑
13
55
Liam Doyle
SP
21.2
STL
🆕
14
55
Carson Williams
SS
22.1
TBR
15
55
Aidan Miller
SS
21.1
PHI
16
55
Alfredo Duno
C
19.6
CIN
17
55
Noah Schultz
SP
22.0
CHW
18
55
Ethan Holliday
3B
18.4
COL
🆕
19
55
Jarlin Susana
SP
21.4
WSN
20
55
Ethan Salas
C
19.2
SDP
How Lawlar fills in for Eugenio Suárez at third base might be fascinating. His means to dive or slide after which recuperate to throw is exceptional, however he’s additionally a tightly wound man who appears to be like uncomfortable in on the grass. He’s graded in a vacuum right here, principally the place he’d be have been he going to play shortstop. De Paula is beginning to actualize his energy and is doing so with out sacrificing contact. He has roughly common uncooked energy proper now and will nonetheless develop into at the least another grade as he ages into his mid-20s. Miller and Williams are having robust seasons on paper, however I’m making an attempt to not overreact to both’s struggles. Miller nonetheless appears to be like nice each to the attention and once you look beneath the hood at his TrackMan information. I’ve written about Williams’ strikeout threat previously, however even I’m shocked by how a lot his efficiency has swooned this 12 months. He’s such an ideal defender that he must be a extremely good participant anyway.
Buildaround Center Infielders
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
21
50
Leo De Vries
SS
18.8
SDP
22
50
Angel Genao
SS
21.2
CLE
23
50
JJ Wetherholt
2B
22.9
STL
24
50
Travis Bazzana
2B
22.9
CLE
25
50
Colt Emerson
SS
20.0
SEA
26
50
Franklin Arias
SS
19.7
BOS
27
50
Josuar De Jesus Gonzalez
SS
17.8
SFG
↑
40
50
Jefferson Rojas
SS
20.3
CHC
Arias moved into this group throughout this 12 months’s listing cycle and Gonzalez enters on this replace, however the others have been right here since February. Gonzalez appears to be like unimaginable down within the DSL. His numbers (90% zone contact, 37% hard-hit fee, 104 mph EV90 as a 17-year-old) aren’t as bonkers as Jesús Made’s have been at the moment final 12 months, however they’re approaching that. I’m not fairly able to stuff De Vries method up within the Prime 10 as a result of whether or not or not he’s a shortstop continues to be a query for me, and he doesn’t fairly have the identical bat velocity because the 60 FV hitters. He’s extra of a 50-hit/55-power combo with a swing actualized to get to it in video games. He’s additionally the second youngest fella right here, and I is perhaps underrating his energy projection. For those who assume so, then think about him proper behind Lawlar; I feel that’s justifiable.
Oft-Injured Affect Bats
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
28
50
Walker Jenkins
LF
20.4
MIN
↓
29
50
Chase DeLauter
RF
23.8
CLE
30
50
Emmanuel Rodriguez
CF
22.4
MIN
This group is fairly self-explanatory, although I’ll add that Jenkins’ uncooked energy has not developed as hoped, and he slid out of the 55 FV tier due extra to that than to damage. DeLauter (damaged hamate) and Rodriguez (indirect) each received damage once more just lately.
Large League-Prepared Mid-Rotation Starters with Threat
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
31
50
Brandon Sproat
SP
24.9
NYM
36
50
Jackson Ferris
SP
21.5
LAD
37
50
Thomas White
SP
20.8
MIA
38
50
Kade Anderson
SP
21.1
SEA
🆕
This contingent contains the 50 FV pitchers whose long-term ceiling may very well be larger than that grade. All of those guys may transfer into the 55 FV tier throughout the subsequent few months in the event that they proceed to throw strikes. Clearly, Anderson’s timeline for a transfer into the 55s is extra April/Might of subsequent 12 months, because it’s unlikely he’ll pitch once more in 2025.
Catchers
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
32
50
Josue Briceño
C
20.9
DET
34
50
Thayron Liranzo
C
22.1
DET
65
50
Joe Mack
C
22.6
MIA
66
50
Carter Jensen
C
22.1
KCR
67
50
Harry Ford
C
22.4
SEA
Briceño is the perfect pure hitter of this group and in addition the youngest, however the others have higher probability to be a great defensive catchers. Liranzo’s freaky switch-hitting pop creates a ways from the remainder of this group, and when you wished to argue that Macks’ protection is particular sufficient to drag him up into that vary I feel you could possibly, he’s simply going to strike out a ton. Ford is perhaps a commerce candidate as a result of presence of Cal Raleigh forward of him. Jensen is once more on right here whereas Blake Mitchell will not be (but), as a result of Jensen has higher plate self-discipline and is a stage nearer to the majors than Mitchell is.
Energy Bats with Hit Software Threat
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
33
50
Kevin Alcántara
CF
23.0
CHC
35
50
Zyhir Hope
RF
20.5
LAD
39
50
Alex Freeland
SS
23.9
LAD
41
50
George Lombard Jr.
SS
20.2
NYY
42
50
Arjun Nimmala
SS
19.8
TOR
43
50
Aiva Arquette
SS
21.8
MIA
🆕
47
50
Braden Montgomery
RF
22.3
CHW
73
50
Jonny Farmelo
CF
20.9
SEA
74
50
Xavier Isaac
1B
21.6
TBR
This group is structured prioritizing proximity and positional worth. Alcántara is a primary commerce candidate as a result of he’s operating out of choice years and must be given a protracted huge league alternative quickly. His measurement and size imply he’s going to wish an extended runway to regulate, and the Cubs’ timeline doesn’t actually align with that. Hope’s contact fee is within the mid-60s this 12 months, which is a little bit of a priority. You would pull Lazaro Montes up from the 45+ FV tier and into this group if you want. Mid-season swoons by Lombard and Nimmala stored them from the group headed by De Vries above. Isaac has a few of the greatest uncooked energy in all of professional baseball, however he was placing out at a 30% clip once more when he was shut down with damage final month. Farmelo (rib stress fracture) has additionally handled one more damage this season. You would slide these two all the best way to the again with the injured pitchers when you like, and in the event that they don’t play once more this summer season, that’s what I’ll find yourself doing within the offseason.
Excessive-Floored No. 3/4 Starters
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
48
50
Cam Schlittler
SP
24.5
NYY
↑
49
50
Parker Messick
SP
24.8
CLE
50
50
Rhett Lowder
SP
23.4
CIN
51
50
Jonah Tong
SP
22.1
NYM
52
50
Chase Petty
SP
22.3
CIN
53
50
Nolan McLean
SP
24.0
NYM
62
50
Kyson Witherspoon
SP
21.0
BOS
🆕
68
50
Tyler Bremner
SP
21.3
LAA
🆕
79
50
Logan Henderson
SP
23.4
MIL
80
50
Khal Stephen
SP
22.6
TOR
↑
Schlittler was a forty five FV prospect throughout the offseason, however his velocity stored climbing this 12 months and it’s uncommon to search out guys his measurement who additionally throw strikes within the upper-90s. Observe the hole between most of those names and the Witherspoon/Bremner duo, which is due completely to proximity slightly than expertise. Although, as a result of Bremner is an Angel, he’ll most likely shut that hole fairly rapidly. Stephen is now in his second consecutive 12 months of working practically 100 (or extra) innings and has proven particular command. All three of his pitches are enjoying like above-average weapons. It was solely a few years in the past when he was struggling at Purdue; now he’s on the doorstep of the majors.
Dudes Who Rake
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
44
50
Eli Willits
SS
17.6
WSN
🆕
45
50
Luis Peña
SS
18.7
MIL
46
50
Rainiel Rodriguez
C
18.6
STL
54
50
Cooper Pratt
SS
20.9
MIL
55
50
Cooper Ingle
C
23.4
CLE
56
50
Luke Keaschall
2B
23.0
MIN
57
50
Carson Benge
CF
22.5
NYM
58
50
Michael Arroyo
2B
20.7
SEA
↑
59
50
Jacob Reimer
3B
21.4
NYM
75
50
Felnin Celesten
SS
19.9
SEA
Gamers on this cluster both have nice really feel for contact however solely truthful energy (Willits for now, Pratt, Ingle, Keaschall, Benge), or are extra balanced hitters with points on protection (Arroyo, Reimer, additionally Keaschall). Peña’s underlying hit information is phenomenal, however his protection has regressed in comparison with his spring look. I had been skeptical of Arroyo as a consequence of his swing path, which leaves him susceptible to elevated fastballs, however he’s gotten higher and higher at shedding the pitches he can’t deal with, and his means to do harm to all fields towards principally each different pitch kind has held up at the same time as he’s been uncovered to Double-A pitching. He’s nonetheless a nasty defender, however I purchase that he’ll hit sufficient to be good anyway. Celesten’s threat is much less about extreme strikeouts and extra about whether or not or not he can polish his swings to the purpose the place he can entry his energy in video games.
Mould Breakers
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
60
50
Jurrangelo Cijntje
SP
22.2
SEA
61
50
Trey Yesavage
SP
22.0
TOR
↑
63
50
Jett Williams
CF
21.7
NYM
64
50
Kayson Cunningham
2B
19.1
ARI
🆕
Every of those gamers brings one thing distinctive to the desk. Yesavage has three plus pitches, however his supply requires a ton of effort; there actually isn’t anybody else within the sport whose mechanics appear to be this, definitely not among the many beginning pitchers. Williams and Cunningham lack the dimensions of most profitable on a regular basis huge leaguers.
Monster Fastballs
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
69
50
Didier Fuentes
SP
20.1
ATL
70
50
Troy Melton
SP
24.7
DET
71
50
Payton Tolle
SP
22.7
BOS
72
50
Gage Soar
SP
22.3
ATH
↑
All of those pitchers command mid-90s fastballs that additionally function nasty uphill angle, which hitters wrestle to match. Additionally they are inclined to have shallow, inconsistent secondary pitches which are tough to regulate. Soar strikes into this space after struggling to throw strikes for principally his total lifetime as a prospect till his draft spring at LSU. He’s now had two consecutive seasons with stroll charges beneath 8% and he’s sustaining mid-90s velocity this 12 months regardless that he’s on tempo to double his earlier excessive in innings. The Athletics’ pitching growth, total, appears to have taken a step ahead.
Having A Tough Yr
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
76
50
Quinn Mathews
SP
24.8
STL
77
50
Hagen Smith
SP
21.9
CHW
78
50
Caden Dana
SP
21.6
LAA
Some mixture of damage and wildness has plagued this trio all 12 months. Matthews is strolling 8 per 9 IP as of this replace; Smith has 29 walks in 40.2 innings however has additionally struck out 62 guys. A part of Dana’s attraction as a prospect getting into the 2025 season was his measurement/management combo, which theoretically ought to enable him to eat a ton of innings. As a substitute, he has struggled to pitch sufficient within the bigs to graduate.
Glove-First Profiles
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
81
50
Jimmy Crooks
C
24.0
STL
82
50
Tre’ Morgan
1B
23.0
TBR
83
50
Starlyn Caba
SS
19.6
MIA
All three of those hitters have lower-impact offensive means, however all three are premium, top-of-the-scale defenders who do sufficient on the plate to be thought of an on a regular basis participant within the combination.
Aid Threat
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
84
50
Brody Hopkins
SP
23.5
TBR
85
50
Jaxon Wiggins
SP
23.8
CHC
↑
86
50
Connor Prielipp
SP
24.6
MIN
87
50
George Klassen
SP
23.5
LAA
88
50
Carson Whisenhunt
SP
24.8
SFG
89
50
Tink Therefore
SP
23.0
STL
90
50
Brandon Clarke
SP
22.3
BOS
91
50
Luis Mey
SIRP
24.1
CIN
92
50
Edgardo Henriquez
SIRP
23.1
LAD
The Cubs have shockingly helped Wiggins throw strikes with principally his total repertoire, and his arm motion appears to be like rather more fluid and pure now than it did when he was in faculty. He and Hopkins (who, keep in mind, was principally a hitter in faculty and continues to be creating as a pitcher) are the 2 from this group probably to stay starters long-term.
Injured
Rank
FV
Identify
Pos
Age
Staff
Pattern
93
50
Jeferson Quero
C
22.8
MIL
94
50
Ricky Tiedemann
SP
22.9
TOR
95
50
River Ryan
SP
27.0
LAD
96
50
Jake Bloss
SP
24.1
TOR
97
50
Travis Sykora
SP
21.3
WSN
98
50
Alejandro Rosario
SP
23.6
TEX
99
50
Moisés Chace
SP
22.1
PHI
Quero is coping with extra shoulder hassle after lacking final 12 months recovering from labrum surgical procedure. Sykora’s TJ was introduced yesterday and the timing of it is going to doubtless value him all of subsequent 12 months, too.
