Who is prepared for an additional Opening Day?
The Arizona and Florida Advanced Leagues start play Saturday, formally kicking off the Rookie-level portion of the 2025 Minor League schedule.
That may nonetheless really feel early for individuals who have been following the Minors for some time. The Advanced League schedules have been moved up a month in 2024, enabling gamers from the Dominican Summer time League and that Draft to get into official video games earlier somewhat than kicking round prolonged spring coaching for a number of extra weeks.
To get followers prepped for the ACL and FCL seasons, listed below are 14 intriguing prospects we may see on the Advanced circuits in 2025, listed so as of their organizational High 30 rankings:
Joswa Lugo, SS, Angels (No. 4)
A $2.3 million signing in January 2024, the 18-year-old shortstop has average-or-better instruments throughout the board, incomes 55s for his energy and arm energy. He clubbed 5 homers and slugged .466 in 53 video games within the Dominican Summer time League final yr however must reel in a few of his points with chasing pitches out of the zone to construct on that basis.
Humberto Cruz, RHP, Padres (No. 4)
San Diego thought-about the right-hander superior when he signed for $750,000 out of Mexico in February 2024, and as is typical of the Padres’ aggressive nature, the group skipped him over the DSL and gave him two abbreviated begins within the ACL as a substitute. His fastball can contact 97 mph, and he has a stable pair of secondaries in his slider and changeup. Mix that with good management from a 6-foot-1 body, and Cruz may make a fair stronger impression, starting along with his ACL season debut slated for Tuesday.
Jhonny Degree, SS, Giants (No. 5)
Degree, a $997,500 signing out of Venezuela in January 2024, is a stable all-around expertise within the San Francisco pipeline, incomes plus grades for his velocity and arm energy and above-average ones for his hitting and fielding capability. Standing at simply 5-foot-10, he confirmed extra energy than anticipated in his first season with 10 homers in final yr’s DSL. Extra superior ACL pitchers needs to be a very good take a look at for him, however he may hit his manner into much more prominence given present trendlines.
Luke Dickerson, SS, Nationals (No. 6)
With a $3.8 million bonus, the 2024 second-rounder signed for the biggest quantity after the primary spherical within the bonus pool period. A New Jersey state champion in hockey, Dickerson is a possible power-speed risk after a slugging bump in his closing prep spring. He noticed time at each shortstop and second base throughout Washington’s two Spring Breakout video games, however he’ll doubtless get extra FCL seems on the six within the hopes his athleticism helps him stick there.
Emil Morales, SS, Dodgers (No. 7)
The Dodgers’ prime addition within the 2024 worldwide class, Morales bought his profession off to a loud begin by main the DSL with 14 homers, 25 extra-base hits, 105 whole bases, a .691 slugging proportion and 1.169 OPS over 46 video games. Solely 18, he has loads of persistence for his age, and his bat velocity already permits him to hit the ball laborious with doubtlessly extra pop to come back as he matures. He’s the highest Dodgers prospect not ranked within the High 100 however may bounce into that standing if he comes near replicating these DSL stats within the ACL.
Rainiel Rodriguez, C, Cardinals (No. 7)
St. Louis has a deep group of catchers in its High 30. The youngest and strongest of the bunch is the 18-year-old Rodriguez, who signed for simply $300,000 in April 2024. The backstop ranked fourth in final yr’s DSL with 10 homers, and his 1.145 OPS was the best by a professional catcher on the circuit since a minimum of 2006. He additional caught Cardinals evaluators’ consideration with exit velocities as much as 112 mph in spring exercises, and he might be one of many FCL’s premier sluggers if he continues on this trajectory.
Yairo Padilla, SS, Cardinals (No. 8)
Sticking in the identical group, Padilla is a really totally different participant from Rodriguez — a shortstop with a minimum of plus velocity, spectacular arm energy and a very good shot to stay on the six. He stole 22 baggage and raced for 4 triples over 35 DSL video games final summer time, displaying indicators of how he’ll push the envelope with these wheels. Nonetheless solely 17 till June 28, he’ll want so as to add energy as he ages, however there are fascinating abilities right here already at a premium place.
Rayner Arias, OF, Giants (No. 8)
Left wrist points have restricted Arias — a $2,697,500 signing in January 2023 — to solely 41 video games by means of his two professional seasons. First, he broke the wrist on a diving play within the outfield within the DSL in ‘23 and sprained it on an identical play within the ACL final yr. He’s again in Arizona for an extended look this time, and his mixture of self-discipline and pop gives loads of intrigue, as long as he can keep on the sphere.
Wyatt Sanford, SS, Pirates (No. 8)
Konnor Griffin is making the lion’s share of his Single-A Bradenton begins at shortstop, leaving his fellow 2024 decide Sanford (a second-rounder) to the FCL for extra plentiful reps on the six. The Texas native was the most effective defenders in his Draft class with easy actions and spectacular instincts. The bat will want time and house to develop. The Bucs have labored with Sanford on adjusting his stance after it bought too large as a excessive schooler and unlocking extra energy.
David Shields, LHP, Royals (No. 8)
Kansas Metropolis usually prefers to ease its prep pitchers with ACL stints out of the gate. Shields is not any totally different. Solely 17 on Draft Day, the 2024 second-rounder has a 93-94 mph fastball that performs up with deception and extension, whereas he’ll have to develop a extra constant breaking ball and changeup. His easy supply out of a 6-foot-2 body provides to the boldness he may attain his midrotation ceiling.
Fernando Cruz, SS, Cubs (No. 9)
A $4 million signee in 2024, Cruz performed by means of an injured left shoulder for a part of his first season within the DSL and slashed simply .215/.326/.329 in 92 plate appearances, however the Cubs thought sufficient of him so as to add him to their ACL roster earlier this week. Nonetheless solely 18, the Dominican Republic native has ample athleticism that helps him at shortstop and on the basepaths, and he has the bat velocity and strategy to develop all-fields energy. That might be on show contemplating he lastly put the shoulder points behind him final fall in instructs.
Levi Sterling, RHP, Pirates (No. 9)
Pittsburgh has a knack for growing pitchers, and final yr’s thirty seventh total decide may very properly be the subsequent in line, starting within the FCL. His low-90s fastball has loads of journey and run, and his mid-80s sweeper is one other potential above-average pitch. His finest providing could be his low-80s curveball at a time when most others are abandoning the deuce. The 6-foot-5 righty doesn’t flip 19 till September, so he has an extended runway forward.
Tyson Lewis, SS, Reds (No. 9)
The Reds took shortstop Sammy Stafura within the second spherical in 2023 and began him within the ACL in his first full season, just for him to hit his manner out after solely 15 video games. They wouldn’t thoughts seeing ‘24 second-rounder Lewis comply with an identical path. A plus runner with an above-average arm, Lewis will get loads of shortstop alternatives to enhance his palms and actions. He’s additionally recognized to tinker along with his stance — notable contemplating evaluators had some strikeout considerations round him getting into the Draft.
Justin Gonzales, 1B/OF, Purple Sox (No. 16)
We’ve caught to prospects ranked inside their organizations’ prime 10s, however we’ll go exterior of that for a breakout decide right here. The Purple Sox have achieved an amazing job at hitting growth lately with a give attention to swing choices, bat-to-ball abilities, ball flight and bat velocity, and Gonzales might be the subsequent one to take off. Standing at 6-foot-4 at simply 18, the right-handed slugger already has plus uncooked energy and confirmed a stable strategy within the DSL. One other yr within the Boston pipeline may ship the 18-year-old into the prospect stratosphere in ‘25.
