Speak to any scout they usually’ll inform you some model of this axiom: Large leaguers come from in all places.
What meaning is that for each Paul Skenes (No. 1 general decide in 2023) or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($3.9 million bonus in July 2015), there may also be a Tarik Skubal (ninth-rounder in 2018) or Teoscar Hernández ($20,000 in February 2011). Who could be these subsequent diamonds within the tough? We picked one greatest discover for every group as candidates.
Blue Jays: Fernando Perez, RHP (No. 11)
Among the many 900 prospects ranked within the 30 High 30s, solely two hail from Nicaragua: Perez and Brewers right-hander Carlos Rodriguez. Perez signed with the Jays for less than $10,000 in January 2022 however rapidly asserted himself as a prospect to observe with a 48/5 Okay/BB ratio within the Dominican Summer season League that season. He’s nonetheless extra polish over pure stuff at 21 years outdated, however that provides him an opportunity to be a backend starter, a greater end result than initially anticipated three years in the past.
Orioles: Nestor German, RHP (No. 11)
Little or no about German’s time on the College of Seattle screamed “prospect” because the 2023 Draft approached. He had a profession 6.37 ERA (5.97 in his Draft yr) and a 6.6 Okay/9 price (8.5 in 2023). The uptick in bat-missing did catch the attention of the Orioles, who took him in Spherical 11 of that summer season’s Draft and signed him for Day 3 slot ($150K). He had a stirring professional debut in 2024 (1.59 ERA, 11.0 Okay/9, 2.1 BB/9) to place him on the map, and after a strong begin with Excessive-A Aberdeen this yr, he was simply promoted to Double-A Chesapeake.
Rays: Yoniel Curet, RHP (No. 15)
Signed for less than $150,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2019, Curet erupted onto the scene with 63 strikeouts in 51 innings within the DSL that summer season and hasn’t posted a season ERA above 3.71 in his three seasons since. His mid-90s fastball reveals loads of electrical energy, and his plus cutter helps preserve the whiffs coming too. Regardless of constant management issues, Curet was a simple 40-man addition when he turned Rule 5-eligible in 2023. He’s presently on the IL with a proper shoulder damage however nonetheless profiles as a possible high-leverage bullpen arm for the Rays.
Purple Sox: Luis Perales, RHP (No. 4)
The Purple Sox signed their greatest pitching prospect for $75,000 out of Venezuela in 2019. Although he’ll miss this season after having Tommy John surgical procedure final June, Perales reached Double-A at age 21 on the energy of a 95-99 mph fastball, upper-80s splitter and sweeping low-80s slider.
Yankees: Carlos Lagrange, RHP (No. 17)
Signed for simply $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in February 2022, Lagrange started pushing his fastball to the higher 90s throughout this professional debut 4 months later. After dropping a lot of 2024 to again irritation, he has boosted his inventory this season whereas backing up his heater with a sweeping 82-95 mph slider that may be a wipeout pitch at its greatest. He has posted a 3.55 ERA with a .200 average-against and 41/7 Okay/BB ratio in 25 1/3 innings at Excessive-A.
Guardians: Juan Brito, INF/OF (No. 10)
The Rockies signed Brito for $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2018 and traded him to the Guardians for Nolan Jones 4 years later. He is an offensive-minded prospect who has tried quite a lot of positions and possibly profiles greatest at second base. After main the Triple-A Worldwide League with 40 doubles, 61 extra-base hits and 244 complete bases final season, he slashed .291/.406/.491 in 16 video games in his return to the circuit earlier than injuring his proper thumb in mid-April and requiring surgical procedure.
Royals: Ramon Ramirez, C (No. 10)
Kansas Metropolis is flush with catching depth within the Minors, and Ramirez — a $57,500 signee out of Venezuela in 2023 — could be very a lot a part of that equation. The 19-year-old flashes a minimum of above-average energy, and that’s carried by to Single-A Columbia, the place he has 5 homers in 29 video games to start 2025. After rising up as an outfielder, Ramirez nonetheless has room to develop behind the plate, however his plus arm energy provides him one other weapon again there.
Tigers: Thayron Liranzo, C/1B (No. 5/MLB No. 86)
Liranzo has had considerably of a yo-yo profession. He was up throughout a breakout season on the Arizona Advanced League in 2022 and through a 24-homer marketing campaign at Single-A in 2023, down at Excessive-A Nice Lakes final yr, up after his commerce from the Dodgers to the Tigers, up once more within the Arizona Fall League and slipping slightly in his early seems to be at Double-A Erie this spring. A switch-hitting catcher with plus energy potential and plus arm energy, he’s nonetheless a considerably extra distinguished prospect than when he first signed with Los Angeles for $30,000 in January 2021.
Twins: Payton Eeles, 2B (No. 22)
Whereas he’s presently nonetheless out whereas getting back from knee surgical procedure, Eeles has been among the finest underdog tales within the sport. He was an indy ball discover who signed for simply $500 in 2024, a 5-foot-5 sparkplug who hit his means as much as Triple-A and completed with a .932 OPS. There’s shocking pop (.497 SLG final yr) and he’s aggressive on the basepaths (41 steals), a left-handed hitter who performs all out on a regular basis and may transfer across the diamond as wanted.
White Sox: Edgar Quero, C (No. 5/MLB No. 58)
Good transfer: The Angels signed Quero for $200,000 in 2021 after he left Cuba. Unhealthy transfer: They despatched him to the White Sox as a part of the Lucas Giolito/Reynaldo López commerce two years later. Quero is now among the finest catching prospects in baseball, a switch-hitter with a mature strategy and rising energy. He has been Chicago’s greatest hitter (.303/.403/.348) since getting his first huge league callup in mid-April and likewise has held his personal defensively.
Angels: Samy Natera Jr., LHP (No. 16)
The Angels took a low-risk flier on Natera in Spherical 17 of the 2022 Draft, signing him for $125,000. He had an uneven first full season as a starter in 2023, then missed practically all of 2024 with an elbow sprain. He impressed evaluators along with his work within the Arizona Fall League (12 IP, 0.75 ERA, 12.8 Okay/9, 3.0 BB/9) and is now in Double-A figuring out of the bullpen. He continues to overlook a ton of bats (15.5 Okay/9) and is hard to hit (.174 BAA), even when he must work on his command (6.8 BB/9).
Astros: Miguel Ullola, RHP (No. 4)
One more Astros worldwide pitching discover at a cut price worth, Ullola has grow to be the system’s greatest pitching prospect since signing for $75,000 at age 18 out of the Dominican Republic in 2021. He topped the Minors in average-against (.163) whereas rating third in strikeouts (171 in 130 1/3 innings) and sixth in Okay price (31 %) final yr, due to an electrical mid-90s fastball with high quality carry and a pointy mid-80s slider. He has logged a 4.50 ERA with a .171 average-against and 26 strikeouts in 20 Triple-A innings this spring.
A’s: Jack Perkins, RHP (No. 9)
Perkins struggled, each when it comes to efficiency and getting mound time, with Louisville in 2019 and 2021 — he didn’t pitch within the pandemic-shortened 2020 season — then transferred to Indiana and spent the 2022 season within the Hoosiers’ rotation. He went within the fifth spherical and signed an under-slot deal for $270,750. He had a powerful yr following a lat damage in 2024 and missed the primary month of 2025, however he’s within the Triple-A rotation and might be knocking on the door quickly.
Mariners: Logan Evans, RHP (No. 10)
After two years at Penn State, Evans moved on to the College of Pittsburgh. After a so-so 2023 season, the Mariners took him within the twelfth spherical and signed him for simply $100K. He’s been on the quick observe since, pitching very effectively at Double-A in his first full season (3.20 ERA) after which getting the decision to the large leagues this yr after 5 begins for Triple-A Tacoma. In his temporary Minor League profession, Evans has a 3.05 ERA, 8.3 Okay/9 and a pair of.9 BB/9 price.
Rangers: Winston Santos, RHP (No. 4) & Emiliano Teodo, RHP (No. 5)
The Rangers discovered two of their greatest pitching prospects with matching $10,000 bonuses out of the Dominican Republic within the 2019-20 worldwide class. Santos is extra polished and possesses a strong three-pitch combine highlighted by a mid-80s slighter, whereas Teodo has extra electrical stuff (97-102 mph sinker, upper-80s slider and changeup) however comes with extra reliever danger. Each went down with accidents at Triple-A in mid-April, with Santos nonetheless sidelined with a stress response in his again and Teodo simply starting to return again from shoulder fatigue.
Braves: Jhancarlos Lara, RHP (No. 11)
The Braves solely had half of their worldwide bonus pool in 2021 as they had been nonetheless serving the penalty for earlier signing infractions, so that they needed to discover good worth. It seems to be like they did so with Lara, who signed for simply $10,000 that June. He’s moved fairly rapidly since his 2022 DSL debut, reaching Double-A final yr and beginning this season at Triple-A. He’s nonetheless beginning, however on condition that he’s a two-pitch man with a fastball and a plus slider and has iffy command, he most likely leads to the bullpen, however these two pitches might play up in shorter stints.
Marlins: Jared Serna, SS/2B (No. 15)
Serna landed a $10,000 bonus when he signed with the Yankees out of Mexico in 2019 and went to the Marlins within the Jazz Chisholm Jr. commerce final July. A 5-foot-7, 168-pounder with shocking uncooked pop, he has near common instruments throughout the board, although he is off to a gradual .220/.290/.252 begin with one homer in 32 Double-A video games.
Mets: Jonah Tong, RHP (No. 6)
The Ontario native tried to assist his Draft inventory with stints on the Georgia Premier Academy and MLB Draft League in 2022, and he caught sufficient of the Mets’ consideration to get taken within the seventh spherical and signal away from a North Dakota State dedication for slot at $226,000. He’s been one of many Minors’ greatest strikeout machines the previous two years with 160 Okay’s in 113 innings throughout three ranges in 2024 and 51 in 28 frames for Double-A Binghamton this spring. Tong’s fastball reveals elite trip from his over-the-top Lincecum-esque supply, and his mid-70s curveball provides him one other whiff-heavy choice.
Nationals: Zach Brzykcy, RHP (No. 21)
With the 2020 Draft shortened to 5 rounds, there have been nonetheless high quality abilities to be discovered exterior of the method. The Nats signed Brzykcy out of Virginia Tech for $20,000 that July, and whereas he’s been stalled at instances by accidents (together with 2023 Tommy John surgical procedure), he’s again within the bigs now as a bullpen arm. His fastball-curveball-changeup combine might assist regular a Washington reduction corps in dire want of reinforcement.
Phillies: Jean Cabrera, RHP (No. 11)
Signed for simply $10,000 at the beginning of the 2019-20 worldwide signing interval, Cabrera took a short time to achieve any traction within the Phillies system, spending two full seasons with Single-A Clearwater after making his debut within the Dominican Summer season League in 2021. Final yr is when issues actually began coming collectively because the right-hander pitched his means from Excessive-A Jersey Shore to Double-A Studying, topping 100 innings for the primary time and incomes a spot on the 40-man roster. He’s off to a strong begin at Double-A this yr with an opportunity to be a starter long run.
Brewers: Craig Yoho, RHP (No. 18)
Yoho dominated as an Indiana reliever in 2023, however as a senior, he solely signed with the Brewers for $10,000 as an eighth-rounder that summer season. He constructed on that dominance early in professional ball as an All-MiLB First Teamer final yr, using his plus-plus changeup and spectacular sweeper to a 0.94 ERA and 101 Okay’s in 57⅔ innings throughout three full-season ranges. His MLB debut was tough (6 ER in 5⅔ IP), however the stuff remains to be there to be a high-leverage arm — a top quality end result for the eighth spherical, no matter bonus.
Cardinals: Matt Koperniak, OF (No. 22)
Koperniak was set to switch from Division III Trinity Faculty to Kansas State when the Cardinals signed him as an undrafted free agent in June 2020 as an alternative. After bouncing across the higher Minors, he broke out with a .309/.370/.512 line and 20 homers at Triple-A Memphis final yr and joined St. Louis’ 40-man roster consequently. The 27-year-old outfielder additionally has World Baseball Traditional expertise with Nice Britain. Even with early tough leads to ‘25, he nonetheless provides fellow D3 abilities hope.
Cubs: Jonathon Lengthy, 1B/OF/3B (No. 13)
The 266th general decide (ninth spherical) within the 2023 Draft, Lengthy signed for $179,400 and has blossomed into the Cubs’ greatest upper-level hitter who’s not a High 100 prospect. The Lengthy Seaside State product makes probably the most of his bat velocity and energy with a selectively aggressive strategy, and he is batting .341/.412/.470 with three homers in 35 Triple-A video games.
Pirates: Omar Alfonzo, C (No. 19)
There are bloodlines right here, with dad Eliezer a longtime skilled catcher who spent elements of six years within the huge leagues, and brother Eliezer Jr. presently catching within the Tigers group, so it’s not like he was means below the radar. However the Pirates did get him for simply $150K in August 2019. He’s a left-handed hitting backstop who can hit the ball very onerous however must preserve enhancing his means to carry the ball to get to his energy. (He did hit 13 homers in 2024.) Unsurprisingly given his household enterprise, he has an concept of what he’s doing behind the plate.
Reds: Luis Mey, RHP (No. 20)
Signed for simply $50,000 again in July 2018, Mey has all the time had a ton of arm energy, however by no means persistently knew the place the ball was going. Then in final yr’s Arizona Fall League, issues clicked and his robust displaying whereas closing video games earned him a spot on the 40-man roster. He saved that going at Triple-A this yr and that earned him his first callup to the large leagues, the place he’s utilizing his sinking fastball that reaches as much as 102 mph and slider to maintain lacking bats.
D-backs: Yilber Díaz, RHP (No. 5)
Twenty years outdated when he signed with the D-backs for $10,000 in February 2021, the Venezuela native might have been a late bloomer, however he’s grow to be one of the crucial fascinating arms within the system with a fastball that may contact 98-99 and a pair of strong breaking pitches in his low-80s slider and upper-70s curveball. Díaz’s management issues have ballooned at Triple-A in 2025, however he’s nonetheless a part of the depth combine for the Snakes.
Dodgers: River Ryan, RHP (No. 9)
After the Padres stole Ryan with the 340th general choice (eleventh spherical) and a $100,000 bonus within the 2021 Draft, they gave him away to the Dodgers in a commerce for Matt Beaty the next March. The 2-way star at NCAA Division II UNC Pembroke has developed a six-pitch repertoire that features a 95-100 mph four-seam fastball with huge carry, a mid-90s two-seamer, an upper-80s slider, a low-90s cutter, an 82-85 mph curveball and an upper-80s changeup — all of that are a minimum of strong choices at their greatest. He compiled a 1.33 ERA in his first 4 huge league begins final summer season earlier than blowing out his elbow, resulting in Tommy John surgical procedure that may sideline him till 2026.
Giants: Bo Davidson, OF (No. 9) & Trent Harris, RHP (No. 11)
Giants part-time scout Paul Faulk (now with the Royals) scored with two nondrafted free brokers out of North Carolina in the summertime of 2023, touchdown Davidson from Caldwell CC for $50,000 and Harris for $10,000 out of NCAA Division II UNC Pembroke. Davidson, who has the upside of a minimum of strong instruments throughout the board, leads the Excessive-A Northwest League in batting and is slashing .339/.395/.569 with 4 homers in 25 video games. The son of former huge leaguer Greg W. Harris, Trent backs up a dynamic mid-90s fastball with a plus 79-82 mph curveball and a strong 83-85 mph slider. He hasn’t surrendered a run in 10 Double-A innings, permitting simply six batters to achieve base whereas putting out 12.
Padres: Braden Nett, RHP (No. 9)
Nett tried two showcase circuits within the Appalachian League (2021) and MLB Draft League (2022) earlier than signing with the Padres for $10,000 in August 2022 out of St. Charles (Mo.) CC. He’s jumped to San Diego’s prime 10 on the energy of his 95-97 mph fastball, low-80s slider, 88-91 mph cutter and upper-70s curveball. He’s been restricted by accidents in his first two full seasons however has stayed on the mound with Double-A San Antonio this spring and might be an choice for San Diego by the second half if that pattern continues.
Rockies: Zach Agnos, RHP (No. 25)
In 2022, the Rockies took Agnos out of East Carolina within the tenth spherical and signed him for $165,000. He instantly put himself on the reduction pitching prospect map by saving 27 video games in 2023 with Single-A Fresno. He saved closing video games between Excessive-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford final yr then obtained referred to as as much as Colorado after six robust outings at Triple-A. He’s picked up two saves already and has future nearer written throughout him.
