Each Minor League season options its share of nice developments.
Dodgers outfielder Mike Sirota is topping the Minors in slugging (.745) and OPS (1.214) in his professional debut. Royals outfielder Asbel Gonzalez is difficult for the Minor League lead in steals (35 in 37 video games) in his first prolonged style of full-season ball. Cardinals catcher Rainiel Rodriguez homered six occasions in his first 12 video games stateside and is tearing up the Florida Complicated League identical to he did the Dominican Summer season League a yr in the past.
We discover these tales and extra as we spotlight encouraging progress made by a prospect in every farm system under…
Blue Jays: Yohendrick Pinango, OF (No. 24)
Toronto acquired Pinango from the Cubs eventually yr’s Commerce Deadline within the Nate Pearson deal, however the left-handed hitter floundered after the transfer, hitting simply .179 with a .518 OPS in 33 video games with Double-A New Hampshire. He’s seemed like a revelation again with the Fisher Cats this spring, main Double-A in all three slash line classes (.347/.456/.597) whereas including seven homers by means of his first 36 contests. His killer bat pace ought to give him at the very least common energy, and a Triple-A take a look at shouldn’t be far off.
Orioles: Nestor German, RHP (No. 11)
German was the decide in final week’s story on a finest prospect discover for every workforce and the 2023 Eleventh-round decide continues to impress. After six strong begins for Excessive-A Aberdeen, German tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his Double-A debut on Could 16. That offers him a mixed 2.93 ERA and 12.6 Ok/9 charge due to a strong four-pitch combine that factors to a future as an enormous league starter.
Rays: Cooper Kinney, 2B/3B (No. 23)
The 2021 No. 34 general decide has all the time been a bat-first infielder, however he’s taken his energy to a brand new degree in 2025. His eight homers are already solely two behind his profession excessive (reached in each 2023 and 2024), and his .536 slugging share by means of 33 video games represents a brand new finest. Kinney has cooled off in Could after a particularly sizzling April, however even then, it’s nonetheless noteworthy that he continues to be an on a regular basis choice for Double-A Montgomery after shoulder points have restricted him for a lot of his early profession.
Crimson Sox: Brandon Clarke, LHP (No. 29)
The Crimson Sox knew Clarke may attain the higher 90s along with his fastball once they drafted him within the fifth spherical out of the State JC of Florida (Manatee-Sarasota) final July, however he additionally had missed most of 2022 and 2023 and did not have a lot observe report of throwing strikes. He has confirmed extra superior than anticipated in his professional debut whereas sitting at 96-97 mph along with his heater and unveiling an upper-80s slider and improved management. He has posted a 2.29 ERA with simply 5 hits allowed and 33 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings between two Class A stops.
Yankees: Carlos Lagrange, RHP (No. 17)
Lagrange led the Rookie-level Florida Complicated League with 63 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings throughout his U.S. debut in 2023, however he missed extra of final yr with again irritation and could not throw strikes within the Arizona Fall League. He is doing a greater job of harnessing his energy arsenal (upper-90s fastball, mid-80s sweeper, upper-80s cutter) whereas compiling a 3.45 ERA, .202 average-against, 50/7 Ok/BB ratio and Excessive-A South Atlantic League-leading 41 % strikeout charge.
Guardians: Josh Hartle, LHP (No. 22)
Hartle entered the 2024 school season as a possible first-round decide and exited it as a Pirates third-rounder following a disappointing efficiency at Wake Forest. Despatched to the Guardians as a part of a commerce for Spencer Horwitz in December, he has regained some velocity on his low-90s fastball and really feel for his secondary pitches. He has logged a 2.55 ERA with a 36/11 Ok/BB ratio in 35 1/3 innings at Excessive-A.
Royals: Asbel Gonzalez, OF (No. 23)
After turning 19 in January, Gonzalez joined Single-A Columbia with a popularity as a plus runner and distinctive defender in middle area. As talked about above, he’s put these wheels to good use already with 35 steals, second-most within the Minors. However he’s capable of steal so many luggage as a result of he’s on base at a .443 clip by taking his walks, placing balls in play and profiting from these wheels to put up a excessive BABIP. He’s turn out to be an up-the-middle expertise price following.
Tigers: Dylan Smith, RHP (not ranked)
The 2021 third-rounder was a starter for the primary three seasons of his profession however by no means managed greater than 88 1/3 innings in a marketing campaign on account of accidents, most not too long ago a strained subscapularis in 2024. He transitioned into the Double-A Erie bullpen this season with nice success (1.80 ERA, 27 strikeouts in 20 innings) earlier than a transfer to Triple-A this week. With a fastball that may contact the higher 90s and a diving slider, Smith may put himself in a spot to assist the MLB reduction corps in ‘25.
Twins: Gabriel Gonzalez, OF (No. 17)
The Twins have been hoping they have been getting a prospect on the rise once they acquired Gonzalez from the Mariners in return for Jorge Polanco forward of the 2024 season. However in his first season with the group, he posted only a .707 OPS. A return to Excessive-A Cedar Rapids has seemingly been a sensible developmental transfer for the outfielder as he hit .319/.378/.529 with 18 extra-base hits by means of his first 34 video games to earn his first bump as much as Double-A.
White Sox: Christian Oppor, LHP (No. 18)
Extraordinarily uncooked when the White Sox chosen him in 2023’s fifth spherical out of Gulf Coast State (Fla.) JC, Oppor has impressed along with his arsenal and improved polish whereas placing collectively a 3.46 ERA, .180 average-against and 37 strikeouts in 26 innings between two Class A ranges. He is working at 93-95 mph and touching 98 along with his fastball whereas additionally lacking bats with a sweeping 78-82 mph slider and tumbling upper-70s changeup.
Angels: George Klassen, RHP (No. 3)
Klassen is sadly on the concussion injured checklist after taking a line drive to the pinnacle on Could 11. And in some ways, the right-hander was a shock improvement final yr when he jumped on the scene with the Phillies earlier than being despatched to the Angels close to the Commerce Deadline, ending with a 3.10 ERA, 13.1 Ok/9 charge and .195 BAA. What’s been enjoyable to see this yr as he was beginning to settle in at Double-A is how usually he’s discovered the strike zone. Klassen walked 8.5 per 9 in school, 4.5/9 in 2024 and is right down to 2.2 this yr whereas nonetheless lacking loads of bats.
Astros: Bryce Mayer, RHP (No. 27)
Mayer opened eyes in his temporary professional debut after the Astros drafted him within the sixteenth spherical final July, and he has continued to take action this spring with an explosive mid-90s fastball with carry and a pair of high quality breaking pitches (upper-70s curveball, sweeping 82-85 mph slider). The Missouri product has recorded a 3.82 ERA with a 43/11 Ok/BB ratio in 30 2/3 innings at two Class A stops.
A’s: Daniel Susac, C (No. 11)
Since being taken within the first spherical of the 2022 Draft, Susac had put up comparatively pedestrian numbers on the plate, and whereas he did homer 12 occasions final yr for Double-A Midland, he completed with a .734 OPS as his method regressed general. This yr, he’s nonetheless chasing an excessive amount of (41 %), however he’s drawing extra walks and attending to his energy extra, with a .926 OPS and 124 wRC+ over his first 27 video games.
Mariners: Brock Rodden, 2B (No. 27)
A fifth-round senior check in 2023 who joined the Mariners for an under-slot $200,000, Rodden had a strong first full season in 2024, splitting the yr between Excessive-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas. He slashed simply .208/.261/.342 in 64 video games up a degree and was despatched again to Arkansas this yr. The M’s may need to maneuver him once more quickly because the undersized switch-hitter is batting .329/.384/.539 over his first 19 video games after lacking the primary couple weeks of the season.
Rangers: Caden Scarborough, RHP (No. 27)
Although Scarborough was extra of a basketball participant as a Florida excessive schooler, the Rangers favored his athleticism, projectability and supply metrics sufficient to take him in 2023’s sixth spherical and signal him for an over-slot $515,000. After a lat pressure delayed his professional debut till final July and he labored simply 10 1/3 innings in 2024, he has been wholesome and confirmed extra polish than anticipated thus far this yr. Armed with a 92-97 mph fastball with carry and a low-80s slider, he has posted a deceptively excessive 4.85 ERA that belies his .221 average-against and 34/9 Ok/BB ratio in 26 Single-A frames.
Braves: Ian Mejia, RHP (No. 23)
An Eleventh-round decide who signed for $100K in 2022, Mejia retains trending in the best route. He went from a 4.69 ERA and .260 BAA in 2023 to three.80 and .239 final yr. Beginning the yr at Double-A, the 25-year-old right-hander has been lights-out, main the Southern League with an 0.98 ERA and sitting fourth with a .190 BAA by means of his first seven appearances.
Marlins: Joe Mack, C (No. 9)
The thirty first general decide within the 2021 Draft, Mack lastly began placing issues collectively on the plate final yr by searching fastballs early in counts, although he was much less constant at Double-A. He has had fewer ups and downs in 2025, growing into one of many recreation’s finest all-around catching prospects whereas slashing .297/.397/.477 with 5 homers in 35 video games between Double-A and Triple-A.
Mets: A.J. Ewing, OF/2B (No. 27)
Jacob Reimer — an enormous producer after final yr’s hamstring harm — could be a very good shout right here too, however the nod goes to Ewing, who entered Wednesday with a .374/.468/.573 line, 16 extra-base hits and 28 steals in 34 video games between Single-A and Excessive-A. He was doing a significantly better job of constructing contact within the zone throughout his return to St. Lucie, and his above-average pace provides him one other weapon. He’s a key a part of a loaded Brooklyn lineup.
Nationals: Cole Henry, RHP (not ranked)
Washington had excessive hopes for the previous LSU star when it made him a second-round decide in 2020 however accidents all through his profession (together with thoracic outlet syndrome) have restricted his time on the mound. Till now. He’s been up within the bigs as one of many few vivid spots within the Nats bullpen with a 2.76 ERA and 17 strikeouts by means of 16 1/3 innings (the identical quantity he threw within the Minors in 2024). Henry has relied totally on his 93-95 mph four-seamer and 79-82 mph curveball in his early MLB days.
Phillies: Otto Kemp, UTIL (No. 24)
As a non-drafted free agent, Kemp has already far surpassed expectations, however now he’s knocking on the large league door. After a 2024 season during which he reached Triple-A and completed with an OPS of .881, Kemp was some of the productive hitters within the Arizona Fall League (1.194 OPS, 6 HR, 22 RBI in 15 video games). He’s stored it going again with Lehigh Valley this yr, at .329/.435/.624 by means of 44 video games whereas seeing time at third, first, second and left area.
Brewers: Brock Wilken, 3B (No. 17)
The 2023 first-rounder was hit within the face early in his first full season, and even after returning, he struggled with a .199 common and 28.2 % Ok charge over 108 Double-A video games. (His time within the Arizona Fall League wasn’t significantly better.) It’s been an enormous turnaround up to now in ‘25. Again with Biloxi, he sports activities a .231/.409/.530 line with 11 homers (tops at Double-A) and a 21.6 % stroll charge by means of 40 contests. Milwaukee appears content material to let him dominate the Southern League for a bit longer, however given the third-base points within the Majors, Wilken may very well be an MLB choice within the second half ought to these enhancements maintain.
Cardinals: Rainiel Rodriguez, C (No. 7)
The transfer stateside can include its share of bumps, however that hasn’t been the case in any respect for Rodriguez, who hit 10 homers and tied for the Dominican Summer season League lead with 25 extra-base hits in 2024. The 18-year-old backstop continues to point out at the very least plus energy with six homers by means of his first 12 video games within the Florida Complicated League, most amongst Rookie-ball hitters. His .944 SLG and 1.475 OPS additionally rank second on the degree on this early juncture. Already thought-about superior, Rodriguez is slugging even forward of schedule.
Cubs: Jaxon Wiggins, RHP (No. 10)
The Cubs have a hitter-heavy farm system and wish some pitchers to make strides this yr, and Wiggins is doing precisely that. He had a 6.17 ERA in his first two school seasons at Arkansas and missed his third following Tommy John surgical procedure earlier than the Cubs made him a supplemental second-round decide in 2023. After easing again into motion final yr, he is lacking bats with three pitches (mid-90s fastball, mid-80s slider and changeup) whereas recording a 1.78 ERA, .151 average-against and 35 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings between Excessive-A and Double-A.
Pirates: Mitch Jebb, OF/2B (No. 13)
Jebb began off very slowly throughout his first full season of professional ball in 2024, with a .564 OPS by means of the tip of Could. He hit .289 with a .372 OBP from July 1 on, however the query was whether or not that may carry over to this season with a transfer as much as Double-A Altoona and away from the hitting-friendly environs in Excessive-A Greensboro. Up to now, he’s answered that question with a convincing sure, hitting .323 with a .417 OBP and 16 steals in 36 video games.
Reds: Ty Floyd, RHP (No. 17)
Taken No. 38 general within the 2023 Draft out of Louisiana State, Floyd is pitching the primary aggressive innings of his professional profession this season after lacking all of 2024 following shoulder surgical procedure final Could. He’s understandably being constructed again up slowly with Single-A Daytona, and his final outing was a clunker, however general the Reds must be proud of Floyd’s 3.25 ERA, .147 BAA and 10.1 Ok/9 charge. The fastball nonetheless isn’t fairly as crisp as in 2023 (averaging extra round 92 mph than 94 at LSU that spring), however he’s lacking bats with it in addition to with a few of his secondaries.
D-backs: Kristian Robinson, OF (not ranked)
A former Prime 100 prospect, Robinson didn’t play in any respect for an affiliate in 2021 or 2022 on account of authorized and visa points. He spent all final season with Double-A Amarillo and seemed like a participant making up for misplaced time with a 35.8 % Ok charge. That’s right down to 29.0 % with the Sod Poodles this season whereas sporting a .289/.420/.547 slash line with seven homers by means of his first 37 video games. Amarillo is a launching pad, however Robinson’s improved contact has helped his prospect inventory in his age-24 season.
Dodgers: Mike Sirota, OF (No. 19)
Projected as a first-rounder getting into his junior season at Northeastern final spring, Sirota slumped and fell to the Reds within the third spherical. Traded to the Dodgers within the Gavin Lux deal in January, he has recaptured his timing on the plate in his professional debut this yr and is batting .382/.469/.745 with 9 homers in 27 video games between two Class A ranges. The grand-nephew of Corridor of Famer Whitey Ford has the upside of a middle fielder with strong instruments throughout the board.
Giants: Walker Martin, SS (No. 22)
Signed for an over-slot $2,997,500 as a 2023 second-rounder from a Colorado highschool, Martin had bother staying wholesome and making contact in his professional debut final yr, putting out at an general 41 % clip and in 46 % of his Single-A plate appearances. He has made progress this spring with a 30 % Ok charge at that degree whereas hitting .226/.308/.491 with a California League-best seven homers in 27 video games. He’ll have to hold enhancing his bat-to-ball abilities however does have 20/20 potential.
Padres: Rosman Verdugo, INF (No. 24)
Standing 5-foot-11, Verdugo wasn’t identified for his energy getting into 2025. He’d hit 13 homers over his first two full seasons and hadn’t posted a slugging share above .381 in both marketing campaign. It’s been a distinct story with Excessive-A Fort Wayne up to now; Verdugo has already gone deep eight occasions in 37 video games and sports activities a .514 SLG. That’s include a major leap in strikeout charge (38.0 %), however with 20 of his 34 hits going for further bases, Verdugo is exhibiting an apparently totally different hitting profile in his age-20 marketing campaign.
Rockies: Kyle Karros, 3B (No. 19)
He had an enormous first full season of professional ball, incomes Northwest League MVP honors, however was it only a hitting-friendly Spokane mirage? Evidently not, and Karros truly hit barely higher on the street than at house final yr. Whereas he’s been out for the reason that starting of this month, he’s confirmed his bat will play even at a way more equitable ballpark in Double-A Hartford. Over his first 22 video games, Karros had a .960 OPS — 1.177 in 13 house video games.
