Emerging Baseball Prospects to Watch in 2025

In 2024, Boston Red Sox second baseman Kristian Campbell and St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Quinn Mathews emerged as two of the most notable breakout prospects in Major League Baseball. Both players saw their rankings soar on league-wide Top 100 lists during their first full professional seasons. Alongside players like Alex Freeland (Los Angeles Dodgers), Jaden Hamm (Detroit Tigers), Gary Gill Hill (Tampa Bay Rays), Cooper Pratt (Milwaukee Brewers), Agustin Ramirez (Miami Marlins), Travis Sykora (Washington Nationals), and Colby Thomas (Oakland Athletics), these prospects showed significant promise during the 2024 minor league season. This article highlights one prospect from each organization, who, while not commonly featured on Top 100 prospect lists, have the potential to make substantial advancements in the upcoming season. These prospects include recent draft selections, players returning from injury, and those who have just begun to unveil their considerable upside.
For the Baltimore Orioles, left-handed pitcher Luis De León, 21, is a player to watch. Signed for a mere $30,000 in 2021, De León possesses a powerful fastball coupled with a projectable frame standing at 6'3" and 168 pounds. He recorded a 4.62 ERA along with 106 strikeouts over 87.2 innings between Single-A and High-A in 2024. With improved command, he could quickly rise through the ranks to become the Orioles' top pitching prospect. The Boston Red Sox are turning to left-handed pitcher Payton Tolle, 22, who garnered a $2 million signing bonus as the 50th overall pick in the 2024 draft. After excelling at Texas Christian University with a 7-4 record, a 3.21 ERA, and 125 strikeouts in 81.1 innings, Tolle's future on the mound looks promising as he shifts from a two-way player to a dedicated pitcher.
The New York Yankees have catcher Edgleen Perez, 18, to keep an eye on after an impressive showing in rookie ball, where he posted a .283 batting average, a .444 on-base percentage, and a 20.8 percent walk rate. His solid defensive skills further enhance his prospect status. In the Tampa Bay Rays' system, outfielder Colton Ledbetter, 23, has increased his draft profile through a transfer to Mississippi State, where he was selected in the second round of the 2023 draft. With an .822 OPS and noteworthy contributions on both offensive and defensive fronts in High-A, Ledbetter demonstrates the kind of well-rounded skill set coveted by organizations. Moving on to the Toronto Blue Jays, right-handed pitcher Trey Yesavage, 21, is a consensus top college starter who displayed exceptional performance stats with an 11-1 record, a 2.03 ERA, and 145 strikeouts in 93.1 innings, despite slipping to No. 20 overall in the draft. The Chicago White Sox's right-handed pitcher Grant Taylor, 22, aims for a healthy season after returning from injury, having showcased promise with a 2.33 ERA and a remarkable 32-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio prior to another setback.
Welbyn Francisca, 18, a switch-hitting shortstop for the Cleveland Guardians, figures to be another intriguing prospect after signing for $1.375 million in 2023. His performance in rookie ball and Single-A, marked by a .326 batting average and 19 steals, indicates solid potential. The Detroit Tigers' catcher and first baseman Josue Briceño, 20, captured attention by winning 2024 Arizona Fall League MVP honors, further enhancing his stock after a knee injury limited his regular-season play. His performance will follow whether he can sustain catching duties or shift to first base. The Kansas City Royals have third baseman Austin Charles, 21, who posted solid offensive numbers despite a manageable strikeout rate for his profile. Eduardo Beltre, 18, captured early attention from the Minnesota Twins after hitting .326 in the Dominican Summer League, signaling a bright future.
For the Oakland Athletics, right-handed pitcher Steven Echavarria, 19, stands as a noteworthy addition, having been lured away from a college commitment with a $3 million bonus. His rocky debut raised concerns; however, his capacity for growth and proven strikeout potential is promising. Houston Astros’ right-handed pitcher Anderson Brito, 20, experienced a rapid increase in fastball velocity since signing for a nominal fee in 2023, leading to impressive statistics in his initial professional season. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Angels showcased 18-year-old right-hander Dioris De La Rosa, who made a significant impact during his stateside debut in the Dominican Summer League. The Seattle Mariners have outfielder Jonny Farmelo, 20, whose combination of speed and batting prowess shows dual potential for the future based on his positive performances before a season-ending injury.
The Texas Rangers’ shortstop Yolfran Castillo, 17, emerged swiftly as a valuable prospect with an outstanding batting average and minimal strikeouts, highlighting his advanced offensive toolset. The Atlanta Braves made their mark with shortstop Jose Perdomo, 18, who received the highest bonus from the 2024 international signing period and is anticipated to quickly ascend through the ranks if healthy. Miami Marlins’ left-hander Keyner Benitez, 18, rapidly distinguished himself during his stateside debut, and the New York Mets’ catcher Yovanny Rodriguez, also 18, possesses a solid blend of offensive and defensive capability despite a challenging debut. The Philadelphia Phillies are keen on third baseman Carson DeMartini, 21, whose early success in the minors shows considerable promise. The Washington Nationals' catcher Caleb Lomavita, 22, who had a strong college career, will look to bounce back after a disappointing start in Single-A. Finally, the Chicago Cubs offer shortstop Fernando Cruz, 18, a player with top-tier potential, although his initial performance needs to improve. The Cincinnati Reds’ right-handed pitcher Ty Floyd, 23, has faced setbacks but promises to rise if healthy, while the Milwaukee Brewers witness the auspicious beginnings of 17-year-old Jesus Made, a prospect exhibiting a potent offensive profile. The Pittsburgh Pirates hold right-handed pitcher Zander Mueth, 19, in high regard due to his solid debut figures. Lastly, the St. Louis Cardinals highlight catcher Rainiel Rodriguez, 17, whose impressive Dominican Summer League performance raises expectations moving forward.








