Recognizing the Best Minor League Prospects from the 2025 Season

As anticipation builds for the 2025 MLB postseason, it’s time to highlight the standout performers from the recently concluded Minor League Baseball (MiLB) season. This article focuses on each Major League Baseball (MLB) team's most impressive prospect, reflecting solely on their 2025 production without considering future potential or past performance. The following players have emerged as the top prospects from their respective teams, earning the recognition of B/R’s Minor League Player of the Year for their exceptional efforts.

Top Prospect Performers

Baltimore Orioles: OF Nate George (Age: 19)

Stats: 87 G, .337/.413/.483, 28 XBH (5 HR), 50 SB

Displaying remarkable speed and a refined hitting skill set, George is setting himself up as a future star in center field.

Boston Red Sox: LHP Payton Tolle (Age: 22)

Stats: 18 GS, 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 133 K in 91.2 IP

Tolle emerged as a breakout pitcher in the minors, featuring an elite fastball that made him a vital part of Boston’s playoff roster.

New York Yankees: RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (Age: 22)

Stats: 26 GS, 2.58 ERA, 176 K in 150 IP

The acquisition from the Red Sox has shown promise, likely to be a consensus Top 100 prospect by 2026.

Tampa Bay Rays: RHP TJ Nichols (Age: 23)

Stats: 24 GS, 2.90 ERA, 156 K in 133.2 IP

Nichols leads the Rays pitching rotation with advanced command and a high-velocity fastball, making him a key player for 2026.

Toronto Blue Jays: RHP Trey Yesavage (Age: 22)

Stats: 22 GS, 3.12 ERA, 160 K in 98 IP

Yesavage has made his presence known on a contending Blue Jays team, emerging as a future game starter.

Chicago White Sox: IF Caleb Bonemer (Age: 19)

Stats: 107 G, .281/.401/.473, 46 XBH (12 HR), 29 SB

Bonemer’s offensive profile showcases his potential as a future infield star for the White Sox.

Cleveland Guardians: LHP Josh Hartle (Age: 22)

Stats: 24 GS, 2.54 ERA, 107 K in 113.1 IP

After a rocky start, Hartle has found his footing, proving to be a valuable asset for the Guardians’ pitching depth.

Detroit Tigers: 2B Max Anderson (Age: 23)

Stats: 122 G, .296/.350/.478, 52 XBH (19 HR)

A standout performer, Anderson continues to shine as an offensive-minded second baseman in the Tigers' lineup.

Kansas City Royals: C Carter Jensen (Age: 22)

Stats: 111 G, .290/.377/.501, 45 XBH (20 HR)

With impressive power, Jensen has made a case for a spot on the Royals' Opening Day roster next spring.

Minnesota Twins: SS Kaelen Culpepper (Age: 22)

Stats: 113 G, .289/.375/.469, 39 XBH (20 HR)

Culpepper's power production brings him to the forefront of the Twins prospect pool.

Athletics: LHP Gage Jump (Age: 22)

Stats: 24 GS, 3.28 ERA, 131 K in 112.2 IP

Jump has established himself as the top arm in the Athletics’ system after a successful junior year at LSU.

Houston Astros: OF Zach Cole (Age: 25)

Stats: 97 G, .279/.377/.539, 48 XBH (19 HR)

A significant improvement in his performance has made Cole a noteworthy prospect after some struggles in the prior season.

Los Angeles Angels: OF Raudi Rodriguez (Age: 22)

Stats: 125 G, .281/.372/.470, 49 XBH (14 HR), 38 SB

After a breakout performance at Single-A, Rodriguez is becoming a key figure in the Angels' outfield.

Seattle Mariners: SS Colt Emerson (Age: 20)

Stats: 130 G, .285/.383/.458, 50 XBH (16 HR)

Emerson's all-around game showcases him as the future shortstop for the Mariners.

Texas Rangers: IF Cody Freeman (Age: 24)

Stats: 97 G, .336/.382/.549, 44 XBH (19 HR)

Freeman's 2025 season has elevated his status as a potential asset for the Rangers.

Atlanta Braves: RHP JR Ritchie (Age: 22)

Stats: 26 GS, 2.64 ERA, 140 K in 140 IP

A healthy Ritchie has shown significant improvement this season, drawing attention as a top pitching prospect.

Miami Marlins: LHP Robby Snelling (Age: 21)

Stats: 25 GS, 2.51 ERA, 166 K in 136 IP

Snelling’s rebound season has solidified his position as a valuable prospect in the Marlins' system.

New York Mets: RHP Jonah Tong (Age: 22)

Stats: 22 GS, 1.43 ERA, 179 K in 113.2 IP

Tong's dominance in the minors makes him a standout among the Mets' pitching prospects.

Philadelphia Phillies: OF Justin Crawford (Age: 21)

Stats: 112 G, .334/.411/.452, 46 SB

Crawford's impressive Triple-A numbers suggest he’s ready for the majors.

Washington Nationals: LHP Alex Clemmey (Age: 20)

Stats: 25 GS, 3.47 ERA, 136 K in 116.2 IP

Clemmey's strong performance lends promise to his future in the Nationals' rotation.

Chicago Cubs: RHP Jaxon Wiggins (Age: 23)

Stats: 18 GS, 2.19 ERA, 97 K in 78.0 IP

Wiggins has emerged as the top pitching prospect in the Cubs' system following his breakout year.

Cincinnati Reds: IF Sal Stewart (Age: 21)

Stats: 118 G, .309/.383/.524, 54 XBH (20 HR)

Stewart's late-season call-up has made him a valuable part of the Reds' postseason roster.

Milwaukee Brewers: SS Jesús Made (Age: 18)

Stats: 115 G, .285/.379/.413, 47 SB

Made's rapid progress through the minors places him among the top prospects in baseball.

Pittsburgh Pirates: SS Konnor Griffin (Age: 19)

Stats: 122 G, .333/.415/.527, 65 SB

Griffin's outstanding performance last season makes him a frontrunner for an MLB debut in 2026.

St. Louis Cardinals: SS JJ Wetherholt (Age: 23)

Stats: 109 G, .306/.421/.510, 47 XBH (17 HR)

Wetherholt's impressive debut suggests a promising future as a starting second baseman.

Arizona Diamondbacks: OF Ryan Waldschmidt (Age: 22)

Stats: 134 G, .289/.419/.473, 29 SB

Waldschmidt's promising metrics put him on a fast track towards the big leagues.

Colorado Rockies: OF Sterlin Thompson (Age: 24)

Stats: 120 G, .296/.392/.519, 54 XBH (18 HR)

Thompson's resurgence in Triple-A makes him a contender for next spring’s roster.

Los Angeles Dodgers: OF Eduardo Quintero (Age: 20)

Stats: 113 G, .293/.415/.508, 47 SB

Despite a mid-season injury, Quintero has demonstrated significant power this year.

San Diego Padres: RHP Miguel Mendez (Age: 23)

Stats: 21 GS, 3.22 ERA, 118 K in 95.0 IP

Mendez's performance solidifies his place within the Padres' pitching depth chart.

San Francisco Giants: OF Bo Davidson (Age: 23)

Stats: 114 G, .281/.376/.468, 41 XBH (18 HR)

Davidson's consistent hitting has made him a valuable asset for the Giants over the past three seasons.