2026 MLB Prospect Report: Part 2 (J-S)
This article was published in separate parts due to the length of the original article being longer than the average read time on our website.
Introduction
For this article/series, I decided to start a fun project tracking all the prospects who’s cards I have. This will be a weekly project tracking their hopefully success as we move through the season. I love the Topps pro debut set and have a very large collection from this alone.
Here are the links to the other parts of this series to navigate and read through:
Continuation of The Prospects
Jack Penny- The left handed hitting middle infielder was selected in the fifth round of the 2024 draft out of Notre Dame. Penney will likely stay up the middle as he is best at short. If he does not stick at short, second base is definitely more likely than third. In two seasons, he has shown a great eye at the plate and walks a ton. Penney has seen time in spring this year and has been great. two extra base hits and 2 walks in 11 plate appearances. The Tigers have a lot of your infield talent, so it is hard to see Penney finding a consistent role over Ranier and McGonigle.
Jackson Ferris- The Cubs drafted Ferris in the second round of the 2022 draft. The 6’4” lefty debuted in 2023 and started 18 games. He posted a 3.38 era in 56 innings striking out 77 batters. He was traded to the Dodgers with fellow highly touted prospect Zyhir Hope for Michael Busch. He throws five pitches and his fastball sits mid 90s. Ferris keeps the ball on the ground and strikes out a ton of batters (27% strike out rate in career). He was invited to camp as a none roster invite and performed well. In two appearances, he allowed just 2 hits and 2 walks. While it was only 2.2, he did not allow a run. Control is a little bit of a worry, but he is still developing his pitches so this should improve. Ferris has a chance to see the bigs this year if he can improve his control.
Jacob Cozart- The Guardians selected Cozart in the second round in 2024 out of NC State. The three year college starter is known for his defense behind the plate, but his bat is improving. Cozart is huge (6’3”)214 lbs but is a solid baserunner. Cozart started in high A in 2024 and played 13 games. In 2025, he looked solid at the plate and was called up to double A after 72 games. He hit 7 home runs and 12 doubles while showing good discipline at the plate. He drew 45 walks as opposed to only striking out 65 times. Cozart struggled in double A at the plate in his first 21 games. Striking up 24 times. Cozart saw some time with the big league club in spring and appeared in seven games. While the numbers at the plate were not great, he was added to the spring breakout roster which shows the Guardians do like him as a prospect and want to see him compete against the top young talent.
Jaison Chourio- Chourio was signed out of Venezuela by the Guardians in 2022. The younger brother of the Brewers young star outfielder Jackson has a much different skillset. While Jackson’s biggest tool is his power, Jaison’s game is more centered around contact and speed. Jaison can fly around the bases and covers a ton of ground in the outfield. Despite only playing up to high A ball, he has received playing time in major league spring training. While he does have 5 strikeouts, it is not a huge concern. As it shows his approach still needs work, but he is facing much further advanced arms than he has typically faced so far. His .833 OPS and two extra base hits show that he is up there making solid swings and not just looking to slap singles. He is on the spring breakout roster and should put up numbers against younger non MLB ready arms.
Jared Serna- Serna was signed out of Mexico by the Yankees in 2020. The utility infielder hit the ground running, posting a .788 OPS and hitting 15 extra base hits in 50 games. In 2024, he was included in the trade to the Marlins for Jazz Chisolm. The bat is a question, but he is a plus defender at both positions up the middle. Great range and good hands will allow him to find a role. If his bat can continue to develop, he can turn into more than just a trade throw in. Serna will likely start back in triple A, but can definitely see time in the bigs at least as a backup/defensive replacement.
Jared Sundstrom- Sundstrom was drafted in the 10th round in 2023 by the Mariners out of college. Sundstrom played his first two years at the JUCO level before transferring to UC Santa Barbara. In his one year at the division one level, he was really solid. He hit 15 home runs and showed big time power. He posted a 1.071 OPS and had 15 doubles, 1 triple, and 11 stolen bases in 50 games. This Mariners took a flier on the 6’2” outfielder and it looks to have been a good choice. The number 6 overall prospect in the system has struggled with strikeouts, but he has also shown power to all fields. Sundstrom has reached double A and will start the season back in Arkansas. He did see some time in major league camp before being optioned back to the minors, appearing in 12 games and recording 13 at bats. He had 4 hits including a home run and a double while also drawing two walks. Sundstrom will have a chance to work on the strikeouts while continuing to hit for power.
Jared Thomas- The Rockies selected the left handed outfielder in the second round in the 2024 draft. Known for his advance contact ability and he has also shown some power. He has a sweet swing that seems to be built to play at Coors Field. His contact rate dropped when he was called up to double A and struggled with some strike out issues against more advanced pitching, but he should bounce back this year. While has has not shown elite in game power yet, he has shown flashes of above average pop so far. Thomas will start the year in double A but can definitely make the jump to triple A or even to the majors with a good season.
Jay Beshears- Beshears was drafted sixth round in 2023 by the Padres out of Duke. The utility infielder can play every position in the dirt and has games played all over. While he is not elite at any position defensively, he has shown the ability to play. His showed some pop in college, but it has not translated. What is impressive is his eye at the plate and his ability to work counts and battle at the plate. Beshears will likely start the season back in double A, but he looked good in 8 spring training games with the big league club. He went 3-8 with a double and a triple while only striking out once. This could be a big season for Beshears to put himself on the map as he is unranked in the organization.
JD Dix- Dix was selected in the 35th overall by the Diamondbacks in 2024 out of high school. The switch hitting shortstop debuted in 2025 and played across two levels. In rookie ball he hit .342/.421/.493 with a .915 OPS in 39 games before getting moved up to low A. In low A, he was also solid hitting .261/.391/.335 with a .726 OPS. Dix is a shore handed short stop with great speed. Dix is poised for a big season this year and should start in high A at 20 years old. Dix has a great eye at the plate and the potential to steal a ton of bases.
Jeral Perez- The Dodgers signed the middle infielder out of the Dominican in 2022. While his defense may cause him to move from short, his bat has shown promise though. He raked in the Dominican Summer League hitting .278/.371/.500 with a .871 OPS. He also hit 8 home runs in 48 games while also hitting 11 doubles and 2 triples. He came stateside in 2023 and was even better through rookie and low A slashing .255/.391/.485 with a .876 OPS. The power showed as he hit 11 home runs in 60 games. Perez also showed his discipline at the plate by drawing 41 walks. He was then traded to the WhiteSox where he is currently their number 15 prospect. Last season he played the full year in high A and was solid. While the OPS was down (.763), he hit 22 home runs, 24 doubles, and 4 triples. Decent chance he starts the year in double A, but worst case, he should make it up at some point during the season.
Jeremy Rodriguez- Rodriguez was signed out of the Dominican by the Diamondbacks in 2023. He showed an elite approach at the plate and a great eye. After 38 games, the Diamondbacks traded him to the Mets for Tommy Pham. The Mets went all in on the 16 year old middle infielder. The decision looked great immediately as he excelled in his 13 games with the Mets in the DSL. He hit .422/.532/.711 with a 1.247 OPS. He only struck out 4 times while drawing 11 walks. He came stateside at 17 years old and was very good in rookie ball. Still drawing a lot of walks and not striking out a lot. He will likely not stick at short, but he could play at second. Rodriguez played a full season in low A last year and struggled. His OPS was .540 but he still drew 60 walks. He is a solid baserunner and has the potential to steal 25+ bases a year. Jeremy is still very young at only 19 years old and has plenty of time to grow as a prospect and rise in the rankings.
Jesus Made- The Brewers signed Made out of the Dominican in 2024 and he has taken off. In two years, he is now the number two prospect in all of baseball. The switch hitting infielder is an all around stud. Plus defender, plus speed, and a great bat. While the power has not shown much yet, he has so much raw power that will show in time. In 166 career games through double A, Made is hitting .298/.402/.452 with an .854 OPS. This is without really hitting a ton of home runs (12). Should he start lifting the ball more, the home run numbers should rise. He is still great without hitting home runs. He is still only 19 years old, so the sky is really the limit.
Joe Vetrano- The Dodgers took the left handed former two way player in the fifth round in 2023. He showed incredible power in 2023 before being drafted hitting 23 home runs. Vetrano is a great athlete with good speed for a first baseman. In 2025 he made it to high A where he finally showed his speed and stole 21 bases. The power has not showed yet though as he only has 11 home runs in 104 games through three levels. If he can tap into this, he can become a real threat at the plate. He has a great arm as a former pitcher is and athletic enough to be good at first. 2026 will likely start with a repeat of high A, but a strong showing can definitely get him called up. His overall numbers are solid, but there needs to be more consistency.
Joendry Vargas- The 6’3” shortstop was signed out of the Dominican by the Dodgers in 2023. They gave him a huge commitment ($2m) and he reported right to the DSL where he tore it up. At 17, he hit .328/.423/.529 with a .952 OPS. He came stateside in 2025 and struggled in his first full season. Chasing a lot of pitches and being way too aggressive. At 20 years old, he will likely repeat low A ball with a solid chance to bounce back. It will be interesting to see if he can drop his strike out rate from 30% (last season) to the low 20% that it was the year before. If he can do this, his power should show. Vargas is likely limited to the middle infield in the field, but he does have a great arm, so third base is not out of the question.
John Spikerman- The Phillies drafted the switch hitting outfielder out of the University of Oklahoma in the third round in 2023. Spikerman is a good fielder in the outfield and has great speed. While there is not much game power, he does have a lot of raw power that he uses from gap to gap. He is not afraid to hit it the other way and has shown this consistently. He is a great base runner who stole 30 bases through three levels last year. 100% success rate who puts a ton of pressure on opposing pitchers. He will likely be sent back to the Jersey Shore to pick back up in high A but a strong showing can definitely earn a promotion. He needs to improve up in the zone against fastballs to become more consistent. It is a weak zone and pitchers attack him up there.
Jonathon Long- The Cubs selected the infielder from Cal State Long Beach in the ninth round in 2023. Despite playing in a park not known being favorable to power hitters, he still slugged 26 home runs in his time there. Long a a big time power threat from the right side of the plate. He debuted right away and lasted 3 games in rookie ball before getting moved up to low A. In 24 games, he hit .274/.402/.571 with a .973 OPS and 7 home runs. That was enough to start the next season in high A and finish in double A. In 118 games, he hit .283/.391/.461 with an OPS of .851 and 17 home runs. He spent last year in triple A and was incredible. Hitting 20 home runs with an .883 OPS. Long got a non roster invite to spring training and made the most of his 9 games. In 9 games, he went 7-21 with a home run and 4 walks. 2026 will likely start in triple A, but will also likely end in the majors.
Jonny Farmelo- The Mariners selected the speedy left handed hitting outfielder out of high school in 2023. His best skill is definitely his speed. While he is a plus fielder and has a ton of raw power, he has 70 grade speed. This should keep him in centerfield. Farmilo started in low A and was looking really good hitting .264/.398/.421 with an .820 OPS OPS with four home runs, 3 triples, and 10 doubles in 48 games before he tore his left ACL. This was a devastating injury which did not just cost him the rest of the 2024 season, but most of the 2025 season. When he did return, his power and speed seemed to be back where they were pre injury but the Mariners were careful with their young highly ranked prospect.
Farmilo will likely start the season back in low A since he only played in 29 games, but a strong showing can move him up quick. The most important thing is that he stays healthy and on the field. Jose Fernandez- The 6’3” Venezulan short stop was signed in 2021 by the Diamondbacks. In 2025, Fernandez had a career year in AA, posting a slash line of .272, .321., .775 with 17 home runs. He really put himself on the map. The concern is his high strike out numbers. 106 strike outs in 122 games last season is a little concerning. In 2026, he received a spring training invite and has made the most of it. With Marte and Perdomo both playing deep into the World Baseball Classic, he has gotten extended reps with the D-Backs. In 25 at bats, he had 7 hits (3 double), 3 home runs, nd 7 rbis. His 1.148 OPS stands out. While he likely start the season in triple A, he did earn a spot on the 40 man and should get a call up this year.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer- Grauer was drafted in the third round by the A’s in 2024 out of Rutgers. The bat to ball skills stands out and his smooth glove at short also catches eyes. The glove should keep him at short and could move Wilson to second/third. Currently in double A, Grauer has a chance to jump to triple A this year. There is no power threat, but he makes up for that by not striking out. In 605 minor leagues at bats, he has only 58 strike outs. He also stood out in the Arizona fall league, which will help his case. Grauer was given an invite to spring training where his bat to ball skills have been very obvious. in 10 games (19 at bats), he had 6 hits (two triple) two walks, and only one strike out. Grauer should be added to the 40 man soon and could definitely find a role on this team.
Josue De Paula- De Paula is a big time Dodgers prospect from Brooklyn, New York. The 6’3” outfielder is 20 years old and is likely to start the sesaon in AA. He did recieve a spring training invite and shined before being optioned to minor league camp. In his limited time with the big league club, he played in 14 games recording 24 at bats. In those 24 at bats, he recorded 9 hits, scored 4 runs, 1 double, 3 rbis, and 4 walks. The concern is he did strike out 8 times, but the young left hander will have plenty of time to correct this as he moves through the minors. We have his Great Lakes Loons insert /99.
Juan Baez- The right handed hitting infielder was signed out of the Dominican in 2022. He came stateside at 18 and posted a .904 OPS across rookie ball and low A. The 20 year old played the full season in high A last year and struggled hitting .201/.287/.224 with a .511 OPS. This will likely hold him back to repeat the level. Another rough season could be rough really struggled above rookie ball. He has a good swing that could some power, but none has been showed yet. Taking the next step here in high A will be crucial as he has fallen out of the teams top prospect rankings.
Juan Flores- The catcher was signed out of Venezuela by the Angels in 2023. He debuted in the DSL at 17 years old before coming stateside in 2024. In his first pro season, he played in both low and high A and showed promise. While the overall OPS was not great, the 17 year old showed his raw power and flashed some real potential as a big time home run hitter. He is still very young and should develop into a more consistent hitter. The 20 year old will likely start back in high A but could definitely move up if he recreates his performance in the Arizona Fall league. Flores is bult like a tank and definitely can use this to hit for power, but he cannot get too aggressive because his strikeout rate is currently solid. Will be interesting to see how this season plays out for the young catcher.
Kash Mayfield- The 6’4” left-handed pitcher was drafted 25th overall out of high school in 2024. He already has three plus pitches and is developing a fourth. His fastball sits mid 90s and 12/6 curveball is nasty. His changeup is his highest rated pitch, but his curveball is close. As he grows his fastball could definitely touch the upper 90s. Mayfield is a strike thrower who does not walk batters. Posting the second-best k-walk rate in single A last year. In 60 inning, he struck out 88 batters and only surrendered 28 walks. He does a great job of limiting hitters from pulling the ball in the air. Producing a 43% ground ball rate with 41% of the balls put in play going the other way. These stats are a lot more important than the 1-5 win/loss record as they show he is doing exactly what he should be. Expect Mayfield to return to low A this year, but with success he should make it to high A at a minimum by the end of the year.
Kelvin Hidalgo- The Rockies signed Hidalgo out of the Dominican in 2023. He spent his first two years in the DSL and posted a .872 OPS with 17 home runs. Since coming stateside, the power has not shown, but his speed and base running ability have been impressive. When the bat from the DSL does translate, Hidalgo will be a serious threat. In 292 games played, he has stolen 93 bases and has been a menace on the bases. He will likely start this year in low A again and should he show up at the plate, a promotion should be in the cards.
Kavaris Tears- Tears was selected in the fourth round in 2024 by the Padres out of the University of Tennessee. He was absolutely electric in his final college season. Hitting 20 home runs and slashing .324/.427/.643 with a 1.070 OPS. Tears is a project player with all the tools to be a plus hitter, baserunner, and fielder but he is very raw. If he can find consistency, the sky is the limit, but the risk was what caused him to fall to the fourth round. Tears was asigned to low A last year where he showed flashes. The raw power is off the charts and it goes to all fields. The concern is the strikeouts. He had a 29% strikeout rate He crushes fastballs but struggled against off speed pitches. Expect him to put his focus on improving against off speed pitches so that he can crush more fastballs.
Khadim Diaw- The Twins selected the catcher out of Loyola Marymount University in the third round in 2024 draft. He debuted in 2024 and played 42 games and hit .297/.450/.445 with a .895 OPS. He also hit 4 home runs in limited games before a thumb injury pretty much ended his season. He has had some reoccurring thumb injuries as he also broke his thumb in his draft season as well. His bat to ball skills have always stood out and he has always hit for average. He has not hit for power but he is a big framed guy who has a lot of raw power. He has made some changes to his swing in hopes of bringing some increased exit velocities and increasing the power numbers. Behind the plate, he is a solid catcher who calls good games and receives the ball well. His arm is solid and he can definitely stick behind the plate as a backup at a minimum.
Kevin McGonigle- The Tigers selected the high school shortstop with the 37th overall pick in 2023 draft. All he’s done is hit since becoming a pro. Despite his small stature (5’9”), he hits for power. His exit velocities are impressive. While he may not stick at short, he has the arm to play third and can also play second. His bat will keep him in the heart of any order though because it is that good. He is a good baserunner with decent speed (was quicker before the ankle injury in 2025). McGonigle passed on playing in the world baseball classic to stay in camp with the team and compete for an opening day spot and he has done everything possible to earn the honor. In the spring, he has hit .250/.423/.500 with a .923 OPS. In 45 at bats, he has 2 home runs, 6 rbis, 2 doubles, a triple, 2 stolen bases, and 11 walks. He has also only struck out 8 times and really put himself in the front of the pack in the position battle. If he is not the opening day shortstop, it has nothing to do with him not earning it. It would strictly be for the extra year of control.
Kyle Debarge- The Twins selected the shortstop 33rd overall in 2024 Louisiana Lafayette. One of the top defensive shortstops in the minor leagues, he won a minor league gold glove in his first full season. While the glove stands out, his best tool is his speed. He is incredible on the bases and steals a ton. While the bat has a long way to go, he walks a ton and does his damage mostly on the base paths. He attempted 74 stolen bases last year and successfully swiped 66 bags. While he does have some pop in his bat, his junior season (21 home runs) seems like a fluke. He can definitely be a double digit home run guy per year, but 20+ seems like a stretch. Likely will also be a glove first defender who works counts and gets on base for the big bats to bring in. Anytime he reaches base, he puts stress on the pitcher because there is zero hesitation and he has an automatic green light to run. Debarge should start the season in double A and it will be interesting to see how the bat translates to more advanced pitching. We know the legs and glove will be there. A big season with the bat could see him move quickly through the rest of the minors.
Kyle Henley- The Reds selected the high school centerfielder in the 14th round in 2023. The speedster has incredible speed and it stands out. While there is no power in the bat, he sprays the ball all over the field and take it the other way with ease. A consistent ground ball/line drive hitter, who rarely hits the ball in the air. His spile ate pretty even against lefties and righties so he can play everyday. He will likely start the season back in low A as his strike out rate of 30% last year was a concern. If he can improve there, he will definitely move up as his skill set is hard to find.
Leo De Vries- De Vries was the headliner of the Mason Miller trade and does he look good! The now 19 year old Dominican short stop reached AA at 18 and seems to be on track to fly through the rest of the system. He received a spring training invite and put on a show. He played 16 games and had 44 at bats, recording 14 hits, 4 doubles, 3 home runs, 11 rbis, 3 walks and 3 stolen bases. His slash line was .409, .447, .682 with an ops of 1.129. He showed his all-around skills that will soon be added to an exciting young team full of talent. We have his Lake Elsinore Storm insert /99 and his numbered card /299.
Lisbel Diaz- The speedy outfielder was signed out of Cuba by the Giants in 2023. He debuted at 17 in the DSL and was above average. In 22 games, he hit 3 home runs and two doubles with a line of .312/.386/.455 with an OPS of .841. He came stateside and moved through two levels at 18 years old. For the year, he hit .291/.354/.460 with an OPS of .813/ He showed his power with 10 home runs and also had 16 doubles and 3 triples. Diaz is a big puller and hits a lot of ground balls. Using the whole field could help his numbers as his speed is a big plus and hitting the other way could lead to more extra base hits and more solid contact. Diaz will likely start in high A and will look to really build up his stock this year.
Luis Almeyda- Almeyda was signed as an international free agent in 2023 by the Orioles. The shortstop was signed at 17 years old and went right to the DSL. He struggled at the plate posting a .600 OPs. The only tool that has really shows so far is his speed. He has been solid in the field as well, but the bat has not shown up yet in three years. He projects to have solid power in the future, but we just have not seen it yet. The Orioles gave him a huge signing bonus so they believe in him and will continue to develop him. He will likely repeat low A and hope to take the steps needed to get back into the Orioles prospect rankings.
Luis Baez- The Astros signed the outfielder out of the Dominican in 2022. He debuted at 18 in the DSL and was solid all around. He hit 9 home runs, 2 triples, 19 doubles, and stole 10 bases in 58 games. His bat is full of power, but his arm is even stronger. His exit velocites are impressive and some of the highest in the entire organization at 22. He sold out his speed for more power as he bulked up to tap into his raw power. It paid off as between 2023 and 2024 last through low A and double A, he has hit 41 home runs and 47 doubles. He ended 2024 with a thumb injury which derailed everything. He struck out a ton and only hit 2 home runs in 66 games. This completely tanked his prospect stock and dropped him out of the Astros’ top 30. This is a make or break season as he has shown the potential to be a 30 home run guy but was completely lost post thumb surgery.
Luke Adams- The Brewers selcted the corner infielder in the 12th round in 2022 out of high school. Adams had big time power He hit the ground running and showed up first in the prospect league where he tore the cover off the ball before going going down to Arizona to rookie ball. He was just as good in rookie ball and showed power, above average bat to ball skills, and some speed. Despite being 6’4” 233lbs, he has above average speed and can steal a ton of bases. In four seasons (283 games), his line is .238/.423/.414 with a .837 OPS. He has hit 34 home runs and stolen 77 bases in 101 attempts. He also went to the Arizona fall league this offseason to continue his development. Likely will return to double A with a solid chance at moving up with a good season. Adams is an under the radar prospect who seems to love the game andis committed to doing what it takes to improve. Going to the Arizona fall league shows his commitment and the team rewarded him with a non roster invite to spring.
Max Clark- Clark was selected third overall in 2023 out of high school. He was a very highly touted prospect and the Tigers did not let him fall past them. Clark is a plus fielder and a great athlete. More of a contact bat than a power bat, but he does have some pop. He is also a good baserunner who can easily steal bases. He debuted in 2023 at 18 years old and was very good in rookie ball. After 12 games, he was called up to low A. for the last 11 games. His final line was 2 home runs, 1 triple, 5 doubles, and 19 walks in 107 at bats. He also walked 21 times and only struck out 25 times. His line was .224/.383/.376 with an OPS of .760. In 2024, he took the next step. In 107 games, he hit 9 home runs, 6 triples, 21 doubles and 29 stolen bases through both levels of A ball. His line jumped to .279/.372/.421 with a .794 OPS. 2025 was a career year for Clark as he hit 14 home runs and walked more than he struck out (94 walks, 90 strike outs). His OPS shot up to .835. Clark was a non roster invite and struggled in spring so he was optioned back to the minors. Clark will start the year in double A as the Tigers will not rush his development, and the 20 year old will be able to prove his health after some wrist issues last year and become more consistent at the plate.
Marvin Alcantara- The Red Sox signed the speedy middle infielder out of Venezuela in 2022, and he debuted in the DSL that year at 17 years old. Likely will never hit for power as his swing is meant for line drives and his game is speed. His offensive game is contact swings and running hard, but he is patient at the plate and does not chase. He is not up there hacking and making soft contact to beat out infield hits. He will happily take a walk and steal second. His glove is also really solid, and he can play either position up the middle. His overall stats are a little underwhelming through 4 seasons (341 games). He has a line of .249/.322/.317 with a .640 OPS. 9 home runs, 4 triples, and 52 doubles to go along with 129 walks and 47 stolen bases. He will likely repeat double A and hope to take the next step.
Nate Nankil- Nankil was drafted in the seventh round out of Cal State Fullerton by the Athletics. Nankil is not elite at anything, but he has a good eye and does not chase. There is the potential for in game power, but likely will need to make some swing adjustments to unlock since it has not translated yet. He can play all three outfield positions but likely will be limited to a corner spot due to his average speed. He does have a good arm though which is one of his top tools. Until the power shows, he has held his own as a high on base percentage guy who plays solid defense wherever he is thrown in the outfield. His career OPS is .772 which is solid considering he has not hit for power and has struggled against off speed pitches. He will likely start back at double A and will need to unlock the power to move up. This is a big year for him to take the next stop.
Nathan Flewelling- Flewelling was drafted out of Canada by the Rays in 2024. They used a third-round pick on the 6’2” left-handed hitting catcher. The Young Canadian was sent right to low A as the Rays decided to be aggressive with him, and he definitely did not sink. He impressed behind the plate and was a staff favorite while also holding his own at the plate. Nathan showed some pop hitting 6 home runs in 103 at bats with a .729 OPS before being promoted to high A at the end of the season. He has a lot of raw power but is still relatively new to the game and has a lot of room for growth both as a player and physically.
Nick McLain- The WhiteSox selected the switch hitting outfielder in the third round in 2023. He showed great contact skills as ASU and some raw power that can be developed. The problem is durability. He missed a lot of time in college, and his first pro season was not much different. He played 13 games and was looking good until an injury placed him on the 7-day IL. This then snowballed into a season ending injury as it was worse than originally considered. This year will be a very important one for McLain to show he can stay on the field. When he plays, he is very impactful, but he has not really played much.
Nick Mitchell- The left-handed hitting outfielder was selected in the third round of the 2023 draft by the Blue Jays out of Indiana. In College, he showed impressive bat to ball skills and a very good eye. Hitting .342 and drawing 86 walks in 149 games. There was not much power to his game, but he had 58 total extra base hits and 45 stolen bases. His game is built around getting on base at a high clip and pressuring pitchers with the threat of taking off. His game has translated to the pros as he is still a high on base guy with 33 stolen bases and 61 walks in 104 games. The Bluejays ended up trading him to the Guardians for Andres Gimenez. He should start the year in high A but end it in at least double A.
Nick Morabito- Morabito was drafted by the Mets in the second round in 2022 draft out of high school. The outfielder has a great approach at the plate and endless speed. He flies around the bases and covers a ton of ground in the outfield. In 2022 towards the end of the year and got his feet wet at 19. In 2023, he played his first full season and was solid, hitting .306/.421/.407 with an .827 OPS. By 2025, he made it to double A where he hit .273/.348/.385 with a .734 OPS. The Mets decided to add him to the 40-man roster in 2026 to protect him from the rule 5 draft and he should start the year in triple A. Definitely has a chance to get the call this year, but the Mets likely will not rush him.
PJ Morlando- The Marlins drafted the left-handed hitting outfielder in the first round of 2024 out of high school. Unfortunately, in his pro debut, he suffered a season ending back injury. Once recovered, he then injured his non-throwing elbow and needed surgery. This delayed his debut until April. He still played in 58 games and found some success. He struck out a little too much, but he went over a year without playing in any games. He has a lot of raw power and showed flashes, hitting 5 home runs in those 58 games. Hopefully he can stay healthy this year and show while the Marlins took him 16th overall.
Ramon Ramirez- The Royals signed Ramirez out of Venezuela in 2023 and converted him to a catcher. Originally an outfielder, he does have a good build for a catcher and a very good arm. At 18, he debuted in the DSL and was incredible. In 41 games, he hit 8 home runs, 9 doubles, and drew 21 walks while only striking out 18 times. He came stateside in 2024 and was solid in rookie ball as well. Hitting .265/./379/.459 with a .838 OPS at rookie ball in 49 games. In 2025, he played 78 games between rookie ball and low A. He hit 12 home runs, 3 triples, and 13 doubles. He did miss around 2 months with an undisclosed injury but still had a solid season. He will likely start the season in high A and look to keep developing both behind the plate and with the bat.
Rikuu Nishida- The WhiteSox drafted the Japanese utility man in the 11th round in 2023 out of the University of Oregon. His bat to ball skills is impressive. The term he does not strike out, fits Nishida well. At every level he has a low strike out rate around 10% or lower with a walk rate either higher or basically even. A ground ball hitter that uses the entire field, there is not much loft or threat of him hitting a home run. His slash line through three seasons in the minors (262 games) is .285/.403/.332 with a .735 OPS. Nishida is likely stuck at second base due to his below average arm, but he is a very good defensively over there. Nishida has a very intriguing skill set and it will be interesting to see what his future is.
Robert Calaz- The power hitting outfielder was signed by the Rockies in 2023 out of the Dominican. He debuted at 17 in the DSL and was great. Posting a .984 OPS and hitting 7 homers, 2 triples, and 12 doubles in 43 games. He came stateside in 2024 and has been great. Overall, his line in 204 games (749 at bats is .298/.389/.502 with a .891 OPS. His hit tool is very raw, but the power is already elite. If he can keep developing, his power swing and high exit velocities will play well in Coors Field. He will likely return to low A so he can continue to adjust to advanced pitching and develop his contact, eye at the plate, and defense in the outfield.
Romeo Sambria- The Padres selected the left-handed hitting first baseman in the 18th round in 2022. He debuted right away and struggled in 7 games. In 2023, he really broke out and showed he was a legit prospect. While he may not be elite at anything, he is a solid contact back and a doubles machine. In his four year minor league career, he has made it to double A, and his line is .283/.370/.432 with a .803 OPS. He has 31 home runs and 72 doubles. The strike out numbers are not great, but they are also not terrible as his career strike out rate is in the low 20s. He has a good eye but tends to chase and whiff at off speed pitches. To really advance, he will need to get stronger and hit for more power. He currently is a line drive hitter who sprays the ball from gap to gap. It will be interesting to see where he starts the year. While triple A is a possibility, he could also get sent back to double A to keep improving his power and discipline at the plate.
Ryan Campos- The catcher from Arizona State was drafted in the fourth round in 2024. He appeared in 24 games in low A that year and was solid all around. While he did not hit for power, he still posted a .803 OPS and drove in 16 runs. He also drew 13 walks. In 2025 he moved up to high A in 2025 and struggled a little against advanced pitching. He still walked 64 times in 95 games and stole 15 bases. He is still a work in progress behind the plate and may not stick there, but he is athletic enough to move to first. The bat is what will get him to the league. If he can find some power, the sky is the limit.
Ryan Sloan- The Mariners drafted the 6’5” pitcher in the second round in 2024 out of high school. He debuted in 2025 and was solid. He made 21 starts through low A and high A and posted a 3.73 era. In 82 innings, he struck out 90 batters and only walked 15. He did allow 5 home runs but otherwise looked good. He is a very intriguing arm. He had an elite ground ball percentage and for the most part kept hitters from pulling the ball in the air. The concern was just the few home runs he allowed. The young arm looks to have a bright future. He throws everything but the kitchen sink including an upper 90s fastball and a nasty sweeper. He could definitely be a fast riser in the system.
Sam Antonacci- Antonacci started his college career at the JUCO level before transferring to Coastal Carolina. While he may not have any elite skills, he runs the bases well (55 stolen bases), hits for contact (.298 average), and has played every infield position. Antonacci was really standing out in spring with the big-league club hitting .333/.500/.722 with a .1.222 OPS in eight games before leaving to play for team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. He hit 2 homeruns, stole 3 basses, and drew 4 walks. He also took top pitching prospect Nolan McLean deep for team Italy and showed White Sox fans what the future will look like. A very talented player that is good at pretty much everything on the diamond. 2026 will likely be a full year in triple A, but all it takes is consistency and an injury for the call to come. He is already knocking on the door.
Sean Keys- The Blue Jays selected the left-handed hitting third baseman out of Bucknell University in the fourth round in 2024. Keys’ bat was impressive in college, and he was not just a big power bat, he hit for average and walked at about the same rate he struck out. His glove at third is not great and is a focus in his development to keep him at the hot corner and not stick him at first or DH. His power is clear and he can easily be a 25+ home run bat. He still has a good eye and does not strike out at a crazy rate, but any improvement there will only help his power numbers. He spent 2025 in high A and hit .217/.365/.408 with a .773 OPS. His 19 home runs stood out and showed that his raw power can translate to in game power and once he becomes consistent, his power will be what gets him to the show. Keys should start the season in double A and hope to build on a strong 2025. Improvement defensively and using the whole field are things that can help him improve. He pulls the ball on the ground a lot.
Seaver King- The Nationals drafted the Wake Forest shortstop 10th overall in 2024. The speedy slick fielding middle infielder reported right to low A and put up decent numbers in 20 games. He did enough to start the next season in high A. After 40 games in high A, he moved up to double A for the last 80 games despite his numbers being mediocre. The Nationals felt the traits outweighed the numbers and that he looked comfortable and decided to move him up. In double A he also struggled and posted a line of .233/.287/.313 with a .600 OPS. He has the tools but may have been better off staying in high A to continue seeing fewer quality arms and developing at the lower levels. Just does not seem ready to be in double A while he is still raw as a hitter. The Nationals seem to be aggressive with King and gave him a non-roster invite to spring training. He took advantage and looked good both in the field and at the plate. 7-19 with a double, stolen base, and 4 walks while only striking out 3 times. King could fly through the rest of the minors as the Nationals really believe in him and do not seem to want to wait.
Sebastian Walcott- The Rangers signed the 6’4” shortstop out of the Bahamas in 2023. He came stateside after nine games in the DSL and debuted at 17 years old. In his first season, he showed everything. In game power, speed, plate discipline, and a plus defender. He was 3-5 years younger than the average player across both levels of A ball and he stood out. This got him ranked in the top 100 by his 18th birthday. Through three seasons and double A ball, Walcott has a line of .258/.347/.427 with a .774 OPS. He has hit 31 home runs, 15 triples, 66 doubles, and stolen 71 bases. He unfortunately his UCL in his throwing arm and got internal brace surgery. This will put his 2026 season in jeopardy due to the 5+ month recovery period. There is a chance at an August return, but most likely a 2027 return.
Sheng-En Lin- The Reds signed the two-way player in 2023 out of Taiwan. The likely result here is that he focuses on pitching because that is his best path to the majors, but the two-way dream is still alive. He debuted in 2023 but only played in 9 games. In 2024 he broke out with the bat and hit .308/.418/.419 with an .836 OPS. He does not hit for power, but he did hit 6 triples, 4 doubles, and stole 12 bases. In 2025 he started the two-way journey and really struggled at the plate posting a .659 OPS. He looked really solid on the mound though. Throwing a mid 90s fastball with a good feel for his off-speed pitches. He posted a high strike out rate above 30% on the mound while having a low walk rate below 10%. Showed good control on the mound while getting a lot of soft contact and infield pop ups. He is a fly ball pitcher though which is a concern. Allowing a lot of pulled fly balls could lead to giving up more home runs, but it did not really hurt him in 2025. As he advances to face better pitchers, this could be an issue though. Really interested to see if he keeps the two ways dream alive or if he focuses on what can get him to the majors the quickest. This is probably the last year of two way unless he truly shows more than flashes as a hitter. The arm is his best tool, and it is already a plus on the mound.
Slade Caldwell- The left-handed hitting outfielder was drafted 29th overall by the Diamondbacks in 2024 out of high school. His best tools are his glove and his legs. 70 grade speed allows him to be a true threat on the bases and will keep him in center because he covers so much ground. If the bat can develop and he finds some in game power, he will be a real problem. His speed in a big park like Chase Field will be a problem as he can get from home to third on most balls hit into the gaps. In 2025 he debuted and played across both A ball levels. He hit .260/.408/.369 with a .776 OPS. The walk numbers were impressive, drawing 91 walks in 114 games. He used the entire field and sprayed the ball all over to both gaps. There is a lot of potential in the bat just not much power. His swing produces mainly line drives and ground balls but there is sneaky pop. He will likely return to high A to start the year to work on his hitting. While he was solid overall, the strike out rate has to drop before he sees double A. There is real potential for a gold glove center fielder who posts a high OBP and steals 30+ bags a year.
Spencer Nivens- The Royals selected the left-handed hitting outfielder in the fifth round in 2023 out of Missouri State University. Nivens showed a lot of potential power in college hitting 25 home runs in two years. In 2023, he debuted and struggled through rookie and low A ball. Hitting .202 with a .654 OPS. He repeated the levels in 2024 and was incredible. Posting a line of .251/.341/.489/ with a .830 OPS. He also hit 21 home runs and showed how much power he has. Nivens has a good approach at the plate and does not chase a ton, but still has some strike out issues. The problem is consistency. He is very streaky, but when he is on, he can hit 13 home runs in a month. Double A last season was rough, and he will likely return to the level. The last time he repeated a level, he was very good, so look for him to bounce back this year and put himself back on the map. His projection is an average defender in a corner outfield with 20+ home run potential.
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