Here are the top prospects to pay attention to as the MLB season gets underway:
Roki Sasaki, RHP Los Angeles Dodgers
Roki Sasaki classifies as a prospect due to him not reaching rookie status and being younger than 25-years-old. He possesses the most electric arm to come out of Japanese Professional Baseball. His fastball reaches 102 MPH while averaging 98.8 MPH. He pairs his fastball with an above-average slider and devastating splitter. Scouts tabbed Sasaki’s split-finger as one of the best they’ve seen. Last season, at 22 years old, Roki Sasaki made 18 starts, going 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 129 strikeouts in 111 innings. Through four seasons in Japan, he compiled a 2.02 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 524 strikeouts in 414.2 IP. The talent is without question, but the most innings he’s ever thrown is 129.1 in 2022. The Dodgers will be careful with their young superstar and could decide to skip starts later into the season. His early 10th-round ADP is the lowest it will ever be. Should he not skip a beat in his first MLB season, he can finish as a top-10 fantasy starting pitcher while being a draft-day steal.
Dylan Crews, OF Washington Nationals
Crews enters Spring Training competing for a starting outfield role with Washington after finishing 2024 slashing .270/.342/.451 with 13 home runs, 68 RBI, and 25 stolen bases between AA and AAA. Last year, the top prospect received his first call-up in August and appeared in 31 games, tallying three home runs, eight RBI, and 12 stolen bases. He accompanies great bat speed with the ability to hit to all parts of the field and possesses power in his 5’11” 203lbs frame. His plus speed will lead to 30/30 seasons in the Majors.
Jackson Jobe, RHP Detroit Tigers
Jobe is ready for the Majors and will have every chance to earn a rotation spot in Spring Training. He finished a strong 2024 campaign between A+, AA, & AAA, posting a 2.85 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 96 strikeouts in 91.2 innings. At the end of last season, Jobe received his first call to the Majors making two appearances and finishing with two strikeouts in 4.0 innings while surrendering zero runs. Jackson Jobe has the makeup of a front-line starter and features a fastball that reached 101 MPH while sitting in the 95-97 MPH range. He accompanies his blazing fastball with a plus-slider, plus-cutter, and changeup. If Jobe breaks Spring Training with Detroit, he will instantly help fantasy baseball rosters. If he starts in the minors, he should arrive by mid-May and should be selected in the upcoming fantasy baseball drafts.
Andrew Painter, RHP Philadelphia Phillies
Early into 2023 Spring Training, Andrew Painter was on pace to break camp with Philadelphia as a 19-year-old. This never came to fruition as an elbow injury caused Painter to undergo Tommy John surgery, missing the entire 2023 season. Painter finished 2022 making 22 starts, posting a 1.56 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 155 strikeouts in 103.2 IP between A+, A, and AA. He made his post-surgery return during the 2024 Arizona Fall League, making six starts and finishing with a 2.30 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts in 15.2 innings. He will start the season in the minors as he builds up his stamina, and a realistic expectation is reaching the Majors after the All-Star break. Painter has an elite+ arm seeing his fastball reach triple-digits while averaging 97 MPH. His curveball is a plus pitch, and he garners swings and misses with his solid changeup.
Carson Williams, SS Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay prospect has one stop left in the minors and finished 202,4 slashing .256/.353/.469 with 20 home runs, 69 RBI, and 33 stolen bases at AA Montgomery. He will start 2025 at AAA and will receive his call-up as soon as he shows he’s ready to face Major League pitching. His combination of hit, power, speed, and defense projects him as an All-Star shortstop in the Majors.
Red Sox
Roman Anthony, OF
Anthony is set to start 2025 at AAA Worcester but will reach the Majors early this season. He finished 2024 slashing .291/.396/.498 with 18 home runs, 65 RBI, and 21 stolen bases between AA and AAA. He possesses some of the best plate discipline and hitting abilities in the minors. He projects as a .300 hitter that can reach 30+ home runs per season.
Kristian Campbell, MI/OF
Campbell will likely start 2025 at AAA Worcester, but a fast start could see him reach Boston before the All-Star break. He finished last season slashing .330/.439/.558 with 20 homer runs, 77 RBI, and 24 stolen bases between A+, AA, and AAA. At 6’3” 210lbs, Campbell has flashed power quicker than many believed he would given his short time in the minors. He hits well against both righties and lefties and projects for both power numbers and stolen bases in the Majors.
Marcelo Mayer, SS
Triple-A is the last stop for Mayer before he’s ready to feature in Boston. He finished 2024 slashing .307/.370/.480 with eight home runs, 38 RBI, and 13 stolen bases at AA Portland. The one knock against Mayer is health. 2023 and 2024 saw Mayer miss the final months of the season due to injury. His smooth, left-handed swing allows him to drive the ball to the gaps while using his speed to take extra bases. He projects as a 25+ home run hitter that will steal a high number of bases. Mayer may open this season at AA, but a fast start should see him promoted to AAA within the first few months of the season. The one factor that will determine how soon Mayer receives his call to Boston is his ability to stay healthy.
Jordan Lawlar, SS Arizona Diamondbacks
There’s an outside chance Lawlar makes the Diamondbacks roster out of Spring Training, but he will realistically start 2025 at AAA Reno. Limited to 23 games due to a hamstring injury and torn thumb ligament, he finished 2024 slashing .318/.418/.482 with two home runs, 20 RBI, and six stolen bases. It wasn’t the ideal encore performance after a strong 2023 season where he slashed .278/.378/.496 with 20 home runs, 67 RBI, and 36 stolen bases. Jordan Lawlar is as ready as a prospect can be, and a strong start to the upcoming season should have him reach the Majors by the end of May.
Twins:
Walker Jenkins, OF
Walker Jenkins finished 2024 slashing .282/.394/.439 with six home runs, 58 RBI, and 17 stolen bases between four levels (Rookie, A+, A, & AA) of minor league baseball. The 20-year-old will start 2025 at AA Wichita and will make a stop at AAA before reaching the Majors. He’s still learning how to tap into his power potential, but his smooth left-handed swing projects him as a perennial 30+ home run hitter. He may not reach the Majors until the final months of the season, if at all, but complete domination of minor league pitching could expedite his path to the Twins.
Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF
Injuries have hindered Rodriguez during his minor league career, but his raw power makes him an intriguing prospect. A thumb injury limited him to 47 games, but Rodriguez finished 202,4 slashing .280/.459/.567 with nine home runs, 27 RBI, and nine stolen bases. Other than health, a major concern is his 39% strikeout rate. This must be lowered for immediate success in the Majors.
Guardians:
Travis Bazzana, 2B
The 2024 1st overall draft pick is on the fast track to the Majors. Fast success in 2025 can see him reach Cleveland shortly after the All-Star break. Bazzana finished his final season at Oregon State, slashing .407/.568/.911 with 28 home runs, 66 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. Following the draft, Bazzana played in 27 games for A+ Lake County, hitting three home runs while driving in 12 runs. He possesses a quick, compact, left-handed swing with phenomenal plate discipline.
Chase DeLauter, OF
DeLauter has a great chance of making Cleveland’s Opening Day roster out of Spring Training. Lower body injuries limited the Cleveland prospect to 39 games, but he finished 2024, slashing .261/.342/.500 with eight home runs and 24 RBI. His size, athleticism, plate discipline, and ability to hit for average/power position him for solid production in the Majors.
Deyvison De Los Santos, 3B Miami Marlins
Deyvison De Los Santos is not getting as much publicity as he should be. The former Arizona prospect was dealt to Miami last season and can realistically make the Marlins Opening Day roster. His power is unmatched, and he finished 2024 slashing .294/.343/.571 with 40 home runs and 120 RBI. His power bat is ready for Major League pitching, and should he win an Open Day spot with Miami, he can finish his rookie season with 30+ home runs. Fantasy baseball players should try to select De Los Santos at the end of their upcoming fantasy baseball drafts.
Orioles:
Samuel Basallo, C/1B
The 20-year-old is on pace to reach the Majors following the All-Star break after a big 2024 season. Between AA and AAA, Basallo slashed .278/.341/.449 with 19 home runs, 65 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. His powerful left-handed swing allows him to drive the ball to all parts of the field and posts low strikeout rates, given his power bat. He has a great arm and will play a corner outfield role in the Majors.
Coby Mayo, 3B/1B
Mayo enters Spring Training with every opportunity to leave Spring Training with the Orioles. After finishing 2023 with 29 home runs and 99 RBI, Mayo finished last season slashing .293/.372/.592 with 25 home runs and 73 RBI. His power bat is ready for the Majors, and an Open Day roster spot makes him an immediate fantasy baseball option.
Bubba Chandler, RHP Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh’s 2024 starting rotation saw Paul Skenes and Jared Jones solidify the future, and 2025 can be the year Bubba Chandler joins the duo. Chandler finished a dominant 2024 season with a 3.08 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 148 strikeouts in 119.2 innings between AA and AAA. Pittsburgh will follow suit with Skenes and Jones by having Chandler start 2025 in the minors, but fantasy baseball players should see him in the Majors early this season. Chandler brings an elite-level fastball that touches 99 MPH while averaging just under 97 MPH. His quick development from a thrower to a pitcher aided his slider and changeup developing into strong secondary pitches. Chandler warrants a late-round draft choice, and this may be the best route because he will be grabbed off the waiver wire immediately following his call to Pittsburgh.
White Sox
Noah Schultz, LHP
The White Sox are trying to rebuild their organization from the ground up, and one thing they’ve done well is developing elite left-handed starting pitchers. Noah Schultz has the chance to become the next All-Star left-handed White Sox pitcher after Chris Sale and Garrett Crochet. Schultz finished a strong 2024 season, posting a 2.24 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 115 strikeouts in 88.1 IP between A+ and AA. 2025 should see him open the season at AAA, but fantasy baseball players should expect his Major League arrival by June. His fastball sits in the mid-to-high 90s while reaching 99 MPH. His wipeout slider is his out pitch, followed by a developing changeup.
Kyle Teel, C
Teel was part of the return in the deal that sent Garrett Crochet to Boston. The catching prospect proved he is nearly ready for the Majors after finishing a strong 2024 season, slashing .288/.386/.433 with 13 home runs, 78 RBI, and 12 stolen bases between AA and AAA. His smooth, left-handed swing gives him more upside than most catching prospect,s and he possesses some of the best plate discipline of all Minor League prospects. He may not break camp with the White Sox, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see his Major League debut within the first few months of the 2025 season.
Colson Montgomery, SS
Montgomery will make his case in Spring Training to be the White Sox Opening Day shortstop. He’s reached every level in the minors and finished 2024, slashing .214/.329/.381 with 18 home runs, 63 RBI, and eight stolen bases. His high swing-and-miss rate led to a 33% strikeout rate, and this will be concerning as he reaches the Majors. If Montgomery can lower his strikeouts, his quick, compact swing should bode well against Major League pitching.
Chase Dollander, RHP Colorado Rockies
Dollander finished 2024, between A+ and AA, with a 2.59 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 169 strikeouts in 118 innings. Colorado is in no rush to get Dollander to the Majors, and we will start the season in the minors. His fastball sits around 96 MPH while reaching 99 MPH. He pairs his fastball with a plus-change, plus-curve, and developing slider. Dollander possesses the skillset to see a fast move in 2025 and reach the Majors after the All-Star break. It’s hard for fantasy baseball players to show excitement for a Rockies pitcher, but Dollander grades as one of Colorado’s best pitching prospects ever.
Cubs:
Matt Shaw, INF
The 13th pick in the 2023 draft, Matt Shaw is ready to open the season in the Majors. The front office is giving Shaw every opportunity to break Spring Training with the Cubs. Nico Hoerner may not be ready for Opening Day, and the recent signing of Justin Turner could pave the way for Shaw to start the season in Chicago. In 2024, Shaw slashed .284/.379/.488 with 21 HR, 71 RBI, and 31 stolen bases between AA and AAA. He’s a true professional hitter, and assuming he receives at-bats every day for the Cubs, he is projected to hit 15-20 HR, drive in 50-60 runs, and steal 20-30 bases. His 3B/2B/SS eligibility would be a warm welcome for fantasy baseball rosters.
Kevin Alcantara, OF
Alcantara enters Spring Training with a chance to win the fourth outfield job with the Cubs. He finished a strong 2024 campaign slashing .278/.353/.428 with 14 home runs, 61 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. His 6’6” frame allows him to generate tremendous power, but he tends to chase and miss pitches outside the zone. His size, power, and speed put him in a league of his own. If Alcantara can follow Aaron Judge’s blueprint and tighten up his approach, leading to fewer swings and misses, he has the makings of a perennial 30+ home run bat that will steal 20+ bases.
Jasson Dominguez, OF New York Yankees
Dominguez entered 2024 following a season where he registered 15 home runs, 76 RBI, and 40 stolen bases. A strained oblique limited his 2024 production, but he finished slashing .314/.376/.504 with 11 home runs, 35 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. 2025 feels like the year Dominguez breaks Spring Training with a spot on the Yankees Opening Day roster, and his draft stock will rocket once it is official. Dominguez’s bat speed is in a league of its own, and he accompanies this with great power and surprisingly good speed on the base paths. His overall makeup is eerily like Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez.
Reds:
Chase Burns, RHP
Drafted 2nd overall in last year’s draft, Chase Burns will be on the fast track to Cincinnati. Last season, with Wake Forest, Burns finished with a 2.70 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 191 strikeouts in 100 innings. Burns’ velocity sees his fastball sit in the high-90s while reaching 102 MPH. He accompanies his elite fastball with a devastating slider and plus-changeup. Cincinnati will have Burns open in the minors as he has yet to feature in the minor leagues. Given Burns’ make-up and mechanics, it would not be a shock to see him reach the Majors before the All-Star break.
Rhett Lowder, RHP
Lowder enters Spring Training competing for a starting rotation spot. He finished 2024 with a 3.64 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts in 108.2 innings between A+, AA, and AAA. He earned a late-season call to Cincinnati, making six starts. In six starts, he posted a 1.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts in 30.2 innings. His fastball sits in the mid-90s while reaching 97 MPH. His main secondary pitch is his outstanding change,p followed by his developing slider.
Jacob Misiorowski, RHP Milwaukee Brewers
Misiorowski is nearing his call to the Majors and finished 2024 with a 3.33 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 127 strikeouts in 97.1 innings between AA and AAA. The right-hander’s fastball may be the best in the minors as it sits at 98-99 MPH while reaching triple-digits. His curveball and slider are plus-second offerings, but he has yet to develop a changeup. As with many hard throwers, walks have frequently hindered Misiorowski. He will start 2025 in the minors and will reach the Majors by July. The Brewers plan to keep the young righty a starter, but should he move to the bullpen he has the makings of an elite+ closer. Think Josh Hader 2.0 from the right-hand side.
Jacob Wilson, SS Athletics
Wilson is set to break Spring Training as the everyday shortstop for the Athletics. He finished a strong 2024 season slashing .433/.474/.668 with seven home runs and 39 RBI. His hit tool is second to none, given his absurdly high contact rate. His 4.4% strikeout rate will make him a valuable addition to fantasy baseball teams. Jacob Wilson won’t hit for high power numbers but will always be among the league leaders in average, OBP, and extra-base hits.
Kumar Rocker, RHP Texas Rangers
Following six starts in 2023, Rocker underwent Tommy John surgery. He returned in 2024, making 10 appearances (9 GS) while posting a 1.96 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 55 strikeouts in 36.2 IP between AA and AAA. Rocker enters Spring Training with the chance to earn a spot in Texas’ rotation. If he succeeds, he becomes an immediate option in fantasy baseball. Should he start 2025 in the minors, he should receive his call to Texas by the middle of June. Once Rocker arrives, he will put his high-90s fastball and wipeout slider on full display.
Brandon Sproat, RHP New York Mets
Sproat is the next superstar pitcher drafted and developed by the New York Mets. The right-handed pitcher finished a second consecutive season with 130+ strikeouts and 100+ IP following the 2024 season, where he posted a 3.40 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 131 strikeouts in 116.1 innings. Sproat has pitched at every level in the minors and the recent new Frankie Montas is missing an extended period with an oblique injury, leaving the door wide open to break Spring Training in New York’s starting rotation. His fastball sits in the mid-to-high 90s while touching triple digits. His plus-changeup is a dynamic secondary pitch followed by a plus-slider and above-average cutter. Sproat is a player to target in upcoming fantasy baseball drafts. If he leaves Spring Training with a rotation spot, he will provide an immediate impact. Should he start 2025 in the minors, he should see his call to New York within the first few months of the season.