MLB prospect rankings: Top 25 players entering 2024, with Jackson Holliday at No. 1, Evan Carter in top five

With Major League Baseball’s postseason coming to an finish, it is time to glance ahead. For many groups, that implies surveying the free-agent and industry markets and figuring out who can put them over the top. For others, that implies that specialize in the larger image by means of assessing players who won’t make their debuts till subsequent season, at the earliest. We’ll spend a number of time that specialize in the previous; lately, it is time to glance at the latter and rank some potentialities.

Below, you can in finding CBS Sports’ score of the top 25 minor-league potentialities. (CBS Sports will post the remainder of its top 50 ratings come springtime, in any case 30 group lists were launched.) These ratings are shaped after conversations with scouts, analysts, and participant construction experts. 

Bear in thoughts that other other folks have other checks of players. It’s no longer an enormous deal if a participant is ranked upper or decrease by means of some other newsletter. There’s room for all. Besides, that is an artwork, no longer a science.

With that out of the way in which, let’s get to it. (Note that players’ ages are indexed as of April 1, 2024.)

1. Jackson Holliday, SS, Orioles (twenty years previous)

• The quick model: Precocious lefty-swinging shortstop with celebrity possible.
• MLB ETA: Spring 2024

Holliday must no longer be capable to exceed expectancies. He used to be the No. 1 select in the 2022 draft, and his father Matt used to be a seven-time All-Star. He must be stressed with unobtainable forecasts. Yet Holliday has persistently bested the best-case situation since his highschool senior yr. In his first complete skilled season, he blazed via 3 ranges, ultimate out with an 18-game stint in Triple-A. There, he batted .267/.396/.400 with a 90 mph common go out speed. He used to be 19 years previous. All of Holliday’s signs, statistical and in a different way, are neon inexperienced. He has each and every device and intangible vital to develop into a celeb, despite the fact that he may require a while to upscale his energy from the “gap” to the “over-the-fence” selection. (He wishes so as to add extra muscle and loft.) Given his demonstrated talent to overachieve, it might be silly to guess in opposition to him making an have an effect on at the big-league point in 2024. There is, in our estimation, merely no larger prospect in the minor leagues.

2. Junior Caminero, 3B, Rays (twenty years previous)

• The quick model: Massive uncooked energy with the glove to stay at 3rd.
• MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023

Caminero is already the solution to a a laugh minutiae query: who did the Rays download once they traded right-hander Tobias Myers to the Guardians in November 2021? OK, so other people are much more likely to invite the inverse of that query. Caminero has a shockingly instant bat. It does not topic that he wraps the barrel; he is in a position to generate big-time go out velocities and simple energy. (His first big-league home run demonstrated how the ball sails off his bat.) He does have an overaggressive means at the plate, and he used to be pounding the ball into the sand greater than 50% of the time at Double-A earlier than the Rays skipped him to the majors. (To be transparent: he used to be nonetheless on a 40-homer tempo in spite of that grounder charge.) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jordan Walker are simply two players who’ve confronted questions on maximizing their energy by means of including raise. They’ve labored out simply wonderful. The distinction between Camerino and the ones lads is that he has the athleticism and arm to stay at the recent nook. It’s unfair to match any prospect to Austin Riley, however a extra polished Caminero may get shut.

3. Evan Carter, CF, Rangers (21 years previous)

• The quick model: Uber-disciplined outfielder with really feel for barrel
• MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023

Carter, who did not partake in many exhibit circuit occasions as an beginner, used to be a relative unknown when the Rangers decided on him in the second one spherical of the 2020 draft. Initial grievance gave strategy to fast-and-furious mea culpas as soon as house scouts who noticed him that spring began to unfold The Word. Carter has since presented himself to the sector on a countrywide degree all through the postseason. He has a very good command over the strike zone (if anything else he may stand to be extra competitive) and really feel for making cast touch. He’s additionally a rapid runner who can play all 3 outfield positions. 

The primary query left about his recreation involves his energy possible. Whatever the solution, he will stay crucial a part of the Rangers lineup for years yet to come.

4. Wyatt Langford, OF, Rangers (22 years previous)

• The quick model: The No. 4 select is already knocking on MLB’s door.
• MLB ETA: Spring 2024

CBS Sports ranked Langford because the No. 2 participant in the draft magnificence remaining summer time, noting that he would’ve been a high quality No. 1 select maximum years. It’s to be noticed how his big-league occupation pans out, however he validated our trust in him up to he in all probability will have in 44 minor-league video games. Langford hit .360/.480/.677 with 10 domestic runs, 12 stolen bases, and two extra walks than strikeouts break up throughout 4 ranges, together with a five-game cameo in Triple-A. He has unorthodox swing mechanics — he slightly rather a lot his fingers and he steps in the bucket — but scouts have felt assured giving him plus offensive projections even earlier than he took a professional at-bat. Langford additionally possesses sneaky pace, and there used to be some idea he would be capable to start his big-league occupation in middle. He’s not going to obtain that chance with the Rangers, despite the fact that it is conceivable he will get the danger to make the group out of camp.

5. Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals (22 years previous)

• The quick model: The ideally suited prospect in the draft is a well-rounded participant.
• MLB ETA: Summer 2024

One query we ponder each and every wintry weather is find out how to weigh a participant’s creation to professional ball. Crews used to be regarded as to be the finest participant in the category by means of the ability evaluators who spoke to CBS Sports remaining draft cycle. As such, is it affordable to transport him beneath Langford after only a few months? We determined sure for 2 primary causes: 1) Langford’s dominance at each and every step; and a couple of) Crews’ underperforming touch charges. Despite batting .405/.545/.685 with extra walks than strikeouts in opposition to SEC pageant, he skilled turbulence in 20 video games at Double-A, posting a .595 OPS and connecting on simply 70% of his swings. There’s no sense overreacting to a small pattern when there may be years upon years of knowledge demonstrating Crews’ competency, however we do suppose you need to incorporate each and every new piece of information. Based on that, we determined to roll with Langford forward of Crews at this level in time. 

6. James Wood, OF, Nationals (21 years previous)

• The quick model: Towering outfielder with nice persistence and tool.
• MLB ETA: Summer 2024

Wood, the important thing to the Juan Soto industry from the Nationals’ point of view, is an engaging prospect. He’s indexed at 6-foot-6 and 240 kilos and he is already able to large shows of uncooked energy. (Six of his 28 domestic runs have been hit to left or left-center area.) And but, take one glance at him and it is transparent that he has room on his body so as to add much more muscle over the approaching years. As that involves fruition, two different traits will happen: 1) he will outgrow middle area, and a couple of) he will turn out to be one of the crucial ideally suited sluggers in baseball. The one possible snag this is that Wood’s aggregate of duration and persistence makes him extraordinarily liable to strikeouts. He punched out in just about 34% of his journeys to the plate in Double-A, which might’ve certified because the perfect charge in the majors. His on-base and slugging possible will permit him to stay productive even with a deficient strikeout charge, however there may be celebrity upside right here if he can get it nearer to 30% earlier than he reaches the majors.

7. Jackson Chourio, CF, Brewers (twenty years previous)

• The quick model: Legit middle fielder with big-time homer-steal possible.
• MLB ETA: Summer 2024

Chourio, the breakout big name of the 2022 minor-league season, is a dynamic ability. He’s the uncommon participant who can release opposite-field domestic runs with regularity, in addition to put infielders in a blender on would-be regimen grounders. (There used to be a recreation in past due April in opposition to the Angels’ Double-A associate the place he recorded infield singles to the shortstop and the 3rd baseman in consecutive frames.) Some evaluators have expressed hit-tool issues generated by means of his competitive means. It’s an even attention, however Chourio has earned the advantage of the doubt by means of maintaining his personal in the higher minors at this sort of younger age. If the whole lot clicks, he will give you the Brewers with their 5th 30/30 season. And their 6th, their 7th, their 8th, and so forth.

8. Ethan Salas, C, Padres (17 years previous)

• The quick model: Shockingly polished defender with offensive upside.
• MLB ETA: Summer 2024

A young person has no longer stuck at the big-league point since Iván Rodríguez did so in 1991. Salas goes to modify that. He has till June 2026 to do it, too. The Padres had him catch all through a big-league exhibition recreation remaining spring and he didn’t glance misplaced in spite of at the time being a 16-year-old entering his first professional season. Salas is greater than a preternaturally talented receiver. He confirmed excellent touch chops all the way through his first season, and he even introduced 9 domestic runs in 48 video games at A-ball. (Four of the ones have been to middle.) The Padres driven him alongside at an competitive tempo, letting him shut out the yr with a nine-game sampling of Double-A. It’s affordable to suppose that his bat goes to lag because of San Diego’s obvious fast-track construction plan; the aforementioned Rodríguez used to be no longer with reference to being a league-average hitter till his 3rd big-league season. Still, Salas’ protection must stay him in the lineup. It’s unwise to make massive bets on younger catchers, who’re oftentimes as liable to attrition as their batterymates. Salas seems to be the exception.

9. Walker Jenkins, OF, Twins (19 years previous)

• The quick model: The ideally suited prep bat in the draft suits the right-field blueprint.
• MLB ETA: Late 2026

The 2023 draft used to be portrayed as a five-player magnificence at the top. Jenkins can have long gone remaining amongst that workforce on draft evening, however it might be unwise to sleep on his offensive possible. He already possesses a really feel for making touch and for minding the strike zone, and his 6-foot-3 body must permit him so as to add muscle as he matures. That, in flip, may free up 70-grade uncooked energy upside. The Twins allowed Jenkins to play middle area in his creation to professional ball. Most scouts be expecting him to finally end up in a nook earlier than he reaches the majors, with correct area regarded as to be the popular touchdown spot on account of his arm.

10. Paul Skenes, RHP, Pirates (21 years previous)

• The quick model: The No. 1 select is a prototypical energy pitcher.
• MLB ETA: Summer 2024

Skenes went No. 1 in July’s draft at the foundation of his energy arsenal and his proximity to the majors. His fastball clocked in round 98 mph all through a late-season look in the Florida State League, and his slider has confirmed to be an efficient chase providing. Turns out he did not strike out just about 48% of the batters he confronted all through SEC play by chance. Even so, Skenes used to be extra polarizing in scouting circles than the above information signifies. His fastball’s form has “dead zone” houses, a complicated manner of claiming it is more uncomplicated to trace on account of a equivalent quantity of vertical and horizontal motion. 

That blemish may not stay Skenes from having a big-league occupation — Nathan Eovaldi and Hunter Greene each have “dead zone” fastballs — however it will reason his fastball to be much less efficient than it must be in response to natural speed.

11. Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox (22 years previous)

• The quick model: Sweet-swinging lefty shortstop had accidents prolong debut.
• MLB ETA: Spring 2024

Montgomery used to be sidelined by means of again and indirect problems till June, delaying his big-league arrival till subsequent season. He nonetheless made his strategy to Double-A, the place he batted .244/.400/.428 in 37 contests — no longer his same old triple-slash excellence, however comprehensible given the layoff. Montgomery has lengthy impressed comparisons to Corey Seager. While the ones stand up at least in section from superficial causes — they have got equivalent builds and facial buildings — Montgomery’s really feel for hitting and budding energy counsel he may develop into a plus bat. He must slot in someday in 2024 because the White Sox’s successor to Tim Anderson.

12. Jackson Merrill, SS, Padres (twenty years previous)

• The quick model: Contact-driven lefty with increasing defensive versatility. 
• MLB ETA: Summer 2024

The Padres made 3 of the primary 75 selections in the 2021 draft. Two in their choices (James Wood and Robert Gasser) have since been traded as a part of offers for Juan Soto and Josh Hader. Merrill, the perfect drafted of the 3, stays in the group. He must quickly develop into a part of the big-league lineup. Merrill hooked up on greater than 80% of his swings remaining season, ensuing in a cumulative .277/.326/.444 slash line throughout High- and Double-A. His talent to place the bat at the ball is his top promoting level. He does have some energy, however it is nearly completely to his pull facet, and it is laborious to peer him displacing Xander Bogaerts because the Padres’ on a regular basis shortstop. San Diego began enjoying Merrill at different positions down the stretch, together with at first and 2nd base and out in left area. If he stays with the Padres into subsequent season — and, as Wood and Gasser illustrate, you’ll be able to by no means say evidently — he may start his professional occupation in extra of a utility-starter position.

13. Carson Williams, SS, Rays (twenty years previous)

• The quick model: Great energy and glove difficult to understand hit-tool questions
• MLB ETA: Late 2024

Williams is a surefire shortstop with well-above-average uncooked energy. Even at the present time, that is a unprecedented aggregate to seek out. (There’ve best been seven 30-plus home-run seasons by means of shortstops since 2021.) He’s no longer upper in this record as a result of there’s explanation why to have skepticism about his hit device. Williams hooked up on lower than 70% of his swings this season. That, plus his tendency to paintings deep counts, approach he will at all times be strikeout-prone. If Williams can stay his Okay charge at the sunny facet of 30% as he climbs the ladder, he will produce at a star-level. Shy of that, he must nonetheless develop into a flashy on a regular basis starter.

14. Noelvi Marte, 3B, Reds (22 years previous)

• The quick model: Usability questions plague innate bodily characteristics.
• MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023

CBS Sports has and can proceed to be upper on Marte than most department stores on account of the perception that it is more uncomplicated to show a batter find out how to raise the ball than it’s to show him find out how to strike the ball with authority. Predictably, Marte can in point of fact sting the ball. His 115.6 mph most go out speed positioned him in a digital tie with Bryce Harper and Pete Alonso. The catch is that the one certified batter with a decrease common release attitude than Marte’s 1.9 levels used to be Pirates software participant Ji Hwan Bae.

There are two paths ahead for him: both he learns to raise the ball, or he tries to emulate the likes of Yandy Díaz, William Contreras, and Christian Yelich — all of whom had nice years with common release angles beneath six levels. The former situation is extra intriguing, and may end result in him launching 30-plus domestic runs a pop. The latter trail, in the meantime, may result in a wonderfully wonderful occupation, too. Either manner, we consider.

15. Brooks Lee, SS/3B, Twins (23 years previous)

• The quick model: Polished left-side infielder.
• MLB ETA: Spring 2024

Lee, the 8th select in the 2022 draft, is an instinctual participant and a close to lock to develop into a cast common. He’s a nominal switch-hitter who possesses a greater really feel for touch and tool from the left facet. His surface-level statistics at Triple-A have been underwhelming (.237/.304/.428 in 38 video games), however his ball-tracking metrics (once more, essentially as a lefty) prompt he deserved larger. To wit, greater than part of Lee’s batted balls as opposed to righties had an go out speed that exceeded 95 mph. Scouts have pegged him as a long run 3rd baseman since his beginner days on account of his lackluster burst and vary. Carlos Correa’s presence is some other obstacle. Nevertheless, Lee must slot into the big-league lineup maximum days starting early in the 2024 season. 

16. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF, Cubs (22 years previous)

• The quick model: Brilliant defensive outfielder with some offensive upside.
• MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023

Crow-Armstrong, obtained from the Mets at the 2021 cut-off date for Javier Báez, is likely one of the recreation’s ideally suited younger defensive outfielders. He strikes properly and throws properly, and he must be in competition for a Gold Glove Award starting in 2024. That a lot is sure. What’s much less certain is how Crow-Armstrong will carry out offensively. He’s discovered to raise the ball with larger frequency as a professional, however he is paid hire on it in the type of a emerging strikeout charge. It’s almost definitely affordable to think about Crow-Armstrong’s outlook as being one thing corresponding to Harrison Bader’s days with the Cardinals. There are worse fates. 

17. Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox (19 years previous)

• The quick model: Showed energy and on-base upside all through breakout yr.
• MLB ETA: Late 2024

Here’s one strategy to summarize Anthony’s energy: Although he is a left-handed batter, 9 of his 14 domestic runs remaining season have been hit to both left or left-center area. That can be an outstanding show of opposite-field energy by means of any person, let by myself a participant who used to be 19 for lots of the yr. Anthony has additionally proven a prepared eye and has most commonly saved his strikeout charges beneath 20% as a certified (his touch charge did crater in High-A, despite the fact that it then rebounded as soon as he reached Double-A). He may stand to place the ball in the air extra regularly as a method of maximizing his slugging possible. Even so, it bodes properly for him that he is carrying this sort of huge offensive ability set at this sort of younger age.

18. Cade Horton, RHP, Cubs (22 years previous)

• The quick model: Risky select has and must proceed to pay dividends. 
• MLB ETA: Spring 2024

Horton completed his occupation at Oklahoma so strongly that the Cubs overpassed his seasonal 4.86 ERA and decided on him 7th general in 2022. He validated their selection in his first style of professional ball, hanging out 33% of the batters he confronted throughout 3 ranges, together with a six-game stretch in Double-A. Horton has 3 pitches (a fastball and two breaking balls) that grade out as above-average or larger. He throws sufficient moves to with ease challenge him as a starter, too. The one attention that would save you him from being a part of Chicago’s big-league rotation for many of subsequent season is workload. The Cubs restricted him to 88 innings (or about 4 in keeping with look) in 2023. The Dodgers took a in a similar fashion conservative means with Bobby Miller earlier than unleashing him remaining season. Perhaps the Cubs will apply swimsuit. If so, Horton has a possibility to present the center in their rotation an early season spice up.

19. Jordan Lawlar, SS, Diamondbacks (21 years previous)

• The quick model: Former No. 6 select with historical past of Bobby Witt Jr. comparisons.
• MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023

In some respects, Lawlar had an ideal season. He homered 20 occasions in simply over 100 minor-league video games en path to the majors, and he sliced into what have been a regarding strikeout charge. In different respects, his season left one thing to need. Despite Lawlar’s home-run general, his go out speed marks in Triple-A have been worse than you could have expected. He additionally had a forgettable big-league cameo, in which he went 4 for 31 with 11 strikeouts. Lawlar is a surefire defensive shortstop who confirmed an considerable really feel for the strike zone. He’s going to play in the majors, most probably for a very long time. Those comparisons to Bobby Witt Jr. simply may turn out overzealous, is all.

20. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox (21 years previous)

• The quick model: Capable shortstop with a succesful bat.
• MLB ETA: Late 2024

Mayer has lengthy won reward from scouts for the fluidity of his protection. He’s no longer probably the most explosive athlete. He does not have probably the most vary or the most powerful arm. But he makes up for the ones shortcomings with a really feel for the location that are supposed to let him stick there. Offensively, Mayer had proven excellent energy and a passion for taking walks till he hit a coarse patch upon achieving Double-A. His season ended in early August, and it is most probably that it impacted him on some point earlier than he used to be close down. We even have some issues about how frequently he swings and misses, and about how regularly he pops up the ball. We’ll give him the advantage of the doubt for now, however his inventory is starting to slip.

21. Colton Cowser, OF, Orioles (24 years previous)

• The quick model: Quality of touch and persistence must result in brighter days.
• MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023

It’s honest to put in writing that Cowser’s creation to the majors did not pass as deliberate. He hit simply .115/.286/.148 and struck out in 28.6% of his 77 plate appearances. We really feel assured that larger occasions anticipate. Cowser has demonstrated his really feel for the strike zone and high quality touch courting again to his collegiate days. Indeed, his common go out speed in Triple-A used to be over 90 mph, albeit with a mean release attitude in the one digits. 

Cowser’s recreation does function numerous swing and pass over on non-fastballs, and that, plus his widespread deep counts, will proceed to make him strikeout susceptible. We suppose he has sufficient else running in his want that we are prepared to peer if he could make the vital changes. 

22. Coby Mayo, 3B, Orioles (22 years previous)

• The quick model: Strength and persistence difficult to understand positional questions.
• MLB ETA: Spring 2024

Mayo lacks a picturesque swing, however his operation unquestionably works for him. He’s hit at each and every point up to now, together with at Triple-A, the place greater than 52% of his batted balls had an go out speed of at least 95 mph. Mayo’s most go out speed (112 mph), in the meantime, used to be correct in line with the likes of Paul Goldschmidt and J.D. Martinez. He’s no longer only a grip-and-rip hitter, both. He does not frequently pass fishing, and his in-zone touch charge stayed above 80%. The Orioles’ abundance of better-fielding younger infielders may pressure Mayo down the defensive spectrum, possibly to first base or correct area. His run-producing capability must make him a notable a part of their lineup anyway.

23. Colt Keith, 3B/2B, Tigers (22 years previous)

• The quick model: Legit bat with no positive place.
• MLB ETA: Spring 2024

Keith is a member of the similar circle of relatives as Curtis Mead and Michael Busch. He can hit (as evidenced by means of his .287/.369/.521 slash line at Triple-A), however there are sufficient questions on his defensive domestic that it is tricky to rank him a lot upper. The Tigers have given Keith seems to be at each 2nd and 3rd base, despite the fact that it is at least conceivable that he finally ends up additional down the defensive spectrum. On the brilliant facet, he must nonetheless produce regardless of the place he stands at the diamond. 

24. Kyle Harrison, LHP, Giants (22 years previous)

• The quick model: Two-pitch low-slot lefty with command questions. 
• MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023

Harrison’s talent to get some distance down the mound provides him one of the crucial funkier liberate issues in the majors. His pitches play sooner because of this, nevertheless it additionally reasons him to have a vertical liberate that used to be, on common, beneath six toes. That places him in a distinct magnificence of pitcher, along the likes of Joe Ryan, Andrew Heaney, and Bryan Woo. Harrison is basically a two-pitch pitcher, depending closely on his low-to-mid-90s fastball and slurve. He threw extra moves than anticipated all through a seven-game big-league cameo, despite the fact that the Giants have been additionally cautious to stop overexposure. He didn’t face greater than 24 batters in an look. We’ll see if the Giants are extra competitive with him in 2024.

25. Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies (twenty years previous)

• The quick model: Promising right-hander slowed by means of elbow surgical treatment.
• MLB ETA: Spring 2025

Painter didn’t pitch remaining season after struggling a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the spring. He get rid of Tommy John surgical treatment till past due July, hanging his 2024 marketing campaign in doubt as properly. (Teams have a tendency to permit their pitchers 14 months to get better, which might see him go back in past due September.) We suppose sufficient of Painter’s upside to incorporate him anyway, however it kind of feels best honest to drop him towards the ground of the primary part given the instances.