It feels like just yesterday we were talking about the 2024 MLB draft, and already, the landscape of baseball's top prospects for 2025 is shifting dramatically. New talent has burst onto the scene, and some familiar names have either graduated to the majors or seen their stock adjust. This constant evolution, fueled by breakout seasons and savvy trade deadline moves, makes this an incredibly exciting time to be following the game's future.
We've been diving deep, consulting with scouts and executives across the league, to bring you an updated ranking of the brightest young talents. This isn't just about who's hot right now; it's about long-term potential, the inherent risks involved, and how close these players are to making a real impact in the big leagues. We're even including some recently called-up major leaguers who still retain their rookie eligibility – a testament to their rapid development.
Leading the charge is Konnor Griffin, a shortstop with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Just a year ago, he was a high school hitter with questions about his swing. Now? He's the undisputed No. 1 prospect in baseball. Comparisons to Fernando Tatis Jr. were made at draft time, and Griffin is certainly following that path, but with even more encouraging early reports on his defense and plate discipline. He's a plus-plus runner and thrower, capable of playing almost anywhere on the field at an average-to-above level. With 30-homer upside, especially if he can refine his swing plane, he's on the cusp of reaching the elite 65 FV tier – a rare air indeed.
Not far behind is Kevin McGonigle, another shortstop, this time with the Detroit Tigers. I remember being one of the few in the media high on McGonigle during the deep 2023 draft class. My faith has been rewarded handsomely. Concerns about his power/speed combo and his ability to stick at short have largely dissipated. He's proven to be at least a passable shortstop professionally and has a genuine shot to stay there long-term. His power, by any measure, has developed into above-average, if not plus. Combined with his already-present feel for the game and on-base skills, McGonigle looks like he could be above average in every facet of his hitting and closer to average on the bases and in the field.
Then there's Jesus Made, a shortstop for the Milwaukee Brewers. He exploded onto the prospect scene last summer with one of the most impressive DSL performances we've ever witnessed. He's continued that momentum, posting an .801 OPS across both Single-A levels as a 17 and 18-year-old. Made is an above-average contact and patience threat with at least plus power, though his flatter swing plane is currently limiting his home run totals.
Samuel Basallo, a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, possesses legitimate 40-homer potential and could very well be an everyday big league catcher. He's solid defensively, a good framer and blocker with a plus arm, though his exchange and accuracy need refinement. He lands just behind Made due to the typical developmental challenges catchers face and a tendency to chase pitches out of the zone, which could impact his on-base and power numbers against major league pitching. Still, for a 21-year-old catcher already in the majors with that kind of power ceiling, he's impossible to ignore.
Rounding out our top five is Leo De Vries, a shortstop acquired by the Athletics from the Padres. While he's currently playing short, his below-average speed suggests a likely move to third base. But that's where the negatives largely end. De Vries boasts a plus arm, above-average to plus power, a great feel for pulling and lifting the ball, and average-to-above contact and patience. All of this from an 18-year-old switch-hitter already in High-A is remarkable. While some see him as a very good player rather than a potential superstar, he's a high-probability, strong everyday infielder with the potential to be an impact player.
This is just a glimpse into the incredible talent pool that will shape the future of baseball. As the minor league season winds down and we look ahead to 2025, these are the names you'll want to keep an eye on.
