I released my new top 50 MLB prospects ranking last week, but as always, it was difficult settle on the final group. Today, I want to highlight 10 players who just missed making the main list and appear primed to pop into the top 50 in 2025.
All of these players belong in the conversation for best prospects in baseball and all have the potential to eventually become stars in the big leagues.
(Note: Prospects eligible for my top 50 ranking and this list must still be in the minor leagues and never have been promoted to the majors in their career.)
Statistics are updated through Sept. 11 unless otherwise noted. Players’ ages are as of Sept. 11. Players’ minor-league level at the time of publication is listed in parentheses. Jim Bowden’s scouting grades are based on the 20-80 scale, in which 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. PWR denotes Power; FLD: Fielding; FB: Fastball; CT: Cutter; CB: Curveball; CH: Changeup; SLI: Slider; SF: Split-finger; CTL: Control; CMND: Command.
1. Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies (Did not play — rehab)
Age: 21
Height: 6-7 Weight: 215
Scouting grades: FB: 65 SLI: 50 CB: 55 CH: 55 CTL: 60 CMND: 60
Andrew Painter had a legitimate shot to make the Phillies’ rotation as a teenager out of spring training last year, but he suffered an elbow sprain that ultimately led to him having Tommy John surgery midway through the 2023 season. He did not pitch in 2023 (beyond one Grapefruit League game) and 2024, and that’s the only reason he didn’t make my top 50. In 2022, he posted a 1.56 ERA over 22 starts and averaged 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings across three minor-league levels. If he can return to form with the same stuff he displayed before the injury, he’ll be a top-three pitching prospect in baseball next year. He has three plus pitches, including a 98 mph fastball with downward plane. He has tremendous reach and can repeat his release point despite his 6-foot-7 frame. The Phillies think he can be a big-league contributor at some point next season, though they will need to monitor his innings.
2. Justin Crawford, CF, Phillies (Double A)
Age: 20
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 6-2 Weight: 188
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 35 RUN: 70 ARM: 55 FLD: 60
Justin Crawford is the son of four-time All-Star Carl Crawford and he has a similar game to his dad. He’s a plus-plus defender in center field with tremendous range thanks to elite speed. He’s slashed .312/.360/.445 this season with 24 doubles, nine homers and 42 stolen bases between High A and Double A. He is the Phillies’ long-term answer in center field and if he keeps hitting like he has the past two years, he could make the majors by the end of next year (or if not, the beginning of 2025).
3. Edwin Arroyo, SS, Reds (Did not play — rehab)
Age: 21
Bats: B Throws: R
Height: 6-0 Weight: 175
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 45 RUN: 55 ARM: 65 FLD: 60
Edwin Arroyo had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder in March and missed the entire season. When healthy, he belongs in the top 50. He was expected to start the year in Double A and possibly make the big leagues late in the summer. Arroyo, whom Cincinnati acquired in the Luis Castillo trade two years ago, is the best defensive shortstop in the Reds’ system, with a strong arm. A switch hitter, Arroyo has 15- to 18-home run power and 30-stolen base potential.
4. Spencer Jones, OF, Yankees (Double A)
Age: 23
Bats: L Throws: L
Height: 6-6 Weight: 235
Scouting grades: HIT: 45 PWR: 55 RUN: 55 ARM: 50 FLD: 50
There is no doubting his power/speed combination as Spencer Jones has the potential to develop into a 25-home run, 25-stolen-base type talent. However, there are big questions about his hit tool. He has some mechanical flaws — he “bars” with his right arm on his swing — and has struck out 199 times in 528 plate appearances this season in Double A. (He’s slashed .259/.335/.449 with 16 home runs, 29 doubles and 25 stolen bases.) He’s solid defensively and has displayed great composure.
5. Braden Montgomery, OF, Red Sox (Rookie level — injured)
Age: 21
Bats: B Throws: R
Height: 6-2 Weight: 220
Scouting grades: HIT: 50 PWR: 60 RUN: 50 ARM: 65 FLD: 50
Braden Montgomery was the most athletic outfielder in this year’s draft, with a strong arm and upper-deck power. Selected by Boston with the 12th pick out of Texas A&M, Montgomery is a solid defender in right field and a smart base runner. He projects to have 30-home run power. He also has great makeup and the intangibles that teams want. He broke his right ankle during the NCAA Super Regionals but is expected to make a full recovery.
6. Seaver King, INF, Nationals (Low A)
Age: 21
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6-0 Weight: 195
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 45 RUN: 65 ARM: 55 FLD: 50
Considered one of the best in the league, the Nationals’ amateur scouting department placed a big bet in this year’s draft on infielder Seaver King, whom they selected with the 10th pick, higher than his consensus projection. At Wake Forest last season, he reached base at a 38 percent clip with 16 home runs and 11 steals. Since being drafted, he’s posted a .367 on-base percentage over 90 plate appearances, with 10 stolen bases in 11 attempts. He was the most underrated prospect in this year’s first round.
7. Blake Mitchell, C, Royals (High A)
Age: 20
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 6-0 Weight: 202
Scouting grades: HIT: 50 PWR: 60 RUN: 45 ARM: 70 FLD: 55
A 2023 first-round pick (eighth overall), Blake Mitchell has a .368 OBP this season with 16 doubles, 18 home runs and 51 RBIs between Low A and High A. He also has 26 steals in 33 attempts. Mitchell is an above-average defensive catcher with a rifle for an arm. He’s the one player in the Royals’ farm system they wouldn’t talk about when other teams made inquiries at the trade deadline.
8. Vance Honeycutt, OF, Orioles (High A)
Age: 21
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6-3 Weight: 205
Scouting grades: HIT: 40 PWR: 65 RUN: 65 ARM: 65 FLD: 65
Vance Honeycutt was the most intriguing player in this year’s draft because he is a legitimate four-tool player and his four plus tools are all graded 65 (on the 20-80 scouting scale), which is extraordinary. However, hitting, the most important tool, is his biggest weakness and question mark. If he hits, he’ll be a star. If he doesn’t, he might not make it to the majors at all. Early on in Low A and High A, he’s struggled, hitting just .176 with 24 strikeouts in 51 at-bats. But I think the Orioles made a great pick by drafting Honeycutt at No. 22, because if he figures it out at the plate, he has such a high ceiling.
9. Cam Caminiti, LHP, Braves (Low A)
Age: 18
Height: 6-2 Weight: 195
Scouting grades: FB: 60 SLI: 55 CB: 55 CH: 55 CTL: 50 CMND: 50
The Braves draft pitchers as well as any team in baseball and were fortunate Cam Caminiti dropped to them with the 24th pick in this year’s draft. Cam is a cousin of the late Ken Caminiti, a three-time All-Star who played 15 years in the big leagues. Cam Caminiti’s fastball sits 95-98 mph. His changeup is his best secondary pitch. He also throws a plus slider and curveball with the slider being the better offering. He has good command for an 18-year-old and a high ceiling if he can stay healthy.
10. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers (Triple A)
Age: 22
Height: 6-7 Weight: 200
Scouting grades: FB: 75 SLI: 70 CB: 60 CH: 40 CLT: 35 CMND: 35
Jacob Misiorowski has some of the best raw stuff in the minor leagues. He has a 100 mph fastball, a wipeout slider and a knee-buckling curveball. The Brewers are trying to develop him into a starting pitcher, but his lack of command and control might eventually force them to make him a high-leverage reliever instead. This season he’s logged a 3.43 ERA over 30 appearances (21 starts) between Double A and Triple A, averaging 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings but also an alarming 5.6 walks per nine.
(Top image: Braden Montgomery: Sam Hodde / MLB Photos / Getty Images; Justin Crawford: Sam Hodde / MLB Photos / Getty Images)
