Format = Position Player | Age on 4/1/2025 | Highest Level Played | Estimated Time of Arrival
1. RHP Chase Burns | 22 | NCAA | 2025
Burns set a new single-season NCAA record with 191 strikeouts in 100 innings for Wake Forest. That’s the kind of math I can get behind. Seems like he’s striking out about two guys per innings, which seems like a good plan. His slider just isn’t something college hitters are used to seeing. Isn’t something any hitter is used to seeing, really. Plays like an 80 when he’s commanding it, which he usually is. Usually commands his 100 mph fastball well, too, and while he’s got a little Kirby in him in the sense that people hit his fastball more than makes obvious sense, he’s not doomed to that fate, given his incredible athleticism and clear growth arc across time.
2. RHP Rhett Lowder | 23 | MLB | 2024
Lowder was amazing as a collegian and continued that excellence in the pros, climbing the levels to the majors in a single season and starting his MLB career with a 1.17 ERA through 30.2 innings, during which he didn’t allow a single home run. Sure, there’s a red flag or two, like the strikeout and walk rates, 17.2 percent and 10.9 percent, respectively, but it’s definitely nitpicking to quibble with the results from a guy wielding solid command of four plus pitches (slider 27.3%, 4-seam 27.3%, sinker 25.9, changeup 19.5) he deploys in almost equal measure.
3. 3B Cam Collier | 20 | A+ | 2026
The 18th overall pick in 2022, Collier’s long been a powerfully built lefty at 6’1” 210 lbs, and this season, he went on stretches that hinted at what he might become if he harnesses that power. All told, he popped 20 home runs in 119 games while slashing .248/.355/.443 with a 129 wRC+. In the context of a 19-year-old in High-A, that’s fantastic, even if we could pump the brakes a bit given that he’s more physically developed than most 19-year-olds. I’ve seen some Devers comps, but I wouldn’t go anywhere near that far even though I like Collier as a player.
4. 3B Sal Stewart | 21 | A+ | 2025
The 32nd overall pick in 2022, Stewart stands in at 6’1” 215 lbs and features plus plate skills with just enough speed, savvy and power to be a five-category contributor. In 80 High-A games this season, he slashed .279/.391/.454 with eight home runs and ten stolen bases. Pretty quick math to double that up and get interested.
5. RHP Chase Petty | 21 | AAA | 2025
At 6 ‘1” 190 lbs, Petty features a wipeout slider and demonstrates an aptitude for spin that portends well for his year over year development. The 26th overall pick by Minnesota in 2021, Petty was sent to Cincy in the Sonny Gray trade the following March. He’s been effective as a Red, improving his command and limiting home runs against mostly older hitters and setting himself up for a rotation spot early in 2025, maybe even out of spring training.
6. SS Edwin Arroyo | 21 | AA | 2026
Underwent surgery in March to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder: an injury that seems slightly more troublesome for a switch-hitting shortstop than it might be for, say, a left-handed first baseman, and even for that type, a torn labrum is scary stuff. When last on the field, Arroyo was getting a cup of coffee in Double-A and flashing a light five-tool skill set along with plus plate discipline.
7. C Alfredo Duno | 19 | A | 2028
Duno was really taking off against players about three years his senior when his season ended on May 24 due to a hamstring injury that lingered and then a broken rib during the rehab process. His carrying trait is double-plus power he generates easily from a 6’2” 210 lb frame. He struck out 28.8 percent of the time in 32 Low-A games but produced a 127 wRC+ anyway thanks to patience and power.
8. SS Ricardo Cabrera | 20 | A | 2027
Cabrera signed for $2.7 million in 2022 and has steadily climbed the system while adding good weight to his six-foot frame. He wasn’t dominant in his first full season, but his 111 wRC+ in 105 Low-A games is impressive for a guy who won’t turn 20 until Halloween. The average age in the league was 1.9 years older than him. He popped 11 home runs and stole 19 bases and will be pushing for a roster spot on medium-deep dynasty leagues in 2025.
9. OF Rece Hinds | 24 | MLB | 2024
Listed at 6’4” 215 lbs, Hinds is a strikeout-prone slugger who splurted into the majors like he was battered out of a catsup bottle, slashing .261/.333/.717 with five home runs in 51 major league plate appearances. The team got gunshy when the strikeouts started to pile up and sent him to bench a bit much for a guy with those outcomes, which speaks to his likelihood of simply disappearing into the past like the Aquinos of seasons past. Stil, he’s such a power-speed monster that I struggle to justify leaving him off a fantasy list.
10. SS Leonardo Balcazar | 20 | A | 2026
A right-handed hitter at 5’10” 190 lbs, Balcazar flashes electrifying athleticism and upside. He missed most of 2023 with a torn ACL just 18 games into the season, but the club promoted him along to High-A anyway for the 2024 season, and he didn’t disappoint them, batting .264 with six home runs and nine steals in 102 games against players who were, on average, 2.2 years older than him. He swung at everything and walked just 3.3 percent of the time, which would be disqualifying if he can’t get it figured out. On the other hand, he hit .323 with six homers and five steals over his final 39 games, good for a 142 wRC+ despite the free-swinging ways.
Thanks for reading!
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