Times have never been better for baseball prospect watchers.
When Buster Posey first joined the Giants late in the 2009 season, he was one of 204 players to debut in the majors that season. Last season, 261 players appeared in their first MLB games – a year after there were a record-setting 303 debuts.
More top prospects than ever are being fast-tracked, in large part because of rules intended to discourage teams from manipulating service time to stall players’ arbitration and free agent clocks.
Here’s a look at some of the prospects fans should know for Opening Day and to keep an eye out for later this summer. (High-profile international free agents such as Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee and Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga are considered rookies this season but did not make the prospects list because of their significant pro experience overseas.)
National League
Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers – The Brewers believe they have the next Ronald Acuna Jr., Mike Trout or Juan Soto on their hands, which is why they signed the Venezuelan native to an $82 million, eight-year deal this winter, a record for a player yet to reach the majors. Chourio has played just six games above Double-A and turned 20 just before spring training, but will open the season in the majors and all signs point to the right-handed hitter having star potential because of his combination of power and speed. He hit 22 home runs with 44 stolen bases last season, becoming just the fifth teenager to have a 20/40 season minors and the first since Acuna did it in 2017.
Milwaukee Brewers” Jackson Chourio arrives prior to a spring training baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Paul Skenes, SP, Pirates – Pittsburgh has no need to rush Skenes, although last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick out of LSU might force their hand. The 21-year-old right-hander only made a handful of appearances in spring training, but displayed his triple-digits fastball and capped first big-league camp by striking out Orioles top prospect Jackson Holliday in the spring breakout exhibition. He’ll likely open the season at Double-A, but could arrive in the majors by mid-season.
Jordan Lawlar, SS, Diamondbacks – The No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 draft was overmatched when he was called up late last season ( a .129/.206/.129 slash line with 11 strikeouts in 31 at-bats), but figures to join Corbin Carroll as the faces of the franchise. Lawlar, 21, has 20-homer/30-steal potential and has drawn comparisons to a young Derek Jeter.
Other prospects to watch in the National League
Kyle Harrison, SP, Giants; Luisangel Acuna, SS/2B, Mets; Michael Busch, INF, Cubs; Masyn Winn, SS, Cardinals; Tyler Black, 3B, Brewers; Hunter Goodman, 1B, Rockies; Carson Wisenhunt, SP, Giants; Nick Frasso, SP, Dodgers; Lyon Richardson, SP, Reds; James Wood, OF, Nationals; Thomas Saggese, 2B/3B, Cardinals; Mick Abel, SP, Phillies; Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs; Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals; Marco Luciano, SS, Giants.
San Francisco Giants pitcher Kyle Harrison (45) warms up in right field before their game against the Cincinnati Reds during their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. This is Harrison’s first career start at home. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
American League
Jackson Holliday, 2B, Orioles – The No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft is considered the top prospect in the game. The 20-year-old will open the season in the minors, but it’s just a matter of time before he joins the Orioles’ already impressive group of young stars led by All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman and shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who was the unanimous A.L. Rookie of the Year last season. The son of one-time A’s outfielder Matt Holliday had a slash line of .323/.442/.941 with 12 home runs, 24 stolen bases and 101 walks as he moved through four minor league levels last season, finishing with 18 games at Triple-A.
Jackson Holliday #87 of the Baltimore Orioles warms up during a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium on Feb. 29, 2024 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Evan Carter, OF, Rangers – Carter, 21, was the breakout star of the Rangers’ World Series run, reaching base 28 times in 17 playoff games. The 2020 draft pick appeared in 40 games in the majors in all, with a slash line of .303/.414/.989 with six home runs and six stolen bases and is considered a potential Gold Glove left fielder.
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Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Angels – An on-base machine in college, Schanuel made his MLB debut weeks after being the 11th overall pick in the 2023 draft and he’s reached base in every game he’s played in for the Angels – 29 and counting. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound lefty is still a work in progress – he drew 20 walks, but also struck out 19 times in 109 at-bats and hit .275 with just one home run and six RBIs – but the Angels are firmly in rebuild mode.
Other prospects to watch in the American League
Junior Caminero, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays; Darell Hernaiz, SS, A’s; Brooks Lee, INF, Minnesota Twins; Everson Pereira, OF, Yankees; Colt Keith, 3B, Detroit Tigers; Heston Kjerstad, RF, Baltimore Orioles; Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox; Orelvis Martinez, SS/3B, Blue Jays; Coby Mayo, 3B, Orioles; Ricky Tiedemann, SP, Blue Jays; Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Guardians; Wyatt Langford, OF, Rangers; Curtis Mead, INF, Rays; Ceddanne Rafaela, OF, Boston Red Sox; Parker Meadows, OF, Tigers; Wilyer Abreu, OF, Red Sox; Denzel Clarke, OF, A’s.