The Top 20 Toronto Blue Jays prospects headlined by Trey Yesavage
2024 Topps Update Series Preview
Baltimore Orioles 2025 Top 20 Prospects
This Week in Baseball Cards - 1014 - 10/20
Covering the major product releases and news in the baseball card hobby for the week of October 14th through October 20th, 2024. There is one release covered this week - 2024 Update Series. In addition, 2024 Topps Holiday has started to show up for pre-orders. 2024 Topps Chrome Update has also been added as a pre-order drop for this week.
On The Clock: Interview with 2025 MLB Draft Prospect Xavier Neyens
In this episode of On the Clock, hosts Jared Perkins and Tyler Jennings sit down with 2025 MLB Draft prep prospect Xavier Neyens from Mount Vernon, Washington, to discuss his journey and experiences in amateur baseball. Xavier shares insights into his baseball beginnings, playing with Cascade Crush, and later joining Trotsky, which marked his entry into the national circuit. He describes how participating in various tournaments, including Perfect Game National and events in Arizona and California, helped him grow as a player. His commitment to the sport is evident as he reflects on the excitement of being invited to the MLB All Star Game High School Home Run Derby and his time spent competing alongside top talent from across the country.
Xavier talks about his summer, packed with tournaments like WWBA in Georgia and the USA Baseball events. He recounts notable moments, such as hitting a home run at USA trials and learning from both his successes and struggles on the field. Emphasizing the importance of mental resilience, Xavier mentions how conversations with mentors like Austin Shenton helped him stay grounded during tough games. He highlights the camaraderie he shares with fellow players and how these experiences not only develop his skills but also allow him to create lasting memories with his teammates.
In addition to baseball, Xavier discusses his off-field interests and how they provide balance in his life. He shares that he enjoys basketball, building Lego sets, and spending time outdoors, which help him reset mentally. Looking ahead to 2025, he aims to continue improving his athleticism and refining his skills, with a particular focus on sticking at shortstop. The episode wraps up with rapid-fire questions, where Xavier reveals his favorite local food spot, his all-time favorite home run, and a playlist of potential walk-up songs for his final high school season. The hosts express excitement for his future and wish him success as he continues his baseball journey.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3HgZel1eTql4v287U0ACzq?si=3bd2047f323d4628
Recca's Fall Notebook Part 1: Lehigh Scout Day
Tampa Bay Rays 2025 Top 20 Prospects
Boston Red Sox 2025 Top 20 Prospects
2024 Arizona Fall League Preview - Ranking All 93 Hitters
New York Yankees 2025 Top 20 Prospects
This Week in Baseball Cards - 10/7 - 10/13
Covering the major product releases and news in the baseball card hobby for the week of October 7th through October 13th, 2024. There are two releases covered this week - 2024 Bowman Sterling and 2024 Topps Cosmic Chrome, In addition, Topps will be selling the already released 2024 Topps Chrome Logofractor Edition on their website.
2025 MLB Draft Top 75 Collegiate Prospects: Conference Breakdowns (Mid-Majors/Independents)
Tyler Jennings has been crushing it with the 2025 MLB Draft boards and recently released his top 75 college prospects. Over the next few weeks, we will bring you some top prospects within each conference. For this edition, we will dive into some of the top mid-major prospects across the NCAA.
You can dive into our full Top 75 Collegiate Prospects for the 2025 MLB Draft list here: https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2024/9/21/2025-mlb-draft-top-75-collegiate-prospects
HITTERS
SS Aiva Arquette - Oregon State
Prospects Live Ranking: #7
Arquette, a standout from Saint Louis High School and a rising star in college baseball, has captured the attention of scouts for his performance at the University of Washington and in the Cape Cod League. He’s been a massive get for Oregon State in this years transfer portal. He has been one of the biggest risers in the college ranks. Arquette is a huge physical presence at shortstop at 6’4, 220lbs adding another name to the “tall shortstops” category. Given his size and stature, he could move to third base in the future as he gains more physicality. His offensive game saw major strides in his sophomore season, showcasing a balanced approach, impressive exit velocities, and the ability to hit to all fields. He’s got imense raw power, especially to the opposite field, but his patience at the plate needs some more development as he can get a tad aggressive. Regardless, there are a ton of tools to dream on and a solid season at Oregon State will likely have his name being called super early in the 2025 MLB Draft.
C Caden Bodine - Coastal Carolina
Prospects Live Ranking: #12
Bodine is one of the most impressive bats at the plate due to his ability to get barrels easily, and he does it at an excellent level from both sides. He ran up some absurd contact rates and had a good feel for the strikezone. He can get overly aggressive sometimes, but he does a good job keeping that mostly in check. Bodine has started to tap into more power but has maxed out at 11 home runs in his freshman year. He struggled in a small sample size in the Cape Cod League this summer, but he was limited to six games, given he also spent some time with the USA Collegiate National Teams. Defensively, Bodine has all the tools to stick behind the plate. He’s a force behind the plate as he does a good job keeping the ball in front of him and has a decent arm to throw guys out. There is a lot to like here for teams looking at him in the 2025 MLB Draft, and another strong season should keep him high on draft boards.
3B Trent Caraway - Oregon State
Prospects Live Ranking: #18
As you can see, Oregon State is chock-full of offensive studs in their lineup in 2025, just like they were in 2024. Trent Caraway is an athletic and versatile infielder who stands out for his strong defensive instincts and reliable glove work, particularly at shortstop and third base. He has solid arm stroength and thinks he should be able to handle the hot corner long-term in the future. Offensively, power is the name of the game for Caraway. He hits the ball HARD! He’s already maxed out at 113.1 mph with his exit velos. He has shown developing power potential but can be quite aggressive at times and is working on making more consistent contact. He’s shown some swing-and-miss and hits the ground on the ball too much, but he has improved his approach some recently. He has a decent amount of speed on the base paths and is far from a clog out there. His maturity and baseball IQ set him apart as a player with high upside and a promising future.
OF Nick Dumesnil - Cal Baptist
Prospects Live Ranking: #20
Dumesnil really popped off as one of the best mid-major bat prospects in the entire nations after his sophomore season at Cal Baptist. The outfielder slashed an absurd .362/.440/.702 with a 1.142 OPS, including 19 2B, 19 HR, and 45 RBI. While he had some solid production he can be pretty aggressive at the plate. Dumesnil excels at punishing fastballs but can struggle with spin, leading to higher ground ball rates on breaking pitches. His speed and strong defensive instincts make him a versatile outfielder, with center field being his most likely position. After impressing in the WAC and continuing his success on the Cape, he’s now a legitimate Day 1 prospect with first-round potential. His power, speed, and defensive ability give him a robust toolset, though cutting down on his aggressiveness at the plate will be key as he faces tougher pitching.
OF Gavin Turley - Oregon State
Prospects Live Ranking: #22
ATHLETE! That sums up the skillset Turley brings to the table. There is a lot to like with his toolset across the board. He’s got a ton of bat speed that generates a massive amount of raw power. Turley’s weakness has always been his ability to make contact, but he showed a new approach in the Cape Cod League over the summer that led to much success. He cut down on his whiff and did a good job of laying off struff out of the zone. It was pretty impressive to see how quickly the new approach worked, and I’ll be curious to know if he can carry that success into the 2025 season. Defensively, Turley’s athleticism plays well in the outfield. Thanks to his speed, he gets good jumps and reads and can track almost anything down. He has a plus arm, and his throws have a ton of carry and accuracy. The key for Turley is going to be to continue refining his approach and cutting back on the swing-and-miss. If he can do that, there is a good chance he could see his name called early on day one.
3B Triston “Murf” Gray - Fresno State
Prospects Live Ranking: #34
Coming in at 6’4, 220lbs, Murf Gray is a DUDE physically as he is built like a horse. The 2023 Mountain West Player of the Year earned this accolade because of his performance at the plate where he slashed .296/.358/.504 with 12 2B, 10 HR, and 52 RBI. He continued to produce at the plate this summer in the Cape Cod League against some of the better competition in the US. The power and contact skills combine make him an absolute threat at the plate. He couples excellent contact rates with solid exit velos thanks to his above-average bat speed, strength, and feel for the strike zone. Gray will eat up any fastball that comes his way, but can struggle with spin from time-to-time. He handles the hot corner pretty well and has a strong arm that helps him stick there. As of now, he will likely stick at third base, but there could be a possibility that he moves to the outfield in the future. Gray has day-one draft potential with his offensive upside if he refines his hit tool and maintains his value in other areas of the game.
C Brooks Bryan - Troy
Prospects Live Ranking: #47
Bryan is an absolute force at the plate. Bryan broke the RBI record at Troy with 85, which ranked fifth in the entire NCAA. He is one of the most powerful bats in the 2025 class as he combines explosive bat speed with plus raw power, especially from the left side. He posted significantly good exit velos his entire sophomore season as well. Bryan has some swing-and-miss to his game, but he does offset with a solid, disciplined approach at the plate. Behind the plate, he's a strong athlete with solid blocking skills and average arm strength, though he still needs to refine his framing and throwing out baserunners. Despite these areas for improvement, Bryan’s mix of power and athleticism make him a solid long-term catcher prospect.
OF Dallas Macias - Oregon State
Prospects Live Ranking: #55
Macias has transformed his profile since arriving at Oregon State, adding significant strength and bat speed to go along with his already impressive hit tool. Initially seen as more of a table-setter, he now boasts solid average raw power, especially from the left side, though his swing is more adjustable from the right. While Macias excels at making contact, his quality of contact against off-speed pitches, particularly from the left side, remains inconsistent, though he handles fastballs with ease. As a switch-hitter, he showcases versatility at the plate with an 86% contact rate and a chase rate below 25% during his time on the Cape. Defensively, Macias has experience across all outfield spots and has even played second and third base in spurts, but his average speed and arm strength suggest a future in left field. With his improved power and consistent contact ability, Macias is shaping up as a potential day-one pick in the 2025 draft.
1B/3B Michael Dattalo - Dallas Baptist
Prospects Live Ranking: #67
After a standout freshman season at Northwestern State, Dattalo transferred to Dallas Baptist and continued to showcase his offensive prowess, slashing .345/.395/.517 with eight home runs. His power and bat speed are undeniable, with aggressive swings producing high exit velocities, sometimes reaching 110 MPH. Though Dattalo occasionally expands the zone on breaking balls, his mature approach and ability to consistently make contact—evident in his 84% contact rate on the Cape—set him apart as one of the more promising hitters in his class. While primarily a third baseman, his defense can be inconsistent at times, and he’s also seen time at first base, where his athleticism and footwork face less of a challenge. Despite the defensive polish needed at the hot corner, Dattalo’s bat-first profile, with a mix of raw power and excellent barrel control, has firmly placed him on the radar as a prospect with considerable upside.
PITCHERS
RHP Tyler Bremner - UC Santa Barbara
Prospects Live Ranking: #3
After a solid sophomore year and an impressive showing at USA Collegiate National Taem, Bremner has skyrocketed to the top of list for pitching prospects in the 2025 MLB Draft. It’s been a contest between him and Jamie Arnold, but Bremner has set himself apart thus far. The stuff is electric. He’s got a mid-90s fastball that has topped 98 mph, which our Tyler Jennings caught at USA Collegiate this summer. The pitch has a ton of carry up in the zone and gets on batters quick. The changeup is his best pitch. It is a double-plus pitch with high spin rates and plays exceptionally well off his fastball. He’s also got a slider that has made many improvements since his freshman year and now has become a filthy third offering. Bremner has the makings of a solid three-pitch mix that are all above-average to plus offerings. It’s clear to most everyone why he might be the first arm off the board in the 2025 MLB Draft, especially if he has a solid junior season.
RHP Justin Ellwanger - Dallas Baptist
Prospects Live Ranking: #29
Dallas Baptist always seems to be loaded with talent on the mound. Ellwanger was draft-eligible in 2023 and was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 19th round. He didn’t sign and made his way back to Dallas Baptist. Ellwanger followed his draft selection by absolutely dominating hitters in the box in the Cape Cod League where he struck out 22 batters in 13 innings to the tune of a 2.77 ERA. He’s got some electric stuff on the mound, led by his fastball, which touched 99 mph and sits in the mid-90s. He’s constantly missing bats with it. He pairs it with a mid-80s slider and low-80s curveball. He does better at throwing his slider for a strike than his fastball. He lacks chase with his curveball, but the pitch has some good depth to it.
LHP Grant Richardson - Grand Canyon
Prospects Live Ranking: #73
As a fellow Arizonan, I always love seeing Grand Canyon guys on this last. GCU has been a sneaky good baseball program for years now. Richardson provides them with another intriguing prospect for the MLB Draft to continue the guys they’ve been able to produce in the past. Richardson underwent elbow surgery in July after transitioning into the rotation for the Lopes. The lefty is a physical presence on the mound coming in at 6’3, 220lbs. He’s got a solid fastball that sits in the mid-90s (92-95), but has been up to 97 mph. He isn’t afraid to work the pitch up in the zone on batters. He’s got a sharp slider with plenty of bite that he pairs with his fastball as it averages 85-87 mph and has been up to 89 mph. He’s flashed a changeup from time-to-time but the pitch is very inconsistent and still a work in progress. Command has always been a struggle for Richardson, but there is enough there for him to become a potential reliever. If he can polish his secondaries and hone some of his command issues, there could be a potential starter.
Who's Hot and Who's Not? Digging Into Initial Data for 2024 First Round Hitters, Part 3
With the MiLB season in the books, we’re concluding our look at initial data from 2024 first rounds bats. While prospects are at the end of what is likely their most grueling season of baseball to date, their first handful of games give us an idea of what kind of hitters these prospects may be as professionals.
All of these reports and write ups continue to draw on relatively small sample sizes, many of them for prospects playing by far their most grueling year of baseball to date, so temper any significant conclusions drawn.
Kaelen Culpepper, 21st Overall, Twins, A+
Slash Line: .242/.330/.394 (.724)
13.4 K%, 9.8 BB%
82.1% Contact%
0% InZoneWhiff% (A only)
33% Chase% (A only)
102.6 mph 90thExitVel (A only)
34.3% Hit95+% (A only)
.312 xWOBA
While Culpepper’s end-of-season slash line is middling, he got off to a scorching start to his professional career. After making swing changes that led to a big college postseason (punctuated by hitting for the cycle and nuking a three-run home run off Hagen Smith), Culpepper made short work of Low A Fort Myers. Culpepper hit the ball hard with consistency and moved up quickly to Cedar Rapids after not swinging and missing in the zone once in the FSL. He wore down significantly at the end of the season, despite his defense at shortstop receiving glowing reviews from Twins personnel. Despite a high chase rate, encouragement can be found in Culpepper’s bat-to-ball skills during a strong pro debut. He’ll start at A+ 2025.
Vance Honeycutt, 23rd Overall, Orioles, A+
Slash Line: .176/.250/.196 (.446)
42.9 K%, 7.1 BB%
57.3% Contact%
.211 xWOBA
Honeycutt was the catalyst behind some incredible adrenaline producing moments in the 2024 college baseball postseason. Entering the draft, his hit tool was the biggest question weighing down his offensive profile. He’s done little to diminish them in a brief debut at A and A+, striking out 42.9% of the time and sporting a contact rate that starts with a five. Honeycutt’s incredible defense and athleticism will buoy his value, but he’ll need to make strides offensively in 2025.
Dante Nori, 27th Overall, Phillies, A
Slash Line: .240/.424/.280 (.704)
21.2 K%, 22 BB%
73.6% Contact%
22.5% Chase%
94.5 mph 90thExitVel
5.6% Hit95+%
.324 xWOBA
Nori, the son of the Minnesota Timberwolves Assistant Coach Micah Nori, was one of the few prep bats to get meaningful playing time after the 2024 draft, starting his pro career in A ball. Nori’s robust approach jumps out from his debut, racking up an impressive .424 OBP in no small part due to a fantastic 22% walk rate. There are also solid bat-to-ball skills, and Nori doesn’t chase too much, either. If you want to raise an orange flag, it’s how little he impacted the ball. Just 5.6% of Nori’s batted ball events were hit 95 mph or greater (the average for the level is 34.3%). Still, there’s a solid platform to build for 2025 and beyond.
Walker Janek, 28th Overall, Astros, A+
Slash Line: .175/.214/.289 (.502)
29.1 K%, 3.1 BB%
66.7% Contact%
.218 xWOBA
Janek steadily rose throughout the pre-draft process and was dubbed the best defensive catcher in the class, with solid hit and power tools to boot. The Astros threw him straight into A+, and it’s been a slow start in a 25 game debut. What has been notable is how much Janek has struggled against right-handed pitching. He’s sported just a .440 OPS against righties versus a healthy .896 versus lefties, something to keep an eye on in 2025.
Malcolm Moore, 30th Overall, Rangers, A
Slash Line: .209/.298/.374 (.672)
27.9 K%, 7.7 BB%
70.3% Contact%
.296 xWOBA
There’s not much to note about Moore’s pro debut. It’s all just sort of fine. Nothing spectacular, nothing too alarming either. Much was made of Moore’s poor batted-ball luck in his final season at Stanford before turning pro. We’ll need a more significant sample of playing time to mine some of the trends for Moore as a prospect.
On The Clock: Interview with 2025 MLB Draft Prospect Devin Taylor
Photo Credit: Indiana Athletics
In this episode of the On the Clock podcast, Devin Taylor, an outfielder from Indiana and one of the top 2025 MLB Draft picks, shares his journey in baseball and the steps he's taken to become a standout player. From a young age, Devin and his brother practiced hitting daily with their father, instilling a work ethic that shaped his career. Devin also played basketball in high school but eventually focused on baseball. Off the field, he enjoys spending time with his teammates, playing video games, and exploring the beautiful Indiana campus, emphasizing the importance of balance between work and relaxation.
Devin discusses his experience playing for Team USA and his performance in summer leagues like the Cape Cod League. He highlights how playing with top-tier athletes helped him improve his game, especially as he focused on refining his outfield skills and maintaining consistency at the plate. Devin also mentions how his mentors, particularly his father and hitting coach Lance Durham, have been crucial in his development. Even during rough patches, such as struggling at the Cape Cod playoffs, he credits Durham for helping him regain his confidence and swing.
Looking ahead, Devin is excited for the upcoming college baseball season with Indiana University. With back-to-back regional appearances, the team is focused on advancing further, with hopes of reaching the Super Regionals or even Omaha. Devin also shares some personal insights through rapid-fire questions, from his favorite home run memory to his dream of facing MLB pitcher Zack Wheeler. The episode wraps up with Devin expressing his gratitude for his mentors and teammates, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and continual growth.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7alpOxYzAyu12RhXPKsISq?si=861605ea18634b53
On The Clock: Top 75 College Board and 2025 MLB Draft Prospect Miguel Sime, Jr. Joins the Show
In this episode of On the Clock, the hosts, Jared Perkins and Tyler Jennings, dive into college and MLB draft news, starting with Georgia Bulldogs' recent transfer acquisition, Devin Obee. Obee, a standout outfielder from Duke, turned down a significant offer during the MLB Draft to complete his education and transferred to Georgia. His defensive skills, power, and ability to fill a key center field position make him a crucial addition to Georgia's lineup. The hosts also discuss how Obee’s arrival, along with returning talent, positions the Bulldogs for a strong run in the upcoming season. They then discuss Shane Sdao of Texas A&M, who will miss the season due to Tommy John surgery, and how the Aggies' strong bullpen will need to compensate for the loss.
Lastly, they dive into a discussion of Florida State's top draft prospect, Cam Leiter, whose status remains unclear due to injury. They wrap up with a sneak peek of their top 75 college prospects for the 2025 MLB draft, showcasing standout players from across the country and offering insight into how fall ball will shape the spring season.
Finally, the Jared and Tyler are joined by Miguel Sime Jr., a highly touted right-handed pitcher from Queens Village, New York. Miguel shares his journey, starting from tee-ball at age three to becoming a top MLB draft prospect. He highlights a turning point in his career at 14 when he hit 92 mph at a tournament, which opened doors for him in college and professional baseball. Now throwing up to 100 mph, Miguel talks about his training regimen and goals, including refining his pitch arsenal and improving his command to go deeper into games. Committed to LSU, Miguel expresses his excitement about the coaching staff and the welcoming environment at the school, as well as the influence of his father and trainer in shaping his work ethic. The interview provides a personal glimpse into the life of an elite pitching prospect as he prepares for the next stage of his career.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1F1bXI4uPM0pfUD4AvMW8r?si=b88db01297804675
This Week in Baseball Cards - 9/30 - 10/6
2025 MLB Draft Risers: Top prep hitters whose stock keeps rising
This past summer was the most significant summer so far for the 2025 prep class. It served as one of their last chances to play against elite competition, get in front of scouts, and raise their draft stock as the focus shifts to the 2025 draft that’ll take place next summer. Some late risers always rush on the scene during the spring high school seasons, but at this point, we do generally have a solid understanding of this prep class as a whole. Here, we’ll be looking at some prep hitters that caught my attention and cemented themselves as top-of-the-class players this past summer.
Carson Brumbaugh, MIF/RHP, Uncommitted
Brumbaugh played in minimal events this summer due to an injury, but he took full advantage of his time on the diamond. He has a strong 6’2” 190lb frame with noticeable strength already present in the lower half. There’s a lot going on with the swing with a medium leg kick and active hands, but this doesn’t stop him from consistently getting the barrel to the ball. He shows an excellent feel at the plate with impressive barrel dexterity that allows him to cover all parts of the zone and impact the baseball with authority to all parts of the field. He comfortably possesses an above-average hit tool with present average raw power that could blossom into an above-average tool. In the field, he showed rhythmic feet and soft hands, indicating that he could handle the six spot at the highest level. In the one event that he did play, he was recovering from an arm injury and only played second base, but there is very real arm strength present here as well, as he was running it up into the mid-90s on the mound prior to this injury. Brumbaugh is an absolute toolshed with present, innate feel for the barrel who should continue to rise up boards as the 2025 draft creeps closer.
Eric Hines, OF/3B, Alabama recruit
Hines burst onto the scene this summer, most notably when he hit a ball 114mph during batting practice (!!) at the Perfect Game National Showcase. Standing at a physically imposing 6’3” 210lbs, Hines possesses top-of-the-scale raw power that can go toe to toe with anyone in this 2025 prep class. In the box, he sets up with a fairly neutral stance and a minimal, repeatable load. He presents his back foot to be slightly open and keeps most of his weight over his backside throughout the swing. This shifts the spine angle as he rotates through to ball strike and allows for a bat path geared to loft the baseball consistently. On top of this, he has impressive hand strength that he uses to create some electric bat speed. He can run into a bit of trouble in the box when he stays on his back leg too long, as this causes the barrel and bat path to come through the hitting zone at an approach angle that is too steep. This can cause pop-ups, rollovers, and swing and miss which Hines showed issues with at times throughout the summer. But, the physical tools are simply too much to ignore here, and when his swing is on and “balanced”, very few players can impact the baseball in the fashion that Hines can. In the field, Hines profiles as a corner outfielder as he’s shown average speed and a decent arm that should continue to progress. There’s certainly a chance that he ends up at first base due to the frame, but if he can stick in the outfield, his value will only be that much higher for organizations next summer.
Omar Serna, C/CIF, LSU recruit
Next up in a long line of high-level catching prospects to commit to Jay Johnson’s Tigers, Serna offers an elite set of tools on both sides of the ball. He put on an excellent performance at the Area Code games towards the end of the summer, going 4-9 with two home runs, a double, and a triple in gameplay. Serna utilizes his lower half well in the box, sinking into it as he begins his forward move. He uses a medium leg kick as a timing mechanism, and when everything is synched up, the swing is a thing of beauty. However, he can occasionally run into timing issues, especially against spin, when he gets his front foot down too early. This impacts the fluidity of the swing at times, but he has strong enough hands and enough bat speed to get off a competitive swing still when he is not on time. The bat path is geared for loft, and he has no issue getting the ball in the air with authority and consistency. Behind the plate, Serna has outlier athleticism and arm strength which give him, potentially, the best catch and throw skills in the 25 class of catchers. He’s shown the ability to handle high-level arms with solid receiving and blocking throughout the summer circuit. For me, this is a power over hit catcher that will provide plenty of value behind the plate defensively.
Ty Peeples, OF, UGA Recruit
In my opinion, Peeples is the best left-handed swing in the class. It’s a similar swing to that of Xavier Neyens, but much more controlled throughout. This summer, he showed an excellent ability to control the strike zone and not expand. Couple that with his propensity for getting his best swing off, and you have an extremely dangerous hitter with a high ceiling. He sets up in a reasonably neutral, taller stance before going into a medium leg kick as he begins his load. Peeples does a great job of controlling his forward move throughout the swing, which allows him to consistently get his best swing off and put the ball in play in the air. He showed above-average bat speed on the summer circuit with advanced hit and power tools to boot. It’s a enticing offensive skillset that should continue to get scouts’ attention as we work through the fall and spring. In the outfield, Peeples has solid speed and average arm strength. It’s a prototypical corner outfield profile, and as he continues to fill out his slim 6’2” 185lb frame, the arm strength and power outputs should keep improving.
On The Clock: Interview with 2025 MLB Draft Prospect Ike Irish
In this episode of On the Clock, Jared and Tyler interview Ike Irish, a standout player from Auburn Tigers baseball and a top 2025 MLB Draft prospect. Ike shares his journey from middle school to playing for Auburn, starting with his days on the Motor City Hit Dogs, a travel team full of talent. His amateur career saw him visiting colleges early on, but it wasn’t until he found his way to Auburn that he truly felt at home. He speaks fondly of his time at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, a Michigan prep school where he honed his skills alongside future Division I players, which he believes set him up for success at the collegiate level.
Ike talks about the ups and downs of his freshman year at Auburn, from battling mono to finding his stride at the plate. His summer playing in the Cape Cod League helped refine his game, particularly focusing on hitting the ball to the pull side and adjusting his stance. Ike also opens up about overcoming injuries, including a wrist issue that plagued him during his sophomore season, and how he worked through those challenges with the support of his coaches and teammates.
In the end, we shift to his outlook on the future; Ike emphasizes his desire to improve defensively, particularly in receiving low pitches as a catcher, and his goal to steal more bases. Reflecting on his development, he expresses gratitude for the Auburn coaching staff, noting how much they’ve contributed to his growth. We conclude with fun rapid-fire questions, where Ike talks about his favorite home run, his walk-up song choices, and his love for bowling and golfing as ways to decompress from the intensity of baseball.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/68tlVfrC7yIr1x0IW43H2d?si=qfMiuNLfR_y1xI4em0lYDQ
2024 DSL Top 50 Prospects Age 17 and Under
Juicy back here with my yearly top 50 DSL performers age 17 and under. Easily my favorite piece I do each year and the one where I learn the most from start to finish. Very interesting crop this year and the far less obvious rankings at the top than usual. Much more open-ended performances. Important to note, this list Is ranked by subjective performance metrics, not in order of prospect status. I hope you enjoy.
Below are the first 5 of Juicy Jensen’s DSL Top 50 Prospects Age 18 and Under. The rest of the top 50 is on our Patreon under the $5 /mo tier called “The 55”. We know you’ll enjoy it more than a $5 cup of coffee. Thank you for supporting the site and our writers who are compensated for their work.
1. Rainiel Rodriguez, C, Cardinals
5’10 200 R/R DR
I don’t think there’s any real question who the top performer amongst sub 18-year-olds in the DSL was this year. Rodriguez was an absolute monster with underlying stats even more impressive. Signed for $300,000 out of the DR (but spending a big chunk of his life in Pennsylvania) Rodriguez looks like an absolute steal. It’s a plus approach with good feel for the zone, but he is more of a fastball hunter right now and he will need to prove himself against quality spin still. As such, what looks like a plus hit tool from a metrics standpoint grades out closer to average for me with some risk. Power is no risk. Rodriguez reportedly hit a ball 475 feet in a game this year and consistently produced monster Ev numbers. It’s easy plus power potential and he gets the ball in the air at a truly elite rate, results in 10 HR and 25 XBH in just 142 AB. Bonkers. It’s just overwhelmingly consistent hard contact. Rodriguez is not fast and won’t be getting faster. The body is a bit husky and he will have to work hard to maintain a healthy weight and composition. It’s a C or 1B profile. Defensively, Rodriguez is a bit raw but with a very strong arm. While I have my concerns about the Cardinals current hitting dev, their defensive catcher development is up there with the best and I’m bullish on his ability to stick behind the plate. There’s a chance for an average hit, plus power that perhaps even plays up in game catcher who can hit 25-30 HR a year. That’ll play. I view Rodriguez very similar to how I viewed Phillies prospect Eduardo Tait last year and there’s a case to be made that Rodriguez is further along. High risk profile, but IMO this was the best player in the DSL and a prospect who should very much be on fantasy and real life radars, albeit not the top pure prospect of this list.
2. Luis Pena, SS, Brewers
5’11 185 R/R DR
Signed for $800,000 Pena has a case for the best prospect on the best team in the DSL this year. When watching Pena, the twitch and explosion immediately stand out. Pena has big time bat speed, big time foot speed, natural instincts and a cannon for an arm. Pena has a solid 5’11 frame that looks capable of holding 200-205 pounds of good weight at maturity. At the plate, it’s more of an old-school, contact/LD oriented bat path with major hip and wrist explosion that leads to plus bat speed. In terms of pure bat-to-ball skills, Pena is up there with anyone in the class. He catches up to velo in all quadrants and picks up spin well, and the swing has barrel adjustability and he uses his slightly smaller frame to limit the length while swinging hard. It’s 70 grade contact potential safely, but the approach is more raw. Pena comes up looking to hit and looking to swing. He gets away with it due to the pure contact skills and had a miniscule K rate, but there were glimpses of soft contact due to swinging and connecting with pitches out of the zone and he will have to learn more discipline to reach his ceiling. There’s plus raw power here in the frame and bat speed and despite the bat path, Pena has managed to get the ball airborne with consistency, albeit with more pop up type contact than I’d like. As a runner, Pena has the more functional to baseball short stride movements like an NFL RB that let’s his speed play up on the bases and on the infield. This is a player who could genuinely steal 30+ bases a year. Defensively, Pena is a bit raw but shows plus actions at SS and a high defensive ceiling. He has a plus or better arm and with his speed, a fallback of CF feels safe. Overall Pena has drawn comps to a young Javier Baez, which is fair but right now, he looks more like the prime, Cubs era Javy and I think there is super star upside here that rivals any player on this list. It is worth noting that Pena dealt with injuries that sapped his stats to end the year and players as twitched up as this often deal with a heavier dose of injury risk. This could be the case with Pena. There’s also risk that Pena’s natural abilities will allow him to get away with and develop bad habits that don’t show up until the upper levels, which could slow development and lead to some hiccups at times. All of that said, Pena has the potential to become a true 5 tool player if his approach ticks up and 60 hit, 60 power, 70 run and a 70 arm at SS or CF is within the realm of realistic possibility. That would be a genuine super star, but it’s worth noting he comes with a hefty dose of risk. For now, Pena projects most as a higher ceiling version of recents Nats first round pick Seaver King. I really like this player and am in on him, despite him being a profile I generally avoid. Immense ceiling.
3. Santiago Camacho, C, Giants
5’11 175 S/R VZ
It’s hard to have much of a better season than this. Camacho may not have the raw tools of some of the other players at the top of this list, but he is as polished as they come. Camacho, who signed for $277,500 out of Venezuela has clean swing mechanics from both sides and a nice blend of contact and damage. It’s a gap shooting approach at the plate, but Camacho has flashed average raw power with the ability to lift and square up the ball with consistency, leading to 14 XBH in just 102 AB. More than just pop, Camacho’s swing mechanics stand out. It’s a clean, wrist and hips geared swing with a clean path and feel for the barrel with a high adjustability ceiling. Pair that with plus swing decisions and an extreme lack of soft contact and you have the ingredients for a plus hit tool. Behind the plate, Camacho is a polished receiver but has fringey arm strength. Camacho is a pretty good athlete by teen catcher standards and while he won’t be a speed demon, won’t clog the bases either. Overall, Camacho is probably the second best catching prospect in the class for me right now, with a chance for a plus hit tool, average game power and a chance to stick behind the plate. That’s a recipe for a top 100 prospect and valuable player down the line, but as always, I’d exercise caution with teen catchers, especially ones that lack standout power.
4. Jesus Made, SS, Brewers
6’2 200 S/R DR
Sans Leo De Vries, Made is likely the consensus number one prospect in this INT class at the moment, with a potential genuine five tool skillset, some pedigree and exceptional performance. Made has a big and athletic 6’2 frame with twitchy actions. A switch-hitter, Made has easy plus bat speed from both sides and a slightly upper-cut bat path from both sides of the plate. Made has a bit of a noisy set up with some moving parts and I do worry a bit about how well he will handle better pitching. I do expect the soft contact and swing and miss to tick up a bit, but luckily Made makes very good swing decisions and has thus far mitigated swing and miss, so he can afford that slight uptick. There’s plus raw power potential and while he does make some soft contact, he evens it out with a high rate of hard contact in game. A plus runner now, Made will likely slow down just a tick as he fills out his big 6’2 frame but should stay above average in his early to mid 20’s. There’s an outside chance Made sticks at SS, although 3B or OF feels a bit more likely given the frame and somewhat raw actions at SS. 3B in particular makes sense as Made’s best tool is likely his arm. Overall, I could see Made winding up a 40 hit, 60 pop, 55 run bat with an above average approach and plus defensive at 3B with a genuine 70 arm. It’s star upside, but I tend to be a bit more wait-and-see with the hit tool than many. Made might be a top 100 prospect now, but if he can continue to perform like this, he could skyrocket up that list.
5. Emil Morales, SS, Dodgers
6’4 195 R/R DR
While technically born in Spain, Morales trained in the DR and signed for $1,897,500 as the Dodgers top signing in the 2024 class. Coming into the year, Morales received easily the most rave reviews of any prospect outside of De Vries in the class. He started the season slowly, but when he started to acclimate…he went OFF! Morales has some swing and miss in his 6’4 long-levered frame, but the power here is absurd. It’s easily a 70-grade power projection and could be plus raw now. He pairs that with the ability to put everything in the air and he makes for a very scary at bat. I think he will wind up closer to a 40-45 hitter than initially expected, but that’s more than fine when paired with 70 grade in-game power. Defensively, Morales isn’t a SS and is more likely a 3B/RF projection. At the end of the day, I realistically expect Morales to become the next Coby Mayo…and I love Coby Mayo. Very good prospect and perhaps the Dodgers best INT signing in recent memory.
