The Cincinnati Reds have made a roster move by outrighting Connor Joe to Triple-A, potentially paving the way for top prospect Sal Stewart to be added to the 40-man roster and called up for September expansion, as Stewart has been performing well in Triple-A with a .315/.394/.629 slash line.
Samuel Basallo, a top MLB prospect and key player for the Baltimore Orioles, is finalizing an eight-year, $67 million contract extension that could reach up to $88.5 million, making it the largest pre-arbitration deal for a catcher. The deal secures Basallo's future with the Orioles, where he is expected to contribute both offensively and defensively, and highlights the team's focus on developing young talent from Latin America.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting their top pitching prospect, Bubba Chandler, to the major league roster, where he will initially serve in a bullpen role and has potential to start in 2025. Chandler, a highly-rated 22-year-old pitcher, has shown significant development through the minors, especially after a strong finish in Triple-A in 2024, and is now set to make his MLB debut.
Miguel Amaya is placed on the injured list due to a serious ankle injury, and Owen Caissie, the Cubs' top prospect, is called up from Triple-A Iowa to make his MLB debut, likely as a DH and outfielder, with a focus on his promising performance and background.
The Phillies acquired outfielder Harrison Bader at the trade deadline, which may not immediately impact Justin Crawford's prospects, but Crawford's impressive minor league performance suggests he could be called up soon, similar to past prospects like Andrew Benintendi.
The Dodgers are facing a series of injuries, leading to the call-up of top prospect Alex Freeland to the major league roster to help fill the gaps, especially with key players like Hyeseong Kim and Tommy Edman dealing with injuries. Freeland, a promising infielder from their farm system, will make his MLB debut as the team manages ongoing injury concerns and roster adjustments.
Baseball America is updating its Top 100 Prospects list to include Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones, who has shown impressive power in Triple-A with 29 homers and a slugging percentage of .706, but his high strikeout rate (31.5%) poses a risk to his MLB success. His performance is promising but his contact issues remain a concern, making his future in the majors uncertain and a topic of debate among front offices.
Baseball America’s Hot Sheet highlights the top 20 MLB prospects based on their recent minor league performances, with Hector Rodriguez, Spencer Jones, and Jonah Tong among the standout players this week, showcasing impressive stats and potential for future MLB impact.
Keith Law provides an updated ranking of the top 50 MLB prospects after two months into the 2025 season, with Roman Anthony remaining the top prospect, highlighting their recent performances, potential, and development status across various minor league players.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are unlikely to trade Paul Skenes this season despite their poor record, as he is a highly valuable, controllable ace. However, if they were to consider trading him, it would require a significant package of top prospects from teams like the Cubs, Dodgers, Red Sox, Tigers, or Mets, reflecting his franchise-changing potential and team control.
The article questions the Pittsburgh Pirates' decision to keep Bubba Chandler in Triple-A despite his strong performance and suggests that their handling of prospects like Skenes and Jones may be influenced by financial and strategic considerations, potentially hindering team development and rookie awards.
Cubs President Jed Hoyer praised Pete Crow-Armstrong's recent stint in the majors, highlighting his defensive prowess and improved decision-making at the plate. Despite his potential, Crow-Armstrong was optioned back to Triple-A Iowa to get regular at-bats, especially with Cody Bellinger returning to center field. Hoyer emphasized that the move was not a demotion but a step in Crow-Armstrong's development.
ESPN MLB Insider Kiley McDaniel has identified the top breakout candidate for all 30 MLB teams, focusing on players under 30 who are projected to beat their previous season's WAR by at least a half-win according to FanGraphs' Depth Chart projections. This list includes players who are not just top prospects or projected stars, but also solid sleepers for fantasy leagues and post-hype picks, offering insight for both fantasy baseball players and fans looking for the next big thing on their favorite teams.
Washington Nationals prospects got a taste of the big leagues as they faced off against the big league roster in an exhibition game at Nationals Park. Despite the major leaguers dominating with a 13-1 win, the prospects had a chance to showcase their talent ahead of Opening Day. The Nationals made final roster decisions, reassigning some players to minor league camp and selecting the contract of right-hander Derek Law. The game provided a glimpse of the team's future, with prospects getting a taste of the unfamiliar and hoping to one day make it their normal.
Two young Seattle Mariners prospects, outfielder Lazaro Montes and switch-hitting shortstop Felnin Celesten, were set to showcase their talents in a "Spring Breakout" game against the Padres' young stars, but the game was cancelled due to rain. Montes, known for his power and infectious personality, has shown significant improvement in his hitting and strikeout rates. Celesten, a five-tool player, is eager to make up for lost time after being limited by injuries last year. The Mariners' director of player development is excited about the opportunity for these prospects to gain recognition and for fans to watch them play, despite the cancellation.