Opening night for most of the minor leagues featured Colt Emerson homering on the first pitch he saw, a self-reliant start for someone I expect to climb the prospect rankings in a hurry. That’s our focus for the day, by the way: who could top the prospect lists in 2025.
1. Orioles C 1B Samuel Basallo | 19 | AA
As I say in the intro, Basallo will have to bash his way to this spot, but he’d be continuing Baltimore’s endless string of top-five types if he does. He also swiped 12 bases last year and another on opening night in Double-A.
2. Oregon State 2B Travis Bazzana | 21 | NCAA
The Wyatt Langford path of power and speed to the top of most lists is available to Bazzana, who won’t have the benefit of facing the SEC wood chipper to prepare him but is doing all he can against the players he’s facing, slashing .467/.608/1.067 with 17 home runs and eight steals in 28 games. Just as impressively, the baseball-young Aussie has drawn 36 walks against just 13 strikeouts.
3. Red Sox OF Roman Anthony | 19 | AA
He’s just 19, but after slashing .343/.477/.543 in ten Double-A games to close out 2023, Anthony could burn up his prospect eligibility this season if he’s hitting and the Sox find ways to stay in the race.
4. West Virgina SS JJ Wetherholt | 21 | NCAA
Like Bazzana, Wetherholt is a fast-developing left-handed bat who hasn’t always faced premium competition. He’s played well enough in brief spells with the Northwoods League and Cape Cod League and slashed .449/.517/.787 with 16 home runs and 36 steals in 55 games last season.
5. Rays 1B Xavier Isaac | 20 | A+
Speaking of speed, Isaac stole a base on opening night, exercising that sleek physique. He also picked up two hits and three RBIs. Mmmm rib-eyes.
6. Twins OF Walker Jenkins | 19 | A
Left his Low-A opener with a hamstring issue.
7. Mariners OF Lazaro Montes | 19 | A
Reached base three times in the Low-A opener. I’m a little surprised he’s there again after slashing .321/.429/.565 with seven homers in 33 Low-A games last year.
8. Georgia OF Charlie Condon | 20 | NCAA
The 6’6” Condon will turn 21 on April 14. A draft-eligible sophomore, he’s slashing .478/.591/1.108 with 19 home runs in 30 games and should see plenty of difficult pitchers through SEC conference play and into the tournament.
9. Rangers SS Sebastian Walcott | 18 | A+
Went 0-for-4 in his High-A opener. I’m a little worried about him at that level. Why skip Low-A?
10. Mariners SS Colt Emerson | 18 | A
Another Low-A Modesto Nut ready to chew up the competition.
Just in case, here’s some guys on the maybe-rookies line who I omitted from consideration because I’m thinking/hoping they’ll spend enough time in the majors to lose prospect eligibility this season:
Nationals OF James Wood
Guardians OF Chase DeLauter
Mets SS Jett Williams
Nationals OF Dylan Crews
Yankees OF Spencer Jones
Thanks for reading!
