With the release of MLB the Show 25 just over the horizon, and the release of the player ratings is coming even sooner. I wanted to predict who may end up with top prospect tags to begin the year.
MLB The Show always designates 50 prospects with these tags, similar to MLB.com’s top 100 prospects list.
Because I didn’t want to summarize all 50, I only wanted to do the top prospects with A potential ratings. Unfortunately for me, I underestimated how many of these prospects there were; it’s damn near all of them are A-rated!
Anyway, enjoy this long article.
A-Rated Pitcher Prospects
MLB The Show 24 A-Rated Prospects
- Ricky Tiedemann, Blue Jays
- Drew Thorpe, White Sox
- Daniel Espino, Guardians
- Hurston Waldrep, Braves
- Andrew Painter, Phillies
- Cade Horton, Cubs
- Paul Skenes, Pirates
- Jared Jones, Pirates
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers
- Dylan Lesko, Padres
- Kyle Harrison, Giants
While this group was headlined by Paul Skenes and Yoshinobu Yamamoto — who dominated last year as rookies and could very well be 90+ overall in MLB The Show 25 — the rest had mixed results.
Thorpe, Jones, and Harrison all made their way into a Major League starting rotation and played decent, but with much room for improvement. Waldrep also made it to the Show, but struggled mightily in limited action.
The rest remained in the minors, with Tiedemann, Espino, Horton, and Lesko all dealing with a combination of injuries and poor play that will likely prompt San Diego studios to drop their potential down to at least a B.
MLB The Show 25 Predictions
- Roki Sasaki, Dodgers
- Jackson Jobe, Tigers
- Rhett Lowder, Reds
- Andrew Painter, Phillies
- Bubba Chandler, Pirates
- Noah Schultz, White Sox
- Chase Dollander, Rockies
- Kumar Rocker, Rangers
- Chase Burns, Reds
- Quinn Matthews, Cardinals
- Hagen Smith, White Sox
Roki Sasaki obviously will likely have the same trajectory as Yamamoto last season, and we should see his overall start in the eighties. Another person who could see a fairly high starting overall is Jackson Jobe, who was not listed as a top prospect in last year’s title for whatever reason, but will almost certainly attain it this year.
Painter will likely be the only pitcher on last years list to remain on the 2025 list. Lowder, Schultz, Dollander, Chandler, and Rocker also deserved to be on the list last year but were snubbed.
Chase Burns and Hagan Smith were taken second and fifth overall, respectively, in last year’s draft and should be super hyped prospects this season. Matthews was drafted two years ago but had an incredible 2024 minor league season that should vault him into an A potential rating.
Potential Snubs
- Thomas White, Marlins
- Brandon Sproat, Mets
- Daniel Espino, Giardians
- Cade Horton, Cubs
- Tink Hence, Cardinals
- Ricky Tiedemann, Blue Jays
Espino and Horton have dealt with injuries that have kept them off the mound the last few years, which will likely result in a reduction in potential. Even though they could easily recover their top prospect status with good minor-league performances this year, Tiedemann has played his way to a lower potential. Given his recent struggles in the minors, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him get a C rating.
White, Sproat, and Hence could just miss out on the A rating this year because of their relatively low name recognition and lower position on MLB’s top 100 prospects.
A-Rated Catcher Prospects
MLB The Show 24 A-Rated Prospects
- Kyle Teel, Red Sox
- Harry Ford, Mariners
Neither Teel nor Ford made it to the big leagues last year, but they both played decent baseball in the minors and should continue moving up the ladder this season.
MLB The Show 25 Predictions
- Samuel Basallo, Orioles
- Kyle Teel, White Sox
- Dalton Rushing, Dodgers
- Ethan Salas, Padres
Teel should make the list again, but as a White Sock, we’ll see if that affects his rating or play.
Basallo and Rushing are dominant batters who happen to play catcher. They could potentially be listed at another position in the game, but they will almost certainly be A-rated top prospects.
Ethan Salas has always been shown as a top 5 prospect in the second or third year of franchise mode, so we know SD Studios likes him. He’s also a heck of a defensive catcher.
Potential Snubs
- Harry Ford, Mariners
- Edgar Quero, White Sox
- Jeferson Quero, Brewers
- Drake Baldwin, Braves
Ford may drop to a B potential because of his consistently subpar minor-league statistics at the plate. Quero could also get consideration for an A potential rating, but may fall short. Drake Baldwin is an interesting candidate. Despite ranking fairly low on the MLB prospect list, his numbers have trended upward as he’s ascended the minors, potentially signaling a very productive future.
A-Rated First Basemen Prospects
MLB The Show 24 A-Rated Prospects
- Kyle Manzardo, Guardians
- Nolan Schanuel, Angels
Both guys are now cemented into their major league club’s roster, most likely as starters, with Schanuel getting over 500 at-bats in the regular season.
MLB The Show 25 Predictions
- Xavier Isaac, Rays
- Bryce Eldridge, Giants
- Jac Caglianone, Royals
Isaac got an A potential rating last season, but was not bestowed with a top prospect tag; this year, he almost certainly will. Caglianone will also be a top prospect after being drafted sixth overall last season. We should also look out for what his pitching ratings will be in this year’s title, as he was a two-way player for Florida last season.
Eldridge is an exciting batter in the Giants system and has the makings of somebody who could move up the ladder quickly and potentially become an MLB starter by year’s end.
Potential Snubs
- Nick Kurtz, Athletics
Kurtz doesn’t quite have the name recognition as Caglianone, despite being drafted ahead of him. If SD Studios decides that only one of them should get the top prospect tag to start, I think they’ll go with Jac.
A-Rate Second Basemen Prospects
MLB The Show 24 A-Rated Prospects
- Colt Keith, Tigers
- Luisangel Acuna, Mets
- Termarr Johnson, Pirates
Keith became a solid starter last year for the Tigers. Acuna proved himself in limited action and should start the season on the MLB roster. Termarr Johnson didn’t do anything special in the minors and will likely lose his A potential rating.
MLB The Show 25 Predictions
- Travis Bazzana, Guardians
- Kristian Campbell, Red Sox
As the number one pick in last year’s draft, it would be criminal not to have Bazzana on this list. As the MiLB breakout player of the year, it would also be criminal to exclude Campbell from this list; they both could potentially be top-ten prospects!
Potential snubs
- Luke Keaschall, Twins
- Christian Moore, Angels
- Termarr Johnson, Pirates
Keaschall might’ve earned an A potential if not for the injuries that have plagued him. His bat is insane, and he’s a decent defender, but if he’s not on the field, he can’t develop. And if he can’t develop, that means his potential is shot.
Moore was the star of the College World Series and ended up as a prototypical Angels prospect. He will likely start the season on the team and be a day-to-day starter by the All-Star break. He’s got MLB skills right now, but his ceiling is low. Termarr Johnson might be the opposite. He’s stuck in the mud in the minors with little growth or development, but you can tell he’s got a ceiling a mile high… if he can unlock it.
A-Rated Third Basemen Prospects
MLB The Show 24 A-Rated Prospects
- Coby Mayo, Orioles
- Brady House, Nationals
Mayo ended up having 41 big league at-bats last season, all of which he would like to forget. He still remains a high-caliber prospect, though, and so does Brady House, who got caught up in triple-A after moving through the rest of the minors with ease but remains a top ten 3B prospect.
MLB The Show 25 Predictions
- Coby May, Orioles
- Matt Shaw, Cubs
Despite Mayo’s struggles in the bigs, he is expected to get over that snag relatively quickly, and he should be a Rookie of the Year contender. Shaw might start the season in the minors, but given his rapid ascent in previous years, I expect him to at least break into the Bigs, if not even take a starting spot in the lineup with his incredible ability to get on base.
Potential Snubs
- Brady House, Nationals
- Jace Jung, Tigers
- Cam Collier, Reds
- Brayden Taylor, Rays
- Cam Smith, Astros
We’re looking at a bunch of guys who likely will start with 85-89 potential ratings, but with the potential to grow in your franchise mode, Brayden Taylor, in particular, will be a prospect to watch for the Rays.
A-Rated Shortstop Prospects
MLB The Show 24 A-Rated Prospects
- Jackson Holliday, Orioles
- Junior Caminero, Rays
- Carson Williams, Rays
- Colson Montgomery, White Sox
- Brooks Lee, Twins
- Masyn Winn, Cardinals
- Jordan Lawler, Diamondbacks
- Tommy Troy, Diamondbacks
- Adael Amador, Rockies
- Marco Luciano, Giants
Holliday is now a big leaguer despite a really rocky rookie season. Brooks Lee and Marco Luciano were also in the same boat, struggling to get their feet under them in the Show. Caminero had a better rookie season, slashing a decent .724 OPS, and Masyn Winn reached a .730 OPS on a huge workload of 637 at-bats as a full-time starter.
Everyone else didn’t make the MLB last season or had less than 70 at-bats.
MLB The Show 25 Predictions
- Carson Williams, Rays
- Jordan Lawler, Diamondbacks
- Marcelo Mayer, Red Sox
- Colt Emerson, Mariners
- Jacob Wilson, Athletics
- J.J. Wetherholt, Cardinals
- Aidan Miller, Phillies
- Kevin McGonigle, Tigers
- Colson Montgomery, White Sox
Lawlar, Williams, and Colson Montgomery should also remain in the top echelon of prospects this year. If all goes according to plan, they should all get MLB opportunities this year and shine as rookies. Mayer, Wilson, Miller, and Emerson were absolute snubs last year, and that mistake will certainly be mended for The Show 25.
Wetherholt was the seventh overall player taken last year and should make the Show’s list. McGonigle is also somebody who has a chance to make the list after a breakout minor league season last year in low-A ball. He’s a long-term investment with a 2027 MLB ETA, but I could see him making the list, given his success already in the minors.
Potential Snubs
- Sebastian Walcott, Rangers
- Leondalis De Vries, Padres
- Tommy Troy, Diamondbacks
- Jett Williams, Mets
- Adael Amador, Rockies
Walcott and De Vries are studs who should absolutely get A potential ratings, but at only 18 years old each, with very raw skills, their overall ratings will probably drag them out of the top 50 prospects.
Troy, Williams, and Amador didn’t play up to their potential last season and may fall back down to B potential because of it.
A-Rated Corner Outfielder Prospects
MLB The Show 24 A-Rated Prospects
- Evan Carter, Rangers
- Wyatt Langford, Rangers
- Heston Kjerstad, Orioles
- James Wood, Nationals
All four guys had 70+ at-bats last season and should start the season in the majors this year. Wood clearly had the best year of all, hitting nine homers and stealing 14 bases on a .781 OPS.
Wyatt Langford had the most consistent season with a .253 batting average over 499 at-bats. Carter and Kjerstad struggled a bit, but they should be able to recover.
MLB The Show 25 Predictions
- Walker Jenkins, Twins
- Jasson Dominguez, Yankees
- Charlie Condon, Rockies
- Josue De Paula, Dodgers
- Lazaro Montes, Mariners
Jenkins and Dominguez were unbelievable snubs last season and should be top prospects this year. Condon was the third overall pick last season and, thus, should easily make the list.
De Paula and Montes are younger and lower rated than some of their peers on the snubbed list, but their raw hitting ability is eye-popping. They both project as Yordan Alvarez-type players, and we all know that MLB the show loves no one more than Alvarez. These guys might sneak into the list as future DH studs.
Potential Snubs
- Chase De Lauter, Guardians
- Owen Caissie, Cubs
- Braden Montgomery, White Sox
De Lauter and Caissie seem like B-potential guys who will start in the low 70s overall and be on the bubble of the major league bubble. They are both complete players who are consistently good but not too flashy.
Montgomery was the 12th overall pick last season and should have a long road ahead of him. With fairly raw skills, I could see him starting in the low 60s overall.
A-Rated Center Fielder Prospects
MLB The Show 24 A-Rated Prospects
- Colton Cowser, CF, Orioles
- Drew Gilbert, CF, Mets
- Dylan Crews, CF, Nationals
- Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF, Cubs
- Jackson Chourio, CF, Brewers
- Jackson Merrill, CF, Padres
Cowser, Crow-Armstrong, Chourio, and Merrill all played critical roles for their respective major league teams, and they all played well individually. Gilbert and Crews stayed in the minors for the most part, but could see bigger roles this season in the MLB, although Gilbert did see some regression.
MLB The Show 25 Predictions
- Roman Anthony, Red Sox
- Dylan Crews, Nationals
- Max Clark, Tigers
- Emmanuel Rodriguez, Twins
- Justin Crawford, Phillies
Anthony is the second-best prospect in MLB.com’s top 100, and Crews and Clark are also in the top 10.
Rodriguez, as well as Crews and Anthony, are likely to make their MLB debuts this season, while Max Clark and Justin Crawford are likely to take a few years to progress.
Potential Snubs
- Jaison Chourio, Guardians
- Kevin Alcantara, Cubs
- Zyhir Hope, Dodgers
- Drew Gilbert, Mets
Gilbert will likely fall back to B potential after a lackluster minor league showing last season. Zyhir Hope and Jaison Chourio are a little too young and inexperienced to get the top 50 tag by the show, but they are beasts who could dominate the league in three to five years.
Alcantara has been in the minors since 2019, struggling to make a name for himself until 2021. Since then, he’s been a consistently great hitter with great defensive skills. He hit .847 in triple A last season before getting a measly ten at-bats in the bigs.
Published: Feb 12, 2025 6:31 PM UTC