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Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs  Affiliates Stocked With Talent as Triple-A Season Opens
Memphis Redbirds fans get tickets for the Opening Day game against the Charlotte Knights on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tenn. Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Thursday belonged to Major League Baseball.

Friday, it’s Minor League Baseball’s turn in the spotlight.

The 2025 season opens Friday at the Triple-A level, with future stars set to shine in Pacific Coast League and International League play. This is the earliest season opener for the minor leagues since March 27, 1951, MLB Pipeline reported.

The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Houston Astros) will be defending their PCL championship, with the Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals) doing the same in the International League. The Space Cowboys won the minor league championship game.

According to MLB Pipeline, 10 of the players on its Top 100 prospects list are beginning the season in the majors, with 30 more at Triple-A. Double-A teams will feature 23 of the top prospects, with the remainder starting 2024 at High-A, Single-A, on the injured list or in extended spring training.

The other minor league seasons start April 4.

Just who are the top prospects the fans will see at minor league stadiums this season?

Head to Des Moines, Iowa, where the Triple-A Cubs will field five of the Top 100 Cubs prospects. Or to Charlotte, N.C., where the Triple-A Knights will feature three top White Sox prospects.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle Mariners each have two Top 100 prospects playing at Triple-A.

Here is the list of the top prospects, with their ranking in the Top 100, at Triple-A, per MLB Pipeline:

2. Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox – Worcester
9. Carson Williams, SS, Rays – Durham
11. Jordan Lawlar, SS, Diamondbacks – Reno
12. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox – Worcester
13. Samuel Basallo, C, Orioles – Norfolk
14. Coby Mayo, 3B, Orioles – Norfolk
15. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates – Indianapolis
25. Chase Dollander, RHP, Rockies – Albuquerque
30. Dalton Rushing, C/OF, Dodgers – Oklahoma City
32. Kyle Teel, C, White Sox – Charlotte  
37. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Twins – St. Paul
38. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics – Las Vegas  
39. Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox – Charlotte
45. Quinn Mathews, LHP, Cardinals – Memphis
46. Brandon Sproat, RHP, Mets – Syracuse  
49. Cole Young, SS/2B, Mariners – Tacoma  
51. Cade Horton, RHP, Cubs – Iowa  
53. Owen Caissie, OF, Cubs – Iowa   
60. Luke Keaschall, 2B/OF/1B, Twins – St. Paul
63. Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies – Lehigh Valley
64. Harry Ford, C, Mariners – Tacoma  
65. Edgar Quero, C, White Sox – Charlotte  
68. Moises Ballesteros, C/1B, Cubs – Iowa  
71. Alex Freeland, SS, Dodgers – Oklahoma City
72. James Triantos, 2B/OF, Cubs – Iowa  
77. Caden Dana, RHP, Angels – Salt Lake  
79. Thomas Harrington, RHP, Pirates – Indianapolis
89. Kevin Alcántara, OF, Cubs – Iowa  
93. Tre' Morgan, 1B/OF, Rays – Durham  
99. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers – Nashville  

For all the Triple-A teams, it’s time to play ball!

This article first appeared on Minor League Baseball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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