One prospect from every MLB team that will make a difference in 2024

The New York Yankees selected catcher Austin Wells in the first round of the 2020 draft with an eye toward the University of Arizona product becoming their eventual long-term solution behind the plate. Wells impressed during his three years in the organization's minor league system before being promoted to the Show for the first time last summer, and he has a wonderful opportunity in front of him at Yankees camp this spring. Veteran Jose Trevino has done a nice job for New York, but he's coming off an injury-plagued '23 season in which he didn't swing the bat all that well. Wells career minor league slash line of .260/.370/.476 would more than play in the big leagues, and he's consistently displayed the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark. First and foremost, he needs to prove to the Bombers pitching staff and brass that he can handle this job defensively, and if he can do that, he should be behind the plate on opening day, as he has very little left to prove at Triple-A. 

Ironically, The Red Sox entry on this list, Richard Fitts, and the just mentioned Austin Wells began last season as battery mates for the Yankees Double-A affiliate. It's funny how quickly things can change in baseball. New York and Boston are obviously archrivals and, thus, almost never come together on trades. But that's exactly what happened this winter when the Red Sox shipped outfielder Alex Verdugo to the Bronx. One of the three players they brought back in the deal was the right-handed Fitts, who has a chance to become a solid big-league starting pitcher. The 24-year-old spent the entire 2023 season in Double-A, where in 27 starts he pitched to a 3.48 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP, while limiting the opposition to a .227 batting average and striking out 163 hitters in 152.2 innings. He'll begin the '24 campaign with Boston's Triple-A team in Worcester, and if he pitches well early, he'll put himself in the mix for a big-league promotion. 

The Rays acquired Jose Caballero from Seattle in January and, at least for the moment, seem inclined to give him the first crack at playing shortstop every day in 2024. But don't be surprised if young Junior Caminero ends up stealing the job sooner rather than later. The 20-year-old Caminero dominated in the minor leagues last season, slashing .324/384/.591 with 31 home runs, 94 RBI, and 18 doubles in only 117 games. He was called up to the Majors for a brief cup of coffee during the final week of September, and while the Rays intentions seem to be for him to begin the year in Triple-A, I'd expect that to be short-lived. 

If you follow baseball even casually, I'd venture to guess you knew who the Orioles' entrant on this list would be before you even scrolled down. Young Jackson Holliday was selected number one overall in the 2022 draft, and has skyrocketed his way through Baltimore's system over the previous two seasons. In 145 career minor league contests, Holliday's numbers look almost video game like. He's slashed .320/.449/.490 with 13 homers, 84 RBI, 35 doubles, nine triples, and 28 stolen bases, while often being one of the youngest players on the field. Holliday may very well win the Orioles' starting shortstop job coming out of camp, but even if the team chooses to begin the year with a veteran placeholder, he'll be in Baltimore sooner rather than later. 

Left-hander Ricky Tiedemann enters this season as the top-ranked prospect in the Blue Jays system, and the 21-year-old is knocking on the door of his first Major League promotion. He likely would have reached the sport's highest level last summer if not for a left biceps injury that knocked him out for roughly half of the '23 campaign, but when he was on the mound Tiedemann was special. In 15 starts, he pitched to a 3.68 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP, while allowing just a .199 batting average against and impressively blowing away 82 hitters in 44 innings. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League this winter where he was named Pitcher of the Year, and the Blue Jays have fantasies of him developing into one of the American League's very best starting pitchers. 

First baseman Kyle Manzardo was selected by the Rays in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft and landed in Cleveland last summer in a trade deadline deal that sent righty Aaron Civale to Tampa. Manzardo has a powerful left-handed swing and was an offensive difference-maker throughout his minor league career. In 203 career professional games to date, he's slashed .284/.384/.542 with 41 home runs, 144 RBI, and 58 doubles. Cleveland has a plethora of first base options this spring, beginning with just using incumbent Josh Naylor there again. But if Manzardo impresses in March, don't be surprised if the organization considers moving Naylor to DH and bringing the 23-year-old north at the conclusion of camp. 

Right-hander Nick Nastrini was drafted by the Dodgers in 2021 and had steadily been climbing his way through Los Angeles' system before enduring the same fate a lot of highly ranked prospects in contending organizations do in July. He was traded. The Dodgers sent Nastrini and others to the White Sox last summer to acquire veteran pitchers Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly. While the move may have been disappointing initially, it could pay off rather quickly, as he'll undoubtedly have a quicker path to the big leagues with Chicago. In 25 total minor league starts in '23, Nastrini impressed, turning in a 4.08 ERA and striking out 139 hitters in 114.2 innings. Command was an issue at times, as between walks and hit batsman, he surrendered 61 free baserunners. Bringing that number down will elevate his game as a whole, and would put Nastrini on the fast track towards a Major League promotion. 

There may not be a more exciting player in Tigers' camp than infielder Colt Keith, who has emerged as one of the best prospects in the Detroit system. Splitting last season between Double-A and Triple-A, Keith was an offensive force, slashing .306/.380/.552 in 126 games. He contributed 27 home runs, 101 RBI, and 38 doubles, and was the recipient of numerous minor league awards along the way. The left-handed swinging Keith is now firmly in the mix for a roster spot in Detroit on opening day, and his ability to play multiple infield positions will only help his chances. 

Baylor University product Nick Loftin was selected by the Royals with the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 draft, and less than four years later he's being viewed as part of the club's next long-term core. Loftin had an excellent minor league season in 2023, slashing .280/.362/.458 with 15 home runs, 61 RBI, and 14 doubles in only 88 games before earning a September promotion to the Show. With the Royals, he unquestionably made a positive impression, hitting .323 and driving in 10 runs in a brief 62-at-bat stint with the club. The 25-year-old was drafted as a shortstop--which is a position he will not play in Kansas City thanks to the presence of Bobby Witt Jr.--but he has the versatility to help the team at a number of different places on the diamond. 

Minnesota seemingly has an abundance of high-upside shortstops in its organization, as with veteran Carlos Correa and rising star Royce Lewis, they already have two natural shortstops on the left side of their infield. Pretty soon, they'll likely have one on the right side as well. The Twins selected switch-hitter Brooks Lee 8th overall in 2022, and the Cal Poly product has fast-tracked his way through the club's system. In 125 minor league games a year ago, Lee slashed .275/.347/.461 with 16 homers, 84 RBI, 39 doubles, and seven steals. He'll begin this season in Triple-A but it's likely he'll hit his way to the big leagues in short order, and if he does, he'll probably have to play second base. 

The Angels made first baseman Nolan Schanuel the 11th overall pick in the draft last July, and about six weeks later promoted him to the big leagues. The 22-year-old was a standout offensive player for three years in college at Florida Atlantic, and while he entered the draft as one of the class's most polished hitters, it was still a little stunning to see him promoted after only 22 minor league contests. To his credit, he didn't look overmatched at the Major League level, slashing .275/.402/.330 in 29 games, and he got his first career home run out of the way on September 16th. Heading into 2024 The Angels are prepared to let Schanuel earn their starting first base job from the get-go, and it will be interesting to see how his first full season in the Show goes. 

From one elite offensive prospect from last summer's draft to another, let's talk about Texas' Wyatt Langford. The Rangers made the University of Florida slugger the 4th overall pick in the draft, and while he didn't make it to the big leagues in '23 like Schanuel did, he was knocking on the door. Langford played in 44 minor league games after being drafted---spanning four different Texas affiliates--and slashed an eye-opening .360/.480/.677. He crushed 10 homers, drove in 30 runs, doubled 17 times, and even stole 12 bases. Langford is a corner outfielder by trade, but the Rangers do have a potential opening at DH right now, and provided he has a solid spring training, the 22-year-old will likely make the team coming out of camp. 

Middle infielder Ryan Bliss was chosen by the Diamondbacks in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft, and after a slow start to his professional career the Auburn prospect was emerging as a rising star in the Arizona system last summer. Seattle certainly took notice and brought Bliss to the Pacific Northwest in a deadline deal that sent closer Paul Sewald to the desert. In 128 total minor league games split between the two organizations, Bliss slashed .304/.378/.524 with 23 home runs, 86 RBI, 34 doubles, eight triples, and 55 stolen bases. The Mariners are thrilled to have him, and this is a deal the Diamondbacks could come to regret in short order. 

Unlike many of his peers on this list, Astros' lefty Colton Gordon was not an exceptionally high draft pick. Houston took the St. Petersburg, FL native in the 8th round in 2021. But in the two full seasons he's pitched in the Astros' system, Gordon has certainly been able to open some eyes. In 44 professional outings to date, he's worked to a 3.61 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP, while holding opponents to a .218 batting average and striking out 229 hitters in 182 innings. As is the case for so many young hurlers, command can be an issue at times, but the Astros are extremely excited about Gordon's future, and he isn't far off from his first promotion. 

Over the last few years, the Athletics have seemingly made a habit of bringing in high-upside offensive catchers. They acquired Shea Langeliers from the Braves in the Matt Olson trade, drafted Tyler Soderstrom in the first round in 2020, and in '22 spent another first-round pick on University of Arizona product Daniel Susac. And while Langeliers and Soderstrom have both been in the big leagues for a while, it's the young Susac who may prove to be the best of the bunch. In 139 career minor league contests, he's slashed .300/.363/.423 with nine home runs, 77 RBI, and 27 doubles, while earning a reputation as a strong defender behind the plate. Susac is slated to begin this season in Double-A, but if he performs the way the team expects him to, he could come quickly. 

The New York Mets are a franchise rich with pitching history, and while they have an exciting young crop of hurlers bubbling to the surface of their minor league system, the one guy that currently stands above the rest is right-hander Christian Scott. The former Florida Gator joined New York's organization as a 5th-round pick in 2021, and he's steadily improved in each of his professional seasons. In 19 starts in '23, Scott pitched to a 2.57 ERA with a dominant 0.86 WHIP. He held opponents to a sub-.200 batting average, struck out 107 hitters in only 87.2 innings, and surrendered only five home runs. He plateaued in Double-A last summer and expects to begin this season with the Mets Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse, positioning him just one phone call away from the sport's highest level. 

Atlanta's Hurston Waldrep was a teammate of the aforementioned Christian Scott at the University of Florida and now appears likely to compete for years to come against his former rotation mate in the always hotly contested NL East. In eight professional starts late last season after being drafted in July, Waldrep was excellent, pitching to a 1.53 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP across 29.1 innings. Opponents managed just a .179 batting average against him, and he punched out an electric 41 hitters. The Braves should once again be one of the best teams in baseball in 2024, and don't be surprised if at some point the young Waldrep comes up to give their pitching staff a boost. 

The Phillies have been one of the best and most exciting teams in the National League over the last few seasons, and fans in the City of Brotherly Love have plenty of reasons to be extremely optimistic about the team's immediate future. Young Mick Abel is someone who will undoubtedly factor into that future sooner rather than later, as the team's first-round pick from 2020 has skyrocketed through the club's system. In 60 professional starts to date, Abel has pitched to a 4.09 ERA that looks a little mediocre but doesn't tell the whole story. His .205 batting average against is stellar; he's struck out 328 hitters in only 266.1 innings, and he's earned a reputation as a fierce competitor on the mound. Abel will begin this season in Triple-A, and if he can make a few small adjustments to take his game to the next level, he'll land himself in Philadelphia in short order. 

The Marlins acquired young Jacob Amaya from the Dodgers in exchange for veteran Miguel Rojas prior to last season, and the club certainly envisions the 25-year-old becoming their long-term shortstop. In 128 games with Miami's Triple-A affiliate in 2023, Amaya slashed .252/.345/.407 with 15 home runs, 65 RBI, and 26 doubles. He was called up to the Show for a brief four-game stint in June, but more likely than not, the next time he joins the Marlins, it will be for good. 

Outfielder James Wood was one of the prospects the Nationals acquired from San Diego in the blockbuster Juan Soto trade, and the 21-year-old is somebody Washington needs to have pan out for the trade not to be remembered as a disaster in D.C. Early indications are positive, though, as Wood is coming off a phenomenal first full season in the Nats' system. In 129 minor league games in '23, he slashed .262/.353/.520 with 26 home runs, 91 RBI, 28 doubles, eight triples, and 18 stolen bases. His ceiling is extremely high, and with Washington in the midst of a significant rebuild, he could get an opportunity in the Majors sooner rather than later.  

The Cardinals are no strangers to deploying outfielders that can fly, both out on the grass and on the bases, and in young Victor Scott II they may just have the second coming of Vince Coleman. St. Louis selected Scott II in the 5th round of the 2022 draft coming out of the University of West Virginia, and his stock has steadily been on the rise ever since. In 132 minor league games last season, the 23-year-old slashed .303/.369/.425 with nine homers, 63 RBI, 20 doubles, 10 triples, and this is not a typo, 94 stolen bases. He's expected to begin this season in Triple-A, but if the Cardinals struggle the way they did last season, you'd better believe he'll be part of an influx of youth heading to the Major League level. 

At the trade deadline in 2021, the Cubs sent longtime shortstop Javier Baez to the Mets in exchange for highly touted outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong. Less than three years later, this deal is looking like a landslide win for Chicago. Baez only played in New York for two uneasy months before departing as a free agent, while Crow-Armstrong has become the best prospect in the Cubs' system. In 107 minor league games in '23, the 21-year-old slashed .283/.365/.511 with 20 home runs, 82 RBI, 26 doubles, seven triples, and 37 stolen bases. He looks every bit like the complete player scouts projected him to be when he was drafted in the first round in 2020, and he'll be regularly patrolling the outfield grass at Wrigley Field very soon. 

The Pirates have a number of prospects that could potentially become impactful contributors in '23, and while last year's number one overall pick, Paul Skenes, would've been a logical choice, I'm going with fellow righty Jared Jones. Skenes is immensely talented but struggled a bit during his introduction to professional baseball, while Jones has steadily improved throughout his three-year journey through Pittsburgh's system. In 26 outings in '23, the 22-year-old turned in a 3.85 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP, while punching out 146 hitters in 126.1 innings. He doesn't have nearly the ceiling Skenes does, but it's easy to envision Jones blossoming into a productive middle-of-the-rotation starter. 

Cincinnati is probably the most exciting young team in baseball. Last year the Reds debuted incredibly talented rookies Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Noelvi Marte, and in 2024 get ready for another blue-chip prospect to join the team's core. Cincinnati selected high school outfielder Rece Hinds in the 2nd round of the 2019 draft, and while it's taken some time for him to navigate his way through the team's minor league system, he's on the brink of making a difference in the Show. In 109 minor league games in 2023, Hinds slashed .269/.330/.536 with 23 home runs, 98 RBI, 29 doubles, six triples, and 20 stolen bases. There's not much he doesn't do well on a baseball field, and while he'll begin the season in Triple-A, he should earn a promotion to Cincinnati in short order. 

Earlier this winter, the Milwaukee Brewers made a record-setting decision, locking up their top prospect, outfielder Jackson Chourio, with an eight-year, $82 million contract. The deal provides Chourio with the largest guarantee ever for a player yet to step foot on a Major League field, and it all but guarantees he'll be making his debut on opening day. In the minor leagues last season, the 19-year-old slashed .282/.338/.467 with 22 home runs, 91 RBI, 26 doubles, and 44 stolen bases in only 128 games. Chourio has future Major League superstar written all over him, and it will be fascinating to watch how he adjusts to the sport's highest level. 

Righty Nick Frasso began his professional career in the Blue Jays' organization before being traded to the Dodgers in August of 2022, and it's with LA that he's on the brink of debuting in the Major Leagues. In the minors last season, the Loyola Marymount alum pitched to a 3.77 ERA across 25 starts, while delivering a 1.27 WHIP with a .245 batting average against. His 107 strikeouts in 93 innings were impressive, and he'll almost certainly make it to Los Angeles this season, even if he begins his tenure in the big leagues pitching out of the bullpen. 

The Giants made southpaw Carson Whisenhunt the 66th overall pick in the 2022 draft coming out of East Carolina University, and in parts of two professional seasons he's gotten himself to the brink of a big-league promotion. In 16 starts across three minor league levels in 2023, the 23-year-old was excellent, pitching to a 2.45 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP, while holding opponents to a .177 batting average and striking out 83 hitters in 58.2 innings. Whisenhunt has consistently demonstrated impressive command and an ability to avoid the barrel of the bat, and he appears to have all the makings of a future long-term standout in the Bay Area. 

The top prospect in the Padres' system is 20-year-old shortstop Jackson Merrill, whom the team selected in the first round of the 2021 draft. Last year was the first time Merrill played in over 100 professional games, and the extended exposure really allowed him to put his immense skillset on display. Splitting his season between High-A and Double-A, Merrill slashed .277/.326/.444 with 15 home runs, 64 RBI, 25 doubles, four triples, and 15 stolen bases. San Diego expects him to develop more power as his body fills out, and he's already considered a strong defender up the middle. 

From one young NL West shortstop to another, let's talk about the incredibly talented Jordan Lawlar. The Diamondbacks selected the 21-year-old 6th overall coming out of high school in 2021, and he's done nothing but live up to the hype in parts of three seasons as a professional. In 207 career minor league games, Lawlar has slashed .291/.390/.503 with 36 home runs, 130 RBI, 42 doubles, 11 triples, and 76 stolen bases. He reached Triple-A late last year, and don't be surprised if the defending NL Champion Diamondbacks decide to promote him sooner rather than later. 

Young middle infielder Adael Amador joined the Rockies' organization as an international free agent in 2019, and he honestly may have already made it to the Show if not for COVID wiping out the 2020 minor league season. Amador has displayed steady improvement throughout his time in the Colorado system as he's gotten more and more acclimated to his new surroundings. In 231 career professional games, he owns a lifetime .292/.401/.461 slash line, to go along with 31 homers, 127 RBI, 49 doubles, and 51 steals. He could begin the 2024 campaign in Double-A, but don't be surprised if the switch-hitter rapidly ascends toward a big-league promotion.