Players to Watch on Every 2025 International League Team

The MiLB season kicked off on March 28 — at least for Triple-A. The International and Pacific Coast Leagues started at around the same time as the Majors, giving some notable Major Leaguers a chance to play rehab games immediately. Not to mention, notable prospects at the Triple-A level get a shot to showcase for a promotion. Here’s a look at names to watch on every International League team.

Buffalo Bisons

We’ll start with the Buffalo Bisons, a team with notable veteran arms, plus some youngsters. Dillon Tate and Josh Walker will continue to push for a spot in Toronto’s bullpen, while former top international prospect Eric Pardinho struck out two in his first 2025 outing. Pardinho, now a reliever, took a step forward last season. He doesn’t throw hard but has good stuff, including a splitter with a Whiff% of 41.0% last season.

Eric Lauer, Chad Dallas, and Jake Bloss are among the notable starters in Buffalo.

As for the offense, Joey Loperfido and Orelvis Martinez will be among the highlighted bats. Both have long swings but big power potential. The two will get regular playing time in western New York after cups of coffee last season.

Charlotte Knights

Charlotte has a mix of former Major Leaguers looking to make it back to “The Show,” as well as arms with upside. Justin Dunn, Gus Varland, and Steven Wilson are among the pitchers who fit the former. Nick Nastrini, who struggled badly with command in 2024, and Owen White fit the latter.

However, the draws for the Knights are the bats.

Colson Montgomery will look for better in 2025 after a sluggish 2024 with Charlotte. However, Montgomery hit well in the Arizona Fall League. Two bats from the Garrett Crochet trade, Chase Meidroth and Kyle Teel, are also on the Knights. As noted in December, Teel is an exciting contact hitter who could be Chicago’s everyday catcher soon.

Columbus Clippers

The Clippers’ roster includes just one pitcher on the Guardians’ 40-man roster. Doug Nikhazy, a second-round pick in 2021, was added this winter after he struck out 124 over 123.2 IP. Opposing batters hit just .192 off him last season.

Offensively, Christian Cairo is on Columbus’ roster after the Braves returned him to the Guardians. Cairo was drafted to Atlanta as part of the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. Notable infield prospects Juan Brito and Milan Tolentino are also on Columbus’ roster.

Former third-round pick Petey Halpin and Will Brennan are among the notable outfielders. Brennan didn’t make Cleveland’s roster after the acquisition of Nolan Jones. Halpin, meanwhile, doesn’t offer much pop but did hit a career-best 12 home runs last season.

Durham Bulls

The Rays had to dip into their reserves early, promoting outfielder Jake Mangum after March 28 to fill in for Josh Lowe. However, the Bulls have plenty of outfield depth, highlighted by a former White Sox star and elite speedster.

The Bulls’ offense includes Eloy Jimenez, who’s looking to get his career back on track after numerous injuries and a poor spring (.694 OPS). He’s on a Minor League deal. However, the big names on Durham’s roster, among the position players, are former first-round pick Carson Williams and Chandler Simpson. Both could be Major Leagues, including Simpson, who stole 104 bases last season.

Durham’s pitching staff includes former MLB pitcher Jacob Waguespack, and interesting arms like hard-thrower Joe Boyle, strikeout machine Paul Gervase, Joe Rock, Ian Seymour, and Eric Orze. Boyle, Gervase, and Orze were all acquired this past offseason.

Gwinnett Stripers

Yes, the Stripers have an ace on their staff. Spencer Strider begins 2025 in Triple-A and will make his first start on March 29 as he recovers from elbow surgery. The goal for Strider is simple: build up to get ready for the stress test that is the MLB schedule.

Gwinnett’s roster, as many Triple-A rosters do, leans heavily on guys with MLB experience. Former Georgia Tech product Amos Willingham, Jordan Weems, Chasen Shreve, and yes, Jesse Chavez, are among the relievers. Hurston Waldrep and Bryce Elder will look to force their way back to Atlanta or make themselves options should an injury arise.

Former Marlins Eddy Alvarez, Garrett Cooper, Jose Devers, and Charles Leblanc are among the position players. Gwinnett also has three outfielders with MLB experience: Conner Capel, Jake Marisnick, and Luke Williams.

Indianapolis Indians

After seven outstanding starts with the Indians last season, Bubba Chandler is back to start 2025. Chandler might not be there for long — if he pitches like he did in 2024. Chandler struck out 54 over 39.1 IP with Indianapolis last season.

The Indians also have Henry Davis back, as he looks to get his career on track. Davis didn’t have a terrible camp, although it wasn’t enough to beat out Joey Bart or Endy Rodriguez. He slashed .250/.289/.472 (.761 OPS) in Grapefruit League action.

Nick Yorke, Darick Hall, and Liover Peguero are also on the Indianapolis roster.

Iowa Cubs

Iowa has four of arguably the Cubs’ 10 best prospects heading into 2025.

Hurler Cade Horton will look for better after an injury-riddled 2024 campaign. Moises Ballesteros and Owen Caissie are on the Iowa roster after neither made the Cubs’ Opening Day roster. James Triantos, a bat with a good hit tool, is also on the I-Cubs.

The baby Cubs also have relievers with MLB experience, including Brooks Kriske, Gavin Hollowell, and Trevor Richards.

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

The Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate started 2025 with 11 players who had MLB experience. However, the most interesting names on Jacksonville’s roster are arguably the ones who do not have time spent in the Majors.

Agustin Ramirez had a breakout season last year, as he cracked 25 home runs between the Marlins and Yankees’ systems. Deyvison De Los Santos, a former Rule 5 Draft pick, cracked 40 home runs and figures to be in the corner infield conversation at some point in 2025.

Adam Mazur, acquired in the Tanner Scott deal, highlights the notable pitchers. Mazur had an ERA north of 7.00 in a brief time with the Padres last season.

Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Justin Crawford is one step away from Philadelphia. The former first-round pick vaulted to Triple-A to start the 2025 season, and is arguably the prospect to watch on the IronPigs. Much like his father Carl, Justin isn’t a big power guy but is a plus runner who could be the Phillies’ future center fielder.

There are some other names of interest among the bats, including Gabriel Rincones Jr. and Otto Kemp. Kemp was a breakout name last season. The 25-year-old didn’t get drafted out of Division II but raced up the ladder last season, as he posted a .881 cumulative OPS and blew through High-A and Double-A.

The IronPigs have relief pitcher options for the big club, including Max Lazar and Michael Mercado. Mick Abel, meanwhile, hopes for a rebound after he posted a 6.48 ERA last year.

Louisville Bats

If there’s one name on the Bats’ roster that needs a hot start, it’s Noelvi Marte. Marte had a shortened 2024 thanks to a PED suspension, didn’t hit at the MLB level or LIDOM last winter, nor in the Cactus League this spring. He slashed .150/.182/.400 (.582 OPS) this year in the spring.

Marte is joined by Will Benson and Rece Hinds, two power hitters with equally large strikeout concerns.

Their pitcher list is headlined by Chase Petty, a former first-round pick who’s knocking on the door.

Memphis Redbirds

Thanks to an injury, the Cardinals don’t have Tink Hence available to begin 2025. Quinn Mathews, the 2024 MiLB Pitcher of the Year, is healthy and made his first start on March 29. Should things go well, Mathews could be in St. Louis soon.

Mathews is the big name in Memphis. However, there are some interesting bats with the Redbirds to watch, as well.

Outfielder Matt Koperniak posted a 1.039 OPS in Grapefruit League action and is in play as a midseason call-up after a 20-home run season last year. Two top Cardinals prospects, catcher Jimmy Crooks and infielder Thomas Saggese, also began the year with the Redbirds.

Nashville Sounds

Thanks to injury, Tyler Black will begin 2025 on the IL, as opposed to the Sounds’ Opening Day roster. However, the Brewers do have notable bats to watch.

Nashville’s roster includes former big league catcher Jorge Alfaro, as well as former Yankees first-round pick Anthony Seigler. And speaking of the Yankees, the Sounds’ roster also includes ex-Yankee farmhand Caleb Durbin. The speedster had a dominant run in the Arizona Fall League last fall. The Brewers acquired him in the Devin Williams trade.

Their pitching staff includes interesting relievers, including ex-Ranger Grant Anderson and Craig Yoho. Yoho struck out 101 over 57.2 IP last season across three levels, with an ERA below 1.00. However, the big name is Jacob Misiorowski, a big arm who’s the Brewers’ consensus best pitching prospect.

Norfolk Tides

Much like Gwinnett, the Tides have a superstar on their roster to begin 2025. Gunnar Henderson is on the Tides’ roster as he rehabs and gets time in after missing a good chunk of the Grapefruit League.

Norfolk’s roster includes a pair of big bats: Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo. Neither made the Orioles’ Opening Day roster but could at some point in 2025. The Tides’ roster also includes toolsy outfielder Dylan Beavers, plus former Major Leaguers Daz Cameron & Dylan Carlson.

The Tides’ pitching depth chart includes former Diamondback Corbin Martin and Kade Strowd, who were added to the 40-man roster last winter.

Omaha Storm Chasers

Omaha was a top team in the International League last season and returns familiar faces. Infielder Cam Devanney finished in the top-25 last year in home runs (19) last season, as did John Rave (21).

Devanney and Rave were joined by Nick Pratto, Drew Waters, and Nelson Velazquez, all of whom have MLB experience.

The Storm Chasers’ pitching staff includes high-end pitching prospect Noah Cameron, the 25-year-old who struck out 149 batters over 128 innings. Luinder Avila and Chander Champlain join Cameron in Omaha.

Rochester Red Wings

Nationals left-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara didn’t make the team’s roster to begin 2025 after an auspicious spring. Ogasawara, who’s not a swing-and-miss pitcher, gave up 24 hits and walked eight over 12 frames.

He’s one of the headliners, alongside former first-round pick Jackson Rutledge.

Their offense includes big power bats Franchy Cordero and Stone Garrett, plus infielders Brady House, Trey Lipscomb, and Nasim Nunez. Nunez, a 2023 Rule 5 Draft pick, spent all of last year with the Nats but only picked up 61 at-bats last season. He didn’t hit much (.632 OPS) and still profiles as a glove-first infielder.

Scranton-Wilkes Barre Railriders

Scranton’s pitching staff is made up primarily of veterans with MLB experience, highlighted by a rehabbing Ian Hamilton, as well as former Major Leaguers Allan Winans, Wilking Rodriguez, and Colten Brewer. Winans might be the first call-up for the Yankees should another injury to one of their starters arise, as he got some experience in that role with the Braves.

As for the position player list, Spencer Jones did not start the year at Triple-A despite another good spring. Jones struck out over 200 times last season in Somerset (AA).

Arguably the most notable prospect at Triple-A is Everson Pereira, who will get everyday playing time with the Railriders. Speedster Duke Ellis, power hitter T.J. Rumfield, and infielder Jorbit Vivas are among the other notable names.

St. Paul Saints

The Saints’ roster is loaded with pitching talent who could be in Minneapolis at some point in 2025. Zebby Matthews and David Festa, both of whom got time with the Twins last season, headline the pitchers. Festa, in particular, will look to shape up after a tough spring.

Additionally, Andrew Morris and Marco Raya are on the Saints’ roster.

St. Paul’s hitter list includes two notable catching prospects: Jair Camargo and Diego Cartaya, plus Luke Keaschall. Keaschall did nothing but hit in 2024 but that’s all he can do at this point. The utilityman underwent Tommy John surgery and is relegated to DH at the moment.

Syracuse Mets

Mets fans got a look at what Brandon Sproat could do at the MLB level. Sproat pumped it up to 99 MPH during Grapefruit League action, stuff that’s been seen since his college days. However, the 2024 season saw a more complete version of Sproat, one who struck out 131 over 116 IP and has a lot of weapons to work with, including two fastballs, a changeup, a sweeper, and slider.