The divisional reports are a new series put out by the PitcherList dynasty team. These reports provide a list of the top ten prospects on each team in the division and highlight two players from each organization. Each division will be updated once per month by our divisional experts. Below is the second update for the AL Central that involves some early movement in 2024.
AL Central
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- Drew Thorpe: Thorpe has continued his dominance at the Double-A level. A 1.33 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 54 innings and only 32 hits allowed. Although he was traded twice this off-season, he’s showing why he was the main return for both Juan Soto and Dylan Cease. Thorpe has 74.1 Double-A innings under his belt with a sub 1.50 ERA. There’s a good chance all of September is spent at the MLB level for Thorpe.
- Noah Schultz: My number one prospect in the White Sox organization, Schultz has tremendous upside. The lanky lefty was promoted to Double-A and has thrown 7.2 shut-out innings with 12 strikeouts. Just two hits allowed and zero walks, Schultz is establishing himself as a top pitching prospect. His two starts were only 4 and 3.2 innings so as he continues to stretch out, we’ll see if the success a third time through a lineup holds.
- Jacob Gonzalez: Potentially the top prospect in the system, Gonzalez is on fire. Since being promoted to Double-A, Gonzalez is hitting .345 with one home run in 13 games. Having just turned 22 a few days ago, Gonzalez could debut before his 23rd birthday. Everything is trending up for Gonzalez and he’s showing why he was drafted 15th overall.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Bryan Ramos: After being called up from Double-A for his MLB debut, Ramos was sent down for his first taste of Triple-A. Only six games into Triple-A, Ramos has gone 8-20 with three walks and three strikeouts. A prospect to watch when recalled, Ramos has the tools to hit for power with a mid-.200 average.
- Grant Taylor: The 51st overall pick in 2023, Taylor is healthy and ramping up. While his one rookie ball outing didn’t go according to plan, he’s dominating Low-A. The 22-year-old has a 1.50 ERA with 19 strikeouts and only seven hits allowed in 12 innings. Taylor should breeze through Low-A and quickly see High-A or even Double-A.
- Zach DeLoach: DeLoach was promoted to the big league club. Only given five at-bats, DeLoach was sent back down to Triple-A after going 0-5 with 3k’s and a walk. Given the MLB roster of the White Sox, DeLoach could be up and down over the course of the year. A solid player, DeLoach will look to prove he can play every day for the White Sox in 2025.
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- Max Clark: The top draft pick for the Tigers from 2023 had a rough debut in 2023. 2024 has been much better for Clark. Despite striking out more than expected, Clark has two home runs, 15 steals, and a .272 average. 19 years old for all of 2024, Clark sits atop the Tigers farm system. With all tools pointing to plus potential, Clark is a top-15 prospect in baseball.
- Kevin McGonigle: One of the quickest rising prospects in 2024, McGonigle is making quick work of Low-A. McGonigle currently has a .355 average with two home runs, nine steals, and a stellar 19BB:17K ratio. The power is the only question of potential in his profile, but McGonigle has been hitting the ball hard. A promotion to High-A could come before Max Clark but isn’t imminent.
- Jace Jung: Most likely just behind Justyn-Henry Malloy for the chance to be promoted, Jung is doing just as well at Triple-A. With eight home runs with a .380 OBP, Jung is an exciting piece that should join Detroit soon. Jung holds a .273 average but has 58 strikeouts in 183 at-bats, which could be the reason for Malloy receiving the first promotion.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Jackson Jobe: Sidelined since May 1st with a hamstring injury, Jobe threw a bullpen the other day. Back on track to join Double-A, Jobe will look to command the ball closer to his 2023 stat line. While a 2024 MLB debut is very unlikely, it’s possible Jobe gets a late September start to get his feet wet.
- Justyn-Henry Malloy: Finally getting his shot, the 24-year-old outfielder got the call to Detroit. Malloy has been continuing to walk at a high rate, carrying an OBP north of .400 again. With six home runs through his first 45 games, Malloy can provide 20-25 home runs. The bat should improve the Tigers’ lineup and is a potential middle-of-the-order hitter.
- Keider Montero: Montero was promoted to make a start for Detroit and it didn’t go very smoothly. Only lasting 4.1 innings, Montero allowed four earned runs on two home runs. He did tally five strikeouts but was sent back down to Toledo.
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- Walker Jenkins: Jenkins was injured after just one 2024 at-bat, he’s back rehabbing in rookie ball and having no issues. With a .393 average, eight walks, and two strikeouts, Jenkins should be back at Low-A in no time. Jenkins would have most likely moved fast if not for the injury but the Twins might pump the breaks now. Still, Jenkins should spend most of the second half of the year at High-A.
- Luke Keaschall: One of the most productive prospects since being drafted, Keashcall has put up 10 home runs and 26 steals in his first 81 games. 21 years old until mid-August, Keaschall is hitting .320 through his first six Double-A games. Keaschall is a 20-25 candidate and the hit tool can catapult him up into some top 100 prospect lists.
- David Festa: Festa is knocking on the door of an MLB debut with solid 2024 Triple-A numbers. A 3.56 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 43 innings is dominant but the 23 walks and six home runs allowed are something to watch. Festa is a solid mid-rotation starter with high strikeout potential and could be in Minnesota before July.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Brooks Lee: Lee is working his way back from injury, and should report to Triple-A by late June. Brooks Lee is hitting .395 with four walks and a steal between rookie ball and Low-A. He may not need much time at Triple-A before heading to Minnesota.
- Zebby Matthews: In 22.2 High-A innings, Matthews didn’t issue a single walk. With just two walks allowed in his first 22.2 Double-A innings, Matthews could continue to move quickly with elite command. Between two levels, his identical 1.59 ERA and 22.2 innings pitched are wildly consistent for Matthews. Zebby has picked up steam as a prospect due to the non-existent walks and the Twins may continue to promote him as he succeeds.
- Andrew Morris: Morris was dominating High-A to the tune of a 2.15 ERA, which earned him a promotion to Double-A. Through his first 11.1 innings in Double-A, he’s continued his success to a 2.38 ERA. Morris could see another promotion by late July if he continues with the elite command.
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- Angel Genao: Genao was promoted to High-A Sunday night and it was well deserved. With a .341 average with six home runs and 12 stolen bases through 44 games, Genao was doing it all. At just 5’9, 150 pounds, Genao has as many home runs this year as he previous two years combined. With a 28K:14BB ratio, Genao looks like a top-of-the-order hitter in the making.
- Alex Mooney: A 7th-round pick in 2023, Mooney is putting together his breakout season in 2024. With eight home runs and 16 stolen bases through 42 High-A games, Mooney is trying his best to see Double-A. With a .306 average with a 39K:13BB ratio, Mooney may need to show more patience at the next level.
- Jaison Chourio: The early power may have slowed down, but Jaison is still doing plenty to keep his name in top 100 lists. Elite plate discipline, paired with good speed gives him tremendous value. If the power returns, we’re looking at a superstar.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Kyle Manzardo: Manzardo was crushing Triple-A and finally got the call to the big leagues. It’s been a bit of a slow start but he’s only 22 games into his MLB career. The concerning part is the 19K:2BB ratio, but a lot of those strikeouts came in the first 5-10 games. 8 doubles so far, the extra-base hits are there. Manzardo is holding his own and the adjustments are being made.
- Chase DeLauter: DeLauter had a slow start to the season after a great AFL and spring training. To add to that, he re-injured the foot that cost him some time in the past. DeLauter returned for one game and seemingly got hurt again. After a rough start to 2024, DeLauter will look to get healthy and make his MLB debut in late 2024.
- Joey Cantillo: Cantillo started his rehab on May 30th with a 1.1 inning outing in the ACL. High strikeout potential, Cantillo could fill in nicely as a 3-5 starter for Cleveland. A starter that can help the Guardians in 2024 when healthy, Cantillo should be back in Triple-A by late June.
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- Ramon Ramirez: Ramirez turns 19 years old in two weeks and could see a move up to Low-A not too far after that. Currently Ramirez holds a .306 average with one home run and a 21K-8BB ratio in 17 rookie league games. The power isn’t off to the same start stateside compared to the DSL but it’s early and Ramirez has plus raw power. Most likely just behind Blake Mitchell for now, Ramirez could see most of his 2024 at Low-A.
- Blake Mitchell: Mitchell has had a streaky start to his Low-A career showcasing a good bat with power but some swing and miss. Mitchell went 3-4 with two home runs on May 30th for his 7th and 8th of the year. Eight home runs with 10 stolen bases are extremely high tallies as June just started. If Mitchell dials back the strikeouts, he’ll enter the top 50 prospect range with ease.
- Hunter Owen: Arguably the most polished Royals prospect, Owen has been dominating High-A. Over his last 8 starts, Owen has went six innings in five of them, and five innings in three of them. Allowing just 13 runs in those 45 innings, Owen has pitched to a 2.60 ERA. The strikeouts are a bit low at 35, but Owen is ready for Double-A hitters. He has the makings of a back end starter that could debut early in 2025.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Chandler Champlain: A promotion to Triple-A has led to much of the same for Champlain. A mid to back end starter, Champlain should get a look in Kansas City around July/August. A 4.09 ERA in Triple-A through his first 11 innings, Champlain has tallied 11 strikeouts and allowed just 10 hits and three walks. The stuff is good enough to have a good strikeout total with a high 3 or low 4 ERA.
- Hiro Wyatt: A late start to his professional career, Wyatt has reported to the Royals complex team. A lively arm drafted in the 3rd round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Wyatt turns 20 years old in late August. A work in progress, Wyatt has the potential of a #2/#3 starter. In his first 10.1 innings, he’s walked six batters and allowed 15 hits. The command is going to need to be a focus to start his career.
- Yandel Ricardo: The top 2024 international signing for the Royals, Ricardo is 6’1 and 180 pounds. Ricardo has the potential to fight for the Royals top-hitting prospect. Still just 17 years old until October, Ricardo will get started in the DSL on June 3rd and look to show why he was a top signing.