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 a post MLB draft update for the AL Central with the revamped farm systems.
AL Central
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- George Wolkow: A prospect gaining a lot of helium, Wolkow has massive power. An alarming strikeout rate nearing 50%, Wolkow still needs to work on improving his contact. He’ll be 19 for the entirety of 2025, giving him plenty of time to hone the large strike zone.
- Noah Schultz: A participant in the 2024 Futures game, Schultz had an ugly looking line. 0.1 innings, three earned runs, with one walk and one strikeout. The line is uglier than the performance. Schultz gave up some weak contact and an infield single to Ethan Salas that could have been an out. Still one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, Schultz should pitch deeper into games next season.
- Colson Montgomery: Like Schultz, Montgomery took part in the 2024 Futures game. Montgomery had a bit of a less eventful experience. He reached base on a catchers interference and made some nice plays at third base. While the bat hasn’t produced as the White Sox have hoped, Montgomery looks the part. With the White Sox selling, Montgomery could see a late season promotion just under the amount of games to maintain service time.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Brooks Baldwin: The most productive White Sox hitting prospect in 2024, Baldwin got the call to Chicago. A slow start to his MLB career, Baldwin should see the regular playing time if the White Sox continue to trade away MLB level talent. An aggressive, but good hitter, Baldwin could provide 15 home runs and 25 steals per season with a high .200 average. Baldwin is a stash prospect in dynasty for me.
- Jeral Perez/Alexander Albertus: Picked up in the trade with Michael Kopech and Tommy Pham, the White Sox acquired two promising prospects. Perez boasts solid power and Albertus is a contact hitter with plate discipline. A middle of the infield pairing, Albertus and Perez could play alongside each other in 2025. Both have a long road ahead but give the White Sox farm system a nice boost without losing Crochet or Robert Jr.
- Rikuu Nishida: An older prospect, Nishida is 23 years-old and just reaching High-A. This is not from lack of performance. Nishida posted a .290 batting average with 35 steals in 90 Low-A games. An excellent contact rate with a 66BB:51K ratio, Nishida should have seen this promotion earlier. Likely a leadoff or nine-hole hitter, Nishida has an old school contact hitting profile.
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- Max Clark: Eight hits in his first five High-A games, Clark has been swinging a hot bat. The third overall pick in 2023 has five-tool potential and is still growing and tapping in to each of those tools. Reaching High-A in his first full professional season is a great accomplishment. If the Tigers continue to be aggressive, Clark could see his 2025 season begin at Double-A.
- Kevin McGonigle: Four walks in his first five High-A games, McGonigle hasn’t had the hits pile up yet. Despite his .167 average, his OBP sits at .318 due to the advanced eye and approach. A few months older than Max Clark, but on the same timeline, the duo will look to provide a spark to the Tigers. McGonigle slides down one spot with the addition of Bryce Rainer in the 2024 MLB Draft. Clark, Rainer, and McGonigle are all on the same level and have high potential.
- Jackson Jobe: Taking over as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, Jobe has been on fire. The Tigers have said they want Jobe to pitch at Triple-A, so a 2024 debut is likely out of the picture. Tigers fans are hoping Jobe gets promoted to Triple-A in 2024, giving him a shot to break camp with the Tigers in 2025. Jobe had a masterful July where he threw 21.2 innings, allowing just 10 hits, 11 walks, and striking out 26 batters. The walks are something to keep an eye on and likely why the Tigers aren’t rushing Jobe in 2024.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Max Clark/Kevin McGonigle: The two headliner bats in the organization were promoted to High-A together. Just a few games in, Clarke is hitting and McGonigle is showing off his advanced approach. The top of the new young core, Clark and McGonigle will look to move through the ranks together. Adding Bryce Rainer in the 2024 MLB Draft gives the Tigers three potential young stars.
- Dillon Dingler: As the Tigers continued to sell, Dingler was able to benefit from an MLB promotion. Just outside of my top 10 for the Tigers, Dingler has been as solid as possible. A .308 average with 17 home runs at Triple-A, room needed to be made for Dingler. Almost 26 years-old, it was now or never for the catching prospect. He’ll look to get regular at-bats for the rest of 2024 in Detroit.
- Thayron Liranzo/Trey Sweeney: Acquired at the final minute for Jack Flaherty, Liranzo and Sweeney are two good prospects with upside. Detroit was able to flip Flaherty for two players that could have an impact in 2025. Trey Sweeney, the former 1st round pick of the Yankees, may get a look at the end of 2024. Liranzo is struggling a bit more in 2024 and may need slightly more time to get back on track. Liranzo and Sweeney slot just outside the top 10 for me.
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- Connor Prielipp: The 48th overall pick in 2022 is finally back on the mound. Prielipp has thrown six innings in 2024, allowing four hits, walking none, and striking out 13. Two innings at rookie ball, Low-A, and High-A, the 23 year-old should move fast to at least Double-A. The Twins may continue to develop him in relief and use him out of the bullpen for the 2024 MLB playoffs. Prielipp is a prospect to keep an eye on.
- Luke Keaschall: One of the biggest risers in 2024, Keaschall has continued to hit at Double-A. Nearing his 22nd birthday, Keaschall is hitting over .300 with an OBP over .400 at Double-A. Arguably ready for Triple-A, the bat is pushing for another promotion. With eight games at 1B and 16 in centerfield, Keaschall might be called upon in September and used as a utility man.
- Gabriel Gonzalez: A late start to 2024, Gonzalez seems to have fallen victim to prospect fatigue. Still only 20 years-old, Gonzalez is holding his own at High-A. Hitting .263, Gonzalez has tallied three home runs and five steals in 44 games. While the power isn’t on display as often as previous seasons, Gonzalez is still working back so anything in 2024 is a plus. 21 years-old for the 2025 season, Gonzalez is a prospect that can sky rocket in value with a hot end to 2024.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Brooks Lee: The Twins top pick in the 2022 Draft, Lee battled injuries and reached the big leagues quickly. Lee is hitting .242 with two home runs and two steals through his first 21 games. A 14K:6BB ratio, Lee is staying aggressive and making good contact. Most likely with the Twins for the long haul now, Lee will look to play an infield utility role as an every day player. The flexibility is just another reason to think Lee will stick around for a long time.
- Walker Jenkins: The top prospect in the Twins system has had an injury-filled 2024. On fire for the month of July, Jenkins received a promotion to High-A. Well deserved and now in a groove, Jenkins could be the next number one overall prospect in baseball. Jenkins maintained a .273/.404/.413 slash line, with three home runs and four stolen bases in 33 games at Low-A. Most impressive was the 28BB:17K ratio for the 19-year-old. Ready for the next challenge, Jenkins is pushing for a 2025 start at Double-A.
- Zebby Matthews: One of the most impressive pitchers in all of baseball, Matthews is attacking hitters and walking almost none. Most are higher on Matthews than myself, as he is 24 years old against younger competition. The control and pounding the strike zone is a dream come true but Triple-A has been a bit more difficult through nine innings. Through nine innings, he’s allowed 13 hits, two home runs, walked 0, and struck out 10. Matthews should limit damage against with the lack of free passes and is one to watch for a late season promotion.
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- Jaison Chourio: Pushing to be the second ranked prospect in the Guardians system for me, Chourio is having a great 2024. 37 stolen bases, four home runs, and a 63BB:55K ratio, Chourio is advanced. The .402 OBP sticks out for the 19 year-old and he’s most likely ready for the next level of pitching. High-A will be a good test for Jaison and there is hope that comes in 2024.
- Welbyn Francisca: The first of the two 5-foot-9 hitting prospects for the Guardians, Welbyn has torched the ACL. Francisca posted a .328/.418/.523 slash line, with six home runs and 11 stolen bases. The power may be limited long term but Francisca has produced enough power in his short professional career. A late season promotion to Low-A, Francisca will look to continue his career in full season ball.
- Angel Genao: Since his promotion to High-A, it’s been much of the same of Genao. A .296 average with three home runs and eight steals through 37 High-A games is a more than promising start. More of a table-setting hitter like Francisca, the power has sneakily come into play for Genao as well. If he and Francisca can hit 12+ home runs a year, we’re looking at two all around prospects.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Travis Bazzana: The number one overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Bazzana reported right to High-A. Two for his first seven with four strikeouts, Bazzana put together a two-hit game in his second professional game. The Guardians typically move prospects slowly, but the High-A start for Bazzana shows they trust the advanced bat. Bazzana immediately slots in as the number 1 prospect in the Guardians system and could provide a top of the order bat late in 2025.
- Chase DeLauter: An injury prone prospect, Chase DeLauter returned to Double-A and registered a 3-4 game with two doubles. The bat is quick and powerful and DeLauter doesn’t need much time before seeing Cleveland. If DeLauter can get back on track at Double-A, he could end the season in Triple-A and push an early 2025 promotion. The biggest question is how long can he stay healthy to get consistent at-bats.
- Joey Cantillo: Cantillo was dominant from 2018-2022 but has hit a bit of a rough stretch with walks in 2023 and 2024. He got the call for a spot start in 2024 and it didn’t go as planned. With three walks, four hits, and two home runs allowed in just 3.1 innings, Cantillo wasn’t able to settle in. Granted it was against the Phillies, but Cantillo will most likely finish out the rest of 2024 in Triple-A. There is a chance he can pitch out of the bullpen but the Guardians may want to keep his future as a starter.
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- Gavin Cross: After struggling in his first full season, Cross has bounced back nicely in 2024. Spending the year at Double-A, Cross has put up a .287/.364/.436 slash line. Cross has tallied nine home runs and 20 stolen bases in those 81 games with a 81K:36BB ratio. Cross is showing off the multi-category talent as he provides a little of everything. The ninth overall pick in 2022 is well on his way to breaking 2025 spring training with the Royals at this rate.
- Felix Arronde: A 21-year-old starter in Low-A, Arronde has put together an impressive 2024. 80 strikeouts in 82 innings, to the tune of 3.40 ERA is more than impressive. A bit older for his level of competition, the big test for Arronde will come at High-A/Double-A. The Royals have moved prospects slow recently but Arronde should see High-A before the end of 2024.
- Blake Mitchell: The Royals number 2 overall prospect is continuing his consistency. Providing power, speed, and on-base ability, Mitchell is looking like a five-category player. The strikeout number has dropped in the last two months, giving Mitchell a chance to see a late season promotion. Given that Mitchell is already advanced and mature as a catcher, a taste of High-A might happen in the next month.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Ben Kurdna: Kurdna was promoted without Frank Mozzicato but Kurdna is slightly more polished. A solid first start, Kurdna went five innings, allowing two earned runs, and striking out six. Only surrendering one walk, it’s good to see the command stick against better hitters. Six hits allowed to only two earned runs speaks to the ability of limiting damage and staying out of trouble. A late 2025 MLB debut is very possible for the up and coming Royals.
- Carter Jensen: After back-to-back rough seasons, Jensen is putting together a comeback 2024 season. With 10 home runs and 16 steals in High-A through 84 games, Jensen was promoted to Double-A. Through his first 6 games, the on-base and power has continued but the average has dipped down to .211. After hitting .271 at Low-A, Jensen looked to be reaching his third-round pick potential. The stock of the 21-year-old catcher could continue to rise if the Double-A average creeps back towards where it was at High-A in 2024.
- Hiro Wyatt: Promoted to Low-A in his first full season, Wyatt has started off nicely. Through nine innings, he’s allowed four hits, four walks, and struck out 11. Three of those walks came in the first start, as did as all three of the earned runs. Wyatt spun five innings of two-hit and one-walk baseball in his most recent outing. One of the many young arms in the Royals system, he’ll look to build on a late 2024 success early in 2025.