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:
- Hagen Smith: The 5th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Smith jumps to the top of my White Sox prospect rankings. Comparable to Noah Schultz, Smith is a strikeout tallying left-handed pitcher. Smith has had two short outings, but he jumps Schultz in the rankings because we have yet to see Schultz go more than 4 innings. Similar pitchers, Smith has a better chance to stay durable and continue his dominance in innings 5-7 of games.
- Edgar Quero: The most consistent and best prospect bat for the White Sox has been Edgar Quero. Returning to his 2022 form, Quero has done it all. A .284/.372/.473 slash with 16 home runs, Quero is putting himself in position to be a top 5 prospect catcher. With his profile, Quero could slot in as a top-10 fantasy catcher. The proximity to an MLB debut makes Quero an easy stash in dynasty leagues for me.
- George Wolkow: One of the more streaky prospects, Wolkow has shown off his massive power. As mentioned before, the strikeout rate is alarmingly high and will need to come down. There is no doubt about the power as he stands 6’7. Over his last 10 games, he’s hitting .282 with 2 home runs but 30 strikeouts. Unless the strikeouts reduce, Wolkow isn’t in the top 10 White Sox prospects for me.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Ky Bush: A well-deserved promotion to Chicago, Bush was unable to work around the high walk rate at the MLB level. His walk rate increased and it led to worse numbers. Bush was able to a high walk rate in Double and Triple-A but started walking nearly one batter per inning at the MLB level. Sent back to Triple-A, Bush might move to the bullpen to become more successful.
- Hagen Smith: As mentioned above, Smith is the new number 1 prospect in my White Sox rankings. He just turned 21 and is two weeks younger than Noah Schultz. To me, Smith is more polished as he’s looked advanced for High-A. Not far behind the path of Schultz, the White Sox could start both in Triple-A to start 2025. While it may be unlikely since Smith may need to build up more, a three-headed dragon of Crochet, Smith, and Shultz is fun to dream about.
- Peyton Pallette: A 2nd round pick in 2021, Pallette has yet to live up to the pick selection. Walks were the issue in 2023, but Pallette has lowered his walk rate significantly in 2024 at High-A and Double-A. 4 appearances out of the bullpen in 2024 at Double-A, Pallette could see a higher level of success as a multi-inning reliever.
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- Max Clark: The no doubt top prospect for the Tigers in my opinion, Clark has shown why he was taken 3rd overall. 19 years-old in High-A, Clark has shown his 5 tool talent lately. Over his last 10 games, Clark has hit 4 home runs and stolen 5 bases with a .295 average and .402 OBP. Clark has a real shot at being the number one overall prospect headed into 2025.
- Thayron Liranzo: Liranzo struggled with the Dodgers in 2024, but that has not been the case with Detroit. With the Tigers, Liranzo has slashed .342/.484/.603 with 4 home runs. Liranzo has gotten back to the profile that he displayed in 2023 as he also has a 20BB:18K ratio in High-A. Turning 22 years old in July of 2025, Liranzo has a shot to be in Triple-A by that time.
- Joseph Montalvo: Acquired via trade for Andrew Chafin, Montalvo has put up solid numbers in his MiLB career. A recent promotion to High-A, the 22-year-old has struck out 12 batters in 16.1 innings with a 3.86 ERA. A solid 3-pitch mix, his slider is the only plus pitch. Most likely a mid-to-back end starter, Montalvo is a solid prospect in Detroit.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Jace Jung: The highest-rated close to MLB-ready prospect for Detroit, Jung was promoted in August. A bit of an up-and-down start, Jung started off solid. Struggling a bit in his last 4 games, Jung has seen the average drop to .208. Power is the calling card here and Jung will get a chance every day in 2025 to showcase it.
- Ty Madden: Ty Madden had been cruising through 2023, and the start of his 2024 season at Double-A. He hit a rough patch when he was promoted to Triple-A, which made the MLB promotion a bit questionable. A solid first MLB start numbers-wise, Madden got a bit lucky with his 4 hits and 3 walks equaling just one earned run. The 2nd round pick from 2021 is likely here to stay in Detroit and should compete for a starting rotation spot next year.
- Trey Sweeney: Promoted along with Jace Jung, Sweeney has had a bit of a rougher start to his MLB career. 7 for his first 39, Sweeney is hitting sub .200. The hit tool is average at best, but he has the power and speed to be a 20-20 player. With little expectations for the rest of 2024, Sweeney will look to lock down a starting role at the beginning of 2025.
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- Brandon Winokur: A third round pick in 2023, Winokur is looking like a steal. In his first full season, Winokur has hit 13 home runs and stolen 23 bases. The strikeouts are a bit high but he still only 19 years old. 5 stolen bases, 1 home run, and a .295 average in his last 10 games, Winokur is doing it all.
- Eduardo Beltre: The hot-hitting DSL bat, Beltre provided a bit of everything. At 5’11, Beltre doesn’t have an imposing height but has above-average power. A .326/.453/.618 slash line jumps off the page as he hit 11 home runs and stole 10 bases. The concern here is the strikeout rate as he tallied 43 strikeouts in 43 games. A long road ahead, Beltre has plenty of time to adjust his approach at the plate.
- Dameury Pena: One of the quietest prospects, Pena was very impressive in the complex league in 2024. With a plus approach, Pena struck out only 9 times in 36 games and managed 19 walks, 3 home runs, 4 steals, and a .282 average, Pena can provide something in every category. This is an intriguing profile as he likely only hits 10-15 home runs per season. Even with the low power, Pena provides a low strikeout total with a good average and OBP. This could end up being a future MLB leadoff hitter.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Walker Jenkins: With a much-deserved promotion to High-A for what looks to be the number 1 overall prospect in 2025, Jenkins has turned it on. In his last 10 games, he’s hitting .369 with 4 home runs and 5 stolen bases. The extra-base power has been on display for the young outfielder after a slow start in the power department. With the late surge at High-A, Jenkins has earned a start at Double-A in 2025.
- Luke Keaschall: Tommy John is typically a pitcher injury, but position players have seen it increase over the last few years. Unfortunately, Keaschall needs it and will miss the rest of 2024. Possibly one of the biggest rising prospects in 2024, Keaschall was great. Hopefully back in the lineup around mid-2025, Keaschall won’t be playing much of the field.
- David Festa/Zebby Matthews: Two of the more MLB-ready and older pitching prospects both got the call for the Twins. While I’m way higher on Festa than Matthews, both are solid MLB starters. Typically the control guys struggle a bit more and Zebby is coming off a very rough start. Festa has been improving and trending in the right direction. Both are going to be key parts for the Twins in 2025.
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- Welbyn Francisca: The switch-hitting 18-year-old has been phenomenal for the Guardians in 2024. Like Genao, Francisca has done it across two levels and is young for those levels. 7 home runs and 18 stolen bases in just 69 games are great numbers for the 5’8 middle infielder. Francisca and Genao are two of the top prospects to watch in 2025 for the Guardians.
- Angel Genao: The most consistent prospect bat in 2024 for the Guardians, Genao has done it all. With 10 home runs and 25 stolen bases, Genao has done it at 20 years old between Low and High-A. Even with average power, Genao is a fringe top-100 prospect.
- C.J. Kayfus: Kayfus torched High-A and was rising up prospect rankings. The success hasn’t been as prominent at the Double-A level but he’s still performing well. Over his last 10 games, Kayfus has seen an increase in production. With a .315/.419/.548 slash line, with 3 home runs and 2 stolen bases. Given it’s the guardians, he’ll most likely begin 2025 in Double-A. However, with Manzardo being promoted to the Major League level, we could see Kayfus in Triple-A shortly.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Chase DeLauter/Jaison Chourio: Two of the top prospect bats in the Guardians system have suffered injuries. Chourio’s is a little more serious with a broken wrist, thus ending his 2024. DeLauter, who seems to be consistently injured, suffered a hamstring injury. DeLauter being close to MLB-ready is a bit of a bummer, but he should be able to win an everyday role out of spring in 2025.
- Kyle Manzardo: His second attempt at an MLB promotion, Manzardo started off hot with 2 home runs in his first game. Pulling both home runs, Manzardo looked like a true power hitter with 2 beautiful swings. He’ll look to hold down a starting spot for the rest of the season as the Guardians fight for first place.
- Jhonkensy Noel: One of the more impactful call-ups in such a short time, Noel has hit 13 home runs in just 47 games. Noel has true light-tower power. The home runs Noel hits are not cheap ones. The last home run Noel hit was a 450-foot tank that got out in a hurry. Plus plus power gives Noel plenty of value, and he’s continuing to hit at a solid level. Noel has earned an everyday spot in 2025.
Top 10 Prospects
Notable Prospect Performances:
- Jhonayker Ugarte: Ugarte performed at a high level in the DSL as a 17-year-old—.299/.423/.395 slash line and 11 stolen bases. Standing 6’2 and 180 pounds, the raw power is in the frame of Ugarte. With a 30BB:36K ratio, Ugarte showed a solid approach at the plate. Given that he’ll be 18 years old for all of 2025, he’ll most likely spend the year at the Royals complex.
- Hiro Wyatt: Since being promoted to Low-A, Wyatt has found his grove. In 22 Low-A innings, Wyatt has pitched to a 2.45 ERA and struck 25 batters. Wyatt has solid size, standing 6’1, 190 pounds with an athletic delivery. Ramping up for 2025 and a full workload, Wyatt could make his way into the Royals’ top 10 prospects quickly.
- Spencer Nivens: With a hot streak as of late, Nivens has been mashing home runs. Nivens hit 12 home runs in the month of August with some of them being absolute moonshots. A slow season until August, Nivens has come on as of late. Not yet a top 10 system prospect, he holds some value and could move up if this surge is consistent.
Notable Promotions and News:
- Tyler Gentry: One of the older prospects in the Royals system, Gentry had his breakout in 2022. Waiting for a chance since 2022, Gentry has yet to be as productive but is still solid. Gentry received his MLB promotion but with the Royals fighting for the division he most likely won’t see regular playing time. A good power bat, Gentry will need to keep the strikeouts down in order to make it as an everyday player.
- Hyungchan Um: Another older Royals prospect for his level, Um started his age 20 season in the Complex league. He hit .410 in 27 games with 4 home runs and was moved to Low-A Columbia. In 43 games, Um has seen his average sit .200 points lower at .210, with 4 home runs and a .343 OBP. With a long journey ahead of him, Um will need the bat to improve to receive another promotion.
- Eric Cerantola: Closing it out with a 24-year-old reliever, Cerantola has worked around an ugly walk rate in 2024. 45 walks in 66.2 innings, Cerantola was promoted to Triple-A, where he has walked less in a small sample size. With a 2.57 yearly ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in Triple-A, Cerantola is close to pitching out of the pen at the MLB level.