Top prospects for 2024: The LA

The flow of prospects never stops. Several top prospects are due to debut in 2022, including Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and a pair of Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson and Patrolman Riley Greene.

In one year, a talented group of shortstops – led by Dominicans Marco Luciano (Giants) and Noelvi Marte (Mariners), and Anthony Volpe (Yankees) – should reach the Majors, as well as Venezuelan catcher Francisco Álvarez.

All those “graduations” mean new faces will have to replace them on the MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects list. Here, we feature one pledge from each American League organization that should make it to the Top 100 in 2024.

Blue Jays: Gunnar Hoglund, RHP (No. 4)
Hoglund could have cracked the top 10 last July had he not had Tommy John surgery in May. He will be limited in 2022, if he comes back. 2023 looks more likely. Before surgery, he displayed an above-average fastball, slider and changeup, along with solid control.

Orioles: Coby Mayo, 3B (No. 17)
The Orioles selected Mayo in the 2020 Draft, but had to wait until June 2021 to see him in action due to a knee injury. Once he got into the groove, he displayed the offensive potential that made him a prospect in the first place, finishing with a .981 OPS in 53 games between the Florida Complex League and Class-A Baja Delmara.

Rays: Nick Bitsko, RHP (No. 12)
Bitsko had just turned 18 when the Rays selected him in the 2020 Draft. Tampa Bay knew his road to the Majors would be a long one, but then he was delayed even further when he had to have surgery on his right shoulder in December 2020. that same year. By 2024, he should be healthy and experienced enough to make the leap.

Red Sox: Blaze Jordan, 3B (No. 9)
Jordan won his first home run spree at age 11 and hit two 500-footers when he was 13 before being selected in the 2020 Draft. His power has continued to rest on him after his pro debut, hitting .324/.368 /.590 with six homers in 28 games between the rookie level and Lower Class-A.

Yankees: Roderick Arias, SS (No. 1 international prospect)
The Dominican signed for US$4 million in January. He is a five-tool hitter with advanced ability at the plate. He should stay at shortstop, where he has shown an above-average arm.

Guardians: Ángel Martínez, INF (No. 8)
Former catcher Sandy Martinez’s son, Angel, signed for $500,000 in 2018. The switch-hitting Dominican, with an advanced mindset, defensive versatility and baseball smarts, hit .241/.319/.382 with seven homers and 13 stolen bases. in 97 meetings in Class-A Lower, in his first full year as a professional.

Royals: Ben Kudrna, RHP (No. 8)
With a 92-95 mph fastball, a mid-80 mph slider and a changeup that disappears in the low 80s, Kudrna has a solid arsenal. His speed picked up a bit in 2021 and should continue to pick up.

Tigers: Cristian Santana, SS (No. 9)
After signing last January for US$2.95 million, the Dominican made a big impression in his first professional season by hitting .269/.421/.520 with nine home runs and 12 steals in the Dominican Summer League (DSL). By 2024, the 18-year-old slugger right now should have a great combination of power and speed over full seasons in the minors, something that helps make the jump on these lists.

Twins: Chase Petty, RHP (No. 7)
He can throw 100+ mile fastballs with sinking and a pair of 80-mph sliders. It has a change that could be solid in the future. Sure, he’s at risk of ending up as a reliever, but he’s only 18 years old.

White Sox: Colson Montgomery, SS (No. 1)
As a lanky, left-hitting shortstop with great offensive projection, he has begun to draw comparisons to Corey Seager. He hit .287/.396/.362 in his 27 professional debut games.

Athletics: Pedro Pineda, SS (No. 6)
The Dominican signed for $2.5 million in January 2021. He quickly transitioned from DSL to the United States at age 17. He has a lot of tools that still need to be developed, with the talent to hit hard, run well and have a solid arm in the outfield.

Angels: Arol Vera, SS (No. 6)
The Angels gave the Venezuelan $2 million in July 2019 and had to wait two years to see him play. He entered the field a bit out of shape, but then recovered to be able to hit .304 / .370 / .411 between the Arizona Complex League and Class-A Lower. He still has a lot to refine, but he has the conditions.

Astros: Alex Santos, RHP (No. 8)
Santos is one of the best arms to come out of a New York-area high school in the last decade. His 91-96 mph fastball and solid curveball have potential, along with a 3.46 ERA, .205 batting average against and 48 strikeouts in 41.2 stretches in his professional debut at Class-A Baja Fayetteville. .

Mariners: Harry Ford, C (No. 5)
Ford can hit and has a lot of power from the right side of the plate. He can also run, which makes him an unusual Craig Biggio-style player. The Mariners are confident he can continue at the position, but he’s capable of moving to second or center field.

Rangers: Evan Carter, OF (No. 9)
His debut pro season was cut short by injury, though he saw action long enough in 32 games in Lower Class-A to show his patience (34 walks, .438 on-base percentage).