DoubleScoop Baseball

Author: Alex Homick

  • Rookie Analysis & Tool Grades: September 2026

    Rookie Analysis & Tool Grades: September 2026

    We are back with our Rookie Review and Tool Grades series, where we review rookie performances and their long-term fantasy outlooks. The 2026 rookie class is stacked compared to recent years, with 26 rookies registering at least 2.0 fWAR this season. For comparison, just 14 rookies reached that mark in 2025. After going year by year through the FanGraphs rookie leaderboards, 2026 has the most rookies with at least 2.0 fWAR in any season dating back to 2010, speaking to the volume of quality talent coming up this season.

    Our dynasty tool grades are used frequently throughout this series. For clarity, the definitions of each hitter and pitcher tool are below. The grades incorporate data from the previous and current seasons, along with future projections using our custom aging curves over a five-year window. This gives us a longer-term view of each player’s skill set and is consistently being updated for stronger results.

    DoubleScoop Hitter Tools

    • Hit – Player’s ability to put the ball in play and make quality contact.
    • Power – Mix of a player’s raw power and his ability to translate the power into games.
    • Discipline – Player’s ability to maintain a quality approach and make good swing decisions.
    • Speed – Mix of player’s raw speed and their baserunning ability.

    DoubleScoop Pitchers Tools

    • Induced Contact – Pitcher’s ability to limit the quality of contact allowed.
    • Contact Prevention – Pitcher’s ability to generate swings and misses and prevent contact.
    • Control – Pitcher’s ability to throw strikes and limit walks.
    • Arsenal – Quality and diversity of a pitcher’s full pitch mix.

    Past 2026 Rookie Reviews

    Hitters

    Kevin McGongile

    Kevin McGonigle is in the middle of a rookie season that will be remembered by Tigers fans for a long time. His 5.1 fWAR, courtesy of FanGraphs, currently puts him 15th among the best rookie seasons since 2000 and inside the top 100 rookie seasons of all time. I got the chance to watch McGonigle in the AFL in 2025 and labeled him as an impact player with the potential for multiple All-Star appearances. One of the more impressive things I saw in the AFL that year was a foul ball he hit out of the stadium at 118 mph exit velocity, showing the surprising power he can generate despite his smaller stature.

    So far during his rookie season, he has shown an excellent approach with more walks than strikeouts. This plus approach, combined with his elite hit tool, gives him plenty of opportunities to get on base, with a 13.7% BB rate and .376 OBP. This has helped him compile 94 runs through 147 games as the table setter in the Tigers lineup. Though the run production has been strong, he has been around average as a base stealer, with 12 SBs on the season.

    His dynasty tool grades reflect an elite hit tool and discipline, with league-average power and speed. Despite his average power and speed grades, I expect there is more power in the tank, given he is still just 22 years old and have already seen his ability to lift the ball. There are a lot of similarities to Mookie Betts in that they both have near-elite hit tools, great discipline, and can make the most of their raw power by consistently driving the ball in the air at optimal launch angles.

    We currently have McGonigle ranked No. 3 in our latest dynasty SS rankings, with confidence that he can be a consistent year-to-year contributor across all categories. He should maintain a well-above-average hit tool and could push for a batting title during his peak while hitting 20+ HRs each year. For those who had McGonigle before his debut, the investment has been well worth the wait, and he should be one of the most valuable players in dynasty/keeper leagues.

    Travis Bazzana

    The 2024 first overall pick made his way quickly through the Guardians system, debuting at the end of April after slashing .287/.422/.511 in 23 Triple-A games with the Columbus Clippers. Since being called up, he’s been a useful player but hasn’t quite shown the star potential you would associate with a former first overall pick.

    The bat has been above average during his rookie season, with a 113 wRC+ and .249/.342/.408 slash line through his first 115 games. His strong 11.2% BB rate has helped drive his above-average OBP, giving him opportunities to use his speed with 19 SBs on the season. He should be able to maintain a strong BB rate throughout his career, as he has already shown a good eye and avoids chasing pitches out of the zone.

    Looking at his pitch-type splits, Bazzana does a good job against fastballs, with a .343 xwOBA and 17.8% whiff rate against all fastballs. However, he has really struggled against offspeed and breaking pitches, with his whiff rates climbing above 30% against both pitch types. Pitchers and teams appear to be taking notice of this hole, as he has seen noticeably fewer fastballs since the start of July, being attacked with more breaking and offspeed pitches. This indicates Bazzana will need to adjust to the better secondary pitches he is seeing in MLB.

    I view Bazzana as a high-floor vs high-ceiling player, given his strong on-base skills and value on the basepaths. Looking at his player comps through our dynasty tool grades, the development of his power will be the key to how much upside he ultimately has, with Brice Turang as the best current comp for his future skill set.

    Overall, Bazzana is holding his own as a rookie this season, with more value in OBP leagues due to his strong BB rate. He remains a strong dynasty/keeper option, as there is reason to think there could be further growth as he learns to handle MLB secondary pitches and becomes more aggressive on pitches in the zone. He currently ranks as our No. 6 dynasty 2B as of our July update and is still a buy in dynasty/keeper leagues.

    Carter Jensen

    Jensen was on many people’s draft radars before the season given his 20-game sample in MLB in 2025, when he slashed .300/.391/.550 with a 159 wRC+. While it may have been unreasonable to expect something close to this level of production over the course of a full season, there were still good reasons to buy into him. His underlying data was strong, with 74.8 mph bat speed, a 17.4% K rate, and 20.8% barrel rate.

    Over the course of his first full season, his K rate has regressed closer to his MiLB averages, but he has continued to show above-average power and discipline, with 25 HRs and an 11.1% BB rate. Looking at rookie seasons among catchers since 2000, he currently ranks third in HRs, showcasing the power potential he showed throughout the minors and during his 2025 debut.

    This season, he has also been a staple in the Royals lineup, playing nearly every day. His 141 games played rank third among catchers this season, while he ranks sixth in PA, showing the ability to stay healthy and grind through a full season. I would expect him to continue getting opportunities at DH on days he is off behind the dish, especially with Salvador Perez nearing the end of his career, which could open up more opportunities to rest his legs while keeping his bat in the Royals lineup. Volume at the catcher position can be tough to find, so his consistent playing time adds to his fantasy value.

    His dynasty tool grades show plus power and discipline, with the discipline helping make up for his below average hit tool. He compares similarly to sluggers Max Muncy and Kyle Stowers, both of whom have 30-HR upside but also have low batting-average floors.

    Jensen should continue to be an everyday catcher with a strong enough bat to get opportunities at DH on his days off, helping boost his counting stats. He has a pretty safe floor as a 20+ HR hitter and could reach 30+ HRs during his peak seasons. He currently ranks as our No. 13 dynasty C in our latest July update and is a strong candidate to move higher in our next update.

    Sam Antonacci

    Antonacci was another player I was able to watch during the 2025 AFL season. Outside of Kevin McGonigle, Sam Antonacci and Josh Adamczewski were two of my favorite players I watched. In my AFLL hitter notes, I labeled Antonacci as an everyday major leaguer with a high floor, noting his balanced swing and feel for using the full field.

    After playing in the WBC with Team Italy, he started this season in Triple-A but quickly found himself called up by mid-April and has not looked back. Through 112 games, he is slashing .271/.367/.392 with 8 HRs and 18 SBs. While he ranks in the bottom 25% of the league in hard-hit rate and average exit velocity, he shows a great feel for contact, with an 89.9% in-zone contact rate and 15.1% whiff rate.

    His dynasty tool grades are led by his plus hit tool, with the only below-average tool being his power. However, our model sees room for him to grow into average power as he ages into his mid-to-late 20s. I do have some doubt regarding the model’s power growth. He will need to make more noticeable changes to his swing and approach to really tap into league-average power as he has below-average bat speed and his average attack direction is 7 degrees to the opposite field.

    Even if the power remains below average, he still projects as a productive real-life and fantasy player. His player comps based on the dynasty tool grades are Luke Keaschall and Jakob Marsee, both of whom have plus hit tools with above-average speed and discipline.

    As of our latest July dynasty rankings update, he is our No. 30 OF, though he is likely to retain some multi-position eligibility at 2B depending on league eligibility rules. He is not a high-ceiling player but can be a high-floor option who should contribute to AVG/OBP, runs, and SBs. The improved White Sox offense should also help his overall floor over the next few years.

    Pitchers

    Nolan McLean

    Nolan McLean is a budding ace for the Mets, who are searching for positive signs from a lost season in which they currently sit last in their division. McLean, a former multi-sport athlete at Oklahoma State University (the real OSU), was a redshirt on the football team his freshman year. He was also a two-way player during college, primarily as a hitter. He only started focusing on pitching full-time during the 2025 season, the same year he would make his MLB debut. Now in 2026, he ranks third in pitcher WAR behind only Parker Messick and Peyton Tolle, who have been having breakout rookie seasons of their own.

    McLean has one of my favorite arsenals in MLB, throwing three different fastballs with plus velocity, three breaking balls with elite movement/plus velocity, and a changeup with good separation from his fastballs. It’s very rare for a pitcher to have three above-average pitches, but in McLean’s case, he has five above-average pitches according to Stuff+.

    For reference, our dynasty tool grades rank his arsenal as the sixth best among pitchers, behind only Garrett Crochet, Peyton Tolle, Tarik Skubal, Eury Pérez, and The Miz.

    Looking closer at his pitch heat maps, he appears to have average command of his four-seam and sinker, with the hot spots on his heat maps being relatively concentrated. When looking at his secondaries, the hot spots are more sporadic, indicating less command of those pitches. This could be due in part to the large movement profiles of his secondaries, as pitches with more movement can be harder to control and land consistently in the zone. This seems like something he should be able to improve as he continues to gain experience on the mound.

    Pulling up his dynasty tool grades, he compares similarly to Zack Wheeler who shares almost the same exact pitch movement and velocity. As McLean continues to develop, I would expect his command to push closer to league average. Given the success of his sinker, I expect him to continue using it as his primary fastball, which could limit his overall whiff totals at a glance.

    McLean is well positioned to be the Mets’ ace for the foreseeable future and should put up above-average K rates. He has one of the best arsenals in MLB and just needs to continue refining his command to really take the next step forward. I’m confident that he is a pitcher to target, as he should provide volume and Ks with a strong ERA/WHIP. He currently ranks as our No. 11 SP in our July dynasty rankings.

    Trey Yesavage

    I find Trey Yesavage to be a polarizing pitcher. He made his debut late in the 2025 season and stood out in that year’s playoffs, going 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA and 39 Ks in 27.2 innings. This included two 10+ K games against the Yankees in the ALDS and Dodgers in the World Series. Jumping forward to this season, I’ve seen him struggle to touch the zone, including two starts in which he walked seven hitters. All that said, he has shown positive signs during his rookie year with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 23.6% K rate, and .180 batting average against. On the downside, his 4.56 SIERA is almost a full run higher than his ERA, while his 11.9% BB rate and .215 BABIP raise some concerns about the sustainability of his current results.

    Yesavage stands out for having an extremely over-the-top arm angle at 66 degrees, registering as the highest arm angle among right-handed pitchers this season and second only to Alex Vesia in MLB. He currently uses a three-pitch mix with a four-seam, splitter, and slider, though he is primarily a two-pitch pitcher when breaking down his repertoire against LHB and RHB.

    While he generates a whiff rate above 40% with his slider against RHB and splitter against LHB, the limited mix raises concerns for me long term as hitters make adjustments and see him multiple times. His limited pitch mix against each side of the plate also leads him to become very four-seam heavy when behind in counts. This could leave him susceptible to hitters sitting on the four-seam in advantageous counts. Though the data is limited, his career times-through-the-order splits also show that he has had a tough time facing hitters for a third time.

    His dynasty tool grades compare similarly to José Soriano and Kyle Bradish, though it’s worth noting that all three pitchers have vastly different arsenals and arm slots. While Yesavage currently has a 35 Command grade and 50 Arsenal grade for 2026, our dynasty model sees growth in both categories over the coming seasons, likely aided by the fact that he is still just 22 years old. Improvement in his command and/or adding more depth to his arsenal would go a long way toward increasing my confidence in him as a long-term starter, as I still have some doubts with his current profile.

    Yesavage is certainly a unique pitcher who can generate plenty of whiffs but also has some major flaws. At just 22 years old, there is plenty of time for him to add new pitches to his Arsenal, diversify his pitch usage, and improve his Command. As it stands now, Yesavage is not someone I am currently targeting in fantasy leagues, as I have a hard time buying into a starter with his current level of command and lack of arsenal depth. He is our No. 52 dynasty SP in our latest update, and 2027 should tell us a lot about whether he can make adjustments to his pitch mix or show improvement in his Command.

    Walbert Ureña

    Ureña has burst onto the scene in 2026 with a strong rookie season. He came as a surprise for me, as he was ranked as the Angels’ No. 23 prospect by FanGraphs entering 2026. On the season, he has pitched to a 2.88 ERA and 4.31 SIERA with an 11.0% K-BB%, suggesting he could be due for some regression based on his underlying performance.

    Ureña has a four-pitch mix, leading with his changeup 34% of the time, followed by his sinker (33%), four-seam (19%), and sweeper (14%). He has strong velocity, averaging over 97 mph on both his four-seam and sinker, as well as plus velocity on both his sweeper and changeup. Stuff+ grades three of his pitches as above average, with the sinker, sweeper, and changeup all grading above average among SPs. Both of his secondaries have also been effective this season with whiff rates above 30%, indicating there could be room for improvement from his current 22.4% K rate.

    His changeup/sinker-heavy pitch mix does a great job of generating ground balls, with a 55.1% GB rate on the season, while also limiting hard contact with a 36.4% hard-hit rate and 5.6% barrel rate. This ability to generate ground balls and limit quality contact has been a big reason why he has been able to outperform his ERA indicators this season.

    Our dynasty tool grades show Ureña as a pitcher who excels at limiting quality contact. Other RHPs who prevent quality contact at a similar level with otherwise average-ish tools Our dynasty tool grades show Ureña as a pitcher who excels at limiting quality contact. Other RHPs who prevent quality contact at a similar level with otherwise average-ish tools include Landen Roupp and Drew Anderson. Of this group, Ureña easily has the best velocity, averaging around 98 mph on his fastballs. However, his four-seam shape lacks ride and arm-side run, leaving his sinker as his best fastball.

    Ureña is going to have plenty of chances to succeed, even if he runs into some poor stretches, as the Angels do not have a lot of established starting pitching outside of Reid Detmers. There is even a chance Detmers gets traded, potentially leaving Ureña with an opportunity to pitch at the top of the rotation by the start of next season. Ureña will likely be most useful for fantasy due to his volume, as he currently lacks the K and win upside of higher-end fantasy starters. However, his ERA and WHIP ratios should remain useful, and he could provide more value in quality-start leagues than leagues that use wins. He is currently outside our top 75 dynasty SPs as of our July update but is likely to find himself on the list in our end of the season update.

    Jake Bennett

    Boston has been spitting out quality left-handed pitching lately, with Peyton Tolle, Jake Bennett, and Connelly Early (traded to the Nationals for Curtis Mead) all having strong 2026 rookie seasons. Bennett had a strong track record of success in the minor leagues, posting a 2.27 ERA in 2025 across High-A and Double-A and a 1.60 ERA in Triple-A this season. Despite the success, he ranked as the Red Sox’s No. 9 prospect heading into the season. In his first 19 starts in the big leagues, he has thrown 109.2 innings with a 3.78 ERA and 90 Ks against just 20 BBs. While striking out hitters at a below-average rate, he has been able to succeed by mixing speeds and commanding his deep pitch mix.

    Bennett is a big dude, listed at 6’6″ and 235 lbs. He has a big frame along with a smooth delivery, giving him a great foundation to work with. His velocity is just below average for a LHP at 92.8 mph, but I could see him gaining a tick over time. While lacking plus velocity, he has found success keeping hitters off balance with the six-pitch mix shown below.

    His best pitches by run value are his sinker and changeup, which he uses a combined 50% of the time. He primarily uses his four-seam to attack the top of the zone, while he does a great job locating his changeup at the bottom or below the zone. The sweeper and changeup are both strong swing-and-miss pitches, with whiff rates above 30%. Paired with a strong 37.4% chase rate, there is reason to think he could improve upon his current 20.4% K rate.

    Our dynasty tool grades give him two above-average to plus tools, really liking his command and induced contact. He profiles similarly to Trevor Rogers, who shares many of the same traits, including his size, pitch mix, and dynasty tool grades. I don’t think Bennett is likely to have a season like Rogers did in 2025, when he went 9-3 with a 1.81 ERA in 109.2 innings. However, both profile as valuable mid-to-back-end rotation pieces who are more useful in deeper fantasy leagues.

    Patrick Sandoval is a free agent at the end of the season, giving Bennett a better chance to stick in the rotation next year. I imagine he slots in near the back of the Red Sox rotation in 2027 behind Garrett Crochet, Peyton Tolle, Sonny Gray, and Ranger Suárez, pending any free-agent signings. For fantasy, I like him more as a streamer who can be started in favorable matchups and will have more value in deeper leagues or draft-and-holds. He is currently outside our top 75 dynasty SPs in our latest July update.

    Past 2026 Rookie Reviews

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  • Rookie Analysis & Tool Grades: August 2026

    Rookie Analysis & Tool Grades: August 2026

    Kicking off our 2026 Rookie Analysis and Tool Grades series where we will take a closer look at this year’s rookie class. In these articles, we will provide a quick overview of each player’s season to date, assign tool grades, provide player comps, and fantasy outlook.

    Our dynasty tool grades will be used frequently in these series. For clarity, the definitions of each hitter and pitcher tool are included below. These are calculated using data from the current season and applies a custom aging curve to project the players tools over a five-year window, inclusive of the current season. We can also compare these tool grades to previous seasons to evaluate how a player’s profile has changed.

    DoubleScoop Hitter Tools

    • Hit – Player’s ability to put the ball in play and make quality contact.
    • Power – Mix of a player’s raw power and his ability to translate the power into games.
    • Discipline – Player’s ability to maintain a quality approach and make good swing decisions.
    • Speed – Mix of player’s raw speed and their baserunning ability.

    DoubleScoop Pitchers Tools

    • Induced Contact – Pitcher’s ability to limit the quality of contact allowed.
    • Contact Prevention – Pitcher’s ability to generate swings and misses and prevent contact.
    • Control – Pitcher’s ability to throw strikes and limit walks.
    • Arsenal – Quality and diversity of a pitcher’s full pitch mix.

    With that lets kick off the 2026 rookie review series.

    Hitters

    JJ Wetherholt

    Wetherholt (23) has made an immediate impact in the MLB, trailing only rookie phenom Kevin McGonigle (4.7) in fWAR among rookie hitters with a 4.1 fWAR. Coming up through the minors, he showed no real weaknesses, posting a K rate under 15% at each level while maintaining a batting average over .300 and displaying a mix of power and speed.

    To date in his rookie season, he is hitting .246/.349/.383 with 16 HRs and 12 SBs while leading off every day for the Cardinals. Earning the leadoff spot out of spring training showed the belief the Cardinals had in him, which was further reinforced by an eight-year, $112.5 million extension that has him signed through the 2034 season.

    Our dynasty tool grades love Wetherholt, comparing him to Brice Turang, highlighting the all-around fantasy value he brings.

    There are no clear holes in Wetherholt’s game, and he should be an all-around contributor in both fantasy and real life. The biggest area for growth is his home run production. At his peak, he could push toward a 25-30 HR season if he grows into more power, but even without reaching that ceiling, he should consistently provide 20+ HRs with strong slash lines and run production.

    Wetherholt projects as one of the top fantasy second basemen for years to come, already ranking inside the top three at the position in our latest 2B dynasty rankings alongside Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Brice Turang.

    Carson Benge

    Carson Benge (23) had a strong showing in his first full season in the minors in 2025, slashing .281/.385/.472 with 15 HRs and 22 SBs. He was rumored to be the favorite for one of the Mets’ outfield jobs heading into the season and ultimately won the job out of spring training. I was thrilled with this news, as I had multiple shares of Benge in NFBC DC leagues and a ROTY wager that I placed in Vegas while on a work trip.

    While starting the season near the bottom of the order, he shook off a slow April and has since spent the majority of the season in the leadoff spot. The slow start was no joke either. As shown by his monthly wRC+, he was roughly 50% worse than the average hitter through March/April, a start that could have been demotion-worthy in some organizations.

    However, the Mets’ faith in Benge has paid off, with him producing as an above-average hitter in every month since while totaling 13 HRs and 18 SBs on the season.

    With the Mets looking toward the future, Benge should be a big part of this Mets core going forward. Our dynasty tool grades love his profile as an all-around fantasy contributor, with similar grades to young outfielders Andy Pages and Daylen Lile.

    Benge should play better in BA leagues than OBP leagues as his discipline grades out as his biggest weakness and is slightly below league average. However, he should consistently contribute 20+ SBs, with the potential to develop into a yearly 20+ HR hitter if he can tap into his pull-side power more consistently. Before the season, he ranked as our top OF prospect, and in our latest update, he has climbed into the top 25 dynasty outfielders alongside the likes of Michael Harris II, Mike Trout, Chase DeLauter, and Cody Bellinger.

    Kazuma Okamoto

    Coming over from Japan on a four-year, $60 million deal with the Blue Jays, there were expectations for Okamoto to contribute right out of the gate. While the Blue Jays have largely disappointed since their World Series appearance last year, Okamoto has at least proven he was worth the investment. Slashing .225/.298/.430 with 24 HRs and 70 RBIs, he has been a key run producer for the Blue Jays this season, providing much-needed thump in the lineup.

    Okamoto has been able to translate his above-average 73.2 mph bat speed into game power, posting a 12.6% barrel-rate and 90.4 mph average exit velocity. The larger concern is his hit tool, as he has a 31.3% K rate on the season, contributing heavily to his low batting average.

    Our dynasty tool grades reflect that profile, comparing him to other slugging infielders Brandon Lowe, Wilson Contreras, and Brady House. There is plus power to his profile, but the rest of the tools remain average at best, limiting Okamoto’s fantasy value tied highly to his HR and RBII production.

    With Okamoto already 30 years old, there is likely not much room for growth, with the hitter we are seeing now likely a strong representation of who he will be going forward. I could see some short-term gains in his K rate and batting average over the next year or two as he becomes more accustomed to MLB pitching, though he will likely continue to profile as a low-batting-average slugger capable of 25-30 HRs over the next few seasons. As of our latest 3B dynasty rankings, he is listed as a top 10 dynasty third baseman.

    TJ Rumfield

    TJ Rumfield is an older rookie at 26 years old and is in the middle of his rookie season with the Rockies after spending time in both the Phillies and Yankees minor league systems. While being an above-average hitter during his time in the upper minors, he never got his opportunity with the Yankees.

    In his first taste of MLB action, he is slashing .299/.377/.464 with 13 HRs across 459 PA. While lacking the typical plus power of a first baseman, he has been productive by keeping his K rate under 15% and providing solid run production in the middle of the Rockies lineup.

    Looking at his dynasty tool grades, Rumfield grades out with a plus hit tool but lacks another standout tool, with his discipline being his next-best attribute at slightly above league average.

    For a long-term outlook, our tool grades see similarities to Brendan Donovan and Ozzie Albies. While Rumfield lacks standout bat speed, exit velocities, or barrel rates, he has been able to get to more of his power by consistently his pulling fly balls at a 21.4% rate. Albies is an interesting example of how this approach can maximize a below average raw power profile, as despite also receiving a 40 Power grade, he has produced two 30+ HR seasons while averaging a 23.2% pull-air rate in his career.

    Rumfield should continue to have fantasy value due to a strong floor while batting in the middle of the order at Coors Field, but he lacks the raw tools to project as a fantasy star. He isn’t someone I would be targeting in trades or acquisitions, but he can be a back-end roster option who provides consistent ABs and run production without hurting your batting average.

    Pitchers

    Payton Tolle

    One of my bigger recent fantasy regrets will be choosing Jonah Tong as a keeper over Peyton Tolle in one of my main keeper leagues that I co-manage with Kyle, one of our other DoubleScoop contributors. Funny enough, he has his own personal story of losing Tolle in a different dynasty league that we play in together as well.

    Despite the DoubleScoop team’s inability to buy into Tolle early, we are changing course and have come to love what he has become in his first full season with the Red Sox. As of the time of writing, the 23-year-old has posted a 3.20 ERA with 124 Ks in 107 innings, along with a 1.10 WHIP and 21.8% K-BB%, all strong marks for a pitcher let alone one in their first full season.

    Drafted out of TCU, Tolle was heralded for his great extension, measured this year at 7.4 feet, along with a plus fastball from the left side that now averages 96.0 mph. Similar to teammate Garrett Crochet, Tolle heavily relies on a three-fastball mix, with his four-seam (47%), sinker (22%), and cutter (20%) accounting for roughly 89% of his total pitch usage. When including his curveball and changeup, which are used more sparingly, all of his pitches grade out as average or better by Stuff+, highlighting the strong arsenal Tolle has at his disposal.

    There is really no weak spot in Tolle’s game right now, as he does a good job limiting walks (6.7% BB rate) and hard contact (35.5% Hard-Hit rate), while also posting a solid 28.5% K rate. Our dynasty tool grades have him as one of only four left-handed pitchers with above-average grades in every category, putting him alongside some of the best left-handed starters in baseball.

    Tolle still has room to improve his ability to miss bats and potentially reach an elite level given he is still just 23 years old. One example is increasing his curveball usage, which currently has a 48.5% whiff rate but is used only 9% of the time. Increasing its usage could give Tolle another weapon for generating whiffs and potentially push his strikeout rate to 30%.

    Overall, Tolle is one of the most exciting young left-handed pitchers currently in MLB. In our latest Starting Pitcher Dynasty Rankings, he ranks as our No. 15 SP, with the upside to continue climbing as he further establishes himself. We expect him to serve as the long-term No. 2 behind Garrett Crochet as part of a strong Red Sox rotation.

    Parker Messick

    Parker Messick has been the most valuable rookie pitcher in 2026, accumulating 3.5 fWAR. He showed this potential after just missing the rookie cutoff in 2025, posting a 2.72 ERA with 38 Ks across 39.2 innings. Now in 2026, the Guardians would not be within reach of the AL Central lead without Messick’s contributions to the pitching staff.

    Messick has found success by limiting walks throughout his MLB career with a 6.2% BB rate, while also limiting hard contact (32.2% hard-hit rate) and HRs (0.87 HR/9). His bread and butter are his four-seam, changeup, and sinker, with the four-seam and changeup serving as his primary combination against RHB. Against LHB, he relies heavily on the four-seam and sinker while increasing his slider usage, though the slider has been hit hard at times.

    Interestingly, Messick has shown a reverse platoon split to date, with LHB (.297 wOBA) performing slightly better against him than RHB (.273 wOBA). This could be tied to his fastball/changeup-heavy approach being better suited to attack RHB, even though opposing teams are likely to continue leaning toward RHB-heavy lineups against the left-handed Messick.

    Messick has also seen a velocity increase since 2025, with his average fastball velocity jumping from 92.8 mph to 94.2 mph, putting him slightly above average for left-handed pitchers. However, pure stuff isn’t what makes Messick a great pitcher. That’s likely part of why he never pushed toward the top of prospect lists and flew somewhat under the radar in fantasy circles. His biggest strength is his ability to limit quality contact at an elite level.

    Looking at our dynasty pitching tool grades, Messick grades out similarly to Ranger Suárez, another left-hander known for limiting barrels and walks while maintaining respectable strikeout rates.

    Messick has better velocity than Suárez, and it will be interesting to see how he continues to evolve an arsenal that is currently very reliant on the four-seam, sinker, and changeup. He introduced a new cutter this season, showing an ability and willingness to add new pitches to his repertoire. He could benefit from throwing his changeup more often to LHB, especially with his slider being hit hard by same-handed hitters this season. Developing a sweeper could be another option that improves his ability to generate whiffs against LHB.

    Overall, Messick should continue to be a strong fantasy pitcher with top-30 upside in most seasons as long as he is healthy, providing solid ERAs and modest strikeout totals. Ranger Suárez with more velocity remains the best comp, and Messick ranks as our No. 36 SP in our latest 2026 SP Dynasty Rankings.

    Bubba Chandler

    Even with a similar mustache to LSU Paul Skenes, Bubba Chandler has not quite been able to channel his inner ace. Chandler showed some promise with a 4.02 ERA and 2.66 FIP across 31.1 innings in 2025 but has seen those numbers regress to a 4.26 ERA and 4.16 FIP in 2026.

    Chandler has elite fastball velocity, averaging 98.5 mph, and pairs it with a solid low-90s changeup and 90.7 mph gyro slider that make up 85% of his pitch usage. Fangraphs liked his fastball and changeup as a prospect, assigning a 70 future grade to both pitches. Stuff+, on the other hand, likes his four-seam/slider combination, with both grading above average at 104 and 107, respectively. Despite the quality of the pitches, he has yet to fully realize their potential and has struggled to generate whiffs in 2026, posting a below-average 23.5% whiff rate.

    This year, he has added a sweeper and sinker that have been used primarily against RHB, though they still represent only 11% of his total pitch usage. He also mixes in a mid-80s curveball 3% of the time. However, the sweeper and curveball lack significant separation from his slider and have yet to be used prominently, suggesting these pitches may still need refinement, The expanded pitch mix has yet to have a significant impact on his arsenal grade year over year.

    One potential adjustment could be increasing his slider usage. Jared Jones and Jacob Degrom both have similar four-seams and sliders in terms of velocity and shape, but use their slider more than 35% of the time compared to Chandler at 21%.

    Chandler’s strikeout production has yet to match his premium velocity and raw stuff, but I expect him to take a step forward as he continues to develop as an MLB pitcher. While he is not likely to match the 3.2% BB rate he showed in his 2025 debut, the current 12.2% rate is high even him, as he ranged from an 8% to 12% BB rate in the upper minors.

    He should continue to fit into the Pirates rotation behind Paul Skenes, Braxton Ashcraft, and Jared Jones, giving him some of the most upside of any No. 4 starter in baseball. He currently ranks as our No. 56 SP in our updated Dynasty SP Rankings, largely due to our continued belief in his upside.

    Foster Griffin

    Foster Griffin was a nice success story for the Nationals this year after being signed out of the NPB in Japan following three seasons overseas. His breakout allowed the Nats to trade Griffin to the Guardians for a four-player haul, including left-handed pitcher Josh Hartle, who I think is a very underrated pitching prospect.

    Griffin has found success with a deep seven-pitch mix that he uses to keep hitters off balance, led by his cutter at 33% usage. He also varies his pitch mix considerably based on hitter handedness, most notably leaning more heavily on his sweeper against LHH while increasing his cutter usage against RHH.

    While only striking out 22.4% of the hitters he has faced, Griffin does a good job limiting walks with a 5.9% BB rate while generating ground balls at a 45.4% GB rate. His lack of velocity, averaging 91.5 mph on his four-seam, limits his upside, as hitters are still able to make contact in the zone at a respectable 83.8% rate.

    Our dynasty tool grades have him profiling similarly to Orioles LHP Trevor Rogers, who also possesses strong command and a solid changeup. Griffin has a deeper collection of breaking balls to turn to, which could give him an advantage in generating additional whiffs and chase.

    While Griffin has had plenty of success in 2026 with a 12-4 record and 3.31 ERA, most ERA estimators point toward regression, including his 4.08 xERA, 4.20 FIP, and 3.80 SIERA. At 31 years old, there also isn’t much developmental upside left to project. Griffin was not included in our top 75 Dynasty Starting Pitcher Rankings and is a good sell-high candidate for fantasy managers looking to capitalize on his strong first half.

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  • Fantasy Baseball Trade Deadline Save Targets for 2026

    Fantasy Baseball Trade Deadline Save Targets for 2026

    Every year the MLB trade deadline creates new opportunities for fantasy managers searching for saves. Contending teams look to strengthen their bullpens, while rebuilding clubs often move veteran relievers, opening the door for new closers during the final two months of the season.

    Last year we looked at non-closers and handcuffs who had the potential to step into the closer role following the trade deadline. My 2025 top five were:

    2025 Top 5 Save Pickup Rankings

    1. Griffin Jax
    2. Randy Rodriguez
    3. Cade Smith
    4. Dennis Santana
    5. Jose A. Ferrer

    While Griffin Jax and Randy Rodriguez never fully emerged as fantasy closers in 2025, Cade Smith, Dennis Santana, and Jose A. Ferrer combined for 35 saves after the article was published, reinforcing how valuable these speculative adds can become during the second half.

    This year’s list focuses on pitchers who could inherit ninth-inning duties if their current closer is traded, loses the job, or lands on the injured list. To keep the list actionable, I only included pitchers currently rostered in fewer than 25% of CBS leagues.

    2026 Save Pickup Rankings

    1. Garrett Whitlock (23% owned)
    2. Kyle Finnegan (7% owned)
    3. Elvis Alvarado (10% owned)
    4. Sam Bachman (3% owned)
    5. Andrew Morris (8% owned)
    6. Luke Weaver (23% owned)
    7. Jeremiah Estrada (7% owned)
    8. Jordan Romano (8% owned)
    9. Erik Miller (2% owned)
    10. Tejay Antone (1% owned)

    Boston Red Sox

    With Boston seemingly out of playoff contention this year, Aroldis Chapman could become an attractive trade candidate at this year’s deadline. This opens the door for Garret Whitlock to step into the closing role after having been one of the Red Sox’s most valuable pitchers out of the bullpen behind Chapman. While Whitlock does not possess elite velocity or a high K%, he limits walks and damage. Combined with years of experience pitching out of Boston’s bullpen, I think he’s the clear favorite as the next man up.

    Detroit Tigers

    Detroit appears headed toward another selling deadline, making Kenley Jansen one of the more obvious trade candidates. With only a club option remaining on his contract, moving the veteran closer makes plenty of sense. If that happens, Kyle Finnegan immediately becomes one of the favorites for save opportunities, having already recorded more than 100 saves in his career. While his K% has taken a big dip this year, he should still have plenty of value heading into the final months of the season and I think he’s one of the most likely pitchers on this list to notch 10+ saves.

    Athletics

    The Athletics have used a committee for much of the season, with seven different pitchers recording multiple saves, including Hogan Harris, Mark Leiter Jr., Jack Perkins, and Elvis Alvarado. Of everyone in that committee, Elvis Alvarado has the highest upside, with a fastball averaging close to 99 mph and a slider averaging 88.1 mph. While he hasn’t run away with this role and currently has a 4.94 ERA on the season, his SIERA sits at a 2.86 and a K% above 30%, showing that better days could be ahead of him in the Athletics bullpen as they search for their closer of the future. Alvarado carries more risk than Finnegan, but he also has some of the highest upside if Oakland finally settles on a full-time closer.

    Los Angeles Angels

    With Jordan Romano now on the Rockies, Kirby Yates, Ryan Zeferjahn, and Sam Bachman are now the primary options for saves out of the bullpen. While Yates currently has the edge for save chances, I think his time could be running short in Anaheim. At 39 years old and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, he could find himself shipped off to a contender looking for bullpen help at the trade deadline.

    If Yates is dealt, Sam Bachman, a former 2021 1st rounder, is my favorite to take over the ninth inning. Bachman has led the team in holds this season, serving as one of the go-to arms to keep the lead. While Zeferjahn may have better raw stuff than Bachman, I give Bachman the edge to take over the closer role due to his usage this year in high leverage spots and having stronger command.

    Minnesota Twins

    Yoendrys Gomez has served as the primary closer for the Twins, posting a 1.71 ERA and recording 10+ saves since joining the club this season.  While the results with the Twins have been strong, over the course of the full year he still has a 3.50 ERA with an xERA more than 1.5 runs higher at 5.22, suggesting there is likely regression coming his way. This is also supported by his 9.6% K-BB%, which is well below what you would want to see. If Gomez starts to struggle, I could see the Twins experimenting with Andrew Morris closing games out.

    Morris has primarily served as a starter during his career, and there’s still a chance the Twins eventually stretch him back out. That said, it’s hard to ignore someone who has arguably been the team’s best reliever this season, especially given Minnesota’s lack of quality bullpen depth. This is more of a gamble if you’re desperate for saves but could pay off in the final months of the season.

    Follow us on X @2BScoopBaseball or @DoubleScoopBaseball on IG and reach out with any comments, feedback or questions!

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  • Dynasty Baseball: Undervalued Targets for June 2026

    Dynasty Baseball: Undervalued Targets for June 2026

    Intro

    We are over two months now into the 2026 season and us dynasty managers are either starting to boost our roster for a championship run, or starting to plan for the next few years. Here we will look at a few players who should be relatively cheap to acquire via trade or even possibly waivers/free agency depending on the league size. Regardless of the league size, these are players that I think should be owned in most dynasty formats and will provide strong value going forward. For this article, I tried to avoid including rookies and prospects who I will go into more depth later this season in prospect and rookie review articles where we will dive into rookie performances, dynasty outlooks, as well as player comps.

    As a reminder, I often times reference skill grades in these articles which are our own custom player indexes that we have broken down into the below tools on a 20-80 scale.

    Hitters: Hit, Power, Discipline, Speed

    Pitchers: Induced Contact, Contact Prevention, Command/Control, Arsenal

    With that, let’s dive into the June 2026 Dynasty Player Targets.

    Hitters

    Curtis Mead

    Mead (25) is starting to get consistent everyday playing time with the Nationals and starting to finally come through on some of the prospect pedigree. As a Rays prospect, Fangraphs had him as a 55-grade FV player with a 50 future hit tool and a 55 future game power with 60 future raw power.

    During 2023-2025, Mead showed an average hit tool but graded below average in power and discipline while playing 2B/3B. Ultimately, this level of production was not enough and he was eventually traded to the White Sox organization. He must have taken some tips from Miguel Vargas before he left, as this year he has gone on a breakout fueled by more power and improved, but still average discipline.

    This year, as of the time of writing, he has a career low 58.6% zone-swing rate (67.0% is MLB average) and 24.7% chase rate (28.5% is MLB average), indicating not only is he laying off pitches outside the zone better, but also being more selective on the pitches he swings at in the zone. More specifically, he has been able to lower his chase rate on low pitches out of the zone.

    This shows that Mead is honing in his approach and looking for more specific pitches on the middle and inside part of the zone where he does most of his damage. This is also reflected in his career-high 46.7% pull rate, up from his 38.5% career average.

    With these changes, our custom player skill grades (present/future) now grade him:

    These grades look very similar to Miguel Vargas in 2025 with slightly worse discipline, and we see Mead as a strong buy right now in dynasty leagues.

    Cam Smith

    Cam Smith (23) had tons of hype going into the 2025 season as he had a great spring training and earned himself a spot on the opening day roster. The overall results were not great in 2025 with a .298 wOBA, 9 HRs, and 8 SBs in 134 games, and I even suggested that a demotion may be in order for him to work on his approach during his 2025 Rookie Review.

    Smith showed plus bat speed last year and has improved his average bat speed by significantly increasing his fast-swing rate by 25%, averaging 77.0 mph which puts Cam Smith into the upper echelon of bat speed. He has also made some adjustments at the plate by setting up roughly five inches deeper in the box and about two inches farther off the plate allowing him more time to see pitches.

    While these changes have not led to large increases in production with a .296 wOBA on the season there are some under the hood improvements to be excited about. His xwOBA has increased to .337 signaling he will have some positive regression in the second half of the season. His barrel rate is also up from 6.9% to 13.3%, almost doubling year over year, showing that he is starting to translate his raw power into game power.

    Our custom player skill grades built off 2026 data (present/future) now has him at a 40/45 hit, 60/75 power, 50/55 discipline, and 55/60 speed. The present/future grades have him similar to Byron Buxton, who always had plus raw tools but struggled to stay healthy long enough to put together a complete season.

    Cam Smith is a great buy for dynasty managers looking to build for future seasons and has the potential to put together a 30-30 season during peak seasons.

    Jakob Marsee

    Marsee (25) is off to a slow start in 2026 with a .200/.330/.300 slash line after posting a great .292/.363/.478 slash line during his debut season in 2025. While the performance is not where fantasy managers want it to be, he is still showing a great knack for getting on base and stealing bases with 17 SBs through 70 games played.

    Unlike some other speed-first players such as Chandler Simpson, Victor Scott, Jake McCarthy, and Brenton Doyle, Marsee also pairs his top-end speed with above average hit tool and discipline, with both grading out at 55 on the 20-80 scale. While the power has dipped year over year, with the barrel rate falling from 8.1% to 3.5%, I believe Marsee can still have stretches where he can get to average power and put up ~15 HRs during the course of a season.

    Part of the production decrease could be that pitchers are less willing to challenge Marsee. Last year during his rookie season, pitchers were challenging Marsee with 53.8% of pitches in the zone compared to this year at 48.4% which is right there next to league average. The hot rookie year and batting near the bottom of the Marlins order with minimal protection behind him are certainly reasons for him not seeing as many pitches in the zone which limits his opportunities to put a good swing on a pitch.

    Overall, our skill grades still see a strong player who can contribute to all categories with the below present/future skill grades.

    This may just be a slow stretch to start the 2026 season as the league starts adjusting to him. I recently picked up Marsee in my home league (16 teams) off waivers (after trying to trade for him in the offseason) to replace Oneil Cruz who recently went on the IL. I can see Marsee putting up a strong second half this season and restore his fantasy value.

    Evan Carter

    Evan Carter (23) has long been a fantasy favorite, with many managers expecting big things after his breakout 2023 playoff performance, however with injuries limiting his playing time, he hasn’t fully capitalized on his raw ability. The bad news this year, he is slashing just .176/.292/.321. The good news this year, he has already played a career high in games in his short MLB career and is still showing signs of power and speed with 6 HRs and 10 SBs. Over a full 162 game season that paces out to around a 15 HR/25 SB season which is plenty valuable in fantasy leagues.

    Looking into his 2026 struggles, his wOBA against off-speed and breaking balls is .180 and .256, respectively vs a .325 wOBA against fastballs. Looking at the new BaseballSavant swing data, he is swinging over the top of off-speed pitches 25% of the time compared to just 6% in 2025. Pair this with the whiff% by zone and we can see that the lower part of the strike zone is a weak spot for Carter. Pair that with pitchers are attacking below the zone most frequently of any other location and we have some understanding of where pitchers are going to plan to attack Carter.

    One beneficial adjustment for Carter could be moving farther up in the box to help him get the ball at a slightly more elevated point, especially on off-speed and breaking balls as he is currently standing 27.7 inches deep in the box with 27.9 inches as the MLB average. Carter has a strong eye, shown by his 19.3% chase rate this season, and now just needs to make an adjustment to be able to do more with the lower part of the zone.

    At just 23 years old, he still has time to continue to develop and make adjustments. Our skill grades still like Carter, showing a present/future value below:

    Like Marsee, he has the potential to be an all-around contributor, though with less hit tool and slightly more power upside. Evan Carter is a good buy-low and hold player for dynasty managers in deep leagues looking to build for coming seasons.

    Honorable Mentions

    Trent Grisham

    Garrrett Mitchell

    Pitchers

    Logan Henderson

    Henderson (24) is the one exception to my rookie rule for this article, as I feel he has been flying under the radar compared to other Brewers pitching standouts like Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison, who have been dominating the league.

    Through his first 5 starts in 2026, Henderson is rocking a strong 33.3% K-rate, 6.7% BB-rate, and a strong 2.74 ERA supported by a 2.41 FIP. Known primarily as a FB/CH pitcher, with FanGraphs rating his CH as a 70-grade pitch on the 20-80 scale, Henderson has also increased usage of his FC and introduced a new SL this season with over 15 additional inches of induced horizontal break.

    YearVelocityInduced VBInduced HB
    2025 – Slider83.3 mph-1.8 inches0.5 inches
    2026 – Slider80.7 mph-3.9 inches-16.1 inches

    This new slider gives him a breaking ball with serious movement that he can utilize against RHB while providing significant separation from his fastball and changeup. For a pitcher who has historically relied heavily on his elite CH, this will give hitters another pitch to worry about and keep them from sitting/guessing on his FB/CH.

    He pairs this upgraded arsenal with already solid and still improving command. Last year our skills grade had his command as a 55 and has improved to 60 this year through his limited starts, which aligns well with Fangraphs present/future command grades of 55/60.

    Even without the premium velocity that many fantasy managers look for, he has plus movement/shapes on all four of his pitches and has plus command which puts him in a strong position to slot into the top three of the Brewers rotation along with the Miz and Kyle Harrison for years to come.  I tried warning everyone to pick up Kyle Harrison back in early May, now this is your warning to go grab Logan Henderson.

    Dustin May

    May (28) returned in 2025 after missing two full seasons due to multiple surgeries and displayed reduced FB velocity, averaging 95.5 mph, along with an elevated 9.6% BB-rate. So far this year the FB velocity is back to averaging 97+ mph while also improving his BB-rate to 6.6%. I often hear command is the last thing to come back when recovering from serious arm injuries/surgeries, and this was likely the case with May as well who happened to also be down a few ticks. After his first normal offseason not spent recovering in years, he has shown there is still plenty left in the tank for a once-promising pitcher.

    Our skill grades last year had May’s arsenal graded at a 50, putting him around MLB average, with a just below average 45-command grade. This year those have ticked up to a 60-grade arsenal and 50-grade command, and are backed up by an improved 6.6% BB-Rate, increased fastball velocity, and a deeper arsenal, now throwing 6 pitches with the addition of a more vertical CB that he hasn’t thrown since 2019.

    While never missing bats at a strong rate, May has a lot to build off with a plus arsenal and average command. This season he is showing fairly drastic splits against RHB versus LHB, with his K-BB% almost 10% higher against RHB (22.2%) vs LHB (12.8%). With the deep arsenal, I believe he can continue refining his approach against LHB by reducing FF usage and leaning more heavily on the rest of his arsenal as hitters currently have a .361 xwOBA against his FF this year.

    With the velocity, command, and arsenal all showing improvements early in 2026, now is a great time to buy in on a pitcher who has some of the strongest upside when considering the little cost it will take to acquire him. He has a ton of similarities in his arsenal to one of the top young dynasty arms, Nolan Mclean, and just needs to make a few adjustments against LHB to really take off. May is a strong buy/stash option for dynasty managers looking for pitching in the second half of the year and on.

    Honorable Mention

    Reid Detmers

    Comment on the post or reach out to us on X if you have any fantasy related questions!

  • 2025 Arizona Fall League Pitchers: Scouting Notes & Prospect Grades

    2025 Arizona Fall League Pitchers: Scouting Notes & Prospect Grades

    Continuing from the AFL hitters recap, we now move to the AFL pitchers scouting reports.

    The Arizona Fall League presented a volatile pitching environment, with inconsistent command, and uncompetitive pitches common across most outings. Rather than repeatedly noting command issues for each arm, the player reports assume below-average command as the baseline unless stated otherwise.

    The evaluations are focused more on a pitcher’s process over results, emphasizing pitch quality, usage, and execution. Pitchers who separated themselves did so by throwing strikes, maintaining a clear plan of attack, and mixing in quality secondary pitches.

    Below is a revamped player grading key that is focused on pitchers.

    All AFL Statcast data was pulled using Prospect Savant, a valuable resource for MiLB Statcast data.

    Arizona Fall League video archives and GameDay data, including pitch velocities and exit velocities, are available on MLB.com.

    A Grades (MVP / Cy Young Potential)

    No AFL pitchers met the criteria this year.

    B Grades (Above-Average MLB Player)

    Anderson Brito – Tampa Bay Rays

    Brito showed some of the most electric raw stuff in the AFL, led by a plus fastball that touched 100 mph and a sharp low 80s curveball. He also mixed in a mid to high 80s sweeper and flashed a usable changeup, giving him the potential for four average to plus pitches if he can command the changeup more consistently. With that development, he has the ceiling of a No. 1 or No. 2 starter. At minimum, the fastball, sweeper, and curveball are all plus and will play at the big-league level.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 100.1 Max Velo
    • 39.2% Whiff Rate
    • 61.3% Strike Rate

    Hagen Smith – Chicago White Sox

    Smith started the AFL All-Star Game and stood out with above average velocity from the left side, sitting mid-90s and touching 97 mph, with good vertical break on the fastball. His 83 to 85 mph slider featured more vertical break than horizontal break and consistently generated whiffs and takes. He did not consistently land a changeup for strikes, and further development of that pitch will be beneficial to sustaining long term success.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 97.5 Max Velo
    • 34.7% Whiff Rate
    • 31.9% Chase Rate

    Luis De León – Baltimore Orioles

    De León showed a strong three pitch mix with a 94 to 97 mph sinker, an 83 to 87 mph slider, and an 86 to 89 mph changeup. While execution wavered at times with non-competitive misses, he showed feel for sequencing, particularly by leaning more on the changeup against right-handed hitters. The combination of stuff and pitch mix gives him a realistic path to a mid-rotation starter role if command continues to improve.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.5 Max Velo
    • 37.9% Whiff Rate
    • 25.7% Hard-Hit Rate

    Aiden May – Miami Marlins

    May impressed across the two AFL starts I watched, working with a mid-90s cutter and sinker while throwing a heavy dose of sliders and sweepers from a three-quarter slot. He stood out for his ability to vary pitch usage and execute his plan, and he was one of the more complete pitchers I saw during the AFL. Health permitting, he projects as a viable major league starter.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.2 Max Velo
    • 27.3% Whiff Rate
    • 61.4% Strike Rate

    C Grades (MLB Potential)

    Karson Milbrandt – Miami Marlins

    Milbrandt worked primarily as a two-pitch arm, leaning on a fastball that touched 96 to 98 mph and a firm mid to upper 80s breaking ball that was labeled as a cutter but may play closer to a slider. He used both pitches against right and left-handed hitters. As outings progressed, his fastball quality became less consistent, and he was more vulnerable when pitching without his best velocity, leading to hard contact and home runs. Without further development of his curveball or another secondary, he profiles better as a bullpen arm or swingman rather than a long-term rotation piece.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.0 Max Velo
    • 45.0% Whiff Rate
    • 62.5% Hard-Hit Rate

    Chen-Wei Lin – St. Louis Cardinals

    Lin is a large framed right hander with a long, whippy arm from a lower three-quarter slot. His four-seam/sinker sat mostly 93 to 95 mph, while his changeup at 86 to 87 mph showed good arm side run and tunneled well off the fastball, particularly against left-handed hitters. The slider backed up at times and needs further refinement. He lost some fastball quality deeper into outings, but the fastball, sinker, and changeup mix gives him a chance to stick as a starter if the breaking ball improves.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.4 Max Velo
    • 29.5% Whiff
    • 6.9 ft Extension

    Tucker Musgrove – San Diego Padres

    Musgrove came out of the bullpen during the AFL but opened /started a few games during the 2025 regular season. I saw him for the first time during the AFL All-Star Game and thought he was one of the most impressive arms from a pure stuff standpoint, standing out with a plus fastball and slider combination. With the level of raw stuff, he could be rising on prospect lists in 2026.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 99.8 Max Velo
    • 27.1% Whiff Rate
    • 7.1 ft Extension

    Dennis Colleran – Kansas City Royals

    Colleran comes from a low arm slot and features a fastball and sinker in the mid to upper 90s, along with a low 90s cutter. His command wavered at times with stretches of bad misses and walks, but overall he limited walks across his AFL appearances. The low slot paired with his high velocity fastball mix gives him a strong chance to carve out a regular role in a major league bullpen.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 99.5 Max Velo
    • 25.5% Whiff Rate
    • 37.9% K Rate

    Hudson Leach – Houston Astros

    Leach throws from a standard overhand slot and sat mostly 93 to 95 mph with his fastball when I saw him, touching higher during the AFL. His standout pitch was a high spin curveball that consistently generated whiffs and already projects as a plus offering. He also mixed in an 88-mph cutter and showed a clear plan of attack against hitters. Good chance we see Leach in the Astros bullpen soon.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.0 Max Velo
    • 42.9% Whiff Rate
    • 18.2% Barrel Rate

    Najer Victor – Los Angeles Angels

    Victor comes straight over the top and showed power stuff, working primarily with a high 90s four-seam/sinker that he leaned on heavily. He mixed in a high 80s cutter that generated significant swing and miss along with an occasional low 80s slider. The velocity and whiff ability stand out, but he is heavily reliant on the fastball. He could get a chance in an MLB bullpen with potential for high-leverage situations.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 99.7 Max Velo
    • 72.7% Whiff Rate on Cutter
    • 44.8% Whiff Rate

    David Hagaman – Arizona Diamondbacks

    Hagaman worked primarily with a three-pitch mix featuring a 93 to 95 mph fastball, an 85 to 88 mph slider, and an 82 to 84 mph curveball. The slider generated most of his swing and miss and tunneled well off the fastball. While the fastball plays closer to average, he showed a good feel for his breaking balls and creates good extension. Would like to see him use his changeup more in games as I only remember seeing one thrown. Projects as a back-end starter as he builds up innings.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 96.9 Max Velo
    • 7.2 ft Extension
    • 62.1% GB Rate

    JoJo Ingrassia – Boston Red Sox

    Ingrassia has a deceptive delivery from a lower three-quarter arm slot on the left side. His sinker sat mostly 90 to 94 mph with arm side run, while his changeup averaged 85.2 mph and his slider averaged 84.7 mph, with both secondaries showing above average movement. He could lose control at times and may have a tough time executing pitches at the top of the zone, but the secondary movement gives him a chance to fill a depth starter or bulk relief role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 94.6 Max Velo
    • 48.3% Whiff Rate on Changeup
    • 31.3% Whiff Rate

    Corey Avant – The Athletics

    Avant throws from an overhand slot and showed a solid fastball at 95 to 98 mph paired with an 85 to 87 mph slider. He generated multiple called strikes and showed an ability to vary his approach, favoring the slider against right-handed hitters and leaning more on his curveball and changeup against left-handed hitters. He still needs to improve execution, but the fastball slider gives him a path to a back-end starter role or a bullpen conversion.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.9 Max Velo
    • 17.8% Whiff Rate
    • 55.0% Hard-Hit Rate

    Jakob Wright – Los Angeles Dodgers

    Wright showed an impressive fastball at 94 to 96 mph with life during his time in the AFL. He mixed in a plus 84 to 86 mph slider, an 88 to 89 mph changeup, and a 78 to 79 mph curveball. His command was inconsistent, highlighted by the fact that he walked more hitters than he struck out during the AFL. The raw stuff and four pitch mix give him a chance to reach the majors, but his ability to execute consistently will determine whether he sticks as a starter or moves to a bullpen role.

    AFL Statcast Data:

    • 96.1 Max Velo
    • 27.7% BB Rate
    • 72.7% GB Rate

    Kannon Kemp – San Diego Padres

    Kemp has a large frame and showed power stuff in his brief AFL look, working with a 96 to 98 mph fastball and an 88 to 89 mph breaking ball that was labeled as a cutter. He features a simple delivery with a short arm action and does a good job hiding the ball. There are some questions about the fastball shape and overall pitch depth, and at this stage he looks better suited for a power bullpen role rather than a starting profile.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 99.5 Max Velo
    • 26.2% Whiff Rate
    • 70.0% GB Rate

    Sayer Diederich – Baltimore Orioles

    Diederich has a smooth overhand delivery from the left side and worked primarily with a 91 to 92 mph sinker that showed good vertical depth. His 79 to 82 mph curveball featured strong horizontal break and consistently missed bats, standing out as his best pitch. He also mixed in a changeup around 87 mph with solid movement. With below average velocity but a true bat missing breaking ball, he profiles best as a bullpen arm capable of generating weak contact.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 92.7 Max Velo
    • 39.1% Whiff Rate
    • 29.4% Hard-Hit Rate

    Bryce Cunningham – New York Yankees

    Cunningham is a large framed right hander with a smooth overhand delivery. He worked with a 94 to 96 mph fastball, an 83 to 85 mph slider, and an 85 to 87 mph changeup. He was hit hard when pitches leaked back over the plate, particularly when ahead in the count, and will need to refine how he attacks hitters in advantage counts. His size and pedigree suggest there could be more coming as he continues to refine his pitch mix and approach against both sides.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 96.1 Max Velo
    • 15.1% Whiff Rate
    • 6.9 ft Extension

    Koen Moreno – Chicago Cubs

    Moreno featured a below average fastball at 91 to 93 mph and leaned heavily on his changeup as his primary swing and miss pitch. He mixed the fastball and changeup well by executing fastballs up and changeups down in the zone. He also mixed in a low to mid 80s slider that he used almost exclusively against right-handed hitters for chases. While the velocity is light for a right hander, the fastball shape, plus changeup, and ability to throw strikes give him a path to a depth role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 95.5 Max Velo
    • 40.7% Whiff Rate
    • 7.0 ft Extension

    Jack Mahoney – Colorado Rockies

    Mahoney is a short arm right hander with a deep pitch mix. His fastball sat 92 to 96 mph and included both a four-seam and sinker with arm side run. His slider and cutter tended to blend and were used more against right-handed hitters, while his 81 to 82 mph curveball showed more vertical depth than horizontal movement. His best secondary was an 84 to 87 mph changeup that tunneled well off the sinker. He varied usage against right and left-handed hitters but lacks a true standout pitch and will need to lean more on his secondaries to generate additional swing and miss.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 97.1 Max Velo
    • 24.8% Whiff Rate
    • 30.2% Chase Rate

    James Hicks – Houston Astros

    Hicks worked with a low 90s fastball and mixed in two breaking balls, including a slider and a sweeper with strong horizontal movement. He also featured a changeup that tunneled well off the sinker and consistently attacked the zone during the outings I saw. Without a plus fastball, he will need to continue leaning on his secondaries to keep hitters off balance and carve out a depth role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 94.1 Max Velo
    • 31.8% Whiff Rate
    • 4.1% BB Rate

    Juan Sanchez – San Francisco Giants

    Sanchez has a deceptive delivery where he closes off heavily, turning his back to the hitter during leg lift. He worked with a 91 to 94 mph fastball and paired it with an 84 to 85 mph changeup that showed both horizontal and vertical movement. His fastball velocity dipped in his second inning of work as he continues building durability after missing the 2025 season. The deception should be particularly challenging for left-handed hitters and points toward a low leverage bullpen role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 94.7 Max Velo
    • 29.9% Whiff Rate
    • 5.7 ft Extension

    Welinton Hererra – Colorado Rockies

    Herrera showed a loose arm and good rhythm from the left side, working with a 95 to 97 mph fastball that he was not afraid to challenge hitters with. He mixed in an 85 to 87 mph changeup and showed the ability to miss bats with the fastball, highlighted by striking out Hendry Mendez on three straight fastballs. While the frame is not large and the secondary mix is still developing, the velocity and confidence attacking the zone point toward a future bullpen role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 97.8 Max Velo
    • 25.9% Whiff Rate
    • 76.2% GB Rate

    Jack Sellinger – Miami Marlins

    Sellinger has a unique rhythm in his delivery where he slows down a little on the arm swing, which can create timing issues for hitters. He worked with a fastball that topped out at 94.9 mph and showed below average extension, often missing arm side. His primary secondary was a breaking ball that he leaned on heavily and that generated significant horizontal movement. The combination of delivery disruption and a single bat missing pitch gives him a path to a low leverage bullpen role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 94.9 Max Velo
    • 35.6% Whiff Rate
    • 19.0% Chase Rate

    Yordin Chalas – Arizona Diamondbacks

    Chalas has a lanky and projectable frame with good extension from a three-quarter arm slot. He leaned heavily on a 96 to 97 mph fastball with arm side run, throwing it more than 70 percent of the time. His primary secondary was an 83 to 84 mph slider that he used as a chase pitch. While the velocity stands out, he will need to continue improving both the consistency and effectiveness of his secondary offerings to solidify a role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.3 Max Velo
    • 21.8% Whiff Rate
    • 8.6% BB Rate

    Johan Moreno – San Diego Padres

    Moreno throws from a high overhand slot and worked with a four-seam fastball that averaged around 95 mph and topped out near 97 mph, showing limited horizontal movement. He paired it with an 83 to 85 mph slider that featured good vertical depth and tunneled well off the fastball. He attacked the zone and generally limited hard contact, but concerns about fastball shape and the lack of consistent whiffs on the slider cap the overall profile.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 96.8 Max Velo
    • 27.7% Whiff Rate
    • 38.9% Hard-Hit Rate

    D Grades (Organizational Depth)

    Jonathan Harmon – Cincinnati Reds

    Harmon attacked hitters with a 92 to 94 mph four-seam and sinker mix along with an 82 to 85 mph changeup from an overhand slot. He also showed a curveball in the low to mid 80s but it lacked vertical depth. He demonstrated an understanding of how to work arm side with the sinker and changeup and glove side with the breaking ball, though the overall stuff profile points toward depth rather than impact.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 95.8 Max Velo
    • 50%+ Whiff Rates on Changeup and Curveball
    • 29.4% Chase Rate

    MiguelAngel Boadas – Minnesota Twins

    Boadas was building back up after missing the 2025 regular season and worked primarily with a 94 to 97 mph sinker that touched 98 mph and showed good horizontal movement. He mixed in an 87 to 88 mph cutter and an 82 to 84 mph slider that he used for swing and misses. He has a baby face, which gives me hope there could be more physical development, and he will need to work on his approach with his secondaries against left-handed hitters.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 97.6 Max Velo
    • 23.8% Whiff Rate
    • 32.1% Hard-Hit Rate

    Justin Chambers – Los Angeles Dodgers

    Chambers is a deceptive left hander whose pitch tracking at times struggled to classify his arsenal correctly. His primary offering was labeled as a changeup but sat 89 to 91 mph with heavy arm side run, showing up to 20 inches of horizontal break. His fastball showed similar movement traits with comparable arm side run. He also mixed in a sweeping slider around 78 mph. The profile leans heavily on the changeup and deception, limiting his upside to a low leverage bullpen arm.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 93.9 Max Velo
    • 35.6% Whiff Rate
    • 28.6% Hard-Hit Rate

    JP Wheat – Chicago Cubs

    Wheat stood out for his raw velocity, running his fastball/sinker up to triple digits during the AFL. He has a loose and quick arm that produces premium velocity, but he struggled to throw strikes consistently and did not show reliable feel for his cutter or changeup. The velocity is eye catching, but command and secondary development will determine whether he can carve out a bullpen role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 101.7 Max Velo
    • 20.0% Whiff
    • 43.2% BB Rate

    Brandon Downer – Baltimore Orioles

    Downer has a large frame and a short arm action and was used primarily in relief during the AFL after starting during the regular season. He showed a fastball in the 93 to 95 mph range and mixed in a slider and a changeup, with the changeup standing out as his better secondary due to its horizontal and vertical movement. While he varied his pitch-mix against right and left-handed hitters, the overall profile points toward organizational depth.

    AFL Statcast Data:

    • 95.4 Max Velo
    • 18.9% Whiff
    • 8.8% BB Rate

    Logan Martin – San Francisco Giants

    Martin attacked hitters with a 94 to 96 mph fastball and an 86 to 88 mph cutter. He hides the ball well in his delivery and showed confidence attacking early in counts with the fastball. He also mixed in a 75 to 77 mph curveball, but it did not show standout movement, and his slider and changeup were not featured heavily in the outing I saw. Without a carrying secondary pitch, the overall profile points toward organizational depth.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 96.9 Max Velo
    • 21.6% Whiff Rate
    • 10.5% K Rate

    Jared Simpson – Washington Nationals

    Simpson has a long arm swing that gets deep behind him but does not appear to disrupt his timing. He worked with a 93 to 95 mph fastball and paired it with a hard slider that reached 88 mph, though the slider showed little vertical and horizontal movement. His command varied across appearances, and when it was off he tended to miss up and arm side with both the fastball and changeup. While the fastball gives him something to build on, improvement to his secondaries and overall execution will be necessary to elevate his role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 96.0 Max Velo
    • 24.8% Whiff Rate
    • 35.6% Chase Rate

    Darlin Saladin – St. Louis Cardinals

    Saladin has a smaller build and a noticeable hitch in his arm swing, where his arm can get stuck in the back portion of the delivery. He worked with a 92 to 96 mph fastball and leaned on an 84 to 85 mph changeup that showed vertical depth as his primary secondary. His slider and curveball sit in the low 80s and lack distinctive shape. While the pure stuff does not stand out, he showed some feel to execute his pitches within his approach.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 96.6 Max Velo
    • 31.6% Whiff Rate
    • 70% Hard-Hit Rate
  • 2025 Arizona Fall League Hitters: Scouting Notes & Prospect Grades

    2025 Arizona Fall League Hitters: Scouting Notes & Prospect Grades

    After spending time at First Pitch Arizona in November, including the Arizona Fall League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, I continued to follow the league throughout the playoffs. Once the postseason concluded, I went back and re-watched multiple earlier AFL games to get a better feel for the hitters across the league.

    Going forward, I plan to continue reviewing the Arizona Fall League annually and publishing scouting reports on the top names and standout performers.

    To keep evaluations consistent and easy to interpret, I used the grading key below to assign player grades.

    All AFL Statcast data was pulled using Prospect Savant, a valuable resource for MiLB Statcast data.

    Arizona Fall League video archives and GameDay data, including pitch velocities and exit velocities, are available on MLB.com.

    With that context in place, let’s dive into the 2025 Arizona Fall League hitter recap.

    A Grades (MVP / Cy Young Potential)

    None this year. While Kevin McGonigle was a close call, he did not quite make the cut.

    B Grades (Above-Average MLB Player)

    Kevin McGonigle – Detroit Tigers

    The top prospect in the AFL, McGonigle consistently put together quality at-bats, making good swing decisions and drawing plenty of walks. One of the more impressive moments during my time in Arizona was a foul ball he hit out of Mesa Stadium during the All-Star Game that reportedly registered at 118 mph. In another game, he just missed a home run to deep center field against Najer Victor, who featured one of the better fastballs in the AFL. He runs well, profiles as a multi-position defender, and lived up to the top-prospect hype, though there could be an adjustment period against top-end breaking stuff.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 15.8% Barrel Rate
    • 13.2% K-Rate
    • 20.3% BB-Rate

    Esmerlyn Valdez – Pittsburg Pirates

    Valdez was the standout performer behind only Tony Blanco Jr. at the derby. Larger than his listed 181 pounds, Valdez sets up deep into his back leg with a low hand setup. In one at-bat on a 1-1 hanging slider, he punished a pitch for a 114 mph home run against Pablo Aldonis. After that at-bat, he walked three straight times and often saw pitchers avoid the zone, highlighted by a 23.2% walk rate. He has shown improved contact rates which may help him be an above average bat in the corner OF.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.3 Bat Speed
    • 114.4 Max EV
    • 92.3% Z-Contact Rate

    Seaver King – Washington Nationals

    An athlete who runs well, King showed great balance in his swing with minimal head movement. I liked his approach in most at-bats, as he consistently drove the ball the other way. This included an inside-out home run hit at 103 mph against Najer Victor and a 109 mph double against JoJo Ingrassia. He also showed a two-strike approach by removing his leg lift. A good profile to bet on.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 72.0 Bat Speed
    • 62.5% Hard-Hit Rate
    • 89.8% Z-Contact Rate

    Alfredo Duno – Cincinnati Reds

    Duno is physically mature for his age and appears larger than his listed frame. He was aggressive in the zone and may have overswung at times, leading to some off-balance swings. Overall, I was impressed with his at-bats for such a young player and enjoyed the energy he brought. He just missed a home run on a hanging curveball and showed solid defensive actions behind the plate.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 74.0 Bat Speed
    • 18.3% BB-Rate
    • 20.8% Chase Rate

    Charlie Condon – Colorado Rockies

    Condon has a slightly crouched stance that takes away some of his height at the plate. His swing currently produces more line-drive contact than over-the-fence power. He makes consistent hard contact, but the home run power he showed in college at Georgia has yet to fully translate. He should get plenty of runway in Colorado, though expectations may need to be tempered from draft-day projections.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 71.4 Bat Speed
    • 50.8% Hard-Hit Rate
    • 76.5% Z-Swing Rate

    Cam Collier – Cincinnati Reds

    Collier has been a hyped prospect since being taken in the first round out of junior college after taking the Bryce Harper route out of high school. He shows multiple positive tools, including good defense, a strong arm, plus power, and a patient approach. He recorded the third-highest exit velocity of the AFL season at 115.3 mph and doubled on a 109 mph 1-1 slider. The biggest critiques are that his contact currently plays more to ground balls than game power, and he can get overly patient in early counts.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 74.5 Bat Speed
    • 63.1% Z-Swing Rate
    • 6.6° Avg. LA

    C Grades (MLB Potential)

    Braden Montgomery – Chicago White Sox

    One of the top hitting prospects at the AFL, Montgomery showed a patient approach and limited chase. This approach gives him a strong offensive foundation, though I did note multiple whiffs on pitches on the outer half of the plate. How the bat plays against higher-quality pitching will ultimately determine his ceiling. Overall, Montgomery’s best trait seems to be his willingness to take his walks. Have him as a player I need to watch more in 2026 to get a better feel for his bat.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 71.1 Bat Speed
    • 13.0% Chase Rate
    • 17.9% Barrel Rate

    Sam Antonacci – Chicago White Sox

    Antonacci has an incredibly balanced swing with an open stance and loose hands. He consistently put the ball in play early in counts and showed a strong feel for using the whole field. The offensive profile carries a high floor, but the ceiling is capped by limited power output unless the approach changes.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 69.8 Bat Speed
    • 92.7% Z-Contact Rate
    • 11.5% Whiff Rate

    Luke Adams – Milwaukee Brewers

    Adams was a fun player to watch. Despite his size and unique stance, he stayed short to the ball and consistently put together good at-bats. One standout moment was an 0-2 count he worked into a 10-pitch plate appearance, ending with a two-run home run in the ninth. He also showed good instincts as a baserunner.

     AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.3 Bat Speed
    • 13% Whiff Rate
    • 19.5% Chase Rate

    Blake Mitchell – Kansas City Royals

    Mitchell impressed as an overall hitter. He did not look overmatched against a left-handed matchup against Hagen Smith and showed more gap-to-gap power than home run power, though his 116.5 Max EV suggests more could come. He has enough juice in the bat to move off catcher if needed.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.0 Bat Speed
    • 116.5 Max EV
    • 35.7% Whiff Rate

    Tony Blanco Jr – Pittsburg Pirates

    A monster among men physically, Blanco stole the show at the AFL Home Run Derby with a record 122.9 mph home run. The power is real, but so is the swing-and-miss. He profiles as a true three-outcome bat and likely fits best as a DH at the next level.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 75.4 Bat Speed
    • 120.4 Max EV
    • 41.3% Whiff Rate

    Thomas Sosa – Baltimore Orioles

    Sosa, larger than his 160 listing on FanGraphs, has natural tilt in his swing and drove low pitches well. He homered at 107.5 mph and just missed another on a changeup, but better velocity and fastballs up in the zone may challenge the swing as he moves up. Already has a plus arm and bat speed.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 77.3 Bat Speed
    • 18.0° Avg. LA
    • 36% Whiff Rate

    Jonny Farmelo – Seattle Mariners

    Farmelo is a unique athlete with a strong, well-built frame. He generally does not chase much, though I did see him expand the zone on a 2-1 slider from Milbrandt. His standout hit during the time I watched was a 109.2 mph opposite-field single. On the basepaths, he looked jumpy and was nearly picked off multiple times, often relying more on raw speed and athleticism than refined instincts. He profiles to have above average power and speed along with solid walk rates, but I would expect volatility in his batting averages.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 72.8 Bat Speed
    • 20.4% Chase Rate
    • 36.2% Whiff Rate

    Ethan Petry – Washington Nationals

    Petry has power traits, but head movement during the load may affect consistency. He. crushed a single at 114.6 mph and has tools worth monitoring as he gets more reps in 2026 (only 101 MiLB PA in 2025).

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 75.4 Bat Speed
    • 114.8 Max EV
    • 74.6% Contact Rate

    Max Anderson – Detroit Tigers

    Anderson was one of the standout performers, slashing .447/.609/.809 in 69 plate appearances. He has a compact swing and found consistent hard contact. His in-game power may be closer to average given a contact profile built more on line drives than lift. He is likely to end up at a corner defensively, though he lacks the typical power.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 68.5 Bat Speed
    • 71.1% Hard-Hit Rate
    • 8.8° Avg. LA

    Parks Harber – San Francisco Giants

    A big-bodied hitter who still looks athletic for his size, Harber showed a patient approach and put together multiple quality at-bats in the limited time I saw him. I was impressed by an opposite-field home run that came on a 10-pitch at-bat. He has been on a tear since being traded from the Yankees and will get his first taste of the upper minors soon. He is an older prospect for the lower minors, but will be an interesting name to monitor as he gets tested against upper-minors pitching given the underlying power metrics.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 72.9 Bat Speed
    • 114.3 Max EV
    • 25.6% Barrel Rate

    Johanfran Garcia – Boston Red Sox

    Garcia is an offense-first catcher with quick hands and plus raw power. He consistently produced hard contact including a line-drive single to right-center field (109 EV) and a lineout to left field a(111 EV). Still yet to play above High-A, I think Garcia’s bat will get him to the MLB even with some contact concerns.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.3 Bat Speed
    • 112.3 Max EV
    • 68.6% Contact Rate

    Aidan Smith – Tampa Bay Rays

    Smith showed steady bat to ball ability and athleticism. The speed and defensive skills are present, but the power has yet to show up consistently in games. How the bat develops will determine whether he settles into an everyday role or depth option.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 70.8 Bat Speed
    • 92.8% Z-Contact Rate
    • 3.1% Barrel Rate

    Chris Suero – New York Mets

    Suero is strong for his size and is a plus runner. He uses a big leg kick that he turns into aggressive swings at the plate, which can lead to hard contact but also results in chases and whiffs. I saw two line drives (112 & 105.3 EVs) on 0-2 counts showing his ability to capitalize on mistakes. Suero has tools across the board and athleticism that gives him multiple role pathways if the contact improves.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 74.6 Bat Speed
    • 112.5 Max EV
    • 32.8% Whiff rate

    Josh Adamczewski – Milwaukee Brewers

    Adamczewski showed aggression in the zone with a smooth left-handed swing. He showed strong at-bats and confidence, highlighted by a 3-0 grand slam after striking out twice earlier in a game as well as a game-tying double in the AFL Championship. He may struggle against left-handed breaking pitches but profiles as a versatile role bat.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 68.3 Bat Speed
    • 17.1% Chase Rate
    • 68.1% Z-Swing Ring

    Charlie Pagliarini – Seattle Mariners

    Pagliarini’s swing generates elite bat speed, but the mechanics come with contact tradeoffs. He has a twitchy swing, and his body starts in a closed, loaded stance, with his load mostly a leg lift and forward drift. The power shows up in flashes, though contact inconsistency and defensive fit limit his role projection.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 78.1 Bat Speed
    • 15.6% Barrel Rate
    • 18.8° Avg. LA

    Logan Wagner – Los Angeles Dodgers

    Wagner showed a good feel for the strike zone and hunted fastballs early. He has a smooth swing with a small leg kick and a neutral stance. Wagner spent most of his time at first base during the AFL and has also spent time in the past at 2B/3B/SS. The bat itself may not profile strongly enough for a corner-only role, but his plate discipline and contact could make him an utility infielder.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 70.8 Bat Speed
    • 19.8% Chase Rate
    • 21.3% Whiff Rate

    Josh Kasevich– Toronto Blue Jays

    Kasevich was one of the more experienced prospects at the AFL having already played in the upper minors. He has a simple setup and makes consistent quality contact by getting the barrel on plane early. He does not consistently create lift or backspin to generate over-the-fence power and profiles best as a second baseman or infield depth.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 67.3 Bat Speed
    • 83.3% Contact Rate
    • 0.0% Barrel Rate

    Dylan Campbell – Philadelphia Phillies

    Campbell doesn’t have your typical projectable frame, but still hit the ball hard consistently. Campbell showed feel for pitches up and down the middle of the zone and drove the ball to all fields including homeruns to center field and right field. He is an average to above-average runner with a limited ceiling as his body does not project well.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.6 Bat Speed
    • 72.0% Contact Rate
    • 38.6% Swing-rate

    Owen Ayers – Chicago Cubs

    Ayers showed quality at-bats and strong defensive actions, including catching multiple runners stealing. Had multiple quality at bats and EVs over 100 including a 110.6mph lineout. He is older for his level, but will be an interesting name to watch as he faces upper-minors competition given the combination of defensive value and strong underlying metrics.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 74.2 Bat Speed
    • 15.8% Chase Rate
    • 18.3% Whiff Rate

    D Grades (Organizational Depth)

    Daniel Vasquez – Kansas City Royals

    Vasquez showed athleticism and opposite-field contact, but the offensive profile does not project to meaningful MLB impact. He looks to have put on more muscle than the 150 would have you think. He did put together some strong at bats against top pitching including a 107 mph single against Hagen Smith.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 67.5 Bat Speed
    • -2.0° Avg. LA
    • 88.6% Z-Contact Rate

    Enrique Bradfield – Baltimore Orioles

    Bradfield showed a new and unorthodox setup in the AFL, with his hands in front of his face and the knob pointing at the pitcher. He also has a good amount of loft in his swing for a player with his kind of speed, which led to a lot of routine fly outs. Fouled off and missed balls in the middle of the zone, showing less contact than expected. The flyball heavy approach and holes in the swing limit how often his speed can impact the game.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 66.4 Bat Speed
    • 78.8% Contact Rate
    • 0.0% Barrel rate

    Brailer Guerrero – Tampa Bay Rays

    Guerrero has plus bat speed and raw power but showed swing-and-miss tendencies in his limited 29 plate appearances. At the plate he has a simple setup with his hands on his shoulders but can possibly lose his timing with a large leg kick. He is already physically mature and do not expect more physical projection. He remains a long-term development project.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.5 Bat Speed
    • 64.2% Contact Rate
    • -30.5° Avg. LA

    Jansel Luis  – Arizona Diamondbacks

    Luis made plenty of contact but without impact. The bat projects below average, and he remains raw defensively. At the AFL he primarily played 3B and SS but hss also mixed in at 2B. Needs time to physically mature and find a long term position

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 69.6% Bat Speed
    • 91.6% Z-Contact Rtae
    • 0.5°  Avg. LA

    PJ Morlando – Miami Marlins

    Morlando looks the part physically but did not consistently impact the ball. His standout at bat I saw was a 10 pitch walk that started off 0-2 against Jakob Wright (LHP). He needs more offensive and defensive reps after limited pro experience.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.0  Bat Speed
    • 39.8% Whiff Rate
    • 27.2% Chase Rate

    Brayden Taylor – Tampa Bay Rays

    Taylor worked deep counts and drew walks but struggled to square up pitches consistently. His lofty swing with flyball tendencies and limited contact significantly impacts his ability to hit for a decent average. Mixing in time at 3B and 2B, the profile fits organizational depth.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 70.4 Bat Speed
    • 31.1% Whiff Rate
    • 24.5° Avg. LA

    Maui Ahuna – San Francisco Giants

    Ahuna struggled to make quality contact and was frequently beaten inside by AFL pitching. Though fine defensively at SS and 2B, the bat does not currently project to stick at the MLB level.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 36.4% Whiff Rate
    • 29.2% Chase Rate
    • 0.0% Barrel Rate

    Travis Honeyman – St. Louis Cardinals

    Honeyman put the ball in play frequently but lacked consistent quality contact. There is a lot going on in his swing with his head and body movement which I think will be an issue against top level pitching. He primarily played CF and does not have the bat to profile in the corner outfield. He profiles as organizational depth.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 70.2 Bat Speed
    • 30.3% Hard-Hit Rate
    • 20.7% Whiff Rate

    Brandon Winokur– Minnesota Twins

    Winokur’s long levers create challenges against higher-level pitching. He likely shifts to a corner role, with the bat being the main question.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.5 Bat Speed
    • 43.2% Whiff rate
    • 37.2% Chase rate

    Billy Amick – Minnesota Twins

    Amick showed significant swing-and-miss and struggled to impact hittable pitches. The profile faces steep challenges moving forward as he gets ready to test the upper minors.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 67.6 Bat Speed
    • 46.6% Whiff Rate
    • 10.0% Hard-Hit Rate

  • Rookie Analysis & Tool Grades: November 2025

    Rookie Analysis & Tool Grades: November 2025

    After missing the October update, we are back with the November Rookie Review and continuing our look at the 2025 rookie class. This month is a hitters focused breakdown that highlights tool grades, player comps, and long-term outlooks for bats like Roman Anthony, Jakob Marsee, Colson Montgomery, and other 2025 rookies.

    I will follow up with another review in December to close out the year, so feel free to shout out any rookies I have not covered yet. Links to all previous Rookie Reviews can be found below.

    Now let’s dive in!

    Roman Anthony

    Roman Anthony was the #1 prospect headed into the season by MLB pipeline. He started the season in Triple-A and was called up on June 9th. Anthony played 71 games, slashing .292/.396/.463, before having to be shut down in September for the rest of the season due to an oblique injury.

    In just under half of a season, Anthony had strong underlying metrics with great quality of contact metrics as well as a low chase rate which supports his high BB rates.

    His 94.5 average EV in 2025 ranks him in the top 5 with hitters with more than 100 batted ball events in 2025 along with Oneil Cruz, Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Yordan Alvarez. His 60.3% hard-hit rate is also one of the highest of the Statcast era, only behind Aaron Judge (min. 300 PA).

    Dynasty Tool Grades

    Roman Anthony has great player comps on his dynasty tool grades at an early age, drawing comparisons to sluggers like Kyle Schwarber, Byron Buxton, among others.

    His combination of plus-plus power and plus discipline gives him a toolset that is proven to work at the MLB level. I would not be surprised to see his Hit tool take another step forward as he continues to adjust to the MLB level.

    Fantasy Outlook

    At his young age he has plenty of time to improve his game and it’s all about staying on the field. He is an All-Star caliber outfielder for the Red Sox who can hit 30+ HR yearly with strong OBPs. Buy-in on Anthony now where you can!

    Jakob Marsee

    Jakob Marsee is one of the more underrated rookie breakouts of the 2025 season. He impressed slashing .292/.363/.478 with 5 HR and 14 SBs in 55 games. This works out to a 15/40 HR/SB pace over 162 games.  From the time Marsee debuted on August 1st through the end of the season, Marsee led all rookies in fWAR at 2.2, ahead of Colson Montgomery (1.9), Daylen Lile (1.8), and Nick Kurtz (1.6).

    Marsee has solid underlying data to back up his production. He posted better than average squared up %, chase %, and whiff % pointing to strong Hit tool. While never known for his power, he did enjoy a power surge in 2025 with 19 HRs across Triple-A and the MLB, the most of his professional career. His max EV of 111.1 and 70.5 mph average bat speed point to average raw power, but that could play up given his strong hit tool if he can start pulling the ball in the air more.

    Dynasty Tool Grades

    Below is a look at our custom dynasty tool grades as well as other players with similar skill profiles. He has an excellent 55-game sample in 2025, though there could be some skill regression with more sample size.

    Overall Marsee showed average to above average tools across the board which very few players are able to showcase making Marsee an important name to know for 2026.

    Fantasy Outlook

    Put Marsee on your watchlist and buy him where you can. His mix of all-around tools make him an exciting fantasy option and is someone I will be targeting in 2026 drafts/auction. Marsee has all-star potential and will be a strong source of runs and stolen bases in 2026 batting at the top of the Marlins improving lineup.

    Colson Montgomery

    Colson Montgomery, a former first round pick by the White Sox in 2021, went on a power surge after his callup. In his first 71 games he hit 21 homeruns with 55 RBIs, slashing .239/.311/.529. He has been a bright spot in the White Sox rebuild that is desperately searching for core parts of its future.

    Montgomery has shown glimpses of his raw power in the minors at Triple-A, posting max EVs of 113.8 and 115.3 in 2024 and 2025. This power though has come with consistent high K-rates in the upper minors with a 28.6% K -rate in Triple-A in 2024 and 33.0% in Triple-A in 2025.

    Dynasty Tool Grades

    Montgomery’s stand out tool is his power. He has hit tool concerns; however, he has strong defense will help him stay in the lineup throughout any prolonged slumps.

    Montgomery has a package showcasing elite bat speed from the left-side. This elite bat speed gives Montgomery strong power potential similar to Austin Riley, Eugenio Suarez, and Riley Greene, though there will be plenty of strikeouts.

    Fantasy Outlook

    Montgomery is just 23 years old, has elite bat speed, and plays solid defense at a premium position which in sum should lead to strong yearly homerun totals. He has batting average risk and could find himself turn into a streaky hitter given the swing and miss, but when things click, he can help carry a team. Montgomery is currently ranked as the #37 shortstop on our dynasty rankings and will find himself climbing up our rankings in our next update.

    Daylen Lile

    Daylen Lile was not on many prospect lists that I saw before the 2025 season, but you would never have known based on his rookie year. In 91 games he slashed .299/.347/.498 with 9 HRs and 8 SBs. He was also able to improve as the year went on and was a huge help to fantasy managers in late 2025.

    From August to the end of the season there weren’t many better hitters than Lile. His 178 wRC+ was in the top 10 hitters in the MLB during that time (Min. 100 PA).  

    While it’s unrealistic to expect this level of production to continue, he has solidified his spot in the Nationals plans for the near future.

    Dynasty Tool Grades

    Lile’s best tool is his hit tool (60), with his whiff (18.9%) and k-rates (16.0%) better than league average. His player tool comps are below and include hitters like Jake Meyers and Evan Carter.

    He currently profiles as a 12-15 homerun hitter with potential who could put up 20 during a peak year. His all-around skills and locked in playing time for the rebuilding nationals give him a high floor to be a fantasy contributor, but the lack of power will cap his upside.

    Fantasy Outlook

    Lile is useful young bat in fantasy leagues with double digit homerun and steal ability. His late season surge is likely to inflate his price going into draft season and could even be a sell high in dynasty leagues during the offseason. In redraft leagues be wary of the price as draft season gets closer. If Lile goes early, keep an eye on players like Jake Meyers, Austin Martin, and Evan Carter who may be able to provide similar skill profiles at lower draft prices.

    Kyle Teel

    Teel, part of the Crochet trade, held his own in his 2025 debut slashing .273/.375/.411 with 8 HRs and 3 SBs over a half season sample size (78 games). His success was mostly against RHP and showed drastic splits in his 78 games.

    With Edgar Quero, a switch-hitting catcher on the White Sox roster, he could continue to find himself on the bench against left-handed pitchers.

    Dynasty Tool Grades

    His dynasty tool grade comps relate to other catchers such as Bo Naylor and Joey Bart. There is a mix of above-average power and plus discipline which can help make up for the 45 hit tool. A common trend on this list (Bryan Reynolds the exception) is that these players are platoon roles.

    Fantasy Outlook

    Teel should be a part of the White Sox lineup given his success against RHP as he splits time between catcher and DH (made 1 appearance in LF in 2025). He is currently ranked as our #17 dynasty catcher and can be left off most 12-man rosters with one catcher. In two catcher leagues Teel serves as a solid C2 option, just keep in mind he is likely limited to a strong side platoon role.

    Dillon Dingler

    Dillon Dingler stepped into a regular catching role for Detroit in 2025 and rewarded the Tigers with a Gold Glove and steady two-way production. His defense was his biggest strength and his offense provided enough impact to keep him in the lineup most days.

    What really stood out were his extreme splits, both against LHP and on the road. Dingler crushed lefties with an OPS above .900 but had an OPS below .700 against RHP. His biggest weakness against RHP came on breaking balls where he had a 34.7% whiff rate and a .225 wOBA. He also showed a tendency to swing at RHP sweepers and other breaking balls outside the zone.

    This is only one year of data, so these splits should not be weighed too heavily. He posted strong results away from Comerica Park and had real issues hitting at home. It will be worth watching if that trend continues in 2026.

    Dynasty Tool Grades

    Dingler’s tool grades line up with profiles similar to Josh Jung and James McCann. He does not offer a plus offensive tool, but he brings passable Hit/Power tools for the catcher position. An increase in his Power or Discipline could help elevate his offensive profile.

    Overall, his strong defensive value mixed with his average offensive profile should help him keep the starting role in Detroit for the near future.

    Fantasy Outlook

    Dingler is solidified as the Tigers’ starting catcher which provides fantasy usefulness in two catcher formats. He is currently ranked as our #27 dynasty catcher, showing he can be swapped out for another option if managers looking for a 2026 in-season upgrade.

    Nathan Lukes

    Nathan Lukes is in his age-30 rookie season and made an impact on a Blue Jays team that reached the World Series. He played 135 games and finished around a league-average with a 103 wRC+. Lukes kept both his K-rate and whiff rate under 15%, but outside of that he did not show many standout underlying metrics in 2025.

    His value came from being in the lineup consistently with 438 PAs (385 of those against RHP). He also provided steady run production with 55 runs and 65 RBI. Playing time could be harder to come by in 2026 depending on what direction the Blue Jays choose to go.

    Dynasty Tool Grades

    Lukes is a contact-first hitter with a plus hit tool, graded at 70. That mark is likely a bit inflated since most of his matchups came against right-handed pitching.

    Based on his profile, the closest matches are outfielders Miguel Andujar and Alex Call. Entering his age-31 season, there is not much room for additional growth in either the hit or power tool, although he could continue to refine his approach.

    Fantasy Outlook

    Lukes is already entering his age-31 season and lacks the power and speed needed to be a true fantasy asset. His value is tied directly to everyday playing time. He is best viewed as a bench option in deep formats such as Draft Champions or AL-only leagues, where you hope he holds a similar role to last year.

    Follow us on X @2BScoopBaseball and @DoubleScoopBaseball on IG and let us know any feedback or questions you have.

  • Prospect Review: The Athletics

    Prospect Review: The Athletics

    We’re turning our attention to the Athletics, a system that has quietly reshaped its farm through a mix of trades, international signings, and recent draft picks. Over the past few years, the A’s found success developing position players including Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers, Brent Rooker, among others. The same level of success has not yet extended to the pitching side, but that trend could soon change.

    With the 2025 additions of arms like Jamie Arnold, Braden Nett, and Henry Baez, the Athletics now have a diverse group of young pitchers that can come up and compliment their hitting core.

    Let’s dive into the Athletics’ top prospects below.

    Leo De Vries

    Leo De Vries was the top international signee of the 2024 class, earning a $4.2 million bonus from the San Diego Padres. He quickly climbed prospect rankings before being traded to the Athletics in the Mason Miller deal, where he immediately became the centerpiece of the farm system.

    A switch-hitting shortstop from the Dominican Republic, De Vries joins a very small group of prospects who have reached Double-A at age 18 including Bryce Harper, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Jackson Chourio.

    List of hitters aged 18 to play in Double-A (min. 10 PA)

    Since joining the Athletics, De Vries has produced at every level. In 2025, he posted an ISO at or above .250 across High-A and Double-A while facing competition that was, on average, four to six years older. He finished the season slashing .255/.355/.451 with 15 home runs and 11 stolen bases, showing a promising blend of power and speed. Reports of plus bat speed and impressive exit velocities have followed him since his amateur days. The power is already evident in his highlight-reel home runs and should continue to improve as he matures physically.

    According to our Prospect Barrel Rate Tool, De Vries recorded a 10.2% barrel rate in Double-A this season, showcasing the level of game power he can already produce.

    For De Vries to reach his ceiling as a top-tier shortstop, his hit tool will need to be at least average. Encouragingly, he has improved both his contact rate and swinging-strike rate at each level. With his bat speed, approach adjustments, and performance relative to age, he projects to carry an average to above-average hit tool in the majors.

    Tool Comparison

    Using our internal tool grades, De Vries profiles similarly to a mix of established MLB shortstops in terms of balance across hit, power, discipline, and speed grades.

    DoubleScoopBaseball Tool Grades showring potential floor/ceiling for Leo De Vries

    De Vries currently grades in the 50–55 range across most tools, with a ceiling similar to Gunnar Henderson as he matures. His athleticism and switch-hitting skill set also draw comparisons to Francisco Lindor, though De Vries shows more power at a younger age.

    Fantasy Outlook

    De Vries is a premium dynasty prospect with All-Star upside. His age-relative production, raw power, and shortstop profile place him among the best prospects of the past decade. At his peak he projects as a 25+ home run hitter with a .260 to .280 batting average and balanced five-category potential. While not a burner on the basepaths, he should be capable of stealing double-digit bases. Expect De Vries to begin 2026 in Double-A with the goal to have him eligible for a 2027 ROTY award.

    Gage Jump

    Gage Jump was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of LSU. Since joining the organization, Jump has quickly emerged as one of Oakland’s most exciting young arms, blending deception and power stuff from the left side.

    Jump may not have a prototypical workhorse frame at 6-foot, 200 pounds, but he still generates high-end velocity. Working from an over-the-top arm slot, he drops deep into his back leg to create strong velocity and ride on his fastball. He does an excellent job keeping his front side closed and hides the ball until release, making it difficult for hitters to pick up the ball. The deception adds to his pitch effectiveness and helps his entire arsenal play up.

    His fastball is a true plus pitch, sitting in the mid-90s and topping out at 99–100 mph. It looks to have little to no horizontal tail and is a likely a plus IVB fastball. His slider and curveball are two other potential plus pitches to compliment his fastball. His curveball has a mix of good vertical and horizontal movement while the slider sits in the mid-80s seems with different shapes at times.

    Across High-A and Double-A in 2025, Jump posted a 3.28 ERA with 131 strikeouts in 112.1 innings, holding opponents to a .213 batting average while maintaining a 7% walk rate. His combination of velocity, command gains, and mound poise has made him one of the most advanced arms in Oakland’s system.

    Comparison

    With his arm angle, fastball life, and advanced breaking stuff, Jump draws comparisons to Robbie Ray. Both stay closed early in their deliveries and create natural deception by hiding the ball through release. While Jump’s slider velocity is lower than Ray’s 87–88 mph average, it still projects as a plus offering.

    Robbie Ray (right) & Gage Jump (Left)

    Fantasy Outlook

    From a fantasy perspective, Jump fits the mold of a high-strikeout lefty with impact potential. His fastball velocity, breaking ball depth, and deception suggest a pitcher capable of above-average strikeout rates with solid ratios once fully developed. His trajectory and likely 2026 ETA make him a sneaky dynasty target in deeper formats. If his curveball and slider continue to sharpen and his changeup becomes a reliable fourth option, Jump could grow into a top-of-the-rotation arm for a franchise currently seeking high-upside starters.

    Henry Bolte

    Henry Bolte was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Palo Alto High School for a $2 million bonus. Standing 6-foot-3 with a lean frame and twitchy movements, he quickly became one of the most toolsy outfielders in Oakland’s system.

    In 114 games across Double-A and Triple-A, Bolte slashed .284/.385/.427 while stealing 44 bases and hitting nine home runs. At Triple-A, his 11.3% walk rate and 24.9% chase rate showcased improved zone discipline, though his 32.6% strikeout rate raises legitimate hit tool concerns. Even with the contact issues, Bolte’s production earned him a Futures Game appearance and the honor of being named Athletics 2025 Minor League Player of the Year.

    Bolte has an explosive swing with great torque that should help him maximize his power, though the aggressiveness in his swing can lead to swing and miss. Watching his video brings to mind former Brewers prospect Joey Wiemer. Both possess plus raw power and speed, but their limitations with contact have dictated how far their profiles carry. Bolte’s elite speed and athleticism should allow him to stay in center field and handle all three outfield spots when needed.

    Tool Comparisons

    Using our internal tool grade, Bolte profiles similarly to a mix of power-speed players who impact the game in multiple ways.

    DoubleScoopBaseball Tool Grades showring potential floor/ceiling for Henry Bolte

    Bolte’s range of outcomes depends heavily on how his hit tool develops. His ceiling resembles Luis Robert Jr., a player capable of great peaks but who has struggled with year-to-year consistency with his floor being that of a part-time or platoon player.

    Fantasy Outlook

    In dynasty leagues, Bolte is a boom-or-bust prospect. He offers multi-category upside with power and speed but remains a risk due to contact concerns. If he can trim the strikeouts and maintain his plate discipline, he could develop into an exciting everyday contributor. If not, his role may settle into a platoon or part-time player. Expect Bolte to spend most of 2026 in Triple-A and be on the call-up radar if injuries or performance struggles open a spot in Oakland’s outfield.

    Braden Nett

    Originally signed by the Padres as an undrafted free agent out of community college, Braden Nett was acquired by the Athletics in the Mason Miller trade. Listed at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, Nett has a projectable frame and an athletic arm action that continues to trend in the right direction.

    His fastball and curveball are both plus offerings, forming the foundation of his arsenal. The fastball touches the high 90s while the curveball is a high-spin breaker with sharp vertical depth. Together they form a legitimate two-pitch mix capable of missing bats at any level. Nett also mixes in a slider and cutter, both of which project as future major-league pitches. His changeup is used sparingly but flashes as a usable pitch when he commands it effectively. Once Triple-A pitch data becomes available we should get a clear picture idea about his pitch shapes.

    In 2025, Nett logged a career-high 105.2 innings, putting him in position to handle a full starter’s workload in 2026. With another year of development, Nett could be on track to make a late-season debut in 2026 if the Athletics need reinforcements down the stretch in the rotation or the bullpen.

    Fantasy Outlook

    From a fantasy standpoint, Nett has the ceiling of mid-rotation starter and floor of a reliever and needs to prove he can handle a season’s workload. The fastball-curveball pairing already plays at a major-league level out of the bullpen. Refinement of the slider-cutter combination gives him a wider arsenal to succeed as a starter. If his changeup gains consistency and command continue to improve, Nett could grow into one of the more valuable young arms in the As’ system. Fantasy managers should monitor him throughout 2026, as he has the potential to emerge as a late season streaming option.

    Wei-En Lin

    Wei-En Lin is an under-the-radar arm in the Athletics organization. The Taiwanese right-hander combines advanced pitchability and a refined three-pitch mix built around one of the best changeups in the system. At just 19 years old and listed at 6-foot-1, 179 pounds, Lin has a loose and repeatable delivery that should allow him to add velocity as he matures.

    Lin’s pitch mix features a fastball, changeup, and curveball, with the changeup standing out as his best offering. It features strong velocity separation from the fastball and heavy arm-side fade, allowing him to miss barrels and neutralize right-handers.

    Overlay of Wei-En Lin fastball and changeup

    His fastball sits 91–93 mph with late arm-side life, and there is room for added velocity as his strength develops. His curveball has moderate depth and shape, serving as a usable third pitch to change eye levels, though it is not currently projected as a plus pitch.

    The fastball-changeup pairing gives Lin a solid foundation and helps him generate weak contact even without premium velocity. His smooth mechanics and command help him fill the strike zone consistently. For Lin to take another step forward and become fantasy-relevant, he will need either a velocity bump or a sharper breaking ball to better handle left-handed hitters and generate more swing and miss.

    Fantasy Outlook

    From a fantasy perspective, Lin profiles as a command-first starter with back-end rotation potential. The fastball-changeup combination is advanced enough to carry him up the minors. If the fastball velocity ticks up or the curveball gains more bite, Lin could rise quickly on organizational rankings. For now, he remains a developmental arm who can be monitored but left off fantasy rosters.

    Follow us on X @2BScoopBaseball or @DoubleScoopBaseball on IG and reach out with any comments, feedback or questions!

  • Rookie Analysis & Tool Grades: September 2025

    Rookie Analysis & Tool Grades: September 2025

    The 2025 season has been a showcase for electric rookie arms. Jacob Misiorowski, Chase Burns, Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, Peyton Tolle, and Bubba Chandler have all made their debuts and flashed excellence at times. But beyond the headline prospects, a deeper group of rookie pitchers has quietly carved out meaningful roles.

    This month’s Rookie Review shifts focus to some of the arms we haven’t covered yet this season, pitchers who’ve logged enough innings to graduate from prospect status and now deserve a closer look. We’ll dive into their season performance, pitch mix, and dynasty comps to help you assess their long-term value.

    If you missed our earlier rookie breakdowns, you can catch up below:

    Now let’s dive in!

    Cade Horton

    Cade Horton entered 2025 as the Cubs top pitching prospect. After a dominant stretch in Triple-A Iowa to open the season (1.24 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 30.6% K-rate), Horton earned his call-up in late May and has been one of the top performing rookies in the National League since.

    Through his first 22 MLB starts, Horton has posted a 2.67 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts across 118 innings. His arsenal is headlined by a cut-ride four-seam fastball averaging 95.7 mph, a sweeper, and a changeup. Below is his full pitch movement profile courtesy of Baseball Savant:

    • His sweeper and changeup are his best pitches, generating whiff rates of 36.9% and 47.7%, respectively.
    • The changeup’s success is amplified by the difference in horizontal movement with his four-seam.

    Since the start of August, Horton has taken his game to another level:

    • 1.28 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, .154 AVG against
    • K-rate jumped from 17.3% to 25.1%
    • BB-rate improved from 7.6% to 5.9%

    He’s also begun tweaking his pitch mix, increasing the usage of his sinker. Against righties, he leans on the four-seam, sweeper, and sinker; against lefties, he mixes in the four-seam, changeup, and curveball. There’s room to incorporate the sinker and changeup more against both splits, especially to keep hitters off balance the third time through the order.

    Horton has similarities with Kyle Bradish who also features a cut-ride fastball and a strong sinker/slider combo. Bradish leans more heavily on his sinker, and it’ll be interesting to see if Horton follows suit and leans further into his sinker in 2026. Below are some other similar pitchers in terms of arsenal and skill grades:

    At age 23, Horton still has a wide range of outcomes for his career, but he is in the middle of his best MLB stretch to date. Heading into 2026, expect him to continue refining his pitch mix. Horton is a solid rookie pitcher with the upside of a No. 2 starter and the floor of a reliable mid-rotation arm.

    Jacob Misiorowski

    Jacob Misiorowski, nicknamed “The Miz”, took the league by storm in his debut, tossing five no-hit innings in his first start and following it up with six more before surrendering his first hit. Drafted by the Brewers in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Crowder College, Misiorowski has quickly become one of the most electric pitchers in baseball. At 6’7″ with long limbs and elite velocity, he’s one of the most entertaining arms to watch.

    Misiorowski features an elite arsenal and draws strong pitch comps. His fastball is nearly identical to Hunter Greene’s, sitting above 99 mph, but it falls into the “expected movement” bucket, meaning it lacks standout ride or run. Without precise location, it can be vulnerable to hard contact and home runs, especially if hitters are sitting on it.

    His slider is a true outlier, over two mph harder than any other slider in the league. While it doesn’t generate much movement or velocity separation from the fastball, the velocity alone makes it a plus pitch against righties. His changeup, however, might be the most underrated weapon in his arsenal. Despite his elite velocity, Misiorowski‘s changeup has held hitters to a .050 batting average and a .075 wOBA, while generating a 37.8% whiff rate. Heading into 2026, expect him to lean more heavily on the changeup given its elite results.

    When healthy and in the rotation, the Miz has some of the highest upside of any pitcher in MLB. One of the only concerns is his command. He’s posted walk rates between 11–15% in the minors, and while he’s improved to 10.8% in the majors, any regression could lead to rough stretches. Increased baserunners combined with a fastball with poor shape, if not well located, could expose him to damage.

    Still, the ceiling is immense. If the command holds and he continues to refine pitch usage, the Miz could emerge as a top-tier fantasy starter with elite strikeout upside.

    Cam Schlittler

    Cam Schlittler is a 6’6” hard-throwing rookie who was selected in the 7th round of the 2022 draft out of Northeastern University. While his fastball topped out in the mid-90s during college, it now sits at 98 mph in the majors.

    Despite the velocity, Schlittler features a loose, smooth delivery that should aid both strike throwing and long-term durability. In addition to his high-velocity fastball, he primarily mixes in a cutter, curveball, and sinker. His 2025 pitch movement profile from Baseball Savant shown below:

    • His cutter operates more like a hard slider, with a velocity gap from the fastball that mirrors traditional slider usage. It also features plus glove-side movement.
    • The curveball serves as his primary breaking pitch against lefties, showing solid depth and above-average velocity.
    • The sinker is used sparingly but adds a different look down in the zone

    To take the next step, Schlittler would benefit from developing a true off-speed pitch, ideally a changeup or splitter. This would help keep hitters off his fastball and breaking ball combo, which can become predictable for major league hitters. A viable bridge pitch would elevate his ceiling and push him toward top-tier starter potential.

    Schlittler has stepped up alongside fellow rookie Will Warren, filling in admirably for Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt, who’ve spent much of the season on the IL. With their emergence, the Yankees now boast an abundance of MLB-caliber starters: Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, Will Warren, and Cam Schlittler.

    Looking ahead, the Yankees could trade Clarke Schmidt or Luis or consider moving them to the bullpen given their past struggles staying healthy over a full season. He has the floor of a dependable mid-rotation arm and the upside of a No. 2 behind Max Fried if he improves his breaking ball command and/or adds a viable off-speed pitch to round out the arsenal.

    Braxton Ashcraft

    Braxton Ashcraft has been one of the best comeback stories of 2025. After missing three seasons recovering from multiple surgeries, including Tommy John, a torn meniscus, and a left shoulder procedure, he has made an immediate impact with the Pirates in his rookie season. Over 65.1 innings split between the bullpen and starting rotation, he has posted a 2.62 ERA and 1.19 WHIP.

    In his eight starts this year, he has an elite 2.16 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. He is limiting hitters to a .226 average against while showing modest K (25.9%) and BB (7.4%) rates. One thing to note is he has averaged just over four innings per start, showing the Pirates are going to be cautious with his innings, with good reason.

    His arsenal grades out well among rookie starters, highlighted by two high-velocity breaking balls. Both his slider (92.0 mph) and curveball (84.3 mph) sit well above average in velocity, giving him a power profile. He compares similar with other rookie pitcher Cam Schlittller, as well as the other power pitchers below in terms of their arsenals and skill grades.

    Ashcraft will face stiff competition for a rotation spot in 2026 with a Pirates rotation that is currently top 5 in starters ERA on the season. Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller are locked in, while Bubba Chandler, Mike Burrows, Johan Oviedo, and Jared Jones will all be competing for spots at some point during the season.

    Outside of Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler, Ashcraft looks like he can be the highest upside pitcher in the Pirates organization. If he wins the job and stays healthy, he profiles as a useful fantasy arm with strikeout potential and strong ratios. The Pirates rotation could quietly continue to be one of the stronger staffs in the MLB and would keep Ashcraft on your draft radar.

    Joey Cantillo

    Joey Cantillo has been a prospect in the Guardians system since 2021, arriving via trade after being drafted by the Padres out of high school in 2017. He made his pro debut at age 17 and has quietly been climbing the organization ladder, posting 30% K-rates at most stops.

    Cantillo began the 2025 season in the bullpen but has been a fixture in the Guardians rotation since July. Over 12 starts, he’s posted a 2.93 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts across 61.1 innings.

    He throws from a high arm slot, which helps generate strong vertical break, especially on his off-speed pitches. While he doesn’t have plus velocity, his changeup is a true plus pitch. It’s held hitters to a .168 batting average and generated a 49.1% whiff rate, making it one of the most effective changeups among in the majors.

    Cantillo also features a big 12–6 curveball with 18 inches of induced vertical break and roughly five and a half feet of total vertical drop. He bridges his arsenal with an 84.9 mph slider, which he uses more frequently against left-handed hitters.

    Here’s how Cantillo stacks up against similar left-handed starters using our dynasty skill tools:

    Cantillo owns a borderline elite changeup and average-to-above-average breaking balls. His four-seam fastball remains his weakest pitch, allowing a .358 wOBA against. If he can add velocity it would elevate his ceiling significantly.

    Without a premium fastball, Cantillo will rely on sequencing and off-speed command to maintain his strikeout rates. His strong second half gives him momentum heading into 2026, where he’ll compete with Parker Messick, Logan Allen, and Slade Cecconi for a rotation spot. Keep a close eye on his Spring Training velocity, any uptick in velocity would greatly improve his outlook.

    Michael McGreevy

    Michael McGreevy, known for his polish and command, has carved out a rotation role in St. Louis, posting a 4.08 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 53 strikeouts across 86 innings through mid-September. We previously mentioned him in a previous Dynasty Buy-Low post back in June.

    While he doesn’t light up radar guns, his fastball averages 93.0 mph, McGreevy thrives on a deep pitch mix and plus command shown below from Baseball Savant:

    Against right-handed hitters he leans on a sinker/sweeper combo that’s been effective career to date, holding right-handed hitters to a .247 wOBA. However, left-handed hitters have been a challenge early in his career, with a .349 wOBA against.

    The only pitch generating a sub-.300 wOBA against left-handed hitters is his cutter, which he throws 18.3% of the time to lefties. Refining his arsenal against opposite-handed hitters will be key to unlocking more consistency.

    Using our custom tool grades, McGreevy profiles similarly to Zach Eflin, Miles Mikolas, and Bailey Ober, pitchers who rely on command and sequencing over raw stuff.

    McGreevy will likely remain below average in terms of bat-missing ability, but his deep mix and strike-throwing give him value. With Miles Mikolas set to hit free agency, McGreevy is almost guaranteed a rotation spot heading into 2026, where he’ll have a chance to log his first full MLB season.

    He fits the mold of a reliable innings eater who can anchor the back of a rotation. While his results may fluctuate based on defense and batted-ball luck, he’s capable of posting sub-4.00 ERA seasons and will be useful in formats where innings and consistent starts matter.

    Jacob Lopez

    Jacob Lopez has emerged as one of the more surprising rookie arms of 2025. After bouncing between Tampa Bay and Oakland in recent seasons, Lopez finally earned a consistent rotation spot with the A’s and has made the most of it.

    Through 92.2 innings, the 27-year-old rookie has posted a 4.08 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts. His 28.3% strikeout rate ranks in the 85th percentile, though his 9.3% walk rate remains below league average.

    Lopez throws from a low three-quarters arm slot and relies heavily on his four-seam fastball and slider, while mixing in a cutter and changeup primarily against right-handed hitters. His slider features plus separation from the fastball and is his best pitch by nearly every metric, wOBA, xwOBA, AVG, SLG, whiff%, you name it. His changeup flashes above-average movement but functions more as a chase pitch than a reliably commanded offering.

    Lopez has enough swing-and-miss to carve out a role in Oakland’s thin rotation. However, his below-average velocity limits his long-term projection. Improving his command will be the clearest path to another step forward. Pitch comps include Andrew Heaney and Sean Manaea, both of whom share similar arm slots and fastball shapes.

    Here’s how Lopez stacks up using our dynasty skill tools:

    At age 27 and lacking league-average velocity, Jacob Lopez is likely close to maxed out skill-wise. Command improvement will be key to sustaining his success. With a Grade 1 flexor strain and the Athletics out of playoff contention, he’s unlikely to pitch again in 2025. Flexor strains can be precursors to Tommy John surgery, but Lopez should have a full offseason to rehab and prepare for 2026. Be cautious on draft day, Lopez carries real injury risk and could see some strikeout regression. Expectations should be tempered accordingly.

    Brad Lord

    Brad Lord entered pro ball as a low-end prospect, drafted in the 18th round of the 2022 draft with a 35+ future grade from FanGraphs. He’s beat expectations, posting a 2.43 ERA across Double-A and Triple-A in 2024 and earning an Opening Day roster spot in 2025.

    Lord has split 126.2 innings across the bullpen and rotation with a 4.12 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 12.0% K-BB. He operates from a low three-quarters arm slot (20 degrees) and generates noticeable arm-side run on both his four-seam fastball and changeup, as shown in his 2025 movement profile via Baseball Savant:

    Despite the plus movement on the four seam, Lord’s pitches have been hit hard this year with the xwOBA against of all pitches all above .300. Adding a bigger breaking ball, such as a curveball or sweeper, would help him generate more strikeouts and improve his overall effectiveness.

    Using our dynasty skill grades, here’s how Lord compares to similar starter profiles:

    Lord needs to improve his arsenal to stick as a long-term starter. A sweeper or curveball would be the most impactful addition, and if he’s able to develop a cutter as well, it could round out his pitch mix. Without those improvements, he profiles more as a spot starter or multi-inning bullpen arm.

    With a fully healthy Nationals rotation, Lord is likely headed back to the bullpen and will serve as a depth piece moving forward. He can be left off most fantasy rosters headed into 2026 outside mono-leagues.

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  • Prospect Review: Arizona Diamondbacks

    Prospect Review: Arizona Diamondbacks

    In our July prospect review, we covered breakout names such as Konnor Griffin, Jonah Tong, and Eduardo Quintero who have been making noise across the minors. Moving forward, we’re shifting to team-prospect reviews, giving us space to dive deeper into intriguing prospects throughout each organization.

    We’re kicking things off with the Arizona Diamondbacks. This system is currently top-heavy with hitters and MLB Pipeline’s top five D-backs prospects are all position players. In 2025, the front office made a concerted effort to bolster pitching depth, acquiring Kohl Drake, Mitch Bratt, and David Hagaman from Texas, and selecting Patrick Forbes 29th overall out of Louisville. While the pitching group still lacks true frontline upside, it’s a meaningful step for a franchise looking to retool after trading away MLB talent like Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suárez, and Merrill Kelly.

    Let’s dive into Arizona’s top prospects below.

    Ryan Waldschmidt

    Ryan Waldschmidt is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting outfield prospects in the minors. Ranked 66th overall by MLB Pipeline, he has showcased an impressive all-around skill set, slashing .283/.417/.460 with 16 home runs and 28 stolen bases across High-A and Double-A in 129 games. As a college draftee, expect him to move swiftly through the system if he continues to perform at this level.

    Waldschmidt is a right-handed hitter with a simple setup. He forgoes a leg kick in favor of a small toe tap that launches into an aggressive swing. His swing features noticeable tilt, which helps him tap into his plus raw power. To better understand his in-game power, we examined his modeled barrel rates:

    Both marks are above average for their respective levels, even after adjusting for our average absolute difference.

    What stands out most about Waldschmidt is his combination of plate discipline and batted ball profile. Walking as often as you strike out while hitting for power reflects his advanced approach. In 2025, he showed a patient approach with a swing rate below 40% while keeping his strikeout rate below 20%. He also consistently elevates the ball, with 63.2% of his batted balls hit in the air. For reference, the MLB average is 55.7%.

    Looking ahead, Waldschmidt projects for a 2027 debut. While Corbin Carroll is the only long-term outfield lock on the roster, the Diamondbacks have several options with remaining service time. This includes Alek Thomas, Jake McCarthy, and even Blaze Alexander who has played some outfield this season. Triple A depth like AJ Vukovich, Kristian Robinson, and Cristian Pache could also get looks in 2026 but have more risk in their profiles. Waldschmidt has the best blend of approach and contact skills to fully capitalize on his power and speed.

    Currently ranked as our 70th overall dynasty outfielder, Waldschmidt will be under closer evaluation in 2026 once Triple-A Statcast data becomes available. He profiles as a potential 20 home run and 20 stolen base contributor with a stable batting average and a strong on-base percentage. View him as a buy now in dynasty leagues and one of the top outfield prospects in the game.

    Slade Caldwell

    Slade Caldwell is closing out his first professional season after being selected in the first round of the 2024 draft out of high school. He was a fascinating pick, older than most prep draftees and undersized at just 5 feet 9 inches and 182 pounds, but the early returns have been encouraging.

    Across 114 Single-A and High-A games, Caldwell is slashing .260/.408/.369 with 3 home runs and 25 stolen bases. Given that the average hitter in High-A is around 22 years old, these are solid numbers for a teenager adjusting to pro ball.

    His most notable tools right now are speed and plate discipline. Caldwell owns a 17.6% walk rate and has swiped 25 bags, showing a sharp understanding of the strike zone and an ability to impact the game on the bases. He has also displayed impressive bat-to-ball skills, with a 6.9% swinging strike rate and a 79.5% contact rate. Typically, those metrics align with lower strikeout rates, but Caldwell’s passive approach, reflected in a 33.0% swing rate, has likely led to deeper counts and more strikeouts than expected.

    There is room for growth. If Caldwell becomes more assertive in the zone, he could better capitalize on his contact ability and speed. Even if his walk rate dips slightly, his discipline would still be a strength. His short, compact swing is built for contact, and he often lets the ball travel deep, which supports his all-fields profile but limits his power ceiling. His modeled barrel rates this year show he struggled to hit for power at his first taste of High-A.

    Caldwell remains a young hitter with time to adjust. With a full offseason ahead, he will have the chance to refine his approach and unlock more of his skillset. He brings to mind other left-handed outfielders like Alek Thomas and Evan Carter, athletic players with strong instincts and feel for the game. Below is a comparison of some of their metrics from their age 19 seasons:

    Caldwell has stronger contact and walks rates than Thomas at the same age and expect Caldwell to lower his strikeout rate as he develops. While I project below average power, Caldwell’s combination of contact skills, speed, and discipline gives him a real chance to become the Diamondbacks’ center fielder of the future, but lacks star upside.

    Daniel Eagen

    Daniel Eagen, currently ranked as the Diamondbacks’ 13th overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, is one of the most exciting arms in their system. Drafted out of Presbyterian College in 2024, Eagen dominated in his final collegiate season, striking out 121 hitters over just 77.2 innings with a 2.67 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP.

    On video, Eagen attacks hitters primarily with a fastball and curveball from a high arm slot. His four-seam fastball sits in the mid-90s and shows strong horizontal movement. His best offering is a low 80s curveball with sharp downward break, a true plus pitch that should be effective against both righties and lefties. He also mixes in a mid-80s slider that adds horizontal shape to his arsenal.

    Since entering pro ball, Eagen has kept the momentum going. In 2025, he posted a 33.0 percent strikeout rate and reached Double-A in his first full season. He has been impressive, logging a 2.65 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and holding opponents to a .183 batting average. He will likely begin 2026 back in Double-A, where he will have a chance to build on the 11.3% K-BB he posted in his first three starts at the level.

    Eagen has the potential to contribute in Arizona thanks to his plus fastball and curveball. To round out a starter’s arsenal, it would be beneficial for him to develop an average off speed pitch, such as a splitter or changeup variation, to complement his current mix. Eagen has some of the higher upside of the Arizona arms. With his current fastball and curveball mix he could be a late inning bullpen arm. But if he can develop an average off-speed pitch to compliment his current mix, he has mid-rotation upside.

    Kohl Drake

    Originally drafted by the Rangers in the 11th round of the 2022 draft out of Walters State Community College, Kohl Drake was traded to the Diamondbacks in the deal that sent Merrill Kelly to Texas. After a few starts at Triple-A Reno, he was shut down at the end of August with a shoulder strain.

    Listed at 6 feet 5 inches and 220 pounds, Drake features a deceptive delivery with strong extension that makes him feel like he is jumping at hitters. He throws his fastball and sinker more than 50% of the time in Triple A this season, sitting around 93 mph and occasionally touching 95 to 96 mph. His primary breaking ball is a slider that averaged 82.4 mph, and he mixes in a changeup with good separation from his fastballs. His pitch movement chart from his Triple-A appearances highlights the diversity and shape of his arsenal.

    While posting strong results with a 2.44 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 55.1 innings in Double-A, nearly all his stats took a hit upon a promotion to Triple-A. I think some of the decline can be attributed to pitching in the hitter friendly Pacific Coast league.

    Drake could likely step into the big-league bullpen in 2026 and find success using just his sinker and slider, which could play up in shorter stints. If the Diamondbacks choose to keep him in a starting role, he will likely begin the season in Triple-A, where his workload can be managed. His only season throwing more than 100 innings was in 2023, when he reached 106 innings.

    At 25 years old, Drake profiles more as a future bullpen weapon, with the potential to serve as an emergency starter. If he continues to develop complementary pitches to support his fastball and slider, there is still a path to remaining in the rotation.

    Demetrio Crisantes

    Demetrio Crisantes is a lean-framed infielder listed at 6 feet tall and 178 pounds. He has spent most of his time at second and third base, with occasional reps at first. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 draft out of an Arizona high school, Crisantes has consistently performed at a high level since entering pro ball. However, 2025 marks the first season where he has not been on pace to hit over .300.

    Unfortunately, he did not get the chance to rebound, as a shoulder injury in May required surgery and ended his season early.

    Despite the career-low batting average, Crisantes continued to show advanced contact skills and plate discipline, walking more than he struck out. His strikeout rate improved alongside career-best marks in contact rate at 87.1% and swinging strike rate at 5.5%. His modeled barrel rate came in just below the High A average at 4.7%:

    These modeled barrel rates are still encouraging given his age relative to the level and suggest he may be able to tap into league average power as he matures.

    With most of 2025 lost to injury, it will be important to monitor how he rebounds in 2026. His contact ability and approach give him a high floor, but his upside as an everyday starter will depend on how much power he can unlock. If everything clicks, Jonathan India represents a realistic comp for Crisantes.

    Yu-Min Lin

    Yu-Min Lin signed with the Diamondbacks out of Taiwan in December 2021 for $525,000 and has steadily climbed the ranks since. Now 22 years old, Lin spent 2025 in Triple-A Reno, where he posted a 6.68 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP. Reno, like much of the Pacific Coast League, is known for its hitter friendly environments, with higher elevations that allow the ball to carry more. His home run per fly ball rate spiked in his first full season at the level:

    Lin is a 5-foot 11-inch, 160-pound lefty with a deep arsenal and advanced feel for spin. His fastball is not overpowering, averaging 90.8 mph and topping out at 94.8 mph, but it is his secondaries that define his profile. He throws a low 80s changeup that has served as his primary pitch in past seasons and generated a 41.4% whiff rate in Triple-A this year. Lin also shows excellent feel for spin with a mid-70s curveball that exceeds 3,000 revolutions per minute and a sweeper around 2,900 revolutions per minute. Both pitches rank as above average to elite in terms of spin rate.

    While his arsenal is not overpowering, Lin’s command of his off-speed and breaking pitches gives him the profile of a crafty left-handed starter.

    Lin would likely benefit by getting out of Reno where he could see his HR/FB normalize and Lin would likely benefit from leaving Reno, where his home run rates could normalize and his breaking pitches might play more effectively. For him to succeed, he will need to limit walks, as he does not project to post high strikeout rates. His strikeout numbers have declined each year as he has advanced through the organization.

    Still, Lin’s deep pitch mix and feel for spin give him a strong chance to stick in the rotation as a back-end starter.

    Mitch Bratt

    Mitch Bratt, 21, was acquired by the Diamondbacks in July 2025 as part of the trade that sent Merrill Kelly to Texas. Originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 draft out of high school, Bratt has thrown a career high 122.1 innings this year in Double-A. Across his time with the Rangers and Diamondbacks, he has posted a 3.38 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, with an 29.3% strikeout rate against an impressive 4.2% walk rate.

    Bratt is a 6-foot 1 inch, 190-pound left hander who has steadily climbed the minor league ladder. His arsenal includes a low 90s fastball, low 80s slider, curveball, changeup, and a newly added cutter that serves as a bridge pitch. While none of his offerings are overpowering, it is his command and pitchability that allow him to maximize his repertoire. His pitches appear to tunnel well off each other, and he repeats his mechanics and release point consistently.

    Expect Bratt to begin 2026 in Triple-A, where he will be pitching in the Pacific Coast League and facing some of the same hitter friendly environments that challenged Kohl Drake and Yu Min Lin this year. Keep that context in mind when evaluating his stats and home run rates next season.

    Overall, Bratt fits the mold of a back end starting pitcher but does not carry the same immediate bullpen risk that Drake does, thanks to better command and mechanical consistency.

    JD Dix

    JD Dix was drafted 35th overall in 2024 and made his professional debut in 2025. He began in complex ball and has since been promoted to Single-A, where he has posted a 113 wRC plus to date. Listed as a switch hitter, Dix has primarily played second base in pro ball. In pre-draft video, he appears more comfortable swinging from the left side and could eventually transition to hitting left-handed full time.

    He has shown a strong hit tool with impressive contact rates and low swinging strike rates in the minors. However, his modeled barrel rate has been below league average, sitting at 1.6 percent in CPX and 1.1 percent in Single-A:

    While he has not displayed much in-game power yet, there is room for growth as he continues to mature.

    Although his ceiling may be limited due to modest power and a likely long-term fit at second base, Dix could turn himself into a infield utility type. He does not have much swing and miss in his game, and a refined approach in 2026 could unlock another level of production. If he takes a step forward in the power department, he could develop into a valuable contributor in the mold of Jake Cronenworth.

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