Every MLB Team's Biggest Breakout Prospect of the 2025 Season
Despite the fact that MLB teams have entire scouting departments dedicated to player evaluation and development, the prospect world remains something of a crap shoot.
Highly regarded prospects routinely fail to live up to the hype, while players outside the top-tier conversation are just one breakout performance away from raising their profile significantly.
That second group is what we will focus on here.
Kristian Campbell (Red Sox), Agustín Ramírez (Yankees/Marlins), Alex Freeland (Dodgers), Cam Schlitter (Yankees), C.J. Kayfus (Guardians) and Noah Cameron (Royals) were among the biggest breakout prospects of the 2024 season, and they have all since broken through and reached the big leagues.
Ahead we've highlighted one breakout prospect from each of the 30 MLB organizations, with each player's organizational rank at the beginning of the 2025 campaign, according to Baseball America, included for context.
Only players ranked outside their team's Top 10 prospects to start the year were considered. To be eligible, a player also had to still hold prospect eligibility, which means fewer than 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days on the active roster at the MLB level.
AL East
1 of 6
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Esteban Mejia
Age: 18
Preseason Rank: NR
Stats (Rk/A): 12 GS, 2.64 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 27 BB, 55 K, 44.1 IP
Signed for $150,000 as part of the 2024 international class, Mejia racked up 44 strikeouts in 27.2 innings in his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, and he has continued to impress stateside. The 6'3", 175-pound right-hander has significant remaining projection, and he has already touched 102 mph with his electric fastball.
Boston Red Sox: LHP Payton Tolle
Age: 22
Preseason Rank: 15
Stats (A+/AA): 17 G, 15 GS, 2.93 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 21 BB, 116 K, 76.2 IP
The No. 50 overall pick in the 2024 draft, Tolle is on the fast track to the majors, as he is set to make his Triple-A debut following stellar stints at High-A and Double-A. The 6'6" southpaw leans heavily on an elite fastball that touches 99 mph with good life, and improving secondary stuff has him looking more and more like a potential future ace.
New York Yankees: RHP Carlos Lagrange
Age: 22
Preseason Rank: 15
Stats (A+/AA): 18 G, 17 GS, 3.77 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 48 BB, 134 K, 90.2 IP
Lagrange tallied 35 walks and 37 strikeouts in 29.2 innings between rookie ball, Single-A and the Arizona Fall League in 2024, with back inflammation limiting his workload. The 6'7" righty has trimmed his walk rate to a more manageable 12.0 percent this year while continuing to miss plenty of bats with a fastball that touches 102 mph, and he has arguably the highest ceiling of any Yankees pitching prospect.
Tampa Bay Rays: RHP Brody Hopkins
Age: 23
Preseason Rank: 11
Stats (AA): 20 GS, 3.03 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 47 BB, 112 K, 92.0 IP
Hopkins saw more time as an outfielder than he did on the mound in college, logging just 57 innings with a 5.84 ERA during stops at College of Charleston and Winthrop. His elite athleticism is apparent in his clean, repeatable mechanics, and he has gone from a sixth-round pick by the Mariners in 2023 to the top pitching prospect in a pitching-rich Rays system two years later after he was acquired in the Randy Arozarena trade.
Toronto Blue Jays: RHP Gage Stanifer
Age: 21
Preseason Rank: NR
Stats (A/A+): 20 G, 9 GS, 2.92 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 42 BB, 115 K, 74.0 IP
A 19th-round pick out of the Indiana high school ranks in 2022, Stanifer took his lumps in rookie ball in 2023 (42.2 IP, 6.33 ERA) and at Single-A in 2024 (59.2 IP, 6.34 ERA), but he has taken off this season after starting the year piggybacking starts with 2024 first-round pick Trey Yesavage. His fastball and slider are both plus pitches, but his 13.6 percent walk still needs work for him to take the next step.
AL Central
2 of 6
Chicago White Sox: RHP Tanner McDougal
Age: 22
Preseason Rank: NR
Stats (A+/AA): 22 GS, 2.62 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 43 BB, 120 K, 96.1 IP
The White Sox went above-slot to sign McDougal as a fifth-round pick in the 2021 draft after he turned heads at the MLB Draft Combine. He struggled with his command while posting a 6.04 ERA in 92.1 innings last year, though he did tally 116 strikeouts while bumping 99 mph with his fastball. An improved walk rate (13.6% to 10.7%) and fewer home runs allowed (13 to 6) has helped him break out.
Cleveland Guardians: OF Alfonsin Rosario
Age: 21
Preseason Rank: NR
Stats (A+/AA): 363 PA, .265/.361/.482, 34 XBH (16 HR), 12 SB
Rosario hit .230/.344/.423 with 18 home runs and 20 steals last season for the Cubs' Single-A affiliate, albeit with 147 strikeouts in 109 games. The Guardians acquired him in exchange for reliever Eli Morgan in November, and his 55-power, 60-speed offensive tools have been on display once again this year, accompanied by an improving approach at the plate against higher level competition.
Detroit Tigers: 2B Max Anderson
Age: 23
Preseason Rank: NR
Stats (AA): 395 PA, .306/.359/.503, 41 XBH (14 HR), 2 SB
Anderson hit a gaudy .414/.461/.770 with 20 doubles, 21 home runs and 70 RBI in 57 games during his junior season at the University of Nebraska, and with limited range and a below average arm, he will go as far as his bat carries him in pro ball. So far, it looks like it has the potential to carry him all the way to being an offensive-minded starting second baseman.
Kansas City Royals: OF Asbel Gonzalez
Age: 19
Preseason Rank: 25
Stats (A): 409 PA, .260/.376/.310, 12 XBH (1 HR), 63 SB
Gonzalez ranks third in the minors with 63 steals, and while he has also been caught stealing 22 times, he is still a teenager and his instincts on the bases will improve with more experience. He is never going to hit for power, but his contact skills, elite speed and defensive tools give him a chance to develop into an everyday center fielder.
Minnesota Twins: LHP Dasan Hill
Age: 19
Preseason Rank: 15
Stats (A): 15 GS, 2.79 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 31 BB, 65 K, 48.1 IP
The Twins shelled out $2 million to sign Hill away from his commitment to Dallas Baptist as the No. 69 overall pick in the 2024 draft, and he jumped straight to Single-A for his pro debut where he has quickly emerged as the top young arm in the system. His 6'5", 165-pound frame offers significant physical projection, and he will likely be brought along slowly as he continues to develop, but the pieces are there for him to be an impact starter down the road.
AL West
3 of 6
Athletics: LHP Gage Jump
Age: 22
Preseason Rank: 14
Stats (A+/AA): 20 G, 18 GS, 1.96 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 27 BB, 112 K, 91.2 IP
Checking in at No. 44 on the B/R Top 100 prospect list, Jump is the biggest breakout pitching prospect of 2025. One of the top prep arms in the 2021 draft, he honored his commitment to UCLA but logged just 16.1 innings in two injury-plagued seasons before transferring to LSU and turning in a strong junior campaign. His 6'0", 200-pound frame raises questions about his ability to handle a starter's workload, but he has four quality pitches and plus command.
Houston Astros: OF Joseph Sullivan
Age: 23
Preseason Rank: 16
Stats (A+/AA): 402 PA, .227/.405/.448, 32 XBH (17 HR), 38 SB
The word "toolsy" is a popular one in prospect circles to describe a player who brings a little bit of everything to the table, and Sullivan fits the mold. He has strong on-base skills, sneaky power, plus speed and the defensive chops to stick in center field. He has struggled since making the jump to Double-A on July 22, but he is still on track to outperform expectations relative to his seventh-round pedigree.
Los Angeles Angels: C Gabriel Davalillo
Age: 17
Preseason Rank: 13
Stats (DSL): 147 PA, .314/.415/.554, 14 XBH (7 HR), 3 SB
A hefty signing bonus does not always equate to immediate top prospect status when it comes to international talent, especially when it comes to guys who are still only 16 and 17 years old. In the case of Davalillo, he has made an immediate splash as one of the top performers in the Dominican Summer League after landing a $2 million bonus in January.
Seattle Mariners: IF Luis Suisbel
Age: 22
Preseason Rank: NR
Stats (A+): 383 PA, .227/.326/.436, 32 XBH (18 HR), 5 SB
The Mariners farm system is absolutely stacked right now, which doesn't leave much room for a breakout prospect to steal a share of the spotlight. That said, Suisbel is one to keep an eye on, especially now that Tyler Locklear has been traded and is no longer blocking his path to a similar role. He still has a chance to stick at third base, though his limited athleticism will make that an uphill battle.
Texas Rangers: 2B/OF Elorky Rodriguez
Age: 17
Preseason Rank: 21
Stats (DSL): 198 PA, .348/.485/.523, 15 XBH (6 HR), 9 SB
Rodriguez received the largest bonus ($1,097,500) the Rangers handed out during the 2025 international window, and he has backed it up with a standout performance in the Dominican Summer League. He profiles more as a contact-over-power player offensively, though his bat speed and compact left-handed stroke could still lead to 20-homer pop.
NL East
4 of 6
Atlanta Braves: RHP Luke Sinnard
Age: 22
Preseason Rank: 25
Stats (A/A+): 12 GS, 2.63 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 19 BB, 60 K, 51.1 IP
Sinnard posted a 4.27 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 86.1 innings as a sophomore at Indiana, but he injured his elbow in his regional start and missed his draft season recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Braves rolled the dice on his upside in the third round of the 2024 draft, and he has quickly emerged as one of their top young arms.
Miami Marlins: RHP Kevin Defrank
Age: 16
Preseason Rank: 19
Stats (DSL): 9 GS, 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 9 BB, 30 K, 28.0 IP
The $560,000 bonus that Defrank received was the fourth-highest given to a pitcher during the 2025 international window, and despite still being a few days removed from his 17th birthday, he has been dealing in the Dominican Summer League. His fastball already touches the upper 90s, and his 6'5", 202-pound frame has room for further development.
New York Mets: 2B/OF A.J. Ewing
Age: 20
Preseason Rank: 24
Stats (A/A+): 419 PA, .312/.413/.436, 30 XBH (3 HR), 56 SB
Ewing has turned his raw tools into production this season, showcasing a standout offensive game built on an advanced approach and fully utilizing his plus speed with 56 steals in 65 attempts. He has the speed and instincts to be a plus defender in center field, though he has also made a handful of starts at second base and both outfield corners.
Philadelphia Phillies: 2B Aroon Escobar
Age: 20
Preseason Rank: 15
Stats (A/A+): 410 PA, .272/.359/.419, 27 XBH (11 HR), 16 SB
Escobar spent two seasons in the Dominican Summer League and another full year in stateside rookie ball before taking a massive step forward in his first taste of Single-A in 2025. His 55-hit, 50-power offensive profile will drive his future value, and while second base has been his primary position, his budding power and plus arm could make him a better fit at the hot corner down the line.
Washington Nationals: RHP Sean Paul Liñan
Age: 20
Preseason Rank: NR (LAD system)
Stats (A/A+/AAA): 18 G, 14 GS, 2.78 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 31 BB, 101 K, 74.1 IP
One of two prospects the Nationals acquired from the Dodgers in exchange for outfielder Alex Call, Liñan has come a long way since signing for just $17,500 out of Colombia in 2022. He has one of the best changeups in the minors right now, though his fastball and breaking stuff lags behind that elite offering and his undersized 6'0", 185-pound frame could land him in the bullpen.
NL Central
5 of 6
Chicago Cubs: RHP Will Sanders
Age: 23
Preseason Rank: 25
Stats (AA/AAA): 19 G, 18 GS, 3.61 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 28 BB, 90 K, 94.2 IP
An inconsistent junior season at South Carolina dropped Sanders from potential first-round consideration all the way to the fourth round, and after a mediocre 2024 campaign, he has emerged as one of the better arms in the Cubs system. He logged a 2.64 ERA and a 44-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 44.1 innings at Double-A to earn an early promotion to Triple-A, and he should debut in 2026.
Cincinnati Reds: OF Adolfo Sanchez
Age: 18
Preseason Rank: NR
Stats (DSL): 152 PA, .336/.474/.496, 12 XBH (2 HR), 10 SB
Signed for $2.7 million as one of the headliners of the 2024 international class, Sanchez hit just .216 with a 33.9 percent strikeout rate in his pro debut. The Reds sent him back to the Dominican Summer League for a second go-around this season, and he has responded with improved numbers across the board while slashing his strikeout rate to 13.8 percent.
Milwaukee Brewers: RHP Logan Henderson
Age: 23
Preseason Rank: 20
Stats (AAA): 16 G, 15 GS, 3.59 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 87 K, 77.2 IP
Aside from his strong Triple-A numbers, Henderson has also made four spot starts in the majors in April and May, going 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 21.0 innings. He was recalled from the minors on Aug. 3 to replace the injured Jacob Misiorowski, allowing three hits and one run in 4.1 innings against the Nationals, and he will take another turn in the rotation on Saturday against the Mets.
Pittsburgh Pirates: OF Edward Florentino
Age: 18
Preseason Rank: 24
Stats (Rk/A): 280 PA, .296/.409/.565, 32 XBH (14 HR), 28 SB
Florentino posted an .890 OPS with 17 extra-base hits and more walks (38) than strikeouts (36) in his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League last year, and he has continued his rise up the Pittsburgh prospect rankings with a stellar stateside debut. He has played primarily center field this year while also seeing time at the corner spots and first base, and how he grows into his lanky 6'4", 200-pound frame will determine his long-term home.
St. Louis Cardinals: OF Nathan Church
Age: 25
Preseason Rank: 15
Stats (A/AA/AAA): 347 PA, .329/.387/.521, 32 XBH (12 HR), 15 SB
With plus speed and terrific defensive skills in the outfield, Church was viewed as a prototypical fourth outfielder heading into the 2025 season. That could still end up being his long-term role, but his OPS has jumped from .705 in 2024 to .908 this year as he has slugged a career-high 15 home runs and showed more impact potential at the plate in the upper levels of the minors.
NL West
6 of 6
Arizona Diamondbacks: RHP Daniel Eagen
Age: 22
Preseason Rank: 16
Stats (A+): 17 GS, 2.87 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 38 BB, 111 K, 84.2 IP
Eagen won Big South Pitcher of the Year during his junior season at Presbyterian College, posting a 2.67 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 121 strikeouts in 77.2 innings while seeing a five mph spike in his fastball velocity. Those gains have carried over into his pro debut this season, and he is shaping up to be one of the steals of the 2024 draft class after he was taken with the No. 102 overall pick.
Colorado Rockies: 3B Kyle Karros
Age: 23
Preseason Rank: 23
Stats (Rk/AA/AAA): 315 PA, .301/.398/.476, 32 XBH (6 HR), 7 SB
Karros did not hit for much power during his college career at UCLA, finishing with a .407 slugging percentage and 14 home runs in 142 games, but his advanced approach and MLB bloodlines still made him a fifth-round pick in 2023. He hit .311/.390/.485 with 33 doubles, 15 home runs and 78 RBI in 126 games at High-A last season, and he has continued to impress in the upper levels of the minors while emerging as the potential third baseman of the future.
Los Angeles Dodgers: OF Mike Sirota
Age: 22
Preseason Rank: 25
Stats (A/A+): 270 PA, .333/.452/.616, 32 XBH (13 HR), 5 SB
Sirota was a projected first-round pick going into his junior season at Northeastern University, but ended up slipping to the Reds in the third round after a disappointing spring. The Dodgers acquired him during the offseason in the Gavin Lux trade, and he has been arguably the biggest breakout prospect in baseball, checking in at No. 53 on the latest B/R Top 100 prospect list on the strength of his 55-hit, 50-power, 60-speed profile.
San Diego Padres: RHP Miguel Mendez
Age: 23
Preseason Rank: NR
Stats (A/A+): 16 GS, 1.60 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 32 BB, 99 K, 78.2 IP
The Padres gutted their farm system at the trade deadline, but managed to hold onto Mendez who is enjoying a breakthrough in his fifth professional season. The 6'2", 165-pound right-hander has an electric fastball-slider combination, touching 100 mph with his heater, and he has made huge strides with both his strikeout rate (23.4% to 31.1%) and walk rate (14.9% to 10.1%) in 2025. He struck out 11 batters over six innings in his Double-A debut on Thursday.
San Francisco Giants: SS Jhonny Level
Age: 18
Preseason Rank: 12
Stats: 296 PA, .291/.385/.490, 25 XBH (10 HR), 19 SB
The Giants have no shortage of candidates for biggest breakout prospect, with Bo Davidson, Argenis Cayama and Jacob Bresnahan all worthy of at least a quick mention. Level, who signed for $997,500 as part of the 2024 international class, has the raw tools and quick-twitch athleticism to quickly make his way onto league Top 100 prospect lists. He is 9-for-28 with one double, one home run, two steals and more walks (6) than strikeouts (3) in his first seven games at Single-A after opening the year in rookie ball.
