10 MLB Prospects Who Caught Our Attention In September

Image credit:
Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (Mike Janes/Four Seam Images)

Each month during the season, Baseball America publishes one organization report for all 30 clubs.

In September, those reports had a common theme: Minor League Player of the Year for each organization.

These reports from our major league correspondents contain a trove of player development updates and spotlight traditional reporting. Here are 10 updates I found to be especially enlightening from our September reports.

Top September Prospect Takeaways

1. The Yankees helped righthander Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz fine-tune his slider while equipping him with a sinker after they acquired him from the Red Sox in a December 2024 trade. Those changes helped key a breakthrough season in which the 22-year-old pitched at three levels. “He has that six-pitch mix, but he knows how to use it,†Somerset pitching coach Peter Larson said. “And I think thatâ€s the separator for such a young guy.â€

2. Rays righthander Brody Hopkinsmissed bats with the best Southern League starters this season, but his 12% walk rate for Montgomery was fifth-worst among Double-A pitchers with at least 100 innings. The Rays believe in his athleticism and competitiveness, while envisioning better days ahead as the 23-year-old sharpens his control. “He can really spin the baseball,†Rays assistant GM Kevin Ibach said. “But I think itâ€s just being able to get ahead with his fastball or the cutter. Strike one has always been what weâ€ve been preaching to him, and I think heâ€s done a good job throughout the year of really adapting to that mentality and really trying to get ahead of hitters.â€â€

3. White Sox 2024 second-round shortstop Caleb Bonemer didnâ€t face premium velocity in the Michigan prep ranks, so he sought out pitching machines that could bring the heat to prepare him for pro ball. The plan worked. Bonemer led all qualified Carolina League batters in OPS this season. “Heâ€s physical, really strong and simple out there,†White Sox director of hitting Ryan Fuller said. “Thatâ€s what I love about him. Itâ€s really good at-bats. He knows the strike zone. When he hits, thereâ€s a lot of authority behind it.â€

4. The Astros drafted outfielder Zach Cole in the 10th round in 2022 out of Ball State. He flashed power in the minor leagues that was undermined by a high strikeout rate. That began to change in the second half this year at Double-A Corpus Christi, when his power increased, his strikeouts decreased and he hit his way to a callup to Houston. “He changed his setup a bit, where his hands and bat started to allow him to be on time more consistently,†Astros farm director Jacob Buffasaid. “Itâ€s been tremendous … You could tell there was a lot of talent there, and a lot of unproven talent.â€

5. Angels outfielder Raudi Rodriguez entered the season as a third-year pro in a part-time role for Low-A Inland Empire. The 22-year-old ended it as the clubâ€s everyday center fielder and its most productive hitter down the stretch and into the California League playoffs. “He has been on the same trajectory all through the season,†Inland Empire manager Dave Stapleton said. “He went through a week or so where maybe heâ€s off, but thatâ€s more (full-season fatigue). He was able to gear back up.â€

6. Putting away his catcherâ€s gear after the 2023 season helped Rangers prospect Cody Freeman realize more offensive production. That culminated in a 19-homer season for Triple-A Round Rock this year that saw the infielder win the minor league batting title at .336 and receive a callup to Texas. The Rangers love the 24-year-oldâ€s energy level and versatility. “He is a catalyst,†outgoing Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “Heâ€s a spark for the club, the way he plays but also getting hits and finding a way to get on base.â€

7. Alex Clemmeyâ€s late flourish at Double-A Harrisburg has the Nationals optimistic that the 6-foot-6 lefthander might have figured out how to make critical adjustments to his delivery to command his arsenal. “He had to change his plan of attack,†Double-A Harrisburg pitching coach Rigo Beltran said. “He couldnâ€t pitch to the middle of the plate like he had when he dominated in A ball.â€

8. Low-A Rancho Cucamonga center fielder Eduardo Quintero has been a favorite of Dodgers player development because he makes every adjustment asked of him. The results were on full display this season as the 20-year-old led the California League in OPS on his way to High-A. “Heâ€s shown good bat-to-ball, pretty good decision-making, really young for the level,†Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said. “Shows power when you need it. Can hit balls to all fields. Thereâ€s no one standout 80-grade tool. Itâ€s a bunch of really good components plus good makeup to bet on.â€

9. The Cardinals drafted West Virginia shortstop JJ Wetherholt with the seventh pick in the 2024 draft. A year later he had reached Triple-A and was knocking on the door to St. Louis. Wetherholt hit .300, produced power, took walks and stole bases. The speed was notable given that a hamstring injury limited him in his draft year. Still, Wetherholt hasn’t reached his full potential yet. “You can tell real quick if a player is going to slow the game down, and this dude—he wasnâ€t fazed by a whole lot,†Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said. “Those guys usually do OK.â€

10. Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins reached Double-A as a 20-year-old despite missing the first two months of the season with a high ankle sprain. He continued to hit and draw walks while getting to more power as his body and approach developed. Jenkins also proved himself defensively. “Heâ€s probably exceeded our expectations in center field,†Twins GM Jeremy Zollsaid. “His defensive instincts and his speed plays well out there.â€

Source link