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After dropping the first two games of the ALCS to the Seattle Mariners, the Toronto Blue Jays have regained some momentum with a dominant 13-4 win in Game 3 on Wednesday.

The Blue Jays collected 18 hits and blasted five home runs in the win, which was far too much for a Seattle offense that had eight hits and three homers.

The Mariners struck first with a two-run homer from Julio Rodríguez in the bottom of the first, but from there it was all Toronto. They scored five runs in the third, with Andrés Giménez hitting a solo home run, and George Springer added another homer in the fourth.

Toronto then went up 8-2 fifth and added four more runs in the sixth to make it a 12-2 run lead. The Mariners showed some signs of life in the eighth with back-to-back home runs, but Addison Barger added some insurance for the Jays in the top of the ninth with a solo shot.

It was an offensive display all around for Toronto, but star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the way, going 4-for-4 with a home run and three runs scored.

Blue Jays fans were thrilled with the offensive showing in Game 3.

The Blue Jays still have plenty of work to do after the win. They still trail 2-1 in the series and will be on the road for the next two games.

But after the way their offense came to life on Wednesday, it’s hard to imagine the Jays won’t have plenty of confidence heading into Game 4 on Thursday.

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  Jorge CastilloOct 15, 2025, 07:00 AM ET

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  ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the Washington Wizards from 2014 to 2016 and the Washington Nationals from 2016 to 2018 for The Washington Post before covering the Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB for the Los Angeles Times from 2018 to 2024.

SIX MONTHS AGO, just seven games into the 2025 season, the Toronto Blue Jays arrived in Queens with uncertainty hovering over Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s future. New York Mets fans, hopeful that their team could eventually land the impending free agent and partner him with Juan Soto, welcomed the first baseman with notably loud cheers at Citi Field to open the weekend series. Guerrero and the Blue Jays had failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension before an arbitrary mid-February deadline, and the drama would not die.

Then, suddenly, it did, hours after the Mets completed a weekend sweep. The deal was historic: 14 years, $500 million without deferrals, the third-largest contract in Major League Baseball history. The Canadian-born Guerrero, signed out of the Dominican Republic as a 16-year-old with a famous name, would be a Blue Jay for life. Guerrero bet on himself by turning down smaller offers and bet on the Blue Jays by agreeing not to test free agency. And the Blue Jays bet on the homegrown star at a massive price, having whiffed on other marquee talents in recent years. The impact was instant.

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“We didn’t start playing our best baseball until May,” Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer said. “But if that didn’t get settled, it would be this cloud hanging over our season the whole time. The fact that that was resolved just kind of settled everything down. The outside attention is resolved. It’s no longer, ‘What’s going to happen here?’ It kind of took the elephant out of the room.”

Guerrero, 26, responded with his fifth All-Star season, batting .292 with 23 home runs and an .848 OPS in 156 games. His play, coupled with rebound seasons from George Springer and Bo Bichette and a deep roster of contributors, fueled the Blue Jays’ ascension from 74 wins and last place in 2024 to 94 wins, an American League East title and, now, Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

The Blue Jays can point to a few possible turning points on their way to a fourth playoff appearance in six years. There was a three-game sweep in Seattle in early May. There was Bichette’s pinch-hit, go-ahead home run in the ninth inning in Texas later that month. But Guerrero’s agreement a week into the season helped pave the way to where the Blue Jays find themselves Wednesday: four wins shy of their first World Series appearance in 32 years.

Down 2-0 after the Mariners dominated the first two games in Toronto, it’s no easy feat. But the goal Guerrero has set for himself hasn’t changed.

“For me my goal always is to win a World Series, to bring the World Series here,” Guerrero said earlier this postseason. “My father, he never had the chance to win a World Series. That’s one of my goals, always been one of my goals, to do that for me, for him.”

THE JOURNEY TO this breakout postseason for Guerrero and the Blue Jays began more than a decade ago. In January 2015, months before Guerrero was eligible to sign as an international free agent, Edwin Encarnación received a call from Alex Anthopoulos, then Toronto’s general manager: The Blue Jays wanted to see a 15-year-old Guerrero, their top target that year, work out again in the Dominican Republic — and they needed to find a ballpark.

Encarnación, coming off an All-Star season for Toronto in 2014, reached out to his contacts and a workout was arranged to have Guerrero face older free agents from Cuba. With Encarnación and Blue Jays officials, including Anthopoulos and international scouting director Ismael Cruz looking on, Guerrero convinced the decision-makers.

“It was something special,” Encarnación said in Spanish on the field at Rogers Centre on Monday before Game 2 of the ALCS. “Vladdy was better than the Cubans. This kid, at 15 years old, showed off against them. He was special.”

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That July, the Blue Jays used their entire international bonus pool to sign Guerrero for $3.9 million. Worried about the hoopla that came with being the son of a future Hall of Famer, Anthopoulos asked the team’s media department to hold a low-key event when Guerrero, born in Montreal during his father’s time starring for the Expos, was brought to Toronto for the first time. No news conference at the podium. Just batting practice on the field.

“I was concerned with the last name, the hype and the expectations were going to be out of this world,” said Anthopoulos, now general manager of the Atlanta Braves. “And they were anyway, as much as we tried to play it down.”

Guerrero was not immune to the pressure upon arriving for his major league debut in 2019 as the top prospect across baseball at just 20 years old. The years that followed were not a linear progression. After an AL MVP runner-up season in which he clubbed 48 home runs with a 1.002 OPS in 2021, his first year as a full-time first baseman, Guerrero hit 58 home runs with an .804 OPS over the next two years. Then came another breakout last season: a .323/.396/.544 slash line with 30 home runs in 159 games to raise his value heading into his platform year.

“He’s not easily distracted,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said. “He’s still very human, and I think the hardest part, from my perspective and my view, that Vladdy’s had to deal with is the expectation. Not the distractions off the field or the attention. And he embraced the expectations.”

This year, the pressure was on Guerrero to finally perform to those expectations in the postseason. He entered the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees 3-for-22 with two walks, five strikeouts and no home runs in six career playoff games — all losses — spread over three separate wild-card series.

Guerrero quickly discarded that history in Game 1, swatting a solo home run in his first plate appearance of the postseason. In Game 2, he cracked a grand slam that will long be replayed on Rogers Centre highlight reels. He finished the series 9-for-17 with three home runs and nine RBIs as the Blue Jays eliminated New York in four games.

“I think he’s improved a lot in all aspects,” Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk said. “The experience, how he’s matured as a person. He’s no longer the 20-year-old Vladimir when he debuted. Now he’s Vladimir.”

VLADIMIR VASQUEZ WATCHED the Blue Jays close out the Yankees last Wednesday from his restaurant 5 miles north of Rogers Centre. Born in the Dominican Republic, Vasquez moved to Toronto when he was 11 years old in 1990 and quickly became a fan of the early-’90s Blue Jays championship teams. He opened Cabacoa, a Dominican restaurant, a year-and-a-half ago — a sign of the city’s growing Dominican community.

“I’ve been following Vladimir Guerrero Jr. since he was in the minors,” Vasquez said. “It’s funny because his dad was the only older Dominican Vladimir I knew growing up. But it’s important for the community, for the Dominican community, to have somebody who’s that good who’s going to be here long term.”

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It’s part of the responsibility Guerrero shoulders beyond playing first base and batting third. He’s the only Canadian citizen on Canada’s only MLB team. His No. 27 jersey is the one Blue Jays fans wear from British Columbia to Newfoundland. He’s the player the Blue Jays committed to as their cornerstone through his age-40 season in 2039 — 20 years after his debut — with hopes he’ll end up with his own Hall of Fame career.

“I look at Vladdy long term because I’ve gotten to play with the greats,” said Scherzer, an 18-year veteran and three-time Cy Young Award winner. “I’ve gotten to play with so many great, different players over my career. For me, he kind of fits this Prince Fielder-Miguel Cabrera mold. He’s kind of a hybrid between those two.”

In the short term, the agreement was an exhale. Perhaps, as Atkins said he’d like to think, the Blue Jays would’ve found their footing without Guerrero signing the extension. The pieces were in place two years removed from an 89-win season. But that variable, which had lingered from the day Guerrero reported for spring training, was removed.

Six months later, the Blue Jays, behind their franchise pillar, are breaking through.

“I think it kind of showed our fan base and the league kind of what we’re trying to do here short and long term,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “And it just kind of clears a little bit of a cloud around a really good player and allows the team to say, ‘OK, this is our guy, this is what we’re going to do.’ I think it kind of freed everyone up.”

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Oct 15, 2025, 07:00 AM ET

We are two games into both 2025 league championship series, and it’s time for our initial impressions based on what we have seen on the field.

The Seattle Mariners are headed home with a 2-0 ALCS lead after downing the Toronto Blue Jays on consecutive days to start the series.

In the NLCS, the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers have jumped out to a 2-0 road advantage of their own against the Milwaukee Brewers.

What has stood out most so far — and what’s next for the World Series hopefuls? Our MLB experts weigh in.

ALCS: Mariners vs. Blue Jays

What has surprised you most so far?

Jorge Castillo:The assumption was Seattle’s pitching staff, drained after an exhausting ALDS that concluded with a 15-inning Game 5 on Friday, would need at least Sunday’s ALCS opening game to reset. But Mariners pitchers did not relent. Game 1 starter Bryce Miller set the tone, rebounding from a rocky first inning to give the Mariners six crucial innings. The bullpen starred in Game 2, when Eduard Bazardo, Carlos Vargas and Emerson Hancock each tossed two scoreless innings. Tuesday’s off day should only help the Mariners as the series shifts to their cavernous home ballpark.

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Jeff Passan:The lack of competitive at-bats from the Blue Jays. Yes, the Mariners’ pitching is very good. But the Blue Jays — whose high-quality, work-the-count, spoil-pitches approach all season helped deliver them an AL East championship — were practically tweaking to swing at Miller’s pitches in Game 1 and weren’t much better in Game 2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitless. As are Daulton Varsho, Andres Gimenez and Davis Schneider.

Four runs in two games is not going to do it against a lineup as deep as the Mariners’ and with a pitching staff as susceptible as the Blue Jays’ has been this postseason.

How can the Mariners close this out at home?

Castillo:Hitting home runs at T-Mobile Park isn’t easy — the Mariners hit 134 on the road and 108 at home — but long balls are often the difference in October. Such was the case in Game 2, when the Mariners scored eight of their 10 runs on three homers — two three-run home runs and a two-run shot.

The Blue Jays surrendered 209 home runs during the regular season — the sixth-most allowed in the majors and the most allowed by a postseason team. If the Mariners continue hitting mistakes over the fence, the Blue Jays’ chances of winning four of the next five games are slim to none.

Passan:Do not treat this as a coronation. Too much has happened in Mariners history to ever doubt that something can go very wrong. They have existed 49 years and never so much as made a World Series.

The real answer: cut down on the punchouts. The Mariners are striking out more than 30% of the time over the first two games, and it diminishes opportunities compared to Toronto, which is at 13%. Like Jorge said, as long as Seattle is hitting home runs, this might be moot. In the absence of that, though, putting the ball in play can save them.

What can the Blue Jays do to get this series back to Toronto?

Castillo:It starts with scoring more runs. The Mariners’ pitching staff, tired and all, has silenced an offense that demolished Yankees pitching last week. The Blue Jays tallied only four runs in the two games in Toronto. All were scored in the first two innings. In Game 2, the Blue Jays went 1-for-28 with three walks after the second inning.

Nathan Lukes and George Springer are the only Blue Jays with multiple hits in the series. Guerrero is 0-for-7 with one walk after finishing the ALDS 9-for-17 with three home runs. Varsho is 0-for-7. Addison Barger and Andres Giménez are 0-for-6. Springer’s leadoff home run in Game 1 was the only ball Toronto hit over the fence.

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The Blue Jays scored 21 runs in a three-game sweep of the Mariners during the regular season. But that was at home in May, and T-Mobile Park is a pitcher’s haven. It’ll be a quick series if their bats don’t wake up in Seattle.

Passan:Just look at Game 1 of the NLCS. The Dodgers’ offense is struggling, and it really doesn’t matter because Blake Snell threw eight of the most brilliant innings you’ll ever see. And even though Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer, the Blue Jays’ starters in Game 3 and Game 4, are not near Snell’s caliber today, they are both former Cy Young winners who have pitched in huge games. Seattle’s pitching is too good for Toronto to win this series via slugfests. So the Blue Jays are simply going to have to beat the Mariners at their own game: solid starting pitching and enough relief to backfill.

NLCS

What has jumped out to you most so far?

Bradford Doolittle:The Dodgers’ starting pitching has been lights-out. It’s not just all the zeros that Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto put up; the Brewers’ hitters looked overmatched against them most of the time. Milwaukee had a clear plan to ambush Yamamoto as often as possible in Game 2, but after Jackson Chourio’s first-pitch leadoff homer, it just didn’t work. Yamamoto kept pumping in strikes, and the Brewers did nothing with them.

Jesse Rogers:The Dodgers’ starting pitching went from iffy to dominant in the blink of an eye. Part of the reason the Brewers went 6-0 against L.A. during the regular season is that they faced a team piecing together its starting staff. Dave Roberts even admitted to “slow playing” Snell just to have him ready for this moment.

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Not even a first-pitch home run by Chourio off Yamamoto in Game 2 could change the narrative. Yamamoto threw a 111-pitch complete game, giving up only two more hits and a walk after that long ball. On most teams, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani would be the No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers, but the Dodgers will roll them out against Milwaukee at Dodger Stadium later this week. It’s an embarrassment of riches — and it could doom the Brewers’ chances at their first World Series title.

What do the Dodgers need to do to close out this series at home?

Bradford Doolittle:Just keep riding the wave. The L.A. rotation has become the story of the postseason so far, and even though the Dodgers’ offense hasn’t matched the pitchers in terms of dominance, this is the hottest team around right now. And the offense isn’t going to grind this way forever.

Jesse Rogers:Just keep pitching the way they are and maybe get Ohtani going at the plate. Not that they’ve needed him so far, but if he starts to light it up, this series won’t return to the Midwest. Closer Roki Sasaki is also likely to be more comfortable in his home setting than he was in Game 1. All signs point to the Dodgers winning a short series.

What do the Brewers need to get this series back to Milwaukee?

Bradford Doolittle:They need traffic on the bases, especially early in the games. They haven’t been able to showcase their athleticism against the Dodgers because no one has been getting on base. Get on base, hope to unnerve Glasnow and Ohtani and get into that L.A. bullpen by the fourth or fifth inning. The formula isn’t complicated, but the way the Dodgers are going, executing it will be a challenge.

Jesse Rogers:Putting up a crooked number would help. Somewhere along the line, they need one of those Brewers innings — the kind that forces the defense into mistakes while utilizing their speed and ability on the basepaths to create havoc. Easier said than done against this Dodgers starting staff, but if they can get into the underbelly of L.A.’s bullpen, they have a chance. That’s the path forward for the Brewers.

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The WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla. once again lived up to its reputation as the ultimate proving ground for prep talent. While the weekend featured plenty of familiar, headline draft names, it also served as a launching pad for a group of under-the-radar players who either showed off exciting tools or delivered true breakout performances.

This list focuses on that second group—the prospects who may not yet be household names in the draft community but left lasting impressions with evaluators.

All but one player on our list is already committed to a college program, and most project as legitimate candidates to reach campus. Together, they represent the next wave of impact talent—players whose performances in Jupiter hinted at much bigger things ahead, be it in college or as a young pro starting next summer.

Cody Boshell, 1B/OF, Florida

• Draft Class: 2026
• College Commitment: Tennessee

A physically imposing 6-foot-3, 220-pound lefthanded hitter, Boshell looked every bit the part of a power bat thanks to real strength through his frame and a barrel chest that suggested durability. Though primarily a first baseman, he moved well enough to project as a viable corner outfielder if needed.

At the plate, Boshell worked from a simple load with above-average hand speed and plenty of bat strength. His swing could get a touch long at times, but the bat path stayed direct enough to allow his natural power to play. The ball jumped off his barrel with carry to all fields, and he showed the ability to drive it out of the park, as evidenced by a home run he launched during a 4-for-12 showing in Jupiter.

Boshellâ€s hands worked fast through the zone, and his overall approach was aggressive. Continued emphasis on staying compact will be key as he faces better velocity, but the ingredients for middle-of-the-order power were already clear. He also pitched, though his future almost certainly lies with the bat, where his combination of physicality, athleticism and strength gives him impact potential.

Jorhan Castro, C, Puerto Rico

• Draft Class: 2026
• College Commitment: Western Kentucky

Though undersized at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Castro impressed as arguably the most polished defensive catcher at the showcase. Multiple evaluators singled him out as the premier receiver in Jupiter, citing his advanced feel, quiet movements and leadership behind the plate against opposing lineups loaded with high-end players.

Castro showed a natural ability to present and steal strikes, particularly at the bottom of the zone, where his fluid hands and soft glove action consistently worked in his pitchers†favor. He blocked with ease, anticipated well and displayed a calm command of the game that stood out for his age. His throwing mechanics were compact and efficient, producing accurate throws with carry and pop times in the low 1.9s. The arm strength and quick release both played, and his overall defensive polish was ahead of his peers.

While the bat remains a work in progress and may be light long term, Castroâ€s defensive profile gives him a significant carrying tool. With plus upside behind the dish and an advanced understanding of the position, he projected as a high-floor catching prospect capable of anchoring a staff at the next level. He should make it to campus at Western Kentucky this fall.

Wyatt Clatur, RHP, Tennessee

• Draft Class: 2026
• College Commitment: Virginia

Clatur delivered one of the weekendâ€s most dominant outings, striking out nine over four shutout innings while generating 18 total whiffs—12 on his fastball and six on his slider. The performance underscored both his stuff and competitive demeanor, as he worked quickly, attacked hitters and never appeared fazed by the stage.

An athletic righthander with evident arm speed, Clatur operated from a slightly-crossfire delivery that added deception and angle to his arsenal. His fastball sat 91-93 mph, touched 94 and showed lively finish through the top of the zone. The pitch consistently missed bats, playing up thanks to his tempo and ability to locate it with intent.

His slider, thrown in the low 80s, featured sweep and late movement across the plate. He showed confidence landing it for strikes and used it effectively to finish at-bats against both lefties and righties.

Claturâ€s combination of athleticism, pitchability and competitive edge stood out as much as his raw stuff. With a lively fastball-slider mix, clean arm action and mound presence beyond his years, Clatur looked like a rising name to follow closely moving forward.

Colin Driffill, RHP, Nebraska

• Draft Class: 2026
• College Commitment: Kansas State

A lean, athletic 6-foot-1, 200-pound righthander, Driffill emerged as one of the more intriguing breakout arms at WWBA. Flashing loud arm strength and an operation built on athleticism, he struck out two across two innings without allowing an earned run.

Driffill sat 92-94 mph and reached 97 twice in his first inning, generating five whiffs on 26 fastballs that showed late life and explosive carry at the top of the zone. His primary secondary was a curveball in the low-to-mid 70s with solid depth. Its shape varied at times, however, hinting at a still-developing feel for spin.

Working from a delivery with some drop-and-drive elements, Driffill showed evident power and arm speed through a deep arm path. His movement patterns were athletic, his lower half strong and his overall projection enticing. With refinement, he had the raw ingredients to make significant strides as he matures.

Driffill entered the event largely under the radar, but that changed quickly. Multiple evaluators told Baseball America he wasnâ€t someone they had heavily followed—or, in some cases, had on their lists at all—before Jupiter. By the time he left, he was firmly among the names who made a strong impression.

Soren Etheridge, RHP, Arizona

• Draft Class: 2027
• College Commitment: Uncommitted

The lone uncommitted prospect on this list, Etheridgeâ€s performance in Jupiter was simply too loud to overlook. The young righthander struck out eight across 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while generating an eye-popping 16 total whiffs, 13 of which came on his fastball.

Etheridgeâ€s heater sat 90-92 mph and touched 94 with late carry, overpowering hitters at the letters. Though his velocity dipped slightly as the outing went on, the pitchâ€s shape and effectiveness held steady throughout. His best secondary was a low-80s changeup with late tumble and fading action—a pitch one evaluator projected could develop into a future plus offering.

Etheridge also mixed a curveball and slider—both in the mid-to-high 70s—that occasionally bled together. He appeared to call for two distinct breaking balls in warmups but threw more of a hybrid shape during game action. A handful of firmer sliders stood out, hinting at the potential to better differentiate a fourth pitch as he matures.

An athletic, projectable arm with a lean frame and multi-sport background—heâ€s also a competitive swimmer—Etheridge showed raw but exciting ingredients. His delivery contained plenty of low-hanging fruit to refine, but with physical growth and mechanical polish, he looked like a highly moldable, high-upside talent whose recruitment should accelerate in short order.

Julian Garcia, RHP, California

• Draft Class: 2026
• College Commitment: Long Beach State

A physical 6-foot-3, 210-pound righthander, Garcia possessed one of the cleaner arm strokes at the event. He worked from a high three-quarters slot with above-average arm speed and a fastball that sat in the low 90s, touched 93 mph and showed carry through the zone. The pitch got on hitters quickly and played best at the letters. There was some effort when he reached back for more, but it never disrupted his tempo. Further velocity gains appeared well within reach as he continues to mature physically.

Garciaâ€s best offspeed offering was a sharp, high-spin breaking ball in the low-to-mid 70s that eclipsed 2,800 rpm. It came out of his hand clean with pronounced depth and late, biting action when he stayed on top of it. The pitch already induced swings and misses and figures to become a legitimate out pitch with added power. He also mixed a developing changeup that he threw just once in Jupiter.

Over two hitless, scoreless innings with four strikeouts, Garcia displayed two pitches with above-average upside, consistent strike-throwing feel and the type of size and arm speed that suggested more to come.

Will Holden, C, North Carolina

• Draft Class: 2026
• College Commitment: Wake Forest

A physical 6-foot-3, 205-pound catcher from North Carolina, Holden showed the kind of strength, athleticism and versatility that make him a valuable piece at multiple positions. He moved well for his size and showed the ability to handle both catching and corner infield duties.

Behind the plate, Holden worked from a one-knee setup with decent lower-half quickness and a compact arm action. His throws carried with accuracy, and he showed above-average arm strength. He occasionally struggled with glove-to-hand transfers, but that’s an area that should smooth out with continued reps.

At the plate, Holden hit from a wide stance and generated leverage and loft through the zone. His swing could get steep at times, but the barrel was heavy and produced above-average raw power. Two of his three hits in Jupiter left the yard, and his loose hands and developing approach hinted at more consistency ahead.

Committed to Wake Forest, Holden profiled as a strong, righthanded power bat with defensive versatility and plenty of physical maturity still to come.

Bryant James, SS, Virginia

• Draft Class: 2026
• College Commitment: Virginia

A lean, wiry 6-foot-1, 175-pound shortstop, James stood out as one of the best athletes in the tournament. His frame offered ample room to add strength, and with natural twitch already present, there was clear upside remaining as he continues to fill out physically.

A double-plus runner with verified 60-yard times in the 6.2-6.3 range, James used his speed as both a weapon and tone-setter. He consistently pressured defenses by getting out of the box quickly to turn routine contact into close plays and extra-base opportunities. His speed was on full display when he coasted in for a triple on a ball to the gap.

At the plate, James hit from a shoulder-high handset with a fairly narrow, upright stance. In lieu of a leg kick, he instead used a controlled stride to get into his swing. His hands worked fast, and his barrel stayed through the hitting zone for a long stretch, giving him a strong contact foundation. Right now, he profiles as a table-setter with gap-to-gap line drive ability, though added strength could unlock more lift and carry in his profile over time.

Defensively, James showed the actions and arm strength to stick at shortstop. His quick first step, lateral range and overall athleticism helped him make plays to both sides. Should he eventually need to move off the position, his elite speed and twitch would translate naturally to the grass.

Taden Krogsgaard, RHP, California

• Draft Class: 2026
• College Commitment: Cal State Fullerton

A lean and athletic 6-foot-3, 180-pound righthander, Krogsgaard impressed in Jupiter with his projection, polish and feel for spin. Though he also plays third base, his future clearly lies on the mound, where his athleticism and arm speed stand out.

Krogsgaard worked with a low three-quarters release and a bit of crossfire in his delivery, creating natural deception and angle on his pitches. His fastball sat 90-92 mph and touched 93, showing late life through the zone. The heater played up thanks to his ability to locate to both sides, and evaluators noted thereâ€s still velocity left in the tank as his frame continues to fill out.

His best secondary offering was a high-70s sweeper with late horizontal break that he consistently landed for strikes. Several evaluators already viewed the pitch as a fringe-plus weapon that should only improve as he adds strength and velocity.

Across two Jupiter outings, Krogsgaard allowed just one run over six innings, showing advanced pitchability and confidence. With a fastball-slider foundation, physical projection and an athletic delivery, he profiles as a high-upside arm.

Trent Lutz, RHP, Pennsylvania

• Draft Class: 2027
• College Commitment: Penn State

A long-limbed 6-foot-4, 170-pound righthander, Lutz combined present stuff with significant physical projection. His high-waisted, lean frame left plenty of room for added strength, and the delivery already hinted at future power once he grows into it. He worked with a deep, high three-quarters arm stroke and occasionally landed open in his stride, leading to some inconsistency in his release point.

Lutzâ€s fastball sat 90-93 mph and touched 94, showing solid life through the zone. His best velocity and shape came early in the outing, but the pitch still held enough life to miss bats late. He paired it with both a curveball and slider that sometimes bled together. When he stayed on top, the curveball showed depth, but he occasionally got around it and lost finish. He also mixed in a few changeups that flashed promise with late fade.

Still early in his development, Lutzâ€s projection stood out most. His wiry frame, loose arm action and flashes of a true three-pitch mix made him a highly intriguing long-term follow in the 2027 class.

Jace Mataczynski, SS, Wisconsin

• Draft Class: 2026
• College Commitment: Auburn

One of the most toolsy players in Jupiter, Mataczynski drew a sizable scouting crowd each time he took the field and quickly became one of the weekendâ€s buzziest names. Several evaluators told Baseball America they were zeroing in on the Auburn commit after his standout showing, and his stock appeared to be rising fast.

At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Mataczynski combines promising size, twitch and fluidity. He moved easily at shortstop, showing light feet and impressive body control with an above-average arm that carried across the diamond. His wide, effortless gait translated into plus running ability, allowing him to cover ground both in the field and on the bases.

Offensively, Mataczynski remains raw but dangerous. His two-handed swing occasionally lagged behind better velocity, though his physical strength and bat speed still showed through as he collected six hits, including a home run and two doubles. With added mechanical polish and physical maturity, his offensive game could take a major leap.

Mataczynskiâ€s blend of athleticism, tools and projection has him positioned as a potential early-round follow if his upward trajectory continues.

Lukas McDowell, RHP, Canada

• Draft Class: 2026
• College Commitment: North Florida

A towering 6-foot-8, 245-pound righthander and native of Canada, McDowell looked every bit the part of a workhorse starter thanks to his broad shoulders and powerful lower half. His size alone turned heads, but it was the combination of athleticism and stuff that made his outing one of the more memorable performances among the unheralded prospects in Jupiter. Over three scoreless innings, he struck out three without issuing a walk while showing poise and command.

McDowell attacked from a long, whippy low three-quarters slot that created difficult angles and deception. His fastball sat 91-93 mph and touched 95 with carry through the zone and late life that helped it miss five bats. He paired it with a low-80s sweeping slider and a high-70s curveball that featured two-plane depth—both capable of missing barrels when executed. A developing changeup rounded out his four-pitch mix.

At 18, few pitchers combine this kind of physicality, arm speed and athletic operation. McDowellâ€s blend of size and raw stuff gives him a rare ceiling, and continued refinement could make him one of the more fascinating Canadian arms in the 2026 class.

Ethan Offing, OF, South Carolina

• Draft Class: 2026
• College Commitment: Clemson

An ultra-athletic 6-foot-1, 190-pound center fielder, Offing turned in one of the more complete performances in Jupiter and drew legitimate scouting attention. His combination of speed, defense and emerging impact at the plate made him one of the eventâ€s more intriguing all-around position players.

Offing covered ground easily in center field, showing smooth actions, confident reads and the type of closing speed that allowed him to make more difficult plays look routine. His running ability also translated offensively, where his quickness out of the box and aggressive baserunning kept pressure on defenses.

At the plate, Offingâ€s short, fast swing and advanced bat control stood out. He went 7-for-13 with a double, triple and home run, consistently finding the barrel and flashing surprising strength for his lean frame. The bat speed was real, and his swing path suggested room to grow into more power without sacrificing contact.

With plus speed, reliable defense in center and the potential to both set the table and impact the baseball with authority, Offing looked like a high-upside athlete who would fit perfectly in Clemsonâ€s up-tempo, offensive-minded program if he reaches campus.

Chandler Taylor, OF, Ohio

• Draft Class: 2026
• College Commitment: Alabama

The younger brother of former Indiana All-American Devin Taylor, Taylor impressed as a lean, athletic 6-foot-3, 185-pound outfielder with real center field potential. He moved with above-average speed, read the ball off the bat well and showed the instincts and reaction time to hold down the middle of the diamond.

At the plate, he shared traits similar to his brother, as his swing stayed on plane and his hands were quick. That ability already allows him to drive the ball all over the field, but as he adds strength, heâ€ll need to learn to lift the ball more consistently to unlock additional power.

Taylorâ€s biggest area for growth is in plate discipline. He needs to sharpen his approach against spin and remain engaged in two-strike counts, rather than expanding too early.

Though still relatively young, Taylor is already committed to Alabama and appears likely to land on campus. His tools, pedigree, and athletic profile make him an interesting name to follow going forward.

Ty Van Valkenburg, RHP, New York

• Draft Class: 2026
• College Commitment: Miami

Built with a strong, durable 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame, Van Valkenburg looked every bit the part of a physical righthander with starter traits. His delivery was compact and repeatable while his arm worked with looseness and whip from a three-quarters release. He occasionally dropped the slot a bit when throwing his slider but maintained a consistent tempo and direction throughout.

Van Valkenburgâ€s fastball sat in the low 90s and reached 94 mph while showing both run and ride that allowed it to miss bats. He commanded the pitch well, especially to his arm side, and collected four whiffs on it in this outing. Over two innings, he punched out four, didnâ€t issue a walk and allowed two hits—one an infield single—without surrendering an earned run.

His primary secondary was an upper-70s slider that flashed above-average potential. The pitch varied in shape, showing tighter, two-plane bite against lefthanded hitters and a sweepier look with more lateral movement to righties. It already profiled as his best swing-and-miss weapon and was responsible for two of his six total whiffs on the day. He also flashed a changeup in warmups but didnâ€t use it in-game.

With physical strength, repeatability and a fastball-slider combination that both played, Van Valkenburg fit the mold of a strike-throwing starter to watch closely this spring.

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Will Brick (Photo by Tom DiPace)

The top catcher in the 2027 high school class will be eligible for the 2026 MLB Draft.

Will Brick, Baseball Americaâ€s No. 1 catcher for 2027, is reclassifying to the 2026 class, adding another big name to an already strong 2026 high school group.

Brick, a 17-year-old at Christian Brothers University High in Memphis, Tenn., is 6-foot-2, 195 pounds and was the No. 15 player overall in the 2027 class. He was one of two underclassmen to make USA Baseballâ€s 18U National Team that won a gold medal in September at the U-18 World Cup in Japan, where Brick made the all-tournament team at catcher and hit .333/.474/.667.

Will Brick Scouting Report

One of the best defensive catchers in the country, Brick is an advanced receiver who moves around well behind the plate with good lateral agility and flexibility to block well. His strong arm and quick release help him control the running game with pop times under 1.9 seconds on his best throws. He also earns high praise for the intangibles and leadership skills that managers and coaches love having in a catcher.Â

At the plate, Brick is a righthanded hitter who typically makes good swing decisions and has a low swing-and-miss rate. He has good bat speed and strength projection to add to what was already some of the better raw power in the 2027 class. In games, Brickâ€s approach gets more contact-oriented. As such, Brick’s power didnâ€t always show in games, but thereâ€s another level of game power that could come as his swing and approach continue to evolve.Â

While Brick has been an underclassman, scouts were able to get looks at him competing against 2026 players this summer in Cary, N.C. at USA Baseballâ€s 18U national team trials and then their 18U national team training camp before he went to Japan for the U-18 World Cup.Â

Brick turns 18 a month before the draft, so he will be one of the younger players in the 2026 class. Heâ€s uncommitted for college and immediately becomes one of the premium players to target in the 2026 recruiting cycle.

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In December, the Winter Meetings culminate with the Rule 5 draft, where each team with at least one open 40-man MLB roster spot has the chance to select unprotected players from other organizations. Though not as popular as the First-Year Player Draft in July, the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft gives teams the opportunity to add potentially valuable players for the minimal cost of $100,000.

The majority of these players get returned to their original teams, but those who stick on rosters can pay major dividends. In last year’s draft, the White Sox selected righthanded pitcher Shane Smith who threw 146.1 innings, put up 2.4 bWAR and became an all-star. On the position player side, Liam Hicks put up 1.3 bWAR in 390 plate appearances and turned into a viable major league catcher for the Marlins.

The decision-making process as to whether to protect players from the Rule 5 draft is complex and teams don’t have a one-size-fits-all strategy. They often weigh a multitude of factors including proximity, performance and health when making those decisions, and while some players are easy decisions, others are not. Here is an early look at every organizationâ€s toughest Rule 5 decision ahead of the November protection deadline.

Teams must set their reserve lists/40-man rosters by 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 18. The Rule 5 draft will be on Dec. 10 at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla.

The Orioles went significantly over slot to sign Fabian in the second round of the 2022 draft, but inconsistent contact and swing decisions have slowed his progress. Through May 31, he appeared to turn a corner, hitting .231/.335/.468 with 10 home runs and a 28% strikeout rate in his second stint in the upper minors. His momentum faded in June before a left wrist strain sidelined him for a month. He struggled to regain form in his return, batting .135/.317/.216 with three homers and a 35% strikeout rate over his final 190 plate appearances.

Fabian did show improved contact ability, cutting his Triple-A strikeout rate from 41% in 2024 to 32%. If he can sustain that growth, he has an otherwise intriguing set of major league traits with a combination of power (112 mph max EV), patience (17% BB rate and 22% chase rate), speed and outfield defense. His set of intriguing tools and early-season glimpse of progress could make this a tough roster decision for the Orioles.

Boston Red Sox

Shane Drohan, LHP

Drohan is a unique case. The White Sox already selected him once in the 2023 Rule 5 draft, so if he’s picked again and doesn’t stick on that team’s roster, there’s no guarantee he’ll return to the Red Sox because of a rarely-used rule requiring his approval to do so a second time. Drohan was very impressive with Triple-A Worcester this season but teams will have to parse through a checkered medical history. He underwent a nerve decompression procedure on his left shoulder last year while with Chicago. This year, Drohan missed just over three months with left forearm tightness, but he showed impressive stuff on either side of the injury.

He posted a 34.5% strikeout rate, driven by a five-pitch mix where four of his pitches (fastball, slider, curveball and changeup) had whiff rates over 35%. He also was especially effective against lefties, limiting them to a .446 OPS. Given that the Red Sox risk losing him entirely and teams generally covet bat-missing lefty relievers in the Rule 5 draft, he’s a tricky 40-man decision.

New York Yankees

Chase Hampton, RHP

On raw talent alone, Hampton would seem like an easy addition to the Yankees 40-man roster. His injury history, however, complicates the decision. A Top 100 Prospect entering 2024, Hampton broke out the previous year by striking out 145 batters over 107 innings with a five-pitch mix that included a mid-90s fastball and two bat-missing breaking balls. But a right flexor strain sidelined him for the first half of 2024 and when he returned, his stuff had backed up. Hampton then missed all of the 2025 season because of Tommy John surgery, so he’s barely pitched in the last two years, and other pitchers such as Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz and Cam Schlittler have passed him on the depth chart. Hampton’s injury history could actually work in his favor as a Rule 5 pick. If he begins next season on the injured list before returning to action, it cuts the number of days he needs to be on the active roster.

Tampa Bay Rays

Jadher Areinamo, 2B

The Rays acquired Areinamo from the Brewers just ahead of the trade deadline as he was in the midst of another strong season in High-A. The 5-foot-8 middle infielder was hitting .297/.355/.463 in 415 plate appearances after leading the league in hitting 2024. The Rays quickly promoted him to Double-A Montgomery and there he hit .255/.316/.397 over 159 plate appearances.

Areinamo is a hit-over-power infielder, with strong bat-to-ball skills, but an aggressive approach. His strikeout rate barely changed with the promotion—rising from 11.6% to 11.9%—and heâ€s shown he can handle velocity, though heâ€s prone to expanding the zone. The Rays once again have a log-jam of players that need to be added to the 40-man roster. As a result, they could leave Areinamo unprotected given his limited upper-minors experience. That could be a risk, though, as his offensive profile combined with the ability to play every infield position, except first base, could fit well in a utility role on a rebuilding team.

Toronto Blue Jays

Yondrei Rojas, RHP

After a solid but unspectacular 2024, the 22-year-old Rojas burst onto the scene this year putting up a 1.43 ERA and 0.88 WHIP across 37.2 innings in High-A and Double-A. His under-the-hood data was even more intriguing.

Rojas’ mid-90s cutter had a 142 Stuff+, the best mark in the minors. The pitch has good velocity from a flat approach angle and generated a 30% whiff rate. Rojas leans heavily on his cutter, throwing it more than twice as much as any other pitch, but he also mixes in a mid-90s sinker, slider, changeup and the occasional sweeper—all with whiff rates above 30% besides the sweeper.

While he’s undersized at 5-foot-10, his cutter alone will draw attention from analysts and he has the type of stuff teams covet in a bullpen Rule 5 arm. He missed the first month of the season and logged just 14 Double-A innings, leaving limited upper-level experience. Rojas will pitch in the Arizona Fall League, giving the Blue Jays—and rival evaluators—one final look before the Rule 5 decision deadline.

AL Central

Chicago White Sox

Peyton Pallette, RHP

After their pitching development took a step forward this year, the White Sox have a crowded group of intriguing arms eligible for Rule 5 protection. Pallette sits in the second tier of that group. Drafted in the second round in 2022 as a starter, heâ€s now a full-time reliever who split the season between Double-A and Triple-A. Pallette was solid early but struggled following a late-May promotion, seeing his strikeout rate dip by more than 10 percentage points and his groundball rate cut in half.

His fastball sits in the mid-90s but has long been hittable, and heâ€s relied more on his secondaries. In Triple-A, he still threw his fastball just over 50% of the time, but its generic shape limited effectiveness. His secondaries—a high-spin curveball, changeup and slider—all generated whiff rates above 35%. As we’ve seen in the playoffs, MLB teams want velocity and fastballs that miss bats out of the bullpen, so Palette might not be an ideal fit, but his combination of pedigree, performance and secondaries will force the White Sox to think long and hard.

Cleveland Guardians

Kahlil Watson, OF

Watson once ranked No. 60 on the 2022 Top 100 after going in the first round to the Marlins in 2021. The Guardians acquired Watson at the 2023 trade deadline and entering 2025, his athleticism and power remained enticing, but his swing decisions and contact skills continued to lag behind. This season, Watson showed progress. In 49 games in Triple-A, he had his highest walk rate and lowest strikeout rate since 2023 and the highest OPS of his career (minimum 10 games played at a level).

Beneath the surface, his 49% hard-hit rate, 91.1 mph average exit velocity and 111 mph max EV all ranked well above-average for the level. Even so, his chase, whiff and zone-contact rates remained below-average, signaling persistent approach concerns. Watson moved to the outfield full time this year and while his reads and routes are still a work in progress, thereâ€s a pathway to him becoming a fringe-average defender there. Given Clevelandâ€s depth of young talent, the Guardians could try to sneak him through unprotected—but that carries risk for a player with this kind of bat speed and raw power.

Detroit Tigers

Trei Cruz, UTIL

The switch-hitting Cruz enjoyed a breakout 2025 after going unselected in last yearâ€s Rule 5 draft. Returning to Double-A Erie for a fourth stint, he posted the highest OPS of his career—up more than 100 points from his previous best—earning a promotion to Triple-A Toledo, where he hit even better. In Toledo, Cruz produced a .284/.423/.458 line with above-average hard-hit rates and exit velocities while continuing to show a disciplined approach marked by frequent walks and a low chase rate.

Cruz can get overly passive at times and his power remains limited, but he offers solid defense and versatility, capable of handling shortstop, third base and all three outfield spots. His age (27) and the Tigers†depth work against him, with multiple utility players already on the 40-man roster and several younger, higher-upside infielders on the way. Still, Cruzâ€s steady offensive performance and defensive flexibility could make him an appealing high-floor option for another team if heâ€s left unprotected.

Kansas City Royals

Frank Mozzicato, LHP

After an inconsistent start to his pro career since being drafted seventh overall in 2021, Mozzicato opened 2025 with a solid stretch for High-A Quad Cities and earned a Futures Game nod. His promotion to Double-A in May, however, brought significant struggles. Mozzicato posted a WHIP just under 2.00 and issued more walks than strikeouts.

Mozzicato had been surprisingly effective to that point despite lighter stuff, but it seemed to finally catch up to him in the upper minors. Mozzicato’s fastball still tops out in the low 90s and he struggles to hold velocity. His secondaries show more potential, but he hasnâ€t been able to consistently land them for strikes. It’s unlikely the Royals protect him because of his performance stuff, but given his draft pedigree and their development investment in him, the decision might not be as straightforward as it seems.

Minnesota Twins

Hendry Mendez, OF

Mendez was one of six players acquired by the Twins at the trade deadline who now rank in their Top 30. He came over from Philadelphia in the Harrison Bader deal after producing an .808 OPS in his first stint at Double-A Reading, then improved to a .911 OPS in 142 plate appearances with Double-A Wichita.

A potential plus hitter, Mendez pairs strong contact skills and a patient approach. He rarely misses on pitches in the zone and his high walk rate is matched by solid underlying approach metrics. He also tapped into more power this year, hitting a career-high 11 home runs after entering the season with 12 total. His exit velocity data impressed as well. But even though the 6-foot-2 outfielder hits the ball hard, his swing lacks loft leading to a very high groundball rate. This year (54%) was no exception, and he also provides little defensive value as he’s limited to left field as a fringy runner.

Mendez’s strange combination of skills are atypical for a Rule 5 target. But his age (22 on opening day) and hitting track record could make him a target for model-oriented teams who believe they can teach him to elevate more. The Twins have some tough pitching decisions, which could push him to the bubble. Other teams are getting one last look at Mendez in the Arizona Fall League before the November protection deadline.

AL West

Athletics

Daniel Susac, C

If the decision were based solely on surface numbers, protecting Susac would seem straightforward. In his first stint at Triple-A Las Vegas, he hit .275/.349/.483 with 18 home runs in 407 plate appearances. But Las Vegas is one of the most hitter-friendly parks in baseball, and his underlying metrics paint a more mixed picture.

Susacâ€s exit velocity data is middle of the pack, and both his hit tool and swing decisions remain question marks. He improved his chase rate from 41% in 2024 to 37%, but that’s still well below-average, and he swings and misses at a high clip, leading to concerns about how his bat will translate against more advanced pitching. Defensively, Susac is a playable catcher although unlikely to add a lot of value. He has a strong arm, but his framing needs work and he lacks mobility because of his size. With Shea Langeliers entrenched and two veteran catchers already on the 40-man, the Aâ€s may struggle to find room. Still, given league-wide catching scarcity, Susac could be an appealing trade target if left unprotected.

Houston Astros

Miguel Ullola, RHP

Even though he ranks among the Astros’ Top 10  Prospects, Ullola went unprotected last year and remains a tough decision again this year. In his first full season at Triple-A, he spent most of the year in the rotation before finishing with two short relief outings. Like past years, he showed bat-missing ability, but really struggled to throw consistent strikes.

The intrigue here is his combination of extension and raw stuff. Four of his pitches graded above 110 in Stuff+. Ullola’s primary offering is a 93 mph fastball with an impressive 18.9 inches of induce vertical break and a 31% whiff rate, albeit with spotty command. Those location struggles carried over to his secondary offerings. As a result, he completed six innings only three times and had just two walk-free appearances all season.

Ullolaâ€s profile now points more toward a bullpen role, where his stuff could play up in shorter bursts. The Astros began exploring that late in the year, but his strike-throwing questions make him a volatile option, and the Astros may be tempted to try to sneak him through once again.

Los Angeles Angels

Matthew Lugo, OF

The Angels’ system ranked 25th in Baseball America’s latest farm system talent rankings, which is a modest improvement, but it still lacks depth and doesn’t have many difficult 40-man decisions. The toughest call is Lugo, who made his major league debut after coming over from the Red Sox at the 2024 trade deadline.

Big league arms exploited Lugo’s aggressive approach. He put up -0.5 bWAR in 70 plate appearances, didn’t take a single walk and struck out 34% of the. His Triple-A contact rate was just under 70%. Once an infielder, Lugo now plays exclusively outfield, so his defensive versatility has diminished over time. His limited profile poses a challenge, though he does hit lefthanders well and could carve out a platoon corner role. Still, given his limited ceiling, the Angels may be better served exploring trades with clubs facing tougher protection crunches, targeting higher-upside players in exchange for lower-level talent.

Seattle Mariners

Ryan Bliss, 2B

The Mariners were among the most aggressive buyers at the trade deadline, dealing from their farm system to bolster the 2025 roster. That thinned out their Rule 5 pool, leaving second baseman Ryan Bliss as their toughest 40-man call. Bliss began the season as Seattleâ€s starting second baseman but tore his left biceps in April, then re-injured himself during an August rehab assignment with a meniscus tear that ended his year.

Bliss’ plus speed and ability to hit lefthanded pitching well should appeal to teams. But his size is limiting and the Mariners’ second base depth chart has changed after Cole Young took over at second base before Jorge Polanco later reclaimed the position. Polanco has a player option for next year, but given he has been one of the Mariners best hitters this season it is easy to see a scenario where they look to bring him back.

Bliss has never played shortstop in the big leagues, so Seattle must decide whether he’s capable of filling a reserve infielder role, and Colt Emerson’s impending arrival only makes things more crowded. Bliss could find himself squeezed considering the Mariners’ competitive window and fair amount of depth up the middle.

Texas Rangers

Cameron Cauley, 2B/SS/OF

A third-round pick in 2021, Cauley put up a solid .253/.325/.448 line with 15 home runs and 28 steals in Double-A this year. Even more encouraging: Cauley posted the lowest strikeout rate of his career (24.7%), down from 29.2% in High-A last year. He also cut his chase rate (25%) down from 40% a year ago.

Cauley’s contact ability and hit tool development were areas of concern in an otherwise promising profile. Heâ€s a plus runner with good instincts, a plus thrower and could be a plus defender at multiple positions. This year, he split time between shortstop, second base and center field. That up-the-middle versatility and tool set should be intriguing to teams looking for an infielder, even if his limited upper-minors track record works against him. What once looked like an easy non-protection before the season now seems far less certain.

NL East

Atlanta Braves

Blake Burkhalter, RHP

Burkhalter got off to a strong start in Double-A Columbus this year, but struggled after he was promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett in July. He saw his strikeout rate drop from 21% in Double-A to 18% and his walk rate rise from 10% to 12%. Last year in High-A Rome, Burkhalter had no issues throwing strikes, so this could be an outlier, especially as his control struggles were mainly out of the bullpen where he was pitching for the first time since college.

Burkhalter primarily relies on a low-to-mid-90s fastball and high-80s cutter, while also mixing in a changeup and curveball. His fastball has solid ride and a whiff rate around 30%, and his cutter looks like a pitch he can consistently land in the zone and generate chase against. Burkhalter’s 6-foot frame and lack of a consistent third offering limits his upside and Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2023 season. He likely profiles best in a bullpen in the long run, leaving the Braves with a tough decision on whether to leave him unprotected and take their chances.

Miami Marlins

Andrew Pintar, OF

There are more heralded players on this list, but Pintar actually fits the mold of a Rule 5 target because he’s a potentially plus center fielder and runner who can hit lefthanded pitching. Pintar slashed .269/.338/.384 with four home runs, 24 steals and drastic platoon splits (.679 OPS against righties compared to .924 OPS versus lefties) for Triple-A Jacksonville this year. And while his platoon splits were previously never that severe, he has always struck out significantly less against lefthanders. Pintar struck out 33% of the time against righties compared to 15% against lefties, and in 2024 it was 22% against righties and 12% against lefties.

Pintar’s ability to make contact has always been the weakest part of his game, and if the Marlins choose to leave him unprotected it’ll be because of his hit tool variance. He could also stand to better elevate the ball to maximize his above-average raw power. Miami acquired Pintar from the D-backs in the A.J. Puk deal. Will his speed, defense and ability to hit lefties entice them to protect him with an eye on a reserve outfielder role?

New York Mets

Nick Morabito, OF

Since being drafted in the second round in 2022 out of a Washington, D.C., high school, Morabito has done nothing but hit. In his first season facing Double-A pitching, he batted .273/.348/.385 over 492 plate appearances with six home runs and 49 steals. At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, heâ€s slightly undersized and power isnâ€t a major part of his game, though he set career highs with 35 extra-base hits and a 110 mph max exit velocity. To tap into more impact, heâ€ll need to elevate the ball more. His 54% groundball rate and limited pull-side loft cap his slugging potential.

Even without those adjustments, Morabito’s plus center field and plus-plus speed provide a pathway to becoming a big leaguer. He’s also an above-average hitter who does a solid job making contact and limiting chase. Morabito would benefit from more minor league seasoning, which the Mets will take into consideration, but his relatively high floor and skill set could be intriguing to a team searching for a reserve outfielder with some long-term upside if he’s unprotected.

Philadelphia Phillies

Alex McFarlane, RHP

After missing 2024 because of Tommy John surgery, McFarlane returned healthy this year and threw 80 innings between High-A and Double-A. He opened the season in the rotation, but struggled and was moved to the bullpen in mid-August—his likely long-term home because his plus fastball-slider combination.

McFarlane throws both a four-seam and sinker with both pitches sitting in the mid-90s and maxing out around 100 mph. His sinker has more potential. It had the highest in-zone rate of his arsenal and a 115 Stuff+, seventh-best among minor league sinkers this year. His slider also grades well in Stuff+ models with the pitch showing solid two-plane break in the mid-to-low 80s. He mixes in a changeup, though itâ€s inconsistent and often identifiable out of the hand. Even so, the Phillies might not want to risk losing McFarlane’s potential power sinker-slider combination out of the bullpen this November.

Washington Nationals

Andry Lara, RHP

Once one of the premier arms in the 2019 international class, Lara signed with the Nationals for $1.25 million and was added to the 40-man roster last November after a strong 2024 season. Lara’s stuff and results backed up considerably in 2025. Now more physically filled out, his athleticism has regressed as well.

Lara works with a three-pitch mix of a fastball, splitter and slider, but none project better than average. His 93 mph fastball touched 96, but by the end of the year maxed out at 93 in relief. The pitch grades out poorly in models and rarely misses bats with a 13% whiff rate this year. His secondaries both flash bat-missing ability on occasion, but he struggles to land them competitively and hitters could wait him out for his fastball.

Lara’s lack of a viable fastball will only be magnified in a bullpen role. With new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni reassessing the roster, Laraâ€s 40-man spot could be in danger if he can’t recover his velocity.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs

James Triantos, 2B/OF

Triantos seemed primed for a big league debut in 2025, yet the call never came amid an inconsisten Triple-A season where he slashed .258/.315/.369 in 444 plate appearances, a sharp drop from 2024 when he hit .300/.346/.427 between Double-A and Triple-A. His contact skills remained solid, highlighted by a 15% strikeout rate and 14% in-zone whiff rate, but better pitchers took advantage of his aggressive approach. His 34% chase rate was below-average, and his impact ability lagged behind, with only fringe-average barrel and hard-hit rates and a 90th-percentile exit velocity of roughly 103 mph.

Triantos improved considerably at second bae in 2024 and began playing more positions this season. By the end of the year, he spent more time in the outfield than the infield. That growing versatility could enhance his value, as his profile now fits more as a potential utility option than an everyday regular. Triantos has pedigree and prior production, so the Cubs could still choose to protect him, though their decision is murkier now because of several intriguing arms also in need of 40-man consideration.

Cincinnati Reds

Edwin Arroyo, 2B/SS

Both Arroyo and Hector Rodriguez are both Rule 5-eligible Reds Top 10 Prospects. Both are likely to get protected, but Arroyo is the more difficult call. He missed all of 2024 because of labrum surgery, then hit .284/.345/.371 in 521 Double-A plate appearances this season.

While Arroyo posted the lowest strikeout rate (16.9%) of his career and made consistent in-zone contact, his approach still needs work. He chased 31% of the time and walked at just a 7.7% clip. Defense is his calling card. He’s a potential plus defender at either shortstop or second base, and his plus throwing arm has a shot to profile at third base as well.

That defensive profile gives him a relatively high floor and one that appeal to a team looking for an infielder with long-term upside who they can develop starting out on their bench. As a result, even though heâ€s not major league ready, the Reds likely have to protect him.

Milwaukee Brewers

Will Childers, RHP

One archetype teams heavily target in the Rule 5 draft is the reliever with intriguing underlying pitch data. Childers fits the mold perfectly. Heâ€s also another example of the Brewers†knack for drafting and developing undervalued arms. Originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in 2019 out of high school, Childers instead attended Georgia, where injuries limited him to just 12.1 innings across three years. After signing with Milwaukee as an undrafted free agent in 2022, he finally debuted in 2023 and has pitched exclusively in relief since.

Childers has a unique delivery with a short arm action and high slot that generates ride on a mid-90s fastball that tickles 99 mph with solid control. He pairs it with two breaking balls, a curveball and a more promising slider with better whiff rates and grades out well in models. Scouts are more mixed on his upside and he struggled upon reaching Triple-A, where his strikeout rate dropped and his walk rate climbed, but his stuff-driven profile could make him a tempting bullpen flier if left unprotected.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Esmerlyn Valdez, 1B/OF

Valdez emerged as one of the Pirates†most productive hitters this season, dominating in hitter-friendly Greensboro before earning a promotion to Double-A Altoona. He finished with a .286/.376/.520 line and 26 home runs, though much of that damage came at High-A, where his OPS (.977) far outpaced his mark in Double-A (.772).

Valdez’s power is real and he has some of the best impact in Pittsburgh’s system. his 115 mph max exit velocity and elite barrel rates would compare favorably even at the major league level. That impact comes with tradeoffs. His contact skills remain a work in progress, though he took a step forward this season by raising his contact rate to around 70%. Continued growth in that area will determine how much of his power translates, as nearly all his value resides in his bat. Defensively, heâ€s limited to first base or a corner outfield spot and he’s a below-average runner.

Valdez’s lack of secondary skills or Triple-A experience makes this a tough call for the Pirates, especially since his offensive profile will probably struggle at first against better pitching. Still, will the Pirates risk losing promising offensive upside to another team willing to stash Valdez on their bench?

St. Louis Cardinals

Joshua Baez, OF

Baez broke out in 2025 after making mechanical adjustments to unlock a level of contact he had never shown before. Entering the season, he wasnâ€t on the Rule 5 radar at all, as he had yet to reach the upper minors and was coming off a season with a 35.5% strikeout rate. He slashed his strikeout rate down to 20.6% this year while moving up to Double-A. His underlying contact metrics also improved.

Most encouragingly, Baez made those gains without sacrificing impact. He had the highest slugging percentage of his career with well above-average exit velocities. His batted ball profile also improved dramatically, as he traded infield popups for hard line drives and groundballs. The result is a hitter who now projects to make enough contact to fully access his plus-plus power. Combined with a plus arm and fringe-average defense, Baez has the ingredients of a potential everyday player.

The Cardinals don’t have a true 40-man dilemma because Baez will almost certainly get protected, but his off-the-radar season merits recognition.

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks

Christian Cerda, C

Cerda broke out in 2025, pairing surprising offensive ability with his already solid defensive foundation. He raised his OPS from .691 to .789 while cutting his strikeout rate from 20% to 17.5%. Some of that could be attributed to hitter-friendly Armarillo, but his underlying metrics also improved. He saw his overall contact rate rise along with his zone-contact rate, which sits at a very respectable 83%. His exit velocities still didnâ€t jump off the page and he is unlikely to have more than below-average power, but any offense he can provide will be a bonus given his defensive profile.

Defensively, Cerda projects as at least an above-average defender with good lateral agility, solid receiving skills and an above-average arm. He threw out 30% of attempted base stealers this year, though consistency remains an area of focus. With limited catching depth around the game, it’s easy to see a team taking a chance on Cerda as a backup catcher. The D-backs†decision may hinge on whether they re-sign veteran backup James McCann or trust Cerda to fill that role in 2026.

Colorado Rockies

Gabriel Hughes, RHP

The Rockies made Hughes their first-round pick in 2022, but his development has been interrupted by injuries. After missing all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, he returned late that year in the Arizona Fall League and logged his first full season back in 2025. Hughes relied heavily on a low-90s cut fastball, throwing it just over 40% of the time while mixing in a slider, curveball, sinker and changeup between 11% and 16% of the time.

None of his offerings stood out metrically, though his slider and curveball generated the highest whiff rates, and his sinker proved most effective at limiting hard contact despite being his fourth most-used pitch. Overall, he struggled to miss bats and generate chase, which limits his strikeout upside.

With the Rockies in transition and searching for a new head of baseball operations, itâ€s unclear how the incoming regime will evaluate the organizationâ€s arms. Given his draft pedigree but modest current profile, Hughes could find himself on the 40-man bubble despite being only three years removed from going No. 10 overall.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Ronan Kopp, LHP

The Dodgers are so deep that Kopp didn’t crack their Midseason Top 30 Prospects even though he had one of Triple-A’s highest strikeout rates. The 6-foot-7 lefty has a massive frame and two potentially plus pitches, but his control issues are so severe he finds himself on the 40-man bubble.

Kopp has a deceptive delivery. He’s a short-strider with a high release height and steep approach angle. Kopp throws everything hard. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and touches 98.9 mph, while his slider averages around 90 mph. Both pitches miss bats—his slider generated a 44% whiff rate and his fastball 32%—but neither found the strike zone more than 50% of the time. And when Kopp misses with his fastball, hitters barrel it. Encouragingly, Kopp struck out 19 over his last 11.1 innings with just five walks after previously walking more than a batter per inning in Triple-A.

Still, Kopp has never posted a walk rate below 15.3%. There’s a case for the Dodgers to leave him unprotected because of his strike-throwing track record. However, it won’t be an easy call. Lefties with his size and stuff are hard to find.

San Diego Padres

Francis Pena, RHP

Pena is another potential reliever who fits the mold teams prioritize in the Rule 5 draft. The sinker-slider righthander breezed through the Padres’ system prior to this year before finally running into some trouble in Triple-A.

Pena’s deceptive mid-90s fastball maxes out at 99 with over seven feet of extension from his 6-foot-1 frame, and it gets on hitters quickly. His high-80s slider has decent separation, missing bats and generating chase even when he couldn’t land it for strikes consistently. Overall, his strike-throwing backed up in 2025 and his walk rate doubled to 14.3% while his strikeout rate dropped from 25.1% to 19.8%, though the expected results on his pitches remained impressive.

With San Diegoâ€s 40-man already deep in right-handed relievers, Penaâ€s regression in command has turned what once looked like an easy protection call into a much tougher decision.

San Francisco Giants

Marco Luciano, OF

Luciano represents one of the Giants’ toughest offseason decisions. Once a Top 100 Prospect, his stock has fallen considerably. Luciano didn’t appear in a major league game this year and no longer ranks among the Giants’ Top 10 Prospects. The decline stems from both defensive regression down the spectrum—heâ€s now a full-time left fielder—and an ongoing inability to make consistent contact or adjust to secondary pitches.

Lucianoâ€s contact rate dropped to 64% this year, while his zone-whiff rate spiked from 18% to 27%. His chase rate held steady and he continued to draw walks, but the drop in contact further underscored a below-average hit tool. Luciano still produces impressive exit velocities when he makes contact, producing a 90th percentile exit velocity (108 mph) and max EV (just under 114 mph) that rank among the top 10% of all Triple-A hitters.

Out of options next season, Lucianoâ€s future in San Francisco is uncertain. If the Giants donâ€t see a clear role for him on the 26-man roster, a trade could be on the table before the Rule 5 protection deadline.

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Chicago Cubs: OF Pete Crow-Armstrong (Age: 23)

Crow-Armstrong is still searching for consistency at the plate, but it’s hard to poke holes in a 23-year-old posting a 118 OPS+ with 37 doubles, 31 home runs, 95 RBI, 91 runs scored and 35 steals in a 6.0-WAR season. He is also a lock to take home his first Gold Glove in center field, and could be the NL Platinum Glove winner.

Honorable Mentions:SP Cade Horton (24), 3B Matt Shaw (23)

Cincinnati Reds: SS Elly De La Cruz (Age: 23)

Whether it was the grind of playing every day, pitchers making adjustments or something else entirely, De La Cruz went from an All-Star in the first half (.854 OPS, 39 XBH, 18 HR, 25 SB) to a non-factor in the second half (.666 OPS, 21 XBH, 4 HR, 12 SB). The tools are there for him to be a face of the franchise player, but the 2026 season will be an important one in his development.

Honorable Mentions:OF Noelvi Marté (23)

Milwaukee Brewers: OF Jackson Chourio (Age: 21)

Chourio was the youngest player to make an Opening Day roster in 2025, and only four younger players appeared in the big leagues this year, yet he already has two 20/20 seasons under his belt. At an age when most prospects are still in the lower levels of the minors or playing college ball, he was one of the best players on a team that finished with 97 wins and a division title.

Honorable Mentions:SP Jacob Misiorowski (23)

Pittsburgh Pirates: SP Paul Skenes (Age: 23)

The term “generational talent” gets thrown around a lot when talking about young stars, but Skenes truly is that on the mound. Over his first 55 starts in the big leagues, he has a 1.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 386 strikeouts in 320.2 innings, and he is the favorite to take home NL Cy Young honors after leading the NL in ERA (1.97) and WHIP (0.95) while racking up 216 strikeouts in 187.2 innings.

Honorable Mentions:SP Bubba Chandler (23)

St. Louis Cardinals: SS Masyn Winn (Age: 23)

The Cardinals are at a crossroads, looking to get younger this offseason and expected to aggressively shop veterans such as Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray and others, which leaves Winn as the foundational piece of their upcoming rebuilding efforts. The slick-fielding shortstop provides a valuable mix of defense, speed, extra-base pop and contact skills, and he is still capable of taking his game to another level.

Honorable Mentions:OF Victor Scott II (24)

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Oct 14, 2025, 08:04 PM ET

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is having its most-viewed postseason in the United States in 15 years.

Viewership is averaging 4.33 million through the division series, according to MLB and Nielsen, a 30% increase over last year and the best since 2010.

Last Friday’s 15-inning thriller between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers averaged 8.72 million viewers on Fox, Fox Deportes and streaming. The Mariners’ 3-2 victory in the fifth and deciding game of the AL Division Series was the most-watched division round game on Fox since Detroit’s Game 5 win over the New York Yankees in 2011 averaged 9.72 million.

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The two AL Division Series on Fox, FS1 and FS2 averaged 4.15 million, the most-watched division round on any network since the NL Division Series on TBS (Cubs-Cardinals and Mets-Dodgers).

The series between Toronto and the Yankees, which the Blue Jays won in four games, averaged 7.65 million in the U.S. and Canada.

Viewership for all four division series in the U.S. averaged 4.17 million, its highest since 2011, and a 17% jump from last year.

Blue Jays division series games in Canada averaged 3.65 million, a 10% increase from the team’s last ALDS appearance in 2016.

Sunday’s first game of the AL Championship Series between Seattle and Toronto averaged 10.02 million in the U.S. and Canada, including 5.31 million on Fox, Fox Deportes and streaming. The U.S. viewership is a 32% increase over last year’s Game 1 of the ALCS between Cleveland and the Yankees on TBS.

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Oct 14, 2025, 06:34 PM ET

NEW YORK — The price of a qualifying offer for this year’s major league free agents rose 4.6% to $22,025,000 from $21.05 million.

The figure is determined by the average of the top 125 major league contracts this year. The price dropped by $100,000 to $17.8 million in 2019, then rose to $18.9 million in 2020, fell $500,000 in 2021 and rose to $19.65 million in 2022 and $20,325,000 in 2023.

Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 14 of 144 offers have been accepted.

A free agent can be made a qualifying offer only if he has been with the same team continuously since opening day and has never received a qualifying offer before.

Among the top players who can become free agents after the World Series and are eligible to receive qualifying offers are Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette, New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, San Diego right-hander Michael King, Philadelphia designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and left-hander Ranger Suárez, San Diego right-hander Robert Suarez, and Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker.

Potential free agents ineligible for qualifying offers include New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger, Boston third baseman Alex Bregman, Cincinnati pitcher Nick Martinez and Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto.

A qualifying offer can be made through the fifth day after the World Series, and a player has a week after that to accept.

If a team makes a qualifying offer to a player who signs a major league contract with another club before the amateur draft, his former club would receive a draft pick as compensation at the end of the first round or at the end of competitive balance round B. The placement depends on the amount of the new contract and the revenue sharing and luxury tax status of the team losing the player.

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Coming off a terrific season with the Boston Red Sox, Alex Bregman is going to test free agency for the second consecutive year.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Bregman is exercising the opt-out in his contract to hit the open market with the goal of securing a lucrative long-term deal.

Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million contract with Boston in February. The deal included an opt out after the first season and a player option for 2027.

There were some rumblings during the 2025 season about Bregman and the Red Sox coming together on a long-term contract. He left the door open when asked about it during All-Star week.

“Maybe,” Bregman said. “I think for me, I’m focused on playing good baseball and trying to help this team win games. We’re obviously open to hearing whatever the Red Sox have to say.”

The addition of Bregman was a huge boon to the Red Sox. He had a .273/.360.462 slash line with 18 homers in 114 games and made the AL All-Star team.

Even with some bumps along the way, including a quad injury that kept Bregman out for seven weeks early in the season, the Red Sox were a playoff contender for the first time since reaching the ALCS in 2021.

Bregman had his best offensive season by OPS+ (128) since 2019 when he finished second in AL MVP voting. He’s also an above-average defender at third base.

Entering an offseason that looks to be light on position players, Bregman could be the most impactful player available depending on what to make of Kyle Tucker’s second-half swoon with the Chicago Cubs.

Given his all-around ability as a hitter and defender, Bregman is a star who can help transform any team that he plays on. He is using that leverage to explore free agency once again.

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