The path to baseball stardom, for those fortunate enough to reach it, is unique.
There are the “can’t miss” prospects. There are the players who spend years in the minor leagues, waiting for the call-up. And there are the players who have been pounding away in major-league lineups, quietly making noise and inching toward greatness.
All three molds fit the criteria of being one of the league’s “Stars of Tomorrow,” the top rising stars for each of MLB’s 30 teams.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Jordan Lawlar, SS
Throws: R
Bats: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 22/2023
Career stats: .129/.206/.129, four hits, one SB in 14 G.
Second-best: Adrian Del Castillo, C
Argument: Lawlar had a cup of coffee with the NL champs in 2023. He went 0-for-1 with a walk and a run scored in three postseason games. Lawlar, the No. 6 overall pick in 2021, suffered thumb and hamstring injuries last year and played just 23 minor-league games. Arizona recently extended shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, but Lawlar has the power and athleticism (38 homers and 82 stolen bases in 230 minor-league games) to carve a role.
ATLANTA
Spencer Schwellenbach, P
Throws: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 24/2024
Career stats: 8-7, 3.35 ERA, 123 2/3 IP, 127 Ks, 1.043 WHIP.
Second-best: Drake Baldwin, C
Argument: Schwellenbach posted a 124 ERA-plus, 24% better than league average, in 21 starts as a rookie. The 2021 second-round pick has a deep six-pitch arsenal including – from most to least utilized last season – a four-seam fastball, slider, cutter, curveball, splitter and sinker. He ranked in the 96th percentile in chase rate (34.2%) and the 95th in walk rate (4.6%) in 2024, according to Baseball Savant.
CHICAGO CUBS
Matt Shaw, 3B
Throws: R
Bats: R
Contract: One year, $760,000
Age/MLB debut: 23/2025
Career stats: .303/.384/.522, 29 HRs, 99 RBIs, 46 SB in 159 minor-league G.
Second-best: Ben Brown, RHP
Argument: Starting this spring, Shaw seems set to be the Cubs’ third baseman of the future. The No. 13 overall pick in 2023, Shaw has showcased elite all-around offensive ability. He walked in 10.3% of his minor-league at-bats. Primarily a shortstop at the University of Maryland, Shaw has the versatility to play across the infield if needed in the future.
CINCINNATI REDS
Rhett Lowder, P
Throws: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 23/2024
Career stats: 2-2, 1.17 ERA, 30 2/3 IP, 22 Ks, 1.272 WHIP.
Second-best: Chase Burns, RHP
Argument: The No. 7 overall pick in the 2023, Lowder started last season in High-A and finished it with six MLB starts. He threw as many sliders as he did four-seam fastballs, which averaged at 93.5 mph, in those starts while mixing in a healthy dose of both his sinker and changeup. The former Wake Forest star is not an overwhelming strikeout pitcher but pounds the zone.
COLORADO ROCKIES
Ezequiel Tovar, SS
Throws: R
Bats: R
Contract: Second year of seven-year, $63.5 million contract with team option in 2031
Age/MLB debut: 23/2022
Career stats: .260/.290/.437, 42 HRs, 153 RBIs in 319 G.
Second-best: Chase Dollander, RHP
Argument: The Rockies inked their young star for the long run before Opening Day last year, and it paid dividends early. Tovar, an exceptional defender, won the NL Gold Glove at shortstop last season. He also hit .269 with 26 homers and an NL-leading 45 doubles, finishing 19th in NL MVP voting. Despite Colorado’s bleak 61-win 2024 season, Tovar is an evident bright spot for the franchise.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Roki Sasaki, P
Throws: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 23/2025
Career stats: 29-15, 2.10 ERA, 394 2/3 IP, 505 Ks, 0.894 WHIP in NPB.
Second-best: Dalton Rushing, C
Argument: The Sasaki sweepstakes came to a close on Jan. 17 when he announced in an Instagram post that he would be joining the reigning World Series champs. The consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball joins a phenomenal rotation that includes fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. He features a world-class splitter, a lively fastball and a slider.
MIAMI MARLINS
Xavier Edwards, SS
Throws: R
Bats: B
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 25/2023
Career stats: .321/.383/.402, one HR, 29 RBIs, 36 SB in 100 G.
Second-best: Max Meyer, RHP
Argument: The Mineola-born Edwards broke out in the latter half of 2024. He started the season on the injured list with a foot infection and eventually became the Marlins’ everyday shortstop in July. He hit. 328 with a 124 OPS-plus (24% better than league average) and swiped 31 bases in 70 games. Edwards became the second player in franchise history to hit for the cycle last July 28.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Jackson Chourio, OF
Throws: R
Bats: R
Contract: Second year of eight-year, $82 million contract with team options in 2032 and 2033
Age/MLB debut: 21/2024
Career stats: .275/.327/.464, 21 HRs, 79 RBIs, 22 SB in 148 G.
Second-best: Tobias Myers, RHP
Argument: The Brewers extended Chourio before he made his MLB debut, a bold but intelligent move. With elite speed, baserunning and fielding ability, Chourio is a true five-tool player with an immense ceiling. He finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting and 22nd in MVP voting. Chourio went 5-for-11 with two clutch homers in the Wild Card Series against the Mets. He could be one of the future faces of MLB.
Francisco Alvarez, C
Throws: R
Bats: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 23/2022
Career stats: .221/.294/.423, 37 HRs, 111 RBIs in 228 G.
Second-best: Brandon Sproat, RHP
Argument: Alvarez will look to take the jump to stardom in his third season as the Mets’ starting catcher once he returns from a broken hamate bone in his left hand. He slashed .237/.307/.403 with 11 homers and 47 RBIs in 100 games last season. Compared to his 123-game 2023 season, he improved his batting average (.209) but saw a decline in power (25 home runs). Among catchers, he ranked in the 88th percentile in framing but only the second percentile in blocks above average, per Baseball Savant.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Andrew Painter, P
Throws: R
Contract: Minor-league, $3.9 million signing bonus in 2021
Age/MLB debut: 21/TBD
Career stats: 6-2, 1.48 ERA, 109 2/3 IP, 167 Ks, 0.875 WHIP in minors.
Second-best: Aidan Miller, SS
Argument: Painter has been one of baseball’s top prospects for a few years, but injuries have delayed his MLB debut, which finally seems to be nearing. After a sensational 2022 season, an elbow injury and then Tommy John surgery derailed his 2023 season and most of 2024 before he returned to form in the Arizona Fall League. Painter has a high-90s mph fastball, which can touch 100, curveball, slider and changeup.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Jared Jones, P
Throws: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 23/2024
Career stats: 6-8, 4.14 ERA, 121 2/3 IP, 132 Ks, 1.192 WHIP.
Second-best: Bubba Chandler, RHP
Argument: Paul Skenes headlined Pirates rookie arms in 2024, but Jones was not too shabby himself. He rolled through his first 16 starts with a 3.56 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 91 innings. After a lat strain wiped out most of his summer, he struggled in his final six starts with a 5.87 ERA in 30 2/3 innings. Jones features an electric fastball that averaged 97.3 mph last season.
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Leodalis De Vries, SS
Throws: R
Bats: B
Contract: Minor-league, $4.2 million signing bonus in 2024
Age/MLB debut: 18/TBD
Career stats: .227/.345/.418, 13 HRs, 47 RBIs, 16 SB in 93 Single-A/AZFL games.
Second-best: Ethan Salas, C
Argument: De Vries, who won’t turn 19 until October, was considered the top prospect in the 2024 international signing class and is likely a couple years away from his MLB debut. A switch-hitting shortstop with legitimate power and a tremendous feel of the strike zone — he had a 13.9% walk rate in 360 Single-A plate appearances — De Vries soon may be among the very top prospects in the game.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Bryce Eldridge, 1B
Throws: R
Bats: L
Contract: Minor-league, $3,997,500 signing bonus in 2023
Age/MLB debut: 20/TBD
Career stats: .292/.379/.514, 29 HRs, 110 RBIs in 147 minor-league G.
Second-best: Carson Whisenhunt, LHP
Argument: Eldridge made the jump straight from high school after being selected No. 16 overall in 2023. Listed at 6-7, 223 pounds, Eldridge quickly rose through the Giants’ system and finished last season with eight Triple-A games. Though he struck out in 25.4% of his plate appearances across four levels in 2024, had an .890 OPS and 11.4% walk rate.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Masyn Winn, SS
Throws: R
Bats: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 23/2023
Career stats: .251/.299/.385, 17 HRs, 69 RBIs, 13 SB in 187 G.
Second-best: Quinn Mathews, LHP
Argument: Winn had a 4.9 WAR (wins above replacement) and a 102 OPS-plus (2% better than league average) in his first full season as the Cardinals’ shortstop. A former two-way prospect, Winn has elite arm strength that ranked in the 95th percentile in 2024, according to Baseball Savant. Looking to build on a solid rookie season, Winn could be in line to bat leadoff.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Dylan Crews, RF
Throws: R
Bats: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 23/2024
Career stats: .218/.288/.353, three HRs, eight RBIs, 12 SB in 31 G.
Second-best: James Wood, LF
Argument: The No. 2 overall pick in 2023, Crews was just OK in his first month of MLB action to end last season. Crews had a fantastic college career at LSU, winning the College World Series and the Golden Spikes Award as the best amateur player in the US in 2023. Crews, who won a minor-league Gold Glove last season, is a true five-tool guy.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
ATHLETICS
Lawrence Butler, RF
Throws: R
Bats: L
Contract: First year of a seven-year, $65.5 million contract with team option in 2032
Age/MLB debut: 24/2023
Career stats: .250/.300/.456, 26 HRs, 67 RBIs, 18 SB in 167 games.
Second-best: Jacob Wilson, SS
Argument: The A’s officially made Butler a franchise cornerstone when they signed him to a lengthy extension earlier this month. In a breakout 2024 season, Butler slashed .262/.317/.490 with 22 homers, 57 RBIs and a 131 OPS-plus (100 is league average) in 125 games. Butler ended the season strong, putting up a .300/.345/.553 slash line with 13 homers after the All-Star break.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Jackson Holliday, 2B/SS
Throws: R
Bats: L
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 21/2024
Career stats: .189/.255/.311, 5 HRs, 23 RBIs in 60 games.
Second-best: Coby Mayo, 3B/1B
Argument: Holliday, the son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, was selected No. 1 overall in 2022. He notably struggled in his first MLB action last season, being optioned on April 26 and not recalled until July 31. Holliday hit .218 with five homers in his final 50 games after being called up again. The former top prospect in baseball will have a chance to prove himself again this season.
BOSTON RED SOX
Roman Anthony, OF
Throws: R
Bats: L
Contract: Minor-league, $2.5 million signing bonus in 2022
Age/MLB debut: 20/TBD
Career stats: .284/.398/.474, 32 HRs, 141 RBIs, 38 SB in 245 minor-league games.
Second-best: Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF
Argument: Anthony, a 2022 second-round pick, is a consensus top-two prospect in baseball. He finished last season with a 35-game stint in Triple-A and slashed .344/.463/.519 with three homers, 12 doubles and 20 RBIs. He also walked 31 times in 164 Triple-A plate appearances for an impressive 18.9% walk rate. Anthony has a chance at becoming a bona fide star — sooner rather than later.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Noah Schultz, P
Throws: L
Contract: Minor-league, $2.8 million signing bonus in 2022
Age/MLB debut: 21/TBD
Career stats: 1-6, 2.03 ERA, 115 1⁄3 IP, 153 Ks, 0.954 WHIP in minors (33 starts).
Second-best: Kyle Teel, C
Argument: Schultz made 16 starts at Double-A last season, posting a 1.48 ERA and a 1.016 WHIP, striking out 73 in 61 innings. He still has a ways to go to reach the workload of an MLB starter as he pitched only 88 1⁄3 innings in 2024. A 6-9, 220-pound lefty, Schultz has drawn natural comparisons to Randy Johnson and his best pitch is a dominant slider.
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Travis Bazzana, 2B
Throws: R
Bats: L
Contract: Minor-league, $8.95 million signing bonus in 2024
Age/MLB debut: 22/TBD
Career stats: .238/.369/.396, 3 HRs, 12 RBIs in 27 games at High-A.
Second-best: Jhonkensy Noel, RF
Argument: Bazzana became the first Australian to be selected No. 1 overall last July. Bazzana, who played at Oregon State and was named the 2024 Pac-12 player of the year, hit 28 homers and had a 1.479 OPS in 60 college games last year. He has premium power as a second baseman, though Cleveland could move him to the outfield in the future.
DETROIT TIGERS
Jackson Jobe, P
Throws: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 22/2024
Career stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 IP, 2 Ks, 0.500 WHIP (two relief appearances).
Second-best: Max Clark, CF
Argument: The No. 3 overall pick in 2021 had a flawless start to his regular-season career but took some bumps in the postseason, allowing five hits and three earned runs in 1 2⁄3 innings. Jobe’s fastball sits in the high 90s and can reach 100. He added a curveball and sinker during the offseason and should have an opportunity to join the rotation this year and prove he can be an MLB starter.
HOUSTON ASTROS
Hunter Brown, P
Throws: R
Contract: One-year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 26/2022
Career stats: 24-22, 4.06 ERA, 346 IP, 379 Ks, 1.301 WHIP in 69 games (61 starts).
Second-best: Cam Smith, 3B
Argument: Brown took a major step forward last season. He decreased his ERA from 5.09 in 2023 to 3.49 in 2024. Brown’s ERA-plus went from 83 (17% below MLB average) to 113 (13% above). Brown featured a four-seam fastball, sinker, cutter, changeup, knuckle-curve and slider in a six-pitch arsenal last season. He was among the league’s best at limiting hard contact.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Jac Caglianone, 1B
Throws: L
Bats: L
Contract: Minor-league, $7,497,400 signing bonus in 2024
Age/MLB debut: 22/TBD
Career stats: .241/.302/.388, 2 HRs, 14 RBIs in 29 minor-league games.
Second-best: Blake Mitchell, C
Argument: Caglianone, the No. 6 overall pick last year, was a two-way player at the University of Florida but only hit to start his minor-league career. The 6-5, 250-pound first baseman was especially dangerous at the plate for the Gators last spring, slashing .419/.544/.875 with 35 homers in 66 games. He may not debut this year, but he has the potential to be an elite home-run hitter at the major-league level when he arrives.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Zach Neto, SS
Throws: R
Bats: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 24/2023
Career stats: .241/.314/.420, 32 HRs, 111 RBIs, 35 SB in 239 games.
Second-best: Caden Dana, RHP
Argument: Neto, who rocketed through the Angels’ system after being drafted 13th overall in 2022, had a breakout year in his first full MLB season in 2024. He had 23 homers and 34 doubles, 30 stolen bases and posted a 5.1 WAR (wins above replacement). Neto will miss the beginning of the season as he rehabs from shoulder surgery but is primed to take another step forward upon his return.
MINNESOTA TWINS
Walker Jenkins, OF
Throws: R
Bats: L
Contract: Minor-league, $7,144,200 signing bonus in 2023
Age/MLB debut: 20/TBD
Career stats: .302/.400/.473, 9 HRs, 80 RBIs, 23 SB in 108 minor-league games.
Second-best: Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF
Argument: Jenkins, who turned 20 in February, ended 2024 in Double-A and is widely considered a top-five prospect in baseball. Jenkins, selected fifth overall in 2023 immediately out of high school, has a beautiful lefty swing. He had 22 doubles, four triples and a 15.2% walk rate in 2024 and is just scratching the surface of his potential.
George Lombard Jr., SS
Throws: R
Bats: R
Contract: Minor-league, $3.3 million signing bonus in 2023
Age/MLB debut: 19/TBD
Career stats: .238/.351/.336, five HRs, 51 RBIs, 43 SB in 123 minor-league G.
Second-best: Spencer Jones, OF
Argument: Lombard flashed during spring training, slashing .240/.296/.480 with two homers in 13 games. Selected No. 26 overall out of high school in 2023, the 6-2, 190-pound Lombard likely won’t be with the big club this season. He has shown plenty of physical tools and has impressed many with how he carries himself. He has minor-league experience at both second base and third, either of which ultimately could be his position with Anthony Volpe at shortstop.
SEATTLE MARINERS
Bryan Woo, P
Throws: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 25/2023
Career stats: 13-8, 3.44 ERA, 209 IP, 194 Ks, 1.029 WHIP (40 starts).
Second-best: Colt Emerson, SS
Argument: Woo issued just 13 walks in 121 1⁄3 innings last season. He did not make his 2024 season debut until May 10, but he stayed healthy from there and posted a 2.89 ERA and an 0.898 WHIP in 22 starts. Woo was not a strikeout-heavy pitcher last season, with only 7.5 punchouts per nine innings. He featured a five-pitch mix anchored by a four-seam fastball he used 49% of the time.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Junior Caminero, 3B
Throws: R
Bats: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 21/2023
Career stats: .246/.296/.412, 7 HRs, 25 RBIs in 50 games.
Second-best: Carson Williams, SS
Argument: After a steady start to his MLB career, Caminero showed glimpses of stardom this past winter with the go-ahead homer in Game 7 of the LIDOM championship series, securing the premier Dominican Republic winter title. Caminero’s average bat speed in 43 games last season was 77.2 mph, the same as the Yankees’ Aaron Judge. His max exit velocity also ranked in the top 2% of MLB. Caminero has sky-high potential.
TEXAS RANGERS
Wyatt Langford, LF
Throws: R
Bats: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 23/2024
Career stats: .253/.325/.415, 16 HRs, 74 RBIs, 19 SB in 134 G.
Second-best: Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B
Argument: Langford, the No. 4 overall pick in 2023, had a successful rookie season and finished seventh in AL Rookie of the Year voting. He was named the AL player of the month in September after slashing .300/.386/.610 with eight homers, seven doubles, seven stolen bases and 20 RBIs in his final 26 games. He also is one of MLB’s fastest players.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Orelvis Martinez, 2B/3B
Throws: R
Bats: R
Contract: One year, $800,000
Age/MLB debut: 23/2024
Career stats: 1-for-3 (single) in only MLB game. .244/.330/.504, 110 HRs, 338 RBIs in 455 minor-league games.
Second-best: Arjun Nimmala, SS
Argument: Martinez’s first days in MLB were a whirlwind, making his debut on June 21 and two days later getting suspended 80 games for violating the PED policy. Martinez, who finished the season in Triple-A, has shown legitimate power with 75 homers in 317 games across Double-A and Triple-A. Martinez’s defense will need to improve but his bat could have him poised for a return to the majors.
Ben Dickson joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.
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