With the annual update to MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 prospect lists and Top 100 overall rankings set for next week, one player from each Major League Baseball organization has been highlighted for notable improvement during the 2025 season.
The list, previewing rising prospects across all 30 teams, comes after a busy July that included the All-Star Futures Game, First-Year Player Draft, signing deadline, and Trade Deadline. The upcoming rerank will incorporate new draftees as well as players who have shown significant development in recent months.
Among those featured is Keaton Anthony of the Philadelphia Phillies. Previously unranked in preseason evaluations, Anthony has moved into the middle of the Phillies’ prospect list following consistent offensive production. He holds a .323 batting average this year—consistent with his .324 career mark in the minors and .372 at the college level. His 139 wRC+ leads all full-season players in the Phillies’ system.
Other organizations also have prospects whose performances have elevated their status. For example, Gage Stanifer (Toronto Blue Jays) has emerged as a top breakout pitcher in his system with a fastball reaching up to 96 mph and a plus slider, resulting in a 2.92 ERA and 115 strikeouts over 74 innings across Single-A and High-A. Esteban Mejia (Baltimore Orioles) earned promotion after displaying triple-digit velocity early in the year. T.J. Nichols (Tampa Bay Rays) posted strong numbers at High-A before advancing to Double-A.
Several prospects are returning from injuries or overcoming previous struggles. Brendan Beck (New York Yankees), sidelined by surgeries since being drafted in 2021, now features four pitches for strikes and has logged a combined ERA under three between Double-A and Triple-A.
International signings such as Kendry Chourio (Kansas City Royals) have made rapid progress through their respective systems despite joining at young ages. Chourio reached Single-A Columbia at age 17 while maintaining impressive control metrics.
Some prospects like Max Anderson (Detroit Tigers) have refined their approach at the plate to improve power output without sacrificing contact skills, while others such as Joshua Baez (St. Louis Cardinals) reduced strikeout rates to unlock more of their potential.
The article also notes several pitchers making strides: Ryan Sloan (Seattle Mariners), David Davalillo (Texas Rangers), JR Ritchie (Atlanta Braves), Alimber Santa (Houston Astros), Miguel Mendez (San Diego Padres), Christian Zazueta (Los Angeles Dodgers), Argenis Cayama (San Francisco Giants), among others.
This update provides insight into how player development continues throughout minor league baseball, often changing organizational depth charts significantly within just a few months.
