B/R's 2025 Minor League Player of the Year for Every MLB Team

With all eyes on the 2025 MLB postseason, let's take a moment to recognize the top prospect performers from the minor league ranks in the recently concluded MiLB season.

The goal is to identify each team's most impressive prospect based solely on their 2025 production. Future potential, past performance and where they stand in prospect rankings did not play a factor.

Not all of these players offer the same type of long-term ceiling, but in 2025, they were the most productive prospects in their respective farm systems and have earned B/R's Minor League Player of the Year honors for their efforts.

Both position players and pitchers were eligible to be the pick for their respective team. Only players who still carry prospect status were considered, so guys who got off to a strong start in the minors and then spent enough time in the big leagues to exceed rookie eligibility limits were not eligible.

Baltimore Orioles: OF Nate George (Age: 19)

Stats (Rk/A/A+): 87 G, .337/.413/.483, 28 XBH (5 HR), 50 SB

One of only four high school players the Orioles selected in the 2024 draft, George inked an above-slot $455,000 bonus as a 16th-round pick and made his pro debut this year in rookie ball. Plus speed is his best present tool, and it serves him well in center field. But he has also come out of the gates as a much more polished hitter than expected.

Boston Red Sox: LHP Payton Tolle (Age: 22)

Stats (A+/AA/AAA): 18 GS, 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 23 BB, 133 K, 91.2 IP

Outfielder Jhostynxon García and left-hander Connelly Early would have been the pick for a lot of other teams, but Tolle was arguably the biggest breakout pitcher in all of minor league baseball. The 6'6" southpaw made his pro debut at High-A to start the year, and he ended the season on Boston's playoff roster. He leans heavily on an elite fastball, and it outperforms its velocity thanks to extension and late life.

New York Yankees: RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (Age: 22)

Stats (A+/AA/AAA): 26 GS, 2.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 57 BB, 176 K, 150.0 IP

Rodriguez-Cruz is the prospect the Yankees acquired in the offseason deal that sent catcher Carlos Narvaez to the rival Red Sox, and while Boston has been the immediate winner of that trade, the scales could easily level or flip in the coming years. The 22-year-old split the season between High-A and Double-A before making one start at Triple-A to end the year, and he could be a consensus Top 100 prospect in 2026.

Tampa Bay Rays: RHP TJ Nichols (Age: 23)

Stats (A+/AA): 24 GS, 2.90 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 30 BB, 156 K, 133.2 IP

Brody Hopkins is the best pitching prospect in the Rays system based on stuff and upside, but Nichols had the best season of any arm in the Tampa Bay system in 2025. He can run his fastball up to 99 mph and backs it with a good slider and changeup with advanced command of his entire arsenal. He could be one of the first minor league arms called upon in 2026.

Toronto Blue Jays: RHP Trey Yesavage (Age: 22)

Stats (A/A+/AA/AAA): 22 GS, 3.12 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 160 K, 98.0 IP

Yesavage was the fourth college pitcher taken in the 2024 draft class at No. 20 overall, behind Chase Burns (No. 2), Hagen Smith (No. 5) and Jurrangelo Cijntje (No. 15). Lauded more for his floor and polish than his upside, he flew through the minors this year and closed out the season in the starting rotation for a contending Blue Jays team. He looks like the leading candidate for a Game 4 starter in October.

Chicago White Sox: IF Caleb Bonemer (Age: 19)

Stats (A/A+): 107 G, .281/.401/.473, 46 XBH (12 HR), 29 SB

With quick hands, a smooth right-handed stroke and good strength, Bonemer has quickly delivered on his 50-hit, 55-power offensive profile in his first full professional season. The 2024 second-round pick should fit somewhere on the left side of the infield, and he could be the third baseman of the future with Colson Montgomery penciled in at shortstop.

Cleveland Guardians: LHP Josh Hartle (Age: 22)

Stats (A+/AA): 24 GS, 2.54 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 39 BB, 107 K, 113.1 IP

Hartle was a potential first-round pick out of high school and again following a sophomore season at Wake Forest in which he went 11-2 with a 2.81 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 102.1 innings. He became more of a reclamation project after regressing significantly as a junior and slipped to the Pirates in the third round, but he put together a stellar first season in the Cleveland organization after being acquired in the Andrés Giménez three-team blockbuster.

Detroit Tigers: 2B Max Anderson (Age: 23)

Stats (AA/AAA): 122 G, .296/.350/.478, 52 XBH (19 HR), 3 SB

Top prospects Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark both had strong seasons as the headliners of the Detroit farm system and offer significantly more upside, but Anderson was their best all-around performer. The University of Nebraska product hit .414/.461/.770 as a junior in 2023, and he continues to profile as an offensive-minded second baseman with everyday player potential.

Kansas City Royals: C Carter Jensen (Age: 22)

Stats (AA/AAA): 111 G, .290/.377/.501, 45 XBH (20 HR), 10 SB

Jensen has some of the best raw power of any prospect in baseball, and he crushed a mammoth 482-foot home run on the final day of the regular season to cap off a strong run as a September call-up. In 69 plate appearances with the big league club, he hit .300/.391/.550 with six doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI, and he should get a long look for a spot on the Opening Day roster next spring.

Minnesota Twins: SS Kaelen Culpepper (Age: 22)

Stats (A+/AA): 113 G, .289/.375/.469, 39 XBH (20 HR), 25 SB

Culpepper was a bit overshadowed in the 2024 draft class by fellow college middle infielders Travis Bazzana, JJ Wetherholt, Christian Moore and Seaver King, but he has quickly emerged as one of the top prospects in the Twins system. It remains to be seen where he fits best defensively, but his power production makes third base a cleaner fit. He could end up being the next standout Twins super-utility player.

Athletics: LHP Gage Jump (Age: 22)

Stats (A+/AA): 24 GS, 3.28 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 34 BB, 131 K, 112.2 IP

A top prospect out of high school who pitched just 16.1 innings during his first two college seasons, Jump put together a strong enough junior year at LSU to go in the second round of the 2024 draft. He made his pro debut at High-A and earned a quick promotion to Double-A, where he emerged as the top arm in the Athletics system as the season unfolded.

Houston Astros: OF Zach Cole (Age: 25)

Stats (AA/AAA): 97 G, .279/.377/.539, 48 XBH (19 HR), 18 SB

After hitting .214/.302/.408 in 70 games at Double-A in 2024, Cole raised his OPS more than 200 points this season, showing an improved hit tool that allowed him to better maximize his power potential. He still struck out at a 35.1 percent clip in the minors, and went 12-for-47 with 20 strikeouts in 15 games in the big leagues, but he has boosted his stock in 2025.

Los Angeles Angels: OF Raudi Rodriguez (Age: 22)

Stats (A): 125 G, .281/.372/.470, 49 XBH (14 HR), 38 SB

After two forgettable seasons in rookie ball after going in the 19th round of the 2023 draft, Rodriguez filled up the stat sheet at Single-A Inland Empire in a breakout age-21 campaign. He tallied 21 doubles, 14 triples, 14 home runs, 83 RBI, 90 runs scored and 38 steals in 125 games.

Seattle Mariners: SS Colt Emerson (Age: 20)

Stats (A+/AA/AAA): 130 G, .285/.383/.458, 50 XBH (16 HR), 14 SB

This one is a coin toss between Emerson and slugger Lazaro Montes, but a more well-rounded game by the former earned him the pick, as the latter has light-tower power but a limited defensive profile and high strikeout rate. Meanwhile, Emerson looks like the shortstop of the future with a standout hit tool and polished defensive tools at shortstop.

Texas Rangers: IF Cody Freeman (Age: 24)

Stats (AAA): 97 G, .336/.382/.549, 44 XBH (19 HR), 8 SB

Part of the "Little Rascals" alongside Michael Helman and Alejandro Osuna who made an impact during the Rangers' late-season push for the postseason, Freeman enjoyed a breakout season at the plate while playing all over the diamond defensively. He was a fourth-round pick in 2019, and he now looks like a potential bench piece heading into 2026.

Atlanta Braves: RHP JR Ritchie (Age: 22)

Stats (A+/AA/AAA): 26 GS, 2.64 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 140 K, 140.0 IP

Ritchie pitched just 77.1 total innings during his first three professional seasons after going No. 35 in the 2022 draft, undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023. Finally healthy, he opened the season at High-A and finished the year with a 3.02 ERA in 59.2 innings over 11 starts at Triple-A.

Miami Marlins: LHP Robby Snelling (Age: 21)

Stats (AA/AAA): 25 GS, 2.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 39 BB, 166 K, 136.0 IP

Thomas White is the best arm in the Marlins system and arguably the top pitching prospect in baseball, but Snelling had a better season while rebuilding his stock as a Top 100 prospect. Acquired from the Padres in the Tanner Scott trade at the 2024 deadline, Snelling bounced back from posting a 5.15 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 115.1 innings in 2024.

New York Mets: RHP Jonah Tong (Age: 22)

Stats (AA/AAA): 22 GS, 1.43 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 47 BB, 179 K, 113.2 IP

The Mets had no shortage of Player of the Year candidates, with Nolan McLean, Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing also receiving serious consideration, but based solely on minor league performance Tong was the clear choice. The 22-year-old was outperformed by McLean after both made their MLB debuts, but Tong was having the best season of any pitching prospect in the minors prior to his call-up on Aug. 29.

Philadelphia Phillies: OF Justin Crawford (Age: 21)

Stats (AAA): 112 G, .334/.411/.452, 34 XBH (7 HR), 46 SB

It was a bit surprising to see the season come and go without Crawford making his MLB debut, especially considering the numbers he posted in a full season at the Triple-A level. His power is limited, but his combination of hit tool, speed and defense in center field still give him impact potential. He also has MLB bloodlines as the son of four-time All-Star Carl Crawford.

Washington Nationals: LHP Alex Clemmey (Age: 20)

Stats (A+/AA): 25 GS, 3.47 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 73 BB, 136 K, 116.2 Ip

Clemmey is the prospect the Nationals acquired from Cleveland in exchange for Lane Thomas at the 2024 deadline, and he was the sixth high school pitcher taken in the 2023 draft class. His 14.4 percent walk rate speaks to the steps he still needs to take in his development, but his swing-and-miss fastball/slider combination gives him No. 2 starter upside if everything clicks.

Chicago Cubs: RHP Jaxon Wiggins (Age: 23)

Stats (A+/AA/AAA): 18 GS, 2.19 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 36 BB, 97 K, 78.0 IP

With Cade Horton moving on to the majors, Wiggins is now the consensus top pitching prospect in the Cubs system following a breakout 2025 season. The 6'6" right-hander can touch triple digits with his fastball and spins a good slider, and he made strides with his command in trimming his walk rate from 14.2 to 11.5 percent.

Cincinnati Reds: IF Sal Stewart (Age: 21)

Stats (AA/AAA): 118 G, .309/.383/.524, 54 XBH (20 HR), 17 SB

The Reds might have clinched a playoff berth before the final day of the regular season if they had pulled the trigger on calling Stewart up sooner than his Sept. 1 debut. He posted a 121 OPS+ with five home runs in 58 plate appearances in the big leagues, and he earned a spot on the Wild Card Round roster.

Milwaukee Brewers: SS Jesús Made (Age: 18)

Stats (A/A+/AA): 115 G, .285/.379/.413, 40 XBH (6 HR), 47 SB

At a time when dozens of $1 million bonuses are handed out each year on the international market, it's hard to believe Made ($950,000) and Luis Pena ($800,000) both fell short of that mark as part of the 2024 class. A year later, they are two of the top prospects in all of baseball, with Made looking a lot like Jackson Chourio 2.0 in how quickly he is moving through the minors.

Pittsburgh Pirates: SS Konnor Griffin (Age: 19)

Stats (A/A+/AA): 122 G, .333/.415/.527, 48 XBH (21 HR), 65 SB

Griffin earned Minor League Player of the Year honors from Baseball America, and it's hard to argue with the selection after he absolutely raked across three different minor league levels in his pro debut. The 2024 No. 9 pick hit .337/.418/.542 with five home runs in 21 games at Double-A to close out the year, putting him in position to potentially make his MLB debut in 2026.

St. Louis Cardinals: SS JJ Wetherholt (Age: 23)

Stats (AA/AAA): 109 G, .306/.421/.510, 47 XBH (17 HR), 23 SB

A nagging hamstring injury limited Wetherholt to mostly DH duties during his junior season, and he ended up slipping to No. 7 overall in the 2024 draft after entering the spring as one of the leading candidates to go 1-1. He already looks like an absolute steal, with his 65-hit, 55-power offensive profile on full display in his pro debut, and he could break camp as the starting second baseman next spring as part of a youth movement in St. Louis.

Arizona Diamondbacks: OF Ryan Waldschmidt (Age: 22)

Stats (A+/AA): 134 G, .289/.419/.473, 49 XBH (18 HR), 29 SB

The D-backs seemingly hit on Slade Caldwell (No. 29 overall) and Waldschmidt (No. 31 overall) at the top of their 2024 draft haul, and the latter made short work of the lower levels of the minors. The 6'2", 205-pound outfielder posted elite batted-ball metrics during his junior season at Kentucky, and his advanced approach should allow him to continue moving quickly through the minors.

Colorado Rockies: OF Sterlin Thompson (Age: 24)

Stats (AAA): 120 G, .296/.392/.519, 54 XBH (18 HR), 12 SB

After a hot start to his pro career, Thompson scuffled through a down year at the Double-A level in 2024, hitting .245/.319/.385 over 518 plate appearances. The University of Florida product picked things up at Triple-A this year, and he will compete with Jordan Beck, Brenton Doyle, Mickey Moniak and Yanquiel Fernández for playing time in the outfield next spring.

Los Angeles Dodgers: OF Eduardo Quintero (Age: 20)

Stats (A/A+): 113 G, .293/.415/.508, 48 XBH (19 HR), 47 SB

If not for a knee injury that cut his season short in July, outfielder Mike Sirota might have been the pick. Instead, it's Quintero, who signed for a modest $297,500 out of Venezuela in 2023. Still a teenager for most of the 2025 campaign, he started to tap into more of his raw power this season after posting a .394 slugging percentage and just three home runs in 345 plate appearances in 2024.

San Diego Padres: RHP Miguel Mendez (Age: 23)

Stats (A/A+/AA): 21 GS, 3.22 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 45 BB, 118 K, 95.0 IP

The Padres gutted their farm system at the trade deadline once again, but there are a few notable holdovers, including Mendez. With a fastball that bumps 100 mph and a terrific slider, he has a high floor as a potential late-inning bullpen arm, though improved command this year has increased his chances of sticking as a starter.

San Francisco Giants: OF Bo Davidson (Age: 23)

Stats (A+/AA): 114 G, .281/.376/.468, 41 XBH (18 HR), 19 SB

At a time when entire departments are dedicated to scouting draft talent, it's hard to believe a player like Davidson could slip through the cracks, but he joined the Giants for $50,000 as an undrafted free agent in 2023. The fact that he played his college ball at Caldwell Community College in North Carolina helped him fly under the radar, but he has hit .295/.397/.510 in 843 plate appearances over his first three pro seasons.