A new baseball season means new 1st Bowman cards! There are 85 prospects with 1st Bowman cards in 2024 Bowman Baseball.
What are the best 1st Bowman prospects in 2024 Bowman? The headliners are Dylan Crews and Walker Jenkins, the second and fifth overall picks in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Both players are outfielders with plus-or-better hit and power tools. There are a handful of worthy investment options in the second tier, but this tier comes with a bit more risk. I’ve also got over 20 players in Tier 3, which feels like a record.
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Overall, I’m not impressed with the 1st Bowman prospects in 2024 Bowman Baseball. Previous releases had a much stronger second tier and a few high-upside prospects in the third, but 2024 Bowman Baseball does not offer that.
You can find the full checklist of 1st Bowman prospects in 2024 Bowman Baseball below. I’ve also broken these players into tiers based on their hobby investment values. I’ve added a 5th tier for this release to better separate the players with minimal hobby investment value from those with little to no reports and data.
This will allow me to revise those players in the future when scouting reports become available. I’ll also add analysis for the best 1st Bowman prospects from the 2024 Bowman Baseball release, so check back often for updates!
Update 5/4/24: Anthony Baptist, an outfield prospect for the Mets, was moved from Tier 3 to Tier 4. He was MLB Pipeline’s #29 International Free Agent prospect in 2023 but was recently suspended for lying about his age/identity.
Looking for the top rookie cards in the set? Check out this post.
Card | Player | Team | Position | Tier |
---|---|---|---|---|
BCP-23, CPA-DC | Dylan Crews | Washington Nationals | OF | 1 |
BCP-43, CPA-WJ | Walker Jenkins | Minnesota Twins | OF | 1 |
BCP-27, CPA-AMI | Aidan Miller | Philadelphia Phillies | SS | 2 |
BCP-63, CPA-ES | Estuar Suero | Pittsburgh Pirates | OF | 2 |
BCP-79, CPA-GLO | George Lombard Jr. | New York Yankees | SS | 2 |
BCP-86, CPA-BW | Brock Wilken | Milwaukee Brewers | 3B | 2 |
BCP-142, CPA-AN | Arjun Nimmala | Toronto Blue Jays | SS | 2 |
BCP-21, CPA-ID | Isaiah Drake | Atlanta Braves | OF | 3 |
BCP-39, CPA-DB | Diego Benitez | Atlanta Braves | SS | 3 |
BCP-45, CPA-ASM | Aidan Smith | Seattle Mariners | OF | 3 |
BCP-48, CPA-KT | Kyle Teel | Boston Red Sox | C | 3 |
BCP-50, CPA-LA | Luke Adams | Milwaukee Brewers | 3B | 3 |
BCP-52, CPA-YM | Yohandy Morales | Washington Nationals | 3B/1B | 3 |
BCP-65, CPA-CR | Carson Rucker | Detroit Tigers | SS | 3 |
BCP-66, CPA-LB | Luis Baez | Houston Astros | OF | 3 |
BCP-67, CPA-BWI | Ben Williamson | Seattle Mariners | 3B | 3 |
BCP-69, CPA-BM | Brice Matthews | Houston Astros | SS | 3 |
BCP-77, CPA-JCZ | John Cruz | New York Yankees | OF | 3 |
BCP-111, CPA-JGO | J.D. Gonzalez | San Diego Padres | C | 3 |
BCP-120, CPA-CSI | Carlos Silva | Minnesota Twins | C | 3 |
BCP-131, CPA-RCA | Robert Calaz | Colorado Rockies | OF | 3 |
BCP-136 | Myles Naylor | Oakland Athletics | SS/3B | 3 |
BCP-137, CPA-CPR | Cooper Pratt | Milwaukee Brewers | SS | 3 |
BCP-139, CPA-YCE | Yoeilin Cespedes | Boston Red Sox | SS | 3 |
BCP-144, CPA-GWO | George Wolkow | Chicago White Sox | OF | 3 |
BCP-146, CPA-RH | Raylin Heredia | Philadelphia Phillies | OF | 3 |
CPA-GG | Gino Groover | Arizona Diamondbacks | 3B | 3 |
CPA-RRZ | Ramon Ramirez | Kansas City Royals | C | 3 |
CPA-WM | Walker Martin | San Francisco Giants | SS | 3 |
BCP-11, CPA-DG | Douglas Glod | Atlanta Braves | OF | 4 |
BCP-14, CPA-ACA | Allan Castro | Boston Red Sox | OF | 4 |
BCP-16, CPA-AO | Abimelec Ortiz | Texas Rangers | 1B/OF | 4 |
BCP-19, CPA-JDI | Jared Dickey | Kansas City Royals | OF | 4 |
BCP-20, CPA-AAN | Antonio Anderson | Boston Red Sox | 3B | 4 |
BCP-25 | Carlos Sanchez | Cincinnati Reds | 3B/OF | 4 |
BCP-31 | Enrique Jimenez | Detroit Tigers | C | 4 |
BCP-36, CPA-BP | Brock Porter | Texas Rangers | P | 4 |
BCP-49, CPA-JG | Johanfran Garcia | Boston Red Sox | C | 4 |
BCP-68, CPA-JS | Jared Serna | New York Yankees | SS/2B | 4 |
BCP-71 | Jose Rodriguez | Minnesota Twins | OF | 4 |
BCP-73, CPA-CO | Capri Ortiz | Los Angeles Angels | 2B | 4 |
BCP-75, CPA-EVI | Esmil Valencia | Houston Astros | OF | 4 |
BCP-78, CPA-JW | John Wimmer | Los Angeles Angels | SS | 4 |
BCP-80, CPA-TR | Tony Ruiz | Kansas City Royals | OF | 4 |
BCP-85, CPA-AR | Agustin Ramirez | New York Yankees | C | 4 |
BCP-93, CPA-GR | German Ramirez | Houston Astros | SS | 4 |
BCP-96, CPA-CW | Carson Whisenhunt | San Francisco Giants | P | 4 |
BCP-101, CPA-FDI | Filippo Di Turi | Milwaukee Brewers | SS | 4 |
BCP-103, CPA-ETE | Enmanuel Tejeda | New York Yankees | 3B/SS | 4 |
BCP-105, CPA-RLAS | Ryan Lasko | Oakland Athletics | OF | 4 |
BCP-107, CPA-AS | Anthony Scull | Los Angeles Angels | OF | 4 |
BCP-108, CPA-AHU | Anthony Huezo | Houston Astros | OF | 4 |
BCP-115, CPA-JRI | Josh Rivera | Chicago Cubs | SS | 4 |
BCP-116, CPA-JB | Jacob Burke | Chicago White Sox | OF | 4 |
BCP-119, CPA-RBU | Ryan Burrowes | Chicago White Sox | SS | 4 |
BCP-121, CPA-FM | Felix Morrobel | Los Angeles Angels | SS | 4 |
BCP-129, CPA-BCH | Byron Chourio | Minnesota Twins | OF | 4 |
BCP-141, CPA-AB | Anthony Baptist | New York Mets | OF | 4 |
PPRA-ESW | Eriq Swan | Los Angeles Dodgers | P | 4 |
PPRA-RB | Ryan Birchard | Milwaukee Brewers | P | 4 |
CPA-BBA | Boston Baro | New York Mets | 2B | 4 |
CPA-BK | Barrett Kent | Los Angeles Angels | P | 4 |
CPA-CP | Chandler Pollard | Texas Rangers | 2B/OF | 4 |
CPA-KHI | Kelvin Hidalgo | Colorado Rockies | SS | 4 |
CPA-SC | Stanley Consuegra | New York Mets | OF | 4 |
CPA-SS | Sam Shaw | Toronto Blue Jays | OF | 4 |
CPA-TJ | Tavian Josenberger | Baltimore Orioles | SS | 4 |
CPA-TSY | Travis Sykora | Washington Nationals | P | 4 |
BCP-15 | Ryan Vanderhei | San Francisco Giants | P | 5 |
BCP-28 | Ramon Landaeta | Oakland Athletics | C | 5 |
BCP-56 | Abraham Nunez | Chicago White Sox | OF | 5 |
BCP-92, CPA-RHE | Ronny Hernandez | Chicago White Sox | C | 5 |
BCP-106 | Jaron Elkins | Los Angeles Dodgers | OF | 5 |
BCP-114, CPA-DGN | David Guzman | Toronto Blue Jays | OF | 5 |
CPA-AMO | Aneudis Mordán | Baltimore Orioles | C | 5 |
CPA-ARO | Alfonsin Rosario | Chicago Cubs | OF | 5 |
CPA-CQ | Cesar Quintas | San Francisco Giants | OF | 5 |
CPA-EB | Erick Bautista | Colorado Rockies | OF | 5 |
CPA-ET | Erick Torres | Kansas City Royals | OF | 5 |
CPA-EV | Esmerlyn Valdez | Pittsburgh Pirates | 1B/OF | 5 |
CPA-JMH | Jorge Marcheco | Los Angeles Angels | P | 5 |
CPA-JR | Jesus Rodriguez | New York Yankees | C | 5 |
CPA-JRO | Jeffry Rosa | New York Mets | OF | 5 |
CPA-RC | Rolphy Cruz | Baltimore Orioles | 2B/OF | 5 |
CPA-RN | Rikuu Nishida | Chicago White Sox | 2B/OF | 5 |
Check out 2024 Bowman Baseball break values here.
Outfielder in Washington Nationals organization (BCP-23, CPA-DC)
The second overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Dylan Crews is the best 1st Bowman prospect in 2024 Bowman Baseball. Crews helped lead LSU to a College World Series victory in 2023 while earning Golden Spikes Award for the best player in college baseball.
It’s easy to see why the Washington Nationals gave him a $9 million signing bonus, second highest in draft history. In 71 games for LSU in 2023, Crews slashed .426/.567/.713 with 18 home runs, 70 RBIs, 100 runs scored, and 25 more walks than strikeouts.
Crews’ ability to hit for both average and power headline his well-rounded game and have earned him an overall grade of 70 on Baseball America’s 20-80 scale.
At the time of this writing (4/27/24), they have him ranked as the fifth-best prospect in baseball. Crews mashes fastballs in the zone and his solid plate discipline allows him to lay off close pitches outside the zone.
Having excelled at the highest level of college baseball for three years, Crews carries less risk than any other 1st Bowman prospect in 2024 Bowman Baseball. He could make his MLB Debut later this year.
The Nationals believe that Crews could be their next homegrown franchise position player, joining the ranks of Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto before him. He has perennial all-star upside potential and has already proven himself on a large stage. He has a chance to reach Washington sometime during the 2024 season and should be a mainstay in the lineup for years to come.
Baseball America
Outfielder in Minnesota Twins organization (BCP-43, CPA-WJ)
Walker Jenkins’ combination of hit and power tools is impressive for a 19-year-old. The Minnesota Twins drafted him with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, but MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis noted Jenkins would “clearly be the #1 pick in a lot of drafts.”
Longtime Twins scout Mike Radcliff gave him an overall scouting grade of 80, the highest possible, and compared him to Hall of Famer Larry Walker and potential Hall of Famer Bryce Harper.
Jenkins has incredible barrel control that kept his whiff rate to 18.1% (league average is 24.8%) and strikeout rate to 10.7% (league average is 22.2%) during his 12-game stint in Single-A last season. And he did that as an 18-year-old playing against pitchers more than three years his senior.
As good as his contact ability is, Jenkins’ power is even better and has been compared to Josh Hamilton. He’s a legitimate five-tool prospect and second-best 1st Bowman prospect in 2024 Bowman Baseball.
Jenkins is one of the toolsiest players the Twins have drafted in the 21st century… Jenkins has drawn comparisons to Austin Meadows, but some veteran scouts compare him to Josh Hamilton, another North Carolina prep outfielder. Jenkins has the tools and skills to become a foundational player for the Twins. The early reviews from his pro debut are glowing, and if anything, his star is even brighter than it was pre-draft.
Baseball America
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Shortstop in Philadelphia Phillies organization (BCP-27, CPA-AMI)
Aidan Miller has been on scouts’ radars for a while. He’s played for Team USA’s 12U, 15U, and 18U national teams, and also won the 2022 All-American Game MVP and Home Run Derby. Miller was one of the best high school hitters in the 2023 MLB Draft.
His above-average hit tool and power is an uncommon combination for prep hitters. There’s a bit of risk here, however. Scouts at FanGraphs are weary of Miller’s bat wrap. His present bat speed hasn’t made this an issue yet, but there are concerns it will hamper his ability to connect with upper-level velocity.
Again, it hasn’t been an issue up to this point and the Phillies could help Miller make adjustments to eliminate some of that movement and be shorter to the ball.
Speed wasn’t a part of Miller’s game when he was drafted, but he has 6 steals in 11 games at the Single-A level so far. This is something to monitor because adding speed to an already stellar hit/power combo gives him extra points for prospect collectors. He’s at shortstop now, but he’ll likely wind up at third base.
Miller earned a rep as one of the best hitters available in the prep class thanks to tremendous bat speed, plus raw power and an excellent understanding of the strike zone…He has the offensive skills to profile a middle-order hitter who mans third base.
Baseball America
Outfielder in Pittsburgh Pirates organization (BCP-63, CPA-ES)
Estuar Suero is a switch-hitting center fielder with above-average power. Teenage prospects are inherently risky, but I like Suero as an under-the-radar 1st Bowman prospect.
He’s Baseball America’s #23 prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ system, and #26 on MLB Pipeline’s list. Scouts from both outlets predict Suero will be the Pirates’ breakout prospect in 2024.
A 6-foot-5 and 18 years old, Suero has a ton of raw tools to get excited about. The above-average power and speed combination is what prospect investors love, and that’s the upside with Suero.
His basic statistics aren’t exciting, but I’d caution anyone not to judge by the small sample size, especially considering Suero was 16 years old in the Dominican Summer League in 2022 and 17 years old at the Rookie level in 2023.
The underlying message was positive, considering Suero dropped his strikeout rate from 30.6% to 20.7% after he was traded from the Padres to Pirates. This is definitely a long-term play, but I like his upside.
Suero is a classic tool shed who has a ceiling that needs plenty of time to develop. He’s a twitchy athlete with smooth swings from both sides of the plate and the potential for above-average power. His frame is loose and lanky, but there’s plenty of room to add more bulk. If that happens, his impact should be amplified… When they dealt for him, the Pirates were betting on Suero’s upside. It will take years to reach that ceiling, but it might be worth the wait.
Baseball America
Shortstop in New York Yankees organization (BCP-79, CPA-GLO)
George Lombard Jr. has above-average tools across the board and the Yankees were especially impressed by his baseball IQ, leading them to draft the high school shortstop with the 26th pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Lombard is a well-rounded prospect with a “sound right-handed swing and mature approach at the plate, allowing him to control the strike zone and employ the entire field,” according to MLB Pipeline.
Lombard’s advanced bat speed, plate discipline, and success against both velocity and spin don’t have me concerned about the lack of power so far. Multiple outlets project him to grow into above-average power. He joins a farm system full of talented shortstops that can be impactful on both sides of the ball.
Lombard Jr. was one of the youngest players in the 2023 draft class and upped his prospect stock over the summer by showing up with increased strength that showed up in his power and speed… He has the upside of a middle infielder who provides value on both sides of the ball.
Baseball America
Third baseman in Milwaukee Brewers organization (BCP-86, CPA-BW)
In three years at Wake Forest, Brock Wilken hit 71 home runs – a school and ACC record. You can’t deny the 70-grade power. Unlike many of the power hitters we see today, Wilken rarely chases pitches. He has a great eye and a passive approach, but when he swings, he makes loud contact.
His exit velocities are in the 90th percentile, but I worry that he winds up being just a power hitting first baseman. If that happens, it will significantly limit his hobby investment potential. For this reason, Wilken is my least favorite prospect in the second tier.
If everything clicks, Wilken has the chance to be a 30-plus home run hitter who draws a lot of walks in the middle of a lineup, though he will have to prove he can keep his contact rate high enough against better pitchers and continue developing defensively to stick at third base.
Baseball America
Shortstop in Toronto Blue Jays organization (BCP-142, CPA-AN)
After the Toronto Blue Jays drafted him with the 20th pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Arjun Nimmala became the first first-generation Indian-American drafted in the first round of the four major U.S. sports. He played cricket as a child and didn’t commit to baseball until he started high school, so his tools are both very raw and impressive for someone who has only played baseball for a few years.
I love power hitting shortstops as much as the next person, but I don’t understand the hobby’s infatuation with Nimmala. When I first started research on the 2024 Bowman Baseball checklist, I liked him as a buy-low prospect compared to the Tier 1 prospects.
But then I saw Nimmala’s autograph slots were going for more than Dylan Crews’ and Walker Jenkins’, and I just can’t get on board at that price.
Nimmala is much riskier and has a lower ceiling than both Crews and Jenkins. He might turn out to be a star, but I don’t like him more than Crews and Jenkins.
Nimmala has plenty of tools and showed more refinement at the plate in his brief pro time. He projects as a power-hitting shortstop with above-average defensive ability who, if he develops, could hold down the position in Toronto for an extended spell.
Baseball America
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Isaiah Drake, Atlanta Braves OF (BCP-21, CPA-ID): Any time I see a prospect with an 80-grade tool I get excited, and Drake has 80-grade speed according to Baseball America. He has above-average raw power, leading to a potentially exciting combination.
The hurdle for Drake is a below-average hit tool that resulted in a 37.7% strikeout rate at the Rookie level in 2023 and a 51.1% strikeout rate at Single-A in 2024.
The tools are promising but irrelevant if he doesn’t hit. Drake is someone I want to check in on later this season.
Diego Benitez, Atlanta Braves SS (BCP-39, CPA-DB): Benitez was one of the top international prospects in the 2022 signing class.
He was seen as an above-average hitter with above-average raw power, but his production at every level has been uninspiring. Given that the Braves signed him for $2.5 million, you’d have to think they’re going to give him ample time to prove himself.
Aidan Smith, Seattle Mariners OF (BCP-45, CPA-ASM): Smith looked really good at the 2023 MLB Draft Combine, with reports stating he hit a few balls over 100 mph and 400 feet. Scouts at Baseball America say Smith has “the potential to be a fringe-average hitter with 20 home run power if everything clicks.”
He, like many of the prospects in this tier, are still a long way from the big leagues. But Smith has upside worth keeping an eye on.
Kyle Teel, Boston Red Sox C (BCP-48, CPA-KT): Teel has the highest upside of any prospect in the third tier. Baseball America has him ranked as the #58 prospect in baseball. He’s an athletic catcher who will probably hit for more average than power, something that isn’t particularly thrilling from a hobby investment standpoint.
He’s a solid prospect but there are better options in the 2024 Bowman release, and there’s also been a ton of young, exiting catching prospects and rookies I like better (Ethan Salas, Samuel Basallo, Endy Rodríguez, Adley Rutschman).
Luke Adams, Milwaukee Brewers 3B (BCP-50, CPA-LA): Adams was a 12th round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. He had a breakout year as a 19-year-old at Single-A in 2023, hitting 18 doubles, 11 home runs, and stealing 30 bases. FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen likened Adams to Orioles prospect Coby Mayo.
Even though his swing is funky, he hits the ball incredibly hard and posted a comically low (8%) swinging strike rate in 2023. Adams is at third base right now but he’s in danger of sliding to first, which would dampen his hobby outlook.
Yohandy Morales, Washington Nationals 3B/1B (BCP-52, CPA-YM): A power hitter who is prone to chasing, Morales had a fantastic junior year at the University of Miami where he slashed .408/.475/.713 with 20 home runs in 61 games.
Despite his propensity to chase pitches, Morales has mostly kept his strikeout rate at or below league average. He started 2024 at Double-A and he’s struggled mightily, slashing .220/.309/.280 and seen his strikeout rate skyrocket to 28.7%.
I’ve seen Morales compared to Nick Castellanos, and that’s not an inspiring hobby outlook.
Carson Rucker, Detroit Tigers SS (BCP-65, CPA-CR): A shortstop with above-average power and speed, Rucker is a typical Tier 3 hitter with hobby upside but hit tool risk.
His profile isn’t overly exciting but a shortstop with a power and speed combination makes him someone to watch.
Luis Baez, Houston Astros OF (BCP-66, CPA-LB): Baez is the #2 prospect in the Astros organization. He currently grades out as an above-average prospect with 65-grade power, according to Baseball America.
He reportedly hit 7 of his first 50 batted balls over 110 mph at Single-A as a 19-year-old, including this moonshot. For context, a max exit velocity of 110 mph would put him around the 72nd percentile in MLB with Freddie Freeman and Paul Goldschmidt. Baseball America notes the following: Baez has the ability to grow into a fearsome power-hitting outfielder with the potential for 30-plus home runs seasons.
The risk with Baez is his hit tool. He’s prone to striking out, especially on breaking balls. He’s still young and is facing pitchers more than two years older than him, so he has time to make those adjustments. If he shows improvement, he’s a candidate to get bump up to Tier 2.
Ben Williamson, Seattle Mariners 3B (BCP-67, CPA-BWI): Williamson has a lower ceiling than some other prospects in this tier, but he’s worth watching. After three years in college, the knock on him was his lack of power.
He took those critiques seriously and got stronger, hitting 12 home runs and slugging .662 in 55 games his senior year. This earned him a 2nd round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
The power hasn’t shown up for Williamson in professional ball yet and he’s always going to be a hit-over-power third baseman, but I think there’s some moderate upside here.
Brice Matthews, Houston Astros SS (BCP-69, CPA-BM): Matthews is an athletic middle infielder with the potential for plus power and speed, just the kind of Tier 3 prospect I love.
He was the Astros first-round draft pick in 2023 and is currently the organization’s #4 prospect. His tools are raw but impressive, with FanGraphs noting his draft scouting report was similar to George Springer’s.
Matthews’ exit velocities are also on par with 2nd overall pick Dylan Crews. There’s hit tool risk but I’m tolerating it when there’s a chance for 20+ home runs and stolen bases from the shortstop prospect.
John Cruz, New York Yankees OF (BCP-77, CPA-JCZ): Cruz was traded from the Yankees to the Marlins just before Opening Day 2024. He grades out as an average hitter with plus power.
This showed up in the Florida Complex League in 2023 where Cruz hit 10 home runs (second most) while being nearly three years younger than the competition. Unlike most young hitters, whiff rate hasn’t been an issue for Cruz.
This issue he ran into last year, as Baseball America notes, is that “he often hits pitcher’s pitches and makes weak contact.” Cruz is still only 19 years old and he’s someone I’ll be watching him closely.
He’s a prospect some believe will crack the Top 100 list in 2025, but batters going from the Yankees to Marlins is a big step down from both a development and hobby impact standpoint. (And I say that as a Marlins fan.) This is why I decided to go with Tier 3, but there’s a chance he might get bumped to Tier 2 eventually.
J.D. Gonzalez, San Diego Padres C (BCP-111, CPA-JGO): Gonzalez is primed for a breakout in 2024, according to prospect writers Jim Callis and Sam Dykstra from MLB.com.
The Padres were confident enough to assign the 18-year-old to Single-A for his professional debut. Gonzalez is a power hitting catcher with a cannon for an arm. Prep catchers usually take quite a bit of time to develop, so Gonzalez is an option for long-term investors.
San Diego has a lot of depth at the catching position, including top prospect Ethan Salas. Like I said about Kyle Teel above, there are just a ton of phenomenal prospect and rookie catchers that I feel Gonzalez will get lost in the shuffle.
Carlos Silva, Minnesota Twins C (BCP-120, CPA-CSI): There isn’t a ton of information on Silva, but the reports I found were very promising. MLB Pipeline ranked Silva as the #31 prospect in the 2023 International Free Agent class, saying he “has the potential to develop into an offensive threat and become one of the best all-around players in the class.”
Baseball America praised Silva for his strength and bat speed. He just turned 18 years old, so Silva is an extreme long-term play. He’s not a prospect I’m going out of my way to invest in just yet, but he’s an interesting addition if you’re buying into a Minnesota Twins breaking slot for Walker Jenkins.
Robert Calaz, Colorado Rockies OF (BCP-131, CPA-RCA): All three of the main prospect teams — Baseball America, FanGraphs, MLB Pipeline — see Calaz as a 2024 breakout candidate and potentially a 2025 Top 100 prospect.
There’s a lot to like about Calaz and someone I’d consider moving up to Tier 2 after seeing how he performs in his professional stateside debut. He’s the Rockies #10 prospect according to Baseball America, whose scouts give him a 55 overall grade thanks to an average hit tool and plus power.
Here are a few nuggets that give me confidence in his hobby investment potential: “[Calaz] posted peak exit velocities that would be plus on the big league scale, let alone for a teenage hitter” (FanGraphs); “the only hitter [with 40+ plate appearances in the DSL] who managed a contact rate above 71% and a 90th percentile exit velocity above 105 mph is Robert Calaz” (Baseball America).
The latter outlet views Calaz as a serious power/speed threat, making him one of my favorite options in Tier 3. The hobby seems to like him too. His autograph slot in a 10-case break went for $490 (13th most), above Kyle Teel and Brock Wilken.
Myles Naylor, Oakland Athletics SS/3B (BCP-136): The younger brother of Josh and Bo, Myles Naylor’s defensive position gives him a leg up on his older brothers. Playing for the A’s however, might be just as bad as the Guardians.
Naylor projects as an average big league third baseman with a fringe-average hit tool and above-average power. He struck out at a 40% clip in his 32-game professional debut, reportedly struggling with breaking pitches and whiffing much more than expected. In terms of a hobby investment, Naylor slots in at the bottom of the third tier.
Cooper Pratt, Milwaukee Brewers SS (BCP-137, CPA-CPR): Pratt has an advanced approach at the plate for a high school hitter, limiting swing-and-miss, showing good plate discipline, and gap-to-gap power.
Although he was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Brewers loved Pratt enough to sign him to a bonus equal to that of a late second-round pick. He’s expected to grow into more power as he matures, and it seems like that’s what the hobby is betting on.
His autograph slot in a 10-case break went for $650 (11th most).
Yoeilin Cespedes, Boston Red Sox SS (BCP-139, CPA-YCE): Cespedes is a teenage infield prospect with above average hit and power tools.
He was fantastic in the hitter-friendly Dominican Summer League, slashing .346/.392/.560 with 15 doubles, 4 triples, and 6 home runs in 46 games. That’s not a small sample and his underlying exit velocity data was superb.
Scouts also praised Cespedes for his pitch recognition and swing decisions, which isn’t something you often see from 18-year-olds. I view Cespedes as a high risk, high reward prospect.
George Wolkow, Chicago White Sox OF (BCP-144, CPA-GWO): Wolkow looked like a top 10 pick for the 2024 MLB Draft, but he reclassified to be eligible a year early. At 6-foot-7, Wolkow’s “ceiling is as huge as his frame,” according to MLB Pipeline.
They mention a comparison to Yankees prospect Spencer Jones, which is high praise. Wolkow has immense power but a below average hit tool, and his numbers in rookie ball certainly looked like what you’d expect from a 17-year-old.
He’s another long-term play, someone you probably won’t see in the big leagues before 2027-2028. A solid year in 2024 could boost his prospect status.
Raylin Heredia, Philadelphia Phillies OF (BCP-146, CPA-RH): Heredia is a power-hitting corner outfielder with a high strikeout rate. There’s nothing too exciting about Heredia’s game, but 60-power and 55-speed grades are good enough to slot a prospect in the third tier.
The risk is that he doesn’t make enough contact to be an everyday player, but he’s shown enough production in the minor leagues to warrant consideration.
Gino Groover, Arizona Diamondbacks 3B (CPA-GG): Groover is the #5 prospect in the Diamondbacks organization with the potential for above-average hit and power tools.
The problem is that he has little speed and is not a good defender, so he’ll probably wind up at first base or DH. Groover’s offensive profile has been compared to Wilmer Flores, so I’m not seeing enough upside from a hobby investment standpoint.
Ramon Ramirez, Kansas City Royals C (CPA-RRZ): Ramirez is currently listed as the Royals #22 prospect, but a strong 2024 could seem him fly up prospect rankings. In 41 games in the Dominican Summer League, Ramirez slashed .344/.440/.615 with 9 doubles and 8 home runs.
He’s on track to hit for both average and power, a rare thing to see in young catchers. He posted 90th percentile exit velocities and walked more than he struck out. These are really impressive things to see from teenage hitters, and I’m excited to keep an eye on Ramirez in 2024.
Walker Martin, San Francisco Giants SS (CPA-WM): Despite being 20 years old and having yet to make his professional debut, Martin is seen as a top-5 prospect in the Giants system and drawn comparisons to a young Corey Seager.
Martin is an athletic infielder with all tools at or above average. He posted numbers so cartoonish in high school that I won’t put them here, but the power is legit.
He had a back injury after the draft in 2023 and is dealing with a hamstring injury now, but Martin is another prospect that could find himself boosted up a tier in the near future.
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Douglas Glod, Atlanta Braves OF (BCP-11, CPA-DG)
Allan Castro, Boston Red Sox OF (BCP-14, CPA-ACA)
Abimelec Ortiz, Texas Rangers 1B/OF (BCP-16, CPA-AO)
Jared Dickey, Kansas City Royals OF (BCP-19, CPA-JDI)
Antonio Anderson, Boston Red Sox 3B (BCP-20, CPA-AAN)
Carlos Sanchez, Cincinnati Reds 3B/OF (BCP-25)
Enrique Jimenez, Detroit Tigers C (BCP-31)
Brock Porter, Texas Rangers P (BCP-36, CPA-BP)
Johanfran Garcia, Boston Red Sox C (BCP-49, CPA-JG)
Jared Serna, New York Yankees SS/2B (BCP-68, CPA-JS)
Jose Rodriguez, Minnesota Twins OF (BCP-71)
Capri Ortiz, Los Angeles Angels 2B (BCP-73, CPA-CO)
Esmil Valencia, Houston Astros OF (BCP-75, CPA-EVI)
John Wimmer, Los Angeles Angels SS (BCP-78, CPA-JW)
Tony Ruiz, Kansas City Royals OF (BCP-80, CPA-TR)
Agustin Ramirez, New York Yankees C (BCP-85, CPA-AR)
German Ramirez, Houston Astros SS (BCP-93, CPA-GR)
Carson Whisenhunt, San Francisco Giants P (BCP-96, CPA-CW)
Filippo Di Turi, Milwaukee Brewers SS (BCP-101, CPA-FDI)
Enmanuel Tejeda, New York Yankees 3B/SS (BCP-103, CPA-ETE)
Ryan Lasko, Oakland Athletics OF (BCP-105, CPA-RLAS)
Anthony Scull, Los Angeles Angels OF (BCP-107, CPA-AS)
Anthony Huezo, Houston Astros OF (BCP-108, CPA-AHU)
Josh Rivera, Chicago Cubs SS (BCP-115, CPA-JRI)
Jacob Burke, Chicago White Sox OF (BCP-116, CPA-JB)
Ryan Burrowes, Chicago White Sox SS (BCP-119, CPA-RBU)
Felix Morrobel, Los Angeles Angels SS (BCP-121, CPA-FM)
Byron Chourio, Minnesota Twins OF (BCP-129, CPA-BCH)
Anthony Baptist, New York Mets OF (BCP-141, CPA-AB)
Boston Baro, New York Mets 2B (CPA-BBA)
Barrett Kent, Los Angeles Angels P (CPA-BK)
Chandler Pollard, Texas Rangers 2B/OF (CPA-CP)
Kelvin Hidalgo, Colorado Rockies SS (CPA-KHI)
Stanley Consuegra, New York Mets OF (CPA-SC)
Sam Shaw, Toronto Blue Jays OF (CPA-SS)
Tavian Josenberger, Baltimore Orioles SS (CPA-TJ)
Travis Sykora, Washington Nationals P (CPA-TSY)
Eriq Swan, Los Angeles Dodgers P (PPRA-ESW)
Ryan Birchard, Milwaukee Brewers P (PPRA-RB)
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Ryan Vanderhei, San Francisco Giants P (BCP-15)
Ramon Landaeta, Oakland Athletics C (BCP-28)
Abraham Nunez, Chicago White Sox OF (BCP-56)
Ronny Hernandez, Chicago White Sox C (BCP-92, CPA-RHE)
Jaron Elkins, Los Angeles Dodgers OF (BCP-106)
David Guzman, Toronto Blue Jays OF (BCP-114, CPA-DGN)
Aneudis Mordán, Baltimore Orioles C (CPA-AMO)
Alfonsin Rosario, Chicago Cubs OF (CPA-ARO)
Cesar Quintas, San Francisco Giants OF (CPA-CQ)
Erick Bautista, Colorado Rockies OF (CPA-EB)
Erick Torres, Kansas City Royals OF (CPA-ET)
Esmerlyn Valdez, Pittsburgh Pirates 1B/OF (CPA-EV)
Jorge Marcheco, Los Angeles Angels P (CPA-JMH)
Jesus Rodriguez, New York Yankees C (CPA-JR)
Jeffry Rosa, New York Mets OF (CPA-JRO)
Rolphy Cruz, Baltimore Orioles 2B/OF (CPA-RC)
Rikuu Nishida, Chicago White Sox 2B/OF (CPA-RN)
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