Here is each team's top performer from the 2025 Draft
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Several members of the 2025 Draft class are wasting no time tearing up pro ball. No. 1 overall pick Eli Willits (Nationals) already has hit his way to High-A at age 18. No. 3 selection Kade Anderson (Mariners) leads the Minor Leagues with a 43 percent strikeout rate and a 10.9 K/BB ratio after heading straight to Double-A, while No. 6 choice Seth Hernandez (Pirates) tops the Minors with 83 whiffs in just 49 2/3 innings.
Another first-rounder, Tate Southisene (Braves), paces the Minors with 37 steals. Third-rounder Anthony Eyanson (Red Sox) has dominated so much on the mound that he already has reached Double-A and forced his way onto MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list. Gage Wood (Phillies), Kayson Cunningham (Diamondbacks), Ike Irish (Orioles), Josh Hammond (Royals), Charles Davalan (Dodgers) and Xavier Neyens (Astros) also have joined the Top 100 since the start of this season.
We could go on ... and we will. Below, we highlight each farm system's top performer from the 2025 Draft.
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AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays: Danny Thompson Jr., RHP (No. 26)
Thompson went to the Blue Jays in the eighth round as a senior sign out of UNC Greensboro, and his $5,000 bonus was the lowest of any player in Toronto’s class last year. His performance has spoken more volumes than the financials, though, early on at High-A Vancouver, where the 23-year-old righty sports a 3.80 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 42 2/3 innings. His 34.6 percent strikeout rate is third-best among 93 pitchers with at least 40 frames at the High-A level this season. Thompson sits 93-95 mph with his fastball and has added a sweeper to complement his harder upper-80s slider in pro ball.
Orioles: Joseph Dzierwa, LHP (No. 12)
The O’s second-rounder out of Michigan State, Dzierwa is a huge (6-foot-8) lefty who made a very early statement that his debut season might be a good one when he made the All-Spring Breakout Team by striking out eight over three innings against the Red Sox. He hasn’t let up since, already reaching Double-A and currently sitting in second place among all Minor League arms with 79 K’s (in 62 1/3 IP). He has a nifty 2.31 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and .171 BAA to go along with all those punchouts.
Rays: Cooper Flemming, SS (No. 28)
Tampa Bay can boast a few impressive performers from the 2025 Draft like Aidan Cremarosa (who threw a rare individual no-hitter) and recent Top 10 first-base prospect Taitn Gray (currently on the injured list with an elbow injury), but we’ll give the nod to Flemming, who will shoot up the Rays’ Top 30 in future reranking. The second-rounder out of the California high-school ranks is hitting .286/.383/.443 with five homers through 51 games for Single-A Charleston. With just a 15 percent strikeout rate, he’s making a good amount of contact while exhibiting a bit more power than was expected out of the gate. Flemming has seen time at short, third base and second and has the arm for anywhere on the dirt.
Red Sox: Anthony Eyanson, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 69)
After winning the clinching game of the 2025 College World Series for Louisiana State and landing a nearly double-slot $1.75 million bonus as a third-rounder, Eyanson has exceeded expectations. He has boosted his fastball 3 mph, and it now operates in the mid-90s and touches 100 while making his already formidable mid-80s slider even nastier. His 1.10 ERA and .140 average-against would lead the Minors if he weren't a few innings shy of qualifying, and he also has notched 57 strikeouts in 41 innings between High-A and Double-A.
Yankees: Core Jackson, SS/2B (No. 12)
A fifth-rounder out of Utah, Jackson struggled with an aggressive initial assignment to High-A last summer but has looked more comfortable there this spring, slashing .266/.379/.469 with 15 stolen bases in 39 games. He's a smooth defender at shortstop with 15-homer potential.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Guardians: Luke Hill, 3B/2B (No. 30)
One of the most disciplined hitters in the Southeastern Conference while at Mississippi, Hill went in the fourth round last July and has batted .301/.438/.566 with 11 homers and 14 steals in 59 games since turning pro. He ranked second in the High-A Midwest League in homers (10) and third in slugging (.597) and OPS (1.033) before earning a promotion to Double-A at the start of this month.
Royals: Josh Hammond, SS/3B (No. 3/MLB No. 92)
Hammond ranks among the top 10 in the Carolina League in hits (58), doubles (16), extra-base hits (22), total bases (89) and runs scored (36) all while hitting .276/.338/.424 over 53 games for Single-A Columbia. His above-average power projection has only been solidified with his early showing, and early reports have indicated that he has a better shot at sticking at shortstop than previously believed. Either way, he has the cannon arm for the left side of the infield, and the package of tools and future projection pushed him onto the Top 100 last month.
Tigers: Ben Jacobs, LHP (No. 15)
The Tigers tend to like starting their college arms in the warmer climes of Single-A Lakeland, and Jacobs – a third-rounder out of Arizona State -- was no different. But after he posted a 1.08 ERA and striking out 24 in 16 2/3 innings in the Florida State League, the southpaw couldn’t be held down any longer and was promoted to High-A West Michigan quickly in late April. Between both spots, he’s struck out 37.9 percent of his batters faced, good for 12th in the Minors among 734 pitchers with at least 30 innings this season.
Twins: Marek Houston, SS (No. 7)
The feeling was that if Houston could be an average hitter with fringe-average power, he’d be a successful big leaguer because of his plus glove at the six. So far, so good. Houston is off to a .303/.373/.444 line with 17 extra-base hits (five homers) to go along with 16 steals in 17 tries. He’s continuing to manage the zone well and limit strikeouts, all while playing terrific defense.
White Sox: Anthony DePino, 1B (unranked)
DePino set Rhode Island single-season and career marks for runs, homers, extra-base hits, total bases and walks, and he was just one of two NCAA Division I players to amass 20 homers and 20 steals in 2025. He lasted 196 picks in the Draft because of his age (22) and his profile as a righty-hitting first baseman, but the White Sox liked his ability to hit balls hard and his toughness. He's already thriving at Double-A and has hit .283/.394/.478 with 10 homers in 56 games between that level and High-A this season.
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
Angels: Johnny Slawinski, LHP (No. 3)
While we applaud first-round pick Tyler Bremner’s solid start at High-A, he’s missed some time and has collected just 22 1/3 IP to to date. So we’re using this opportunity to shine a light on Slawinski, the first of a few over-slot high school pitching signings for the Angels last year -- and they were made possible because of Bremner’s under-slot deal. Slawinski went in the third round, got $2.5 million and is already showing that his combination of polish and projection will at least work in the Arizona Complex League. He has an absurd 39/2 K/BB ratio, leading the ACL in K’s, WHIP (0.90), K/9 (13.0) and BB/9 (0.67).
Astros: Justin Thomas Jr. (unranked)
Thomas intrigued scouts with his athleticism but worried them with his swing-and-miss tendencies, which is why the Arkansas product was available in the 11th round. Both those traits have been obvious this spring at High-A, where he leads the South Atlantic League in runs (52) while ranking second in on-base percentage (.451) and OPS (.971) but also carries a 31 percent strikeout rate.
A’s: Devin Taylor, OF (No. 8)
We don’t know if you’re aware, but the A’s aren’t shy about moving players, especially college draftees, quickly. Taylor, the club’s second-round selection out of Indiana, isn’t moving at a Kurtz-like pace, but he did just get bumped up to Double-A. In 57 games with High-A Lansing, Taylor slashed .292/.425/.436 with six homers and 43 RBIs. He also was drawing walks at a 19 percent clip and his overall 113 wRC+ puts him third in the organization.
Mariners: Kade Anderson, LHP (No. 2/MLB No. 6)
The top left-handed pitching prospect in the game is making it look easy so far in 2026. The No. 3 overall pick went straight to Double-A and is already pushing for a promotion based on his performance. He leads all Minor League pitchers in a host of categories – K/BB (10.9), K% (43.2), K/BB% (39.2), WHIP (0.69) and xFIP (2.23) – while he’s third in ERA (1.29) and second in BAA (.161), laying the groundwork for being ready to contribute in Seattle this year if he’s needed.
Rangers: A.J. Russell, RHP (No. 3)
Russell injured his elbow and had internal brace surgery as a Tennessee sophomore in 2024, which contributed to him pitching just 70 innings in three college seasons. But that was enough for him to demonstrate an unhittable fastball that works from 93-98 mph with a nasty combination of an exceptionally low release point, huge extension and significant armside run and carry. Signed for an over-slot $2.6 million as a second-rounder, he has carved up hitters at two Class A levels with his heater, logging a 3.42 ERA, .185 average-against and 40 percent strikeout rate.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves: Tate Southisene, 2B/SS (No. 3)
Southisene might have seemed like a little bit of a reach as a first-round pick last year, going No. 22. And he did sign for a below-slot $2.62 million, but he’s certainly not playing like a money-saver. The teenaged middle infielder recently got bumped up to High-A and he has a combined .934 OPS, putting him in the top five among all first-round picks. He’s refined his approach considerably, drawing a ton of walks and limiting K’s and chase, helping him get to his power more consistently (.500 SLG) while using his easily plus speed to sit in a tie for the Minor League lead with 37 steals.
Marlins: Cam Cannarella, OF (No. 8)
Though Cannarella combined some of the best contact-hitting ability in the 2025 college class with plus speed and center-field defense, he lasted 43 picks amid concerns about his impact and signability. The Clemson product missed five weeks early this season with a non-displaced fracture of his right wrist but has otherwise been on fire, slashing .367/.412/.511 in 24 games between High-A and Double-A.
Mets: Wyatt Vincent, OF (unranked)
New York selected the Missouri high-schooler in the 11th round and signed him away from a Missouri State commitment for $272,500 ($122,500 of which counted toward its pool). Vincent has opened in his career in the Florida Complex League but is playing like someone who could see full-season ball before long. He sports a .250/.431/.477 line with six extra-base hits and has walked as many times as he’s struck out (13 each) through his first 16 games. A former football and basketball player in school, Vincent has taken his athleticism to all three outfield spots in the early going of the FCL.
Nationals: Eli Willits, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 4)
Being the No. 1 overall pick comes with high expectations, and the switch-hitting shortstop has met them so far in his first full season. Willits hit .300/.418/.500 with six homers and 29 steals in 47 games with Single-A Fredericksburg, prompting the Nationals to promote him to High-A Wilmington this week. With his debut Tuesday, he became the first 18-year-old to appear at the High-A level this season. His 149 wRC+ with Fredericksburg is the 13th-highest mark among players age 18 or younger (min. 150 PA) at Single-A since 2006, ranking right between Freddie Freeman (151) and Carlos Correa (148) on that list.
Phillies: Gage Wood, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 68)
We knew the Phillies wouldn’t keep Wood, their first-rounder, at Single-A Clearwater for very long. What we didn’t know was that they’d double-jump him up to Double-A when they did promote him. He’s handled the leap very well and his combined stat line -- 3.13 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 13.0 K/9, 36.2 K%, .209 BAA, 2.96 xFIP -- puts him at or near the top of the organizational leaderboard in each category. This is all happening while the Phillies watch his workload carefully, thinking he could help them during a potential playoff race.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
Brewers: Andrew Fischer, 3B (No. 6)
Milwaukee selected the University of Tennessee star as a potential masher, and mash he certainly has for High-A Wisconsin this season. Entering Wednesday, Fischer leads the level with 19 homers and ranks second with a .659 slugging percentage and a 1.093 OPS. An astounding 34 percent of his fly balls have left the yard for dingers. Fischer’s 61.7 percent contact rate on his swings brings plenty of pause for his overall hit tool, but the power has come as advertised.
Cardinals: Tanner Franklin, RHP (No. 10)
Franklin pitched out of the bullpen both at Kennesaw State and Tennessee in college, but the Cardinals believed they could turn him into a starter when they selected him 72nd overall last July. The early results are promising as the 6-foot-5 right-hander sports a 3.60 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 19 walks in 40 innings at High-A. He’s steadily increased his workload as the season has worn on, and he pitched into the sixth inning in two of his last three outings for Peoria. He continues to flash good velocity with a 95-97 mph four-seamer and plays off that with a cutter, sweeping slider and changeup.
Cubs: Josiah Hartshorn, OF (No. 7)
Signed for a sixth-round-record $2 million out of a California high school, Hartshorn is making that look like a bargain with his advanced swing decisions and formidable raw power. He has batted .305/.430/.529 with 23 extra-base hits and 40 walks in 52 games across two Class A levels.
Pirates: Murf Gray, 3B (No. 17)
Hat tip to first-rounder Seth Hernandez and what he’s doing, but we’ve talked enough about him and not enough about Gray, the Pirates’ pick in Competitive Balance Round B. The Fresno State product has already earned one promotion to High-A and is pushing for another with a combined .351/.433/.640 line to go along with 16 homers in 55 games. His 1.073 OPS trails only the Brewers’ Andrew Fischer among 2025 draftees and his organization-leading 175 wRC+ is fourth among all Minor Leaguers.
Reds: Steele Hall, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 62)
The Reds like to take their newly drafted high school shortstops -- and there have been a few -- and send them first to the Complex League to allow them to get up a head of steam and earn a bump to full-season ball. Hall, last year’s No. 9 overall pick, seems to be understanding the assignment. Still just 18, Hall has a .304/.426/.559 line with 15 extra-base hits (five homers) and 11 steals over 27 games. We’re hoping to see him with Single-A Daytona soon.
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
D-backs: Kayson Cunningham (No. 2/MLB No. 79)
The D-backs promoted last year’s 18th overall pick to High-A Hillsboro this week since it became clear he needed a challenge. At the time of his move, Cunningham was the Single-A leader with a .381 average and a .471 OBP over 43 games with Visalia, while no other qualifier at the level was batting above .360. The left-handed-hitting shortstop ropes a ton of line drives for knocks and he has plus speed that pushes defenders, even on his ground balls. A .482 BABIP won’t be sustainable in the Northwest League, but Cunningham still has the tools for a possible smooth transition to his next level.
Dodgers: Zach Root, LHP (No. 12)
The Dodgers' top choice (40th overall) last July after pitching Arkansas to a third-place finish at the Men's College World Series, Root features a pair of quality secondary pitches in a low-80s curveball and a fading 83-85 mph changeup. He also has switched from a low-90s sinker to a mid-90s four-seamer, and his arsenal has been too much for High-A hitters. He sports a 1.55 ERA, .136 average-against and 45 strikeouts in 29 innings.
Giants: Trevor Cohen, OF (No. 8)
One of the best contact hitters in last year's college crop, Cohen has an efficient left-handed swing and disciplined approach that have translated well to pro ball. He's hitting .293/.385/.423 at High-A and using his solid speed to tie for the Minor League lead with 20 doubles and rank second in the Northwest League with 19 steals in 53 games.
Padres: Ryan Wideman, OF (No. 7)
Wideman showed plus-plus speed and plus raw power during his days at Western Kentucky, but concerns about his hitting mechanics caused the 6-foot-4 outfielder to fall to the third round, where the Padres signed him below slot for $650,000. He’s shorter to the ball now without so big of a leg stomp, enabling him to cut down nicely on his swing-and-miss, and he’s handled Single-A ball well with a .314/.379/.516 line and five homers in 55 games for Lake Elsinore. His 37 steals are tied for most in the Minor Leagues. With that foundation set, it can’t be long before he sees High-A for the first time.
Rockies: Tanner Thach, 1B (No. 30)
Get this man to High-A immediately, if not sooner! The UNC-Wilmington all-time home run leader went in the eighth round last year and he’s been torching California League pitchers all year. He tops the Single-A circuit with 57 RBIs in 58 games and is second with a .347 average, while sitting tied for third with 10 homers and holding on to fourth place with a .982 OPS. We’d love to see how the 22-year old handles the challenge of a move to the Northwest League.