The three shortstops who are finalists for MiLB's Hitting Prospect of the Year honors all were highly regarded prospects before they entered pro ball. JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals) and Konnor Griffin (Pirates) went in the first nine picks in the 2024 Draft, while Kevin McGonigle (Tigers) signed for first-round money as a supplemental first-rounder in 2023.
The three MiLB Pitching Prospect of the Year candidates weren't nearly as acclaimed. Griffin Herring (Rockies) was a sixth-rounder in 2024 and Jonah Tong (Mets) lasted a round longer in 2022. Trey Yesavage (Blue Jays) went in the first round last year, though it's fair to say he has exceeded expectations by pushing for a spot in Toronto's playoff rotation at the end of his pro debut season.
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MLB Network will reveal the winner during its third annual MiLB Awards Show Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. ET. Only Minor League performance was considered when MLB Pipeline staff decided the three finalists. A closer look at each:
Griffin Herring, LHP, Rockies (No. 9)
Age: 22
Single-A: 4-1 W-L, 1.21 ERA, 8 G, 44 2/3 IP, 24 H, 2 HR, 16 BB, 58 K, .155 AVG, 0.90 WHIP
High-A: 4-3 W-L, 2.29 ERA, 15 G, 74 2/3 IP, 46 H, 2 HR, 33 BB, 91 K, .178 AVG, 1.06 WHIP
Total: 8-4 W-L, 1.89 ERA, 23 G, 119 1/3 IP, 70 H, 4 HR, 49 BB, 149 K, .169 AVG, 1.00 WHIP
An unsung hero on Louisiana State's 2023 national championship team, Herring started just one game in two college seasons before signing with the Yankees. He had no trouble transitioning to the rotation during his pro debut this year, and he wasn't fazed by getting included in the Ryan McMahon trade in July. He ranked third in the Minors in ERA and average-against, fourth in WHIP and eighth in strikeout rate (31.4 percent).
Herring's money pitch is his sweeping mid-80s slider, which features plenty of horizontal and vertical action and shuts down both left-handers and right-handers. His low-90s fastball doesn't stand out in terms of velocity, but he shows the ability to get swings-and-misses with it at both the top and bottom of the strike zone.
Jonah Tong, RHP, Mets (No. 4/MLB No. 43)
Age: 22
Double-A: 8-5 W-L, 1.59 ERA, 20 G, 102 IP, 50 H, 2 HR, 44 BB, 162 K, .143 AVG, 0.92 WHIP
Triple-A: 2-0 W-L, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 11 2/3 IP, 8 H, 0 HR, 3 BB, 17 K, .190 AVG, 0.94 WHIP
Total: 10-5 W-L, 1.43 ERA, 22 G, 113 2/3 IP, 58 H, 2 HR, 47 BB, 179 K, .148 AVG, 0.92 WHIP
Tong moved from Canada to Georgia for his high school senior season in 2022 before turning pro and didn't do much in his pro debut the following year. He placed fifth in the Minor Leagues with a 34.2 percent strikeout rate in 2024, then became the first pitcher to lead the Minors in ERA and strikeouts in the same season since they restructured in 1963 into the system we know today. He also topped the Minors in average-against, strikeout rate (40.5 percent) and strikeout minus walk rate (29.9 percent).
Called up to the Mets in late August, Tong operates from an extremely deceptive delivery with an over-the-top arm slot and quality extension, leading to persistent Tim Lincecum comparisons. His mid-90s fastball has tremendous carry and pairs well with his down-breaking upper-70s curveball, while his fading mid-80s Vulcan changeup has become a weapon this season.
Trey Yesavage, RHP, Blue Jays (No. 1/MLB No. 25)
Age: 22
Single-A: 3-0 W-L, 2.43 ERA, 7 G, 33 1/3 IP, 19 H, 3 HR, 8 BB, 55 SO, .162 AVG, 0.81 WHIP
High-A: 1-0 W-L, 1.56 ERA, 4 G, 17 1/3 IP, 5 H, 2 HR, 11 BB, 33 K, .086 AVG, 0.92 WHIP
Double-A: 1-1 W-L, 4.50 ERA, 8 G, 30 IP, 21 H, 3 HR, 11 BB, 46 K, .198 AVG, 1.07 WHIP
Triple-A: 0-0 W-L, 3.63 ERA, 6 G, 17 1/3 IP, 9 H, 0 HR, 11 BB, 26 K, .150 AVG, 1.15 WHIP
Total: 5-1 W-L, 3.12 ERA, 25 G, 98 IP, 54 H, 8 HR, 41 BB, 160 K, .158 AVG, 0.97 WHIP
After a dominant junior season at East Carolina capped by outdueling Chase Burns in the NCAA Regionals, Yesavage ranked as the third-best pitching prospect in the 2024 Draft. He flew through all four full-season levels of the Minors during his pro debut this year before striking out nine Rays in five innings in his first big league start in mid-September. He fell short of officially qualifying for Minor League leadership in rate stats, but among pitchers who worked at least 90 innings, he had the best strikeout rate (41.1 percent) and strikeout minus walk rate (30.6 percent), as well as the third-best average-against.
Yesavage's release point (7.11 feet) is the highest in the Majors this season and provides outstanding carry on a mid-90s fastball. He produces quality chase and swing-and-miss rates with his heater as well as with his low-80s splitter and upper-80s slider/cutter.
Previous winners
2013: José Fernández, Marlins
2014: Tyler Glasnow, Pirates
2015: Blake Snell, Rays
2016: Tyler Glasnow, Pirates
2017: Jon Duplantier, Diamondbacks
2018: Dylan Cease, White Sox
2019: MacKenzie Gore, Padres
2020: None (COVID)
2021: Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles
2022: Andrew Painter, Phillies
2023: Drew Thorpe, Yankees
2024: Quinn Mathews, Cardinals