Sasaki leads Top 10 RHP Prospects list. Who else made the cut?
Last year, the right-hander we had at the top of this always-deep Top 10 prospects list went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year, as Pirates flamethrower Paul Skenes went from No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft to top rookie in the NL a year later.
Last year, the right-hander we had at the top of this always-deep Top 10 prospects list went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year, as Pirates flamethrower Paul Skenes went from No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft to top rookie in the NL a year later.
Now we’re looking to go 2-for-2. With the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes coming to an end and the Japanese phenom choosing the Dodgers, he vaults to the very top of this year’s Top 10 right-handed pitchers list. Since he’ll presumably step right into L.A.’s rotation, there’s even less of a question about whether he’ll contend for top rookie honors than with Skenes, who did not have an Opening Day roster spot waiting for him.
While Skenes obviously graduated, the No. 2 pitcher on the list has stayed the same the past two years, though we fully expect Jackson Jobe -- an American League ROY candidate himself -- to graduate this season. He’s joined by holdovers Andrew Painter, Chase Dollander and Rhett Lowder. Bubba Chandler was last year’s “keep an eye on” candidate, and he lived up to the billing, climbing up to No. 4 on this year’s list.
The Reds and Rangers have multiple prospects on the list, though that’s not unusual. At least one organization has put at least two top 10 right-handed pitching prospects on this list every year dating back to 2019 (the Marlins had three in 2022), and two teams had two reps apiece back in 2021 (Tigers and Mariners) and 2023 (Phillies and Dodgers).
Always an exciting list, this year’s is a bit top-heavy with very strong mound representation on the Top 100 list. But it’s not quite as deep as it’s been in past years, with the 19 right-handers total on the overall list representing an all-time low since we switched from a Top 50 to a Top 100.
The Top 10 (ETA)
- Roki Sasaki, Dodgers (2025)
- Jackson Jobe, Tigers (2025)
- Andrew Painter, Phillies (2025)
- Bubba Chandler, Pirates (2025)
- Chase Dollander, Rockies (2025)
- Chase Burns, Reds (2025)
- Rhett Lowder, Reds (2025)
- Kumar Rocker, Rangers (2025)
- Brandon Sproat, Mets (2025)
- Alejandro Rosario, Rangers (2026)
Complete list »
Top tools
Fastball: Sasaki, Jobe, Painter, Chandler (70)
Sasaki has been up to 102 mph in the past, but his velocity was down a little bit in 2024, averaging just 97 mph (compared to 99 in 2023). Jobe’s heater sat 95-97 mph and touched 99-100 with excellent run and rise metrics. Painter’s fastball command was a little inconsistent during his Arizona Fall League return, understandable following a two-year layoff, but there’s plenty of confidence he’ll land the upper-90s pitch in the zone going forward. The metrics on Chandler’s upper-90s heater are very impressive.
Curve: Burns, Rocker (60)
The scary thing is that this isn’t the better of two breaking balls for both Burns and Rocker. Burns’ curve is slower than his slider, thrown in the low 80s, and he throws it a lot less, but he still got a 58 percent whiff rate with the pitch at Wake Forest last year.
Slider: Jobe, Burns, Rocker (70)
Jobe’s slider averages around 2,900 rpm with a ton of sweep, with executives naming it the best secondary offering among prospects in MLB Pipeline’s 2025 executive survey. Burns finished second and Rocker fourth in that voting, with Burns’ slider eliciting a 64 percent whiff rate at Wake Forest last year and Rocker’s mid-80s breaker featuring two-plane depth generating a 66 percent swing-and-miss rate in the upper Minors and Majors last year.
Changeup: Jobe, Sproat (60)
Jobe’s offspeed option took a big step forward when he switched to more of a splitter grip. It has lots of armside run and separation from his fastball. Sproat throws his cambio in the upper 80s and also gets the right amount of separation and fade to make the pitch very effective against lefties.
Splitter: Sasaki (80)
This pitch is so good it gets its own category. His 89-90 mph splitter gets top-of-the-scale marks from scouts because it has velocity and depth. In 2024, it generated a 57 percent swing-and-miss rate in Japan.
Control: Painter, Lowder (65)
Outside of a little spotty fastball command, Painter was back to his impressive self in the Fall League, throwing four excellent pitches for strikes, and his 2.3 BB/9 rate in Arizona is right in line with the 2.1 ratio he’s posted in his pro career to date. Lowder walked just 2.3 per nine in his college career (1.8 in his junior season) and did more of the same during his first season of pro ball, with a 2.0 BB/9 rate in the Minors last year.
Superlatives
Highest ceiling: Sasaki
He has the potential for three plus pitches and plus control of all three, with his fastball getting a 70 grade and his splitter the rare-to-find 80 on the scouting scale. There’s a reason why teams were clamoring to sign him.
Highest floor: Lowder
Kind of like Skenes a year ago, you could argue that Sasaki should run these first three categories, but we’ll mix it up. And we’ll use the same guy as last year in Lowder. It's hard not to feel certain that he will be, at the very least, a big league rotation mainstay for a very long time.
Rookie of the Year candidate: Sasaki
We've been saying all along that he’d be a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year honors no matter where he signed. Executives polled said the same thing, as just over 79 percent agreed he’d be the favorite to win in whatever league he landed in.
Highest riser & humblest beginning: Rosario
In a list of first-round picks, big bonuses and that very large international signing, Rosario really stands out. He went unselected out of high school in the shortened 2020 Draft, then struggled at the University of Miami. The Rangers took him in the fifth round in 2023, signed him for slot ($437,900) and helped him remake his delivery and pitch mix. It clearly worked as he went from not being on the club’s Top 30 at the start of the 2024 season to this spot among the game’s best right-handed pitching prospects.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Most to prove: Rocker
It’s been quite the saga for Rocker, dating back to his initial 2021 Draft year, when the Mets pulled out of their offer following a medical review of his elbow and shoulder. After going No. 3 overall a year later to the Rangers, he blew out his elbow in May 2023 and had Tommy John surgery. He certainly looked like the real deal upon his return last year, dominating in the Minors and making his big league debut. But he only threw 48 1/3 innings, and only has 76 1/3 IP on his professional résumé to date, so he has to show he can take the ball every five days and stick in a big league rotation.
Keep an eye on: Travis Sykora, Nationals
Sykora had one of the best prep power arms in the 2023 Draft class and slid to the third round because of signability issues, joining the Nats in the third round for an over-slot bonus of $2.6 million. He had better feel for pitching in his first full season with Single-A Fredericksburg, walking just 2.9 per nine while striking out 13.7 and posting a 2.33 ERA. The organization eased him into pro ball with just 85 innings for the year, so it’s easy to imagine him really popping as the gloves come off.
Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com. Follow him on Facebook and @JonathanMayo, and listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.
Curve to Host Promotional Calendar Kick-Off Event at Levity Brewing Company
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce a brand new kick off event to reveal the 2025 Promotional Schedule, inviting fans to join them on Monday, February 24 at Levity Brewing Company in Altoona for First Pitch: A 2025 Season Preview. The February First Pitch event is
Curve Accepting Nominations for 1st Summit Bank Teachers of the Year to be Honored on Teacher Appreciation Night
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are excited to announce the opening of the 2025 1st Summit Bank Teachers of the Year Competition. Three nominated teachers will be named Teachers of the Year with a special on-field ceremony on Teacher Appreciation Night, presented by 1st Summit Bank, on Saturday, May
Third Year of Curve Charities Generates Over $84,000 in Donations to Area Non-Profits
CURVE, PA – Altoona Curve Charities, a 501c3 organization dedicated to supporting local youth programs and organizations that promote exercise, health, activity and education for the betterment of youth and community, is pleased to announce recipients of grant money and in-kind services for the 2024 grant cycle. The 2024 grant
CurveFest Returns to Peoples Natural Gas Field on March 1
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce the return of CurveFest, presented by Ravine, on Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A spring celebration of Curve Baseball at CurveFest will give fans their first opportunity to purchase single-game tickets, and the first 200 fans
Andy Fox Named Altoona Curve Manager for 2025 Season
CURVE, PA – The Pittsburgh Pirates and Altoona Curve are pleased to announce the 2025 Coaching Staff for the upcoming season in Curve, PA, headlined by new manager Andy Fox. “I am thrilled to welcome Andy Fox and his staff to Curve, PA for the 2025 season,” said Curve General
Curve Charities Gala Set to Return on Saturday, February 8
CURVE, PA –Altoona Curve Charities, a 501c3 organization, are pleased to announce the return of the Curve Charities Gala on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Altoona Grand Hotel. The fundraiser features a special appearance from Curve alumnus and former Pittsburgh Pirate Ian Snell as well as a silent auction
Around the Curve | Paul Skenes Wins Rookie of the Year Award
CURVE, Pa. – Paul Skenes has gone from college phenom to rookie sensation in a year’s time, and the accolades are just beginning to pile up. After a dominant campaign that stacks up as one of the best rookie seasons by a pitcher in Major League history, Skenes has been
Around the Curve | Jared Triolo Wins First Gold Glove Award
CURVE, Pa. – In 2022, Jared Triolo took the field in his Altoona Curve uniform to accept his Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove Award for his fantastic infield play at Greensboro in 2021. Next season, he will repeat the action in his Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. Triolo was named the winner
Curve Announce 2025 Game Times and Fireworks Dates at Peoples Natural Gas Field
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve, Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, are pleased to announce home game times and fireworks dates for the 2025 season. Game times are subject to change. The 2025 season will once again feature 6:00 p.m. start times for many of the team’s home games
Curve Charities Grant Program Accepting Grant Applications for 2024
CURVE, PA – Altoona Curve Charities, a 501c3 organization devoted to supporting local youth programs and organizations, is pleased to announce that Grant Applications for the 2024 Grant Program are available now to area non-profits that promote healthy living for the betterment of youth and community. The 2024 Grant Program
Curve Announce 2024 Team Awards
CURVE, PA – Prior to their penultimate game of the season on Saturday night the Curve honored four players with their annual team awards. Infielder Kervin Pichardo was named the team’s Most Valuable Player for 2024. Bubba Chandler was named the team’s Pitcher of the Year, Eddy Yean was named
Bowen and Wilson Go Back-to-Back In Finale Win
CURVE, Pa. – Jase Bowen and Eli Wilson banged back-to-back home runs to lead Altoona to a 5-1 win over Richmond in front of 4,330 fans on Sunday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Jaycob Deese started a bullpen day for the Curve and went three innings allowing only one
Curve Fall in Penultimate Game of the Season
CURVE, Pa. – Jase Bowen hit his ninth home run of the season for the Curve on Saturday night, but the Richmond Flying Squirrels snapped Altoona’s three-game winning streak with a 7-2 defeat of the Curve at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve welcomed 7,027 fans to PNG Field on
Third Straight Win Highlighted by Ten Late Runs
CURVE, Pa. – The Curve scored ten unanswered runs to complete a comeback win, 10-3, over the Richmond Flying Squirrels in front of 4,947 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Friday night. Trailing 3-0 in the sixth, the Curve scored their first two runs of the night on a
Curve Offense Capitalizes Off Squirrels Miscues
CURVE, Pa. – The Curve picked up a second straight win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Thursday night in front of 3,814 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez went 1-for-4 in his third game on major league rehab assignment, catching seven innings in the field.
Bowen and Dixon Lead Late Rally Over Squirrels
CURVE, Pa. – Altoona won a wild back-and-forth affair, 8-7, over the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Wednesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez doubled in his first at-bat of the night and scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the first. Rodriguez went 1-for-5
Squirrels Fly Past Curve in Series Opener
CURVE, Pa. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels took advantage of four Curve errors to take a 6-2 win over the Curve on Tuesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez went 0-for-3 in his first game on rehab assignment. Rodriguez caught five innings in the field before
Pirates Catcher Endy Rodriguez Scheduled to Rehab with the Curve
CURVE, PA – The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that C Endy Rodriguez will begin a rehab assignment with the Curve beginning on Tuesday, September 10. Rodriguez is currently on the 60-Day IL for the Pirates recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Rodriguez is in the Curve lineup for Tuesday night’s game against
Early Offense Ensures Series Split with Yard Goats
HARTFORD, Conn. – The Curve earned a split of their six-game series with the Hartford Yard Goats on Sunday afternoon with a 9-5 win at Dunkin’ Park. Working against Rockies rehabbing right-hander Antonio Senzatela, Altoona plated four runs in the top of the first inning on four hits and a
Curve Offense Fuels Saturday Win
HARTFORD, Conn. – Termarr Johnson hit his second home run with Altoona in his first three-hit game with the Curve on Saturday night in a 4-2 win over the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Park. The game began after a delay of over two hours due to rain in Hartford.
Yard Goats Take Third Game From Altoona
HARTFORD, Conn. – Termarr Johnson recorded his first multi-hit game with Altoona on Friday night, finishing 2-for-4 in a 6-1 loss for the Curve against the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Park. Anthony Solometo allowed six runs on six hits in one inning to take the loss for Altoona. After
Dixon Home Run Lifts Altoona Over Hartford
HARTFORD, Conn. – Brenden Dixon hit his eighth home run of the season in the ninth inning on Thursday night to give Altoona a 3-2 win over Hartford at Dunkin’ Park. The game was tied 2-2 entering the ninth inning when Dixon hit a lead-off home run off Zach Agnos
Yard Goats Walk-Off Curve on Wednesday
HARTFORD, Conn. – Nick Cimillo led Altoona’s offense with three hits on Wednesday night, but Hartford rallied to walk-off the Curve in the bottom of the ninth inning, 6-5, at Dunkin’ Park. With the game tied 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Jack Carey entered for Altoona and walked
Curve Shutout to Open Series in Hartford
HARTFORD, Conn. – Sammy Siani and Carter Bins each recorded two hits to total Altoona’s offense in a 4-0 shutout loss to the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin Park on Tuesday night. The Curve were held to just four hits in the loss, stranding three on-base and striking out six
Cats Walk Curve Into Sweep
CURVE, Pa. – Altoona completed a six-game sweep of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats with a 5-2 win in front of 4,223 fans on Sunday afternoon at PNG Field. It is the first time in four seasons since the adoption of the six-game weekly schedule that Altoona has swept their