Here are the Top 10 shortstop prospects for 2025
MLB Pipeline will reveal its 2025 Top 100 Prospects list at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 24, with a one-hour show on MLB Network and MLB.com. Leading up to the release of the Top 100, we'll examine baseball's top 10 prospects at each position.
MLB Pipeline will reveal its 2025 Top 100 Prospects list at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 24, with a one-hour show on MLB Network and MLB.com. Leading up to the release of the Top 100, we'll examine baseball's top 10 prospects at each position.
Shortstops always attract the spotlight. Francisco Lindor and Bobby Witt Jr. finished second in league MVP voting last year, with Elly De La Cruz, Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Merrill (as a rookie) also placing in the top 10. All of them factored prominently in past editions of MLB Pipeline's preseason Top 10 Shortstops rankings with the exception of Henderson -- who was our top-rated third baseman in 2023.
This year's Top 10 Shortstops group also should be packed with future stars. The position claimed 25 of the spots on our upcoming Top 100 Prospects list -- the most ever -- with the first 10 shortstops ranking in the upper third. The three best -- Carson Williams (Rays), Jordan Lawlar (Diamondbacks) and Marcelo Mayer (Red Sox) -- return from our 2024 rankings and should graduate to the Majors this season.
Williams, Lawlar and Mayer all were high school first-rounders in the 2021 Draft, as was Colson Montgomery (White Sox), who just missed the top 10. The 2023 prep class also features plenty of upside with first-rounders Colt Emerson (Mariners) and Aidan Miller (Phillies) and supplemental first-rounder Kevin McGonigle (Tigers) in the top 10, and Cooper Pratt (sixth round, Brewers) and Arjun Nimmala (first round, Blue Jays) climbing toward it.
The Top 10 (ETA)
1. Carson Williams, Rays (2025)
2. Jordan Lawlar, Diamondbacks (2025)
3. Marcelo Mayer, Red Sox (2025)
4. Sebastian Walcott, Rangers (2026)
5. Leodalis De Vries, Padres (2027)
6. Colt Emerson, Mariners (2026)
7. JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals (2026)
8. Aidan Miller, Phillies (2026)
9. Kevin McGonigle, Tigers (2027)
10. Jacob Wilson, Athletics (2025)
Complete list »
Top tools
Hit: Wilson (70)
The son of former All-Star Jack Wilson, Jacob led NCAA Division I in contact rate his final two seasons at Grand Canyon in 2022-23, striking out just 12 times in a combined 492 plate appearances (2 percent) and setting a school record with a .411 average in the latter year. His elite feel for the barrel immediately translated to pro ball. Wilson hit .401 with an 8 percent strikeout rate in 79 Minor League games to earn a quick promotion to the Majors, where he batted .250 with a 10 percent K rate last summer.
Power: Walcott (65)
Scouts were saying Walcott could become the best player ever from the Bahamas even before he signed for $3.2 million in 2023. He has exceptional bat speed and produces elite exit velocities for an 18-year-old, and some evaluators slap top-of-the-scale grades on his raw power. A South Atlantic League all-star in 2024, he topped the High-A circuit in triples (nine), extra-base hits (50) and total bases (192) while batting .261/.342/.443 as its youngest regular, then dominated during a five-game cameo at Double-A.
Run: Lawlar (70)
During his brief time in the big leagues in 2023, Lawlar produced a 30.0 feet/second sprint speed, which is Witt/De La Cruz territory. He has stolen 83 bases in 97 attempts (86 percent) in 244 games, and his quickness also is evident at shortstop.
Arm: Walcott, Williams (70)
Both Walcott and Williams feature plus-plus arm strength, with the separator being that Williams (who's three years older) makes more accurate throws. Some scouts preferred Williams on the mound when they saw him run his fastball up to 95 mph as a California high schooler.
Field: Williams (70)
Williams won a Minor League Gold Glove in 2022 and possesses all the tools to earn similar honors in the big leagues. He has smooth actions, range to both sides, quick hands and an exceptionally strong arm. He can provide web gems and also is reliable on routine plays, committing just nine errors in 113 games last season.
Superlatives
Highest ceiling: Williams
There are so many lofty ceilings on this list, but it's hard to pick against Williams, who could provide 30+ homers per season while winning Gold Gloves. He excelled as the second-youngest regular (age 21) in the Southern League last year, leading the Double-A circuit in runs (83), RBIs (69) and triples (six) while ranking second in slugging (.469), extra-base hits (46) and total bases (203), third in homers (20) and OPS (.821) and fourth in wRC+ (142).
Highest floor: Wetherholt
Wetherholt might have been the No. 1 overall pick last year if a severe hamstring injury hadn't hampered his final season at West Virginia. He topped NCAA Division I in batting (.449) as a sophomore and offers the best combination of hitting ability, power and strike-zone management of anyone on this list.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Rookie of the Year candidate: Wilson
Wilson made his big league debut a year after going sixth overall in the 2023 Draft, immediately lost the next five weeks to a hamstring injury, then returned to start 27 of the Athletics' final 33 games at shortstop. Williams, Lawlar and Mayer all should be big league regulars by season's end, but Wilson may get an extra half-season of at-bats in the Majors.
Highest riser: McGonigle
Every one of our Top 10 Shortstops was highly regarded a year ago. Relatively speaking, McGonigle had the least fanfare, ranking seventh on our Tigers Top 30 after Detroit made him the 37th overall pick in the 2023 Draft. He raised his profile by slashing .309/.401/.452 with 25 extra-base hits, 22 steals and more walks than strikeouts (46 vs. 28) in 74 games between two Class A stops at age 19 before breaking his right hamate in August.
Humblest beginning: Williams
These guys signed for a combined $45,270,800 in bonuses and none of them exactly had a humble entry into pro ball. Williams was the lowest-ranked Draft prospect of the eight draftees (No. 41 on our 2021 Draft Top 250) and received the smallest bonus (a below-slot $2.35 million at No. 28 overall) of the 10 shortstops.
Most to prove: Lawlar, Mayer
Lawlar and Mayer have showed impressive skills but not much in the way of durability as pros. Lawlar played just 23 games in 2024 because of thumb and hamstring ailments and has totaled just 244 contests in four seasons, only one of which hasn't been shortened by injury. Mayer has played in just 272 games, losing time to wrist (2022), shoulder (2023) and back (2024) maladies.
Keep an eye on: Konnor Griffin
Signed for $6,532,025 as the ninth overall pick last July, Griffin had the highest ceiling of any player in the 2024 Draft. Gatorade's national baseball player of the year, he's a potential 30/30 player who can offer plus defense at shortstop or win Gold Gloves in center field. He'll make his pro debut in April.
Jim Callis is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him @jimcallisMLB. Listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.
Fran Riordan Returns as Manager for 2025 Campaign; Aviators® Season Opener on Friday, March 28 vs. Reno at Las Vegas Ballpark®
(Las Vegas, NV) – February 5, 2025 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, announced today, in conjunction with the A’s Communications Department, that Fran Riordan will return for his eighth season as manager for the A’s Triple-A affiliate
Las Vegas Aviators® donate team merchandise valued at $500,000 to five local nonprofits
LAS VEGAS AVIATORS@ DONATE TEAM MERCHANDISE VALUED AT $500,000 TO FIVE LOCAL NONPROFITS Project 150, Family Promise of Las Vegas, Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Opportunity Village, and Ronald McDonald House each receive merchandise valued at $100,000 to benefit their organizations and respective clients Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/uXNqb7EfG6iRnXHB9 Las Vegas, Nev (Dec. 27,
2025 Big League Weekend features: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Athletics on Saturday-Sunday, March 8-9 at Las Vegas Ballpark®
(Las Vegas, NV) – (September 30, 2024) – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, announced today two games for the 2025 Big League Weekend at Las Vegas Ballpark®. The Arizona Diamondbacks will face the Athletics on Saturday-Sunday, March 8-9.
2025 Aviators® Individual Game Tickets Public on Sale - Mon., Nov. 4 via aviatorslv.com; 2025 Big League Weekend (Arizona vs. Athletics, Sat-Sun, March 8-9) Individual Game Tickets Public on Sale - Wed., Nov. 6 via aviatorslv.com
(Las Vegas, NV) – November 4, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, announced today that individual game tickets for the 2025 season will go public on sale today at noon on aviatorslv.com. Groups and hospitality packages are
Matt Neverett Named 2024 Nevada Sportscaster of the Year
(Las Vegas, NV) – January 7, 2025 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, announced today in conjunction with Dave Goren, Executive Director of the National Sports Media Association (NSMA), that play-by-play broadcaster Matt Neverett was named the 2024
Minor League Baseball Announces 2024 Triple-A League Awards & All-Star Teams; Five Aviators Players Represented: Allen, Alvarez, Díaz, Holman, Thomas!
Click here for the 2024 Triple-A League Awards and All-Star Teams Press Release
2024 Triple-A National Championship Game on Saturday, September 28 at Las Vegas Ballpark®
September 25, 2024 — Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced the official start time for the 2024 Triple-A Championship Game, set for Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7:09 p.m. PT/10:09 ET, at Las Vegas Ballpark in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Triple-A Championship Game will see the winners of the International League
AVIATORS® ANNOUNCE SEASON AWARDS FOR 2024 CAMPAIGN; INF NICK ALLEN RECIPIENT OF THE MAYOR'S TROPHY
(Las Vegas, NV) – September 20, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, announced today the 2024 season awards for the players. The Las Vegas franchise has been a member of the Pacific Coast League for 41 years (1983-2020, 2022-23) and one
Aviators® INF/OF Logan Davidson Named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (September 9-15)
(Las Vegas, NV) – – September 16, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, today announced that INF/OF Logan Davidson was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (September 9-15) for the second time this
Aviators® Host El Paso Chihuahuas in final homestand of regular season from Tuesday-Saturday, September 17-22 at Las Vegas Ballpark®
(Las Vegas, NV) – September 14, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, will host the El Paso Chihuahuas, Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, in the opener of the six-game series on Tuesday, September 17
Aviators® Catcher Carlos Pérez Named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (September 2-8)
(Las Vegas, NV) – September 9, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, today announced that catcher Carlos Pérez was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (September 2-8). Pérez is the sixth Aviators player
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ANNOUNCES AUGUST PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH; Aviators® INF Nick Allen & LHP Brady Basso earn PCL Honors!
Sept. 5, 2024 — Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced the Player and Pitcher of the Month Award winners for August in Major League Baseball’s player development system. International League (Triple-A) Buffalo Bisons (Blue Jays) outfielder Alan Roden batted .354/.411/.594 and led the league in hits (34) and total bases
Aviators® INF/OF Logan Davidson Named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (August 26 - September 1)
(Las Vegas, NV) – September 2, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, today announced that infielder/outfielder Logan Davidson was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (August 26 – September 1). Davidson is the
Aviators® Host Round Rock Express in six-game homestand from Tuesday-Sunday, September 3-8 at Las Vegas Ballpark®
(Las Vegas, NV) – August 31, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, will host the Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers, in the opener of the six-game series on
Aviators® INF/OF Ryan Noda Named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (August 12-18)
(Las Vegas, NV) – August 19, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, today announced that infielder/outfielder Ryan Noda was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (August 12-18). Noda is the fourth Aviators player
Aviators® Announce 2025 Regular Season Schedule; Home & Season Opener on Friday, March 28 vs. Reno Aces
Please Click Here For 2025 Schedule
Aviators® Joe Boyle Named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (August 5-11)
(Las Vegas, NV) – August 12, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, today announced that Joe Boyle was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season (July 22-28 and
Aviators® host Oklahoma City Baseball Club in six-game homestand from August 13-18 at Las Vegas Ballpark®
(Las Vegas, NV) – August 10, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, will host the Oklahoma City Baseball Club, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the opener of the six-game series on Tuesday, August
Aviators® INF Jordan Díaz Named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (July 29 - August 4)
(Las Vegas, NV) – August 5, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, today announced that infielder Jordan Díaz was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (July 29 – August 4). Díaz is the
SEAPORT ENTERTAINMENT GROUP COMPLETES SEPARATION FROM HOWARD HUGHES HOLDINGS
NEW YORK, NY (AUGUST 1, 2024) – Seaport Entertainment Group Inc. (NYSE American: SEG) (the “Seaport Entertainment Group” or “Company”), a newly formed company positioned at the intersection of entertainment and real estate, announced today that it has completed its previously announced separation (the “Separation”) from its predecessor Howard Hughes
Aviators® Joe Boyle Named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week (July 22-28)
(Las Vegas, NV) – July 29, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, today announced that Joe Boyle was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week (July 22-28). Boyle is the second Aviators player to
Aviators® Host Albuquerque Isotopes in six-game homestand from July 30 - August 4 at Las Vegas Ballpark®
(Las Vegas, NV) – July 27, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, will host the Albuquerque Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, in the opener of the six-game series on Tuesday, July 30 at 7:05
Aviators® Host Salt Lake Bees in three-game homestand from Friday-Sunday, July 19-21 at Las Vegas Ballpark®
(Las Vegas, NV) – July 17, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, will host the Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, in the opener of the three-game series on Friday, July 19