Answering your Top 100 Prospects list questions
MLB Pipeline released its new Top 100 Prospects list on Friday, and it was met with a bevy of questions and comments about fans' favorite prospects. To help make sense of all the inquiries, Pipeline's Jonathan Mayo took to Reddit and responded to fan questions in a Top 100 Prospect-focused
MLB Pipeline released its new Top 100 Prospects list on Friday, and it was met with a bevy of questions and comments about fans' favorite prospects.
To help make sense of all the inquiries, Pipeline's Jonathan Mayo took to Reddit and responded to fan questions in a Top 100 Prospect-focused AMA.
Here are some of the best questions and answers from Monday's discussion.
Some questions and answers have been edited for clarity.
Q: How do you distinguish between a prospect taking a massive leap and a prospect just having a good season? For every Kristian Campbell, I imagine there’s a number of guys with a .900 OPS who didn’t boost their stock too much. Would love to hear how you guys determine if a prospect’s improvements will stick or are just smoke and mirrors.
Mayo: There is a very fine line (and often blurry) between guys who are just performing well and guys who are really clicking, and are thus worthy of jumping up rankings. Obviously, Campbell is an outlier in just how far, and how quickly, it happened. It's not just because he had a high OPS. It's that he did it across three levels, at such a young age, combined with the reports we were getting on how he was doing it. He always had really good contact skills and when we got reports of how the Red Sox worked with him on his bat speed, strength and bat path, we knew this wasn't just a guy having a good year. The proverbial light went on and he kept getting better as he moved up the ladder.
Q: Which prospects out of the 100 list that did not have a good 2024, you really like and think it can have a successful MLB career?
Mayo: I'm still bullish on Druw Jones. It's not like he had a truly bad year in 2024, with a .275/.409/.405 line in what was really his first full season. He played just 41 games in 2023, and none after signing in 2022 after being the No. 2 overall pick, so I think we have to give Andruw's kid a little slack here. There's still a lot of work to be done on his offensive impact and his swing decisions, but he'll be only 21 for all of the 2025 season. I think this is a big year for him and I expect a big step forward, assuming he can stay healthy.
Q: I feel like Coby Mayo is a top 10 prospect, and he’s being a little underrated at No. 14. Did you avoid putting him higher to avoid accusations of Mayo Bias™?
Mayo: Oooh, The Mayo Bias ... I should look into trademarking that, great idea. And yes, there would be a lot of strife at home if we didn't rank him high enough. We did have him up at No. 8 at the end of 2024, and him being at 14 was more about guys who we felt, after getting feedback from the industry (team execs), belonged ahead of him. The power is definitely legit and he's going to hit, but most think he's going to be a first baseman (despite that easily plus arm), so it's a bit of a more limited profile as a R-R first baseman, though we think he's going to hit enough for that spot.
Q: Was wondering if there were any Nationals you could potentially see jumping into the Top 100 as the season goes on? Some who might fit what you're looking for to make the list but needs to have a solid start in 2025 to justify it.
Mayo: Quick shout out to Sam Dykstra, who does our Nats' Top 30, but I'll take a stab at this. I'll pick LHP Alex Clemmey, who the Nats got from the Guardians. The stuff is very good, he just needs to improve the command piece. He's 6-foot-6 and only 19 so he has time to figure it out. We put him at the end of our Top 10 LHP prospects for a reason. If he starts finding the zone, he has Top 100 pure stuff for sure.
Q: Do Zyhir Hope and Josue De Paula have #1 prospect upside?
Mayo: In a word: Yes. Hope has such exciting tools, with an idea of what he's doing at the plate. Boy, was he exciting in the AFL showing off what he could do in all areas of the game. His five-tool potential could easily land him at the top. And De Paula has the chance to be the kind of offensive performer in the outfield where it's easy to dream on him being in the Roman Anthony, Dylan Crews, Walker Jenkins, Max Clark neck of the Top 100.
Q: Best guess on one of the prospects listed in 2026, 2027, or 2028 ETA that could make their way to the big leagues this year?
Mayo: I'll cherry-pick from the top -- Walker Jenkins could very easily take off with a healthy season and end up in Minnesota later this year. Then there are the 2024 first-round-picks at 1B -- both Jac Caglianone and Nick Kurtz could find their way to the Royals and A's in less than a full season of pro ball. In terms of 2027s... maybe I could see Kevin McGonigle's hit tool putting him on a fast track with the Tigers or maybe things really clicking for someone super-toolsy like Hope of the Dodgers (less likely). As for 2028... nope, won't go that far.
Q: What do you think the outlook is for Matt Shaw, can he be a legit 3B or is this a temporary option and he will need to be a 2B long term?
Mayo: Clearly, the Cubs think he has a chance to play third, but the jury is still out. If you watched our Top 100 show, the consensus on there was that he's better suited for second, mostly because of his arm. But he's athletic, quick and has fast hands, so I think he'll be good enough to play there for the time being. He's got such a high baseball IQ and work ethic, that he's going to put in the time to be solid enough at the big league level. With Nico Hoerner at 2B, it's Shaw's ticket to the big leagues and the offseason trade of Isaac Paredes to get Kyle Tucker made it clear to most of us that the Cubs want to give Shaw every opportunity at the hot corner.
Q: Could you talk about how you approach ranking someone like Jesus Made, who can back up his great results with plate discipline and contact quality far beyond his age and seemingly has every tool needed, but has only done it against DSL opposition so far. If he repeats it in A-ball this year, will he be the #1 prospect in baseball?
Mayo: Is this Sam Dykstra's burner account? He LOVES Made. And there's a lot to like. Yes, you don't want to put too much stock into a DSL performance because that rookie circuit is always hitter-friendly. You mention some of the underlying stuff that makes him stand out already and when you combine that with the fact the Brewers love what they've seen so far and it's talked about that Made has a better approach than Jackson Chourio did during his debut, and we all saw how that turned out. So yes, if Made does what we think he'll do in full-season ball, I could see him at, or near the top of the list in a year or two.
Q: What do you make of Harry Ford at this point? He hasn't really moved up in a lot of the prospect rankings that have come out recently.
Mayo: Sir Harry Ford is becoming a bit of an enigma, isn't he? Interesting that he started to see some time in the outfield last year as I think he has work to do on his receiving (which he is VERY committed to doing) and Cal Raleigh is in the big leagues. There are offensive traits to still love, which is why he still ranks high, but he hasn't put up the numbers to match them .... yet. Remember, he's been very young for the level, while handling catching chores. I think he could break out this year.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Q: Why is it that a Japanese player posting from the NPB and following a free agent process is allowed to be listed on a Top 100 prospects list that can directly influence the drafting of whatever team signs them? The obvious example here is the Roki Sasaki posting, signing with the Dodgers who are already a front-runner and making the Top 100 list which then makes the Dodgers eligible for a PPI pick.
It just seems like a very "have your cake, eat it, then eat the other guy's cake too" moment. Shouldn't MLB-level talent coming from an established baseball league, that follows a normal free agent process, be ineligible to be on a Top 100 Prospects list or even ineligible to be a rookie?
Mayo: This gets talked about a lot, and I get it. Since MLB instituted the international bonus pool rules, we've used them to guide us in terms of ranking guys like Sasaki who come to play here. And since Sasaki was beholden to those rules -- he was limited to what he could sign for coming over -- we rank him. Is it imperfect and somewhat arbitrary? Sure, but I think it's as good a line to draw as any. Sasaki (and Ohtani before him) get ranked, while someone like Ichiro back in the day or, more recently, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, do not get ranked because they were full-on free agents and could sign for whatever they wanted/go to the highest bidder.
Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com. Follow him on Facebook and @JonathanMayo, and listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.
Brendan Samson is a contributor to MLB.com.
"It's All About the 5s" in WooSox '25: $5 Tickets, $5 Hot Dogs, and $5 Beer Top New Promotions; WooSox Cowboy Hats, Kristian Campbell Jerseys, and 3 Bobbleheads to be Named Later Lead the Giveaways
WORCESTER, MA — “It’s all about the 5s” as the Worcester Red Sox launch season number five in WooSox ‘25. New $5 general admission tickets will accompany $5 hot dogs and $5 beer, among a host of promotions announced today. WooSox ’25 single game tickets for Opening Weekend and April
Red Sox Spring Training Truck to Visit Polar Park this Monday, February 3, for WooSox' Third Annual "Truck Day," Presented by JetBlue
WORCESTER, MA — For the third straight year, the Red Sox Spring Training equipment truck will stop at Polar Park in Worcester on its way to Lee County, Florida. On Monday, February 3, at approximately 2 p.m., WooSox mascots and fans will welcome and give a warm send-off to the
"Fun Places, Fun Spaces, Fun Food For Your Faces" Highlight Polar Park Improvements for WooSox '25
WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Red Sox today announced new amenities in and around Polar Park to enhance the fan experience in WooSox ’25. Innovations include an exclusive, climate-controlled lounge for Season Ticket Members dubbed the “Royal Wooters Club,” a future climate-temperate pavilion in right field, more ADA seating, more
Josh Thibodeau Helping Hearts Foundation and WooSox to Partner on "National Youth Heart Screening Day," Saturday, February 1, at Polar Park
WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Red Sox will team up with the Josh Thibodeau Helping Hearts Foundation on “National Youth Heart Screening Day,” Saturday, February 1, to host a free heart screening event at Polar Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids and young adults ages 12–25 can have
WooSox to Present Fourth Annual "Valentine's Dinner at Polar Park" on Valentine's Day, Friday, February 14
WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Red Sox will present the fourth annual “Valentine’s Dinner at Polar Park” on Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14. Live music begins in the DCU Club at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The elegant dinner includes one of three entree choices:
"We have the best farm system in baseball.” – High Praise and Expectations Surround Red Sox Prospects at Rookie Development Program
Local media streamed into Fenway Park’s home clubhouse on the morning of January 14. Inside were six of the Boston Red Sox’ most heralded prospects –– Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, David Sandlin, Hunter Dobbins, Carlos Narvaez, and Jhostynxon Garcia –– all participating in this year’s Rookie Development Program. “It’s a
WooSox to Present Fifth Annual Polar Park Job Fair Next Saturday, January 25
WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Red Sox will present the fifth annual Polar Park Job Fair next Saturday, January 25, from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration is not required for the event, which takes place in the WooSox Clubhouse. Candidates can enter the ballpark through Gate D on Madison Street.
Polar Park to Host Futures League All-Star Game Tuesday, July 22
WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Red Sox and the Worcester Bravehearts today announced at a joint press conference at Polar Park that the home of the WooSox will, for the first time, host the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL) All-Star Game. The summertime event, which last took place in Worcester
Red Sox & WooSox Hall of Famer Rich Gedman and WooSox outfielder Corey Rosier come aboard for three days of giving in the fourth annual WooSox Foundation Holiday Caravan
Packed in the WooSox Foundation Care-A-Van, presented by Bank of America, the WooSox Foundation launched its fourth annual Holiday Caravan last week, stopping by and delivering gifts and cheer to over 15 different charitable locations in the greater Worcester community. The three-day holiday blitz started on Wednesday, Dec.11, with the
Red Sox & WooSox Hall of Famer Rich Gedman and Outfielder Corey Rosier to Join Fourth Annual "WooSox Foundation Holiday Care-A-Van"
WORCESTER, MA — Boston Red Sox and Worcester Red Sox Hall of Famer Rich Gedman and WooSox outfielder Corey Rosier will participate in the fourth annual “WooSox Foundation Holiday Caravan,” which takes place on Wednesday through Friday this week. WooSox officials and the “Central MASScots”––Smiley Ball, Woofster the WonderDog, Roberto
4th Annual "Winter Wonderland" Features Debut of "The WooCages: Family Fun for All Ages," Brand-New Twin Batting Cages Facing Madison St.
WORCESTER, MA — Worcester Red Sox fans who attend the fourth annual “Winter Wonderland” at Polar Park can enjoy the debut of “The WooCages: Family Fun for All Ages,” brand-new twin batting cages for WooSox players and opposing hitters, located next to the WooSox Team Store on Madison Street. The
Tri-City Chili Peppers Will "Light Up" Polar Park with Black Light, Glow-in-the-Dark "Cosmic Baseball" Game on Aug. 16, 2025
WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Red Sox announced on Friday, November 1, that the Tri-City Chili Peppers will play an historic “Cosmic Baseball” game at Polar Park on August 16, 2025. The Chili Peppers, a college summer team in the Coastal Plain League, are visiting ballparks all over the country
Fan-Favorite Slugger, Triston Casas, to Join Joe Castiglione, Rich Gedman, and Tom Caron at Third Annual "WooSox Foundation Honors" Gala Dec. 7
WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Red Sox today announced that Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas will join other franchise legends, Joe Castiglione, Rich Gedman, and Tom Caron at the third annual “WooSox Foundation Honors” gala at Polar Park on Saturday, December 7. Community leaders, business leaders, and WooSox
WooSox to Honor Community Heroes at Third Annual "WooSox Foundation Honors" Gala Saturday, December 7, at Polar Park
WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Red Sox will honor community heroes in Education, Social Justice, Conquering Cancer, and Diamond Sports at their third annual “WooSox Foundation Honors” gala at Polar Park on Saturday evening, December 7, 2024. Complimentary valet parking will be offered on Washington Street near Polar Park’s Gate
“Alas, all’s well that ends.” – WooSox ‘24
The Los Angeles Dodgers were crowned 2024 World Series champions on October 30 after defeating the New York Yankees in five games. It was the Dodgers’ eighth World Series title and second in five years. Mookie Betts and Ryan Brasier––both members of the 2018 Boston Red Sox championship team––earned their
Workers Credit Union Awards Prize Package to Winner of Augmented Reality Game at Polar Park
WORCESTER, MA – Workers Credit Union is proud to announce Connie Tuliano of Holden is the winner of the Workers Reality game. She received season tickets to the 2025 Worcester Red Sox season and other amazing prizes. “I'm thrilled to be able to cheer on the WooSox all season long,”
WooSox Continue Longstanding Tradition, Send Two Youngsters from Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket to the World Series
Prior to Game 1 of the World Series, a 74-year tradition carried on at Polar Park. The Worcester Red Sox welcomed Anthony Pelliccia, 10, and Christopher Gritalva, 12, from the Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket to Polar Park on October 23 to collect their tickets to this year’s World
WooSox Foundation joins the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office in Annual Coat Drive for fourth consecutive year
For the fourth consecutive year, the WooSox Foundation joined the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office in their Annual Coat Drive, providing warm clothing to those in need. Accompanied by Smiley Ball and Woofster the WonderDog, WooSox volunteers traveled in the WooSox Foundation Care-A-Van, presented by Bank of America, to local charities
“It’s the greatest thing that ever happened” – WooSox Host Inaugural Women’s Baseball Festival at Polar Park
Jill Chelton sat down on the warning track just outside the home dugout prior to a Saturday afternoon baseball game at Polar Park. It was all so familiar––34 days had passed since the WooSox set foot on their home diamond for the final time in 2024. Chelton, who is currently
In a League of Her Own - Janet Marie Smith
Janet Marie Smith has enjoyed an illustrious career as an executive overseeing the planning, design and construction of multiple sports venues, primarily in baseball. With degrees in architecture and urban planning, Smith worked closely on five ballparks with the late Red Sox Hall of Famer and WooSox Principal Owner and
"Come One, Come All, If You Want to Play Ball": A Celebration of Women Who Love and Play Baseball
WORCESTER, MA — Women who love and play baseball can bring their bats and gloves to the field at Polar Park on Saturday, October 19, for an inaugural baseball festival dubbed, “Come One, Come All, If You Want to Play Ball!” The October Baseball event begins when the Boston Red
Kristian Campbell Named Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year for 2024
When the 2024 season began, Kristian Campbell was not regarded as one of baseball’s top prospects. Since, he has ascended prospect lists and is now considered an important piece of the Boston Red Sox’ future. The Red Sox’ No. 3 and the sport’s No. 25 prospect according to Baseball America
WooSox Foundation Embarks on 2024 “Thank You Care-A-Van"
Only a day after the Worcester Red Sox concluded the 2024 baseball season, the WooSox Foundation embarked on its fourth annual “Thank You Care-A-Van" on Monday, September 23. A symbol of its philanthropic mission, the WooSox Foundation Care-A-Van, presented by Bank of America, has been the mode of transportation for
WooSox Drop 2024 Season Finale to IronPigs, 7-4
ALLENTOWN, PA –– Bobby Dalbec recorded three hits and Tyler McDonough drove in three runs, but Darick Hall’s walk-off grand slam handed the Worcester Red Sox (44-31)/(79-71) a 7-4 loss to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (34-39)/(68-78) in the 2024 season finale. Ending the year with 79 wins, the WooSox notched
WooSox Hold Off Late IronPigs Rally to Win, 4-3
ALLENTOWN, PA –– Yohan Ramirez worked around a bases loaded jam in the ninth inning to secure a six-out save and give the Worcester Red Sox (44-30)/(79-70) a 4-3 victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (33-39)/(67-78) in the penultimate game of the 2024 season on Saturday in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Entering