These are the best tools on the new Top 100 Prospects list
Players featured on last year’s edition of the best tools among Top 100 prospects should look familiar to even casual baseball fans at this point. Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes (best fastball, slider) took the Major Leagues by storm as the NL Rookie of the Year, thanks to his hard-throwing ways
Players featured on last year’s edition of the best tools among Top 100 prospects should look familiar to even casual baseball fans at this point.
Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes (best fastball, slider) took the Major Leagues by storm as the NL Rookie of the Year, thanks to his hard-throwing ways and elite pitch mix. Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (best power) posted a 116.3 mph max exit velocity that topped the rookie leaderboards. Cubs youngster Pete Crow-Armstrong (best defender) was worth 14 Outs Above Average in his first full MLB campaign, tied for fifth-best among MLB center fielders, and when you incorporate his arm talent, his +16 Fielding Run Value runs were third-best among all position players. Speaking of arms, Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (strongest arm) registered the hardest throw from an MLB shortstop in 2024 (101.2 mph) and accounted for six of the 15 hardest overall at the position.
Sure, Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday (best hitter) served as a reminder that not all skills translate to the bigs immediately, especially when it comes to hitting -- that hardest feat in all of the major sports. But the adage remains true -- have tools, will travel.
These are the best tools on the 2025 Top 100, rated on the traditional 20-80 scouting scale in which 50 is considered average:
Best hitter: Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics (70)
Wilson is the closest player to Luis Arráez on this year’s preseason list as a hitter with extremely good contact rates, incredible hand-eye coordination and a willingness to put the ball in play above all else. The 2023 sixth overall pick whiffed on only 9 percent of his swings across all levels in his first full season, and he was one of only five Major Leaguers to post a strikeout rate below 10 percent over a sample of 100 plate appearances or more. Like Arráez, Wilson expands the zone too much at times in search of that contact and could use more impact to help those hits pack punches. But the former Grand Canyon star -- a .361 hitter in college and .401 hitter in the Minors -- reached the A’s MLB roster so quickly for a reason.
Other 70-grade hit tool: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians
Most power: Jac Caglianone, 1B, Royals (70)
Caglianone’s power was legendary during his run at the University of Florida. He clubbed 68 homers between his sophomore and junior years in 2023 and 2024, and it isn’t very difficult to see why. The left-handed slugger stands in the box at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds and has the strength to muscle the ball to every part of the field. (He registered 110+ mph exit velocities seven times in an Arizona Fall League run.) He knows it too, which is why he expanded the zone a bit too much in college, and lowering that chase rate will be key to getting the pop to play on the pro side. Kansas City will keep Caglianone’s focus on hitting in 2025 after he played both ways as a Gator, and that could enble him to muscle his way to the bigs in short order.
Other 70-grade power tools: Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Rockies; Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants; Xavier Isaac, 1B, Rays; Coby Mayo, 3B/1B, Orioles
Fastest runner: Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies (75)
The 17th overall pick in 2022, Crawford was known for his wheels coming out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, and he’s hit the ground running through two full seasons of pro ball. He swiped 47 bags in 2023 and added 42 more thefts last year as he reached Double-A Reading. His 89 steals rank 17th in the Minor Leagues in that span, and no one else in the Top 100 has more than 66.
Strongest arm and best defender: Carson Williams, SS, Rays (70 for both)
Tampa Bay’s top prospect routinely comes up in conversations as one of the best defenders in all of the Minors, and both his glovework and arm strength are parts of that discussion. An above-average runner with good instincts, Williams can get to most balls hit his way on the dirt, and he has the steady hands to see the ball into the glove. Once there, his plus-plus arm strength doesn’t just mean he fires rockets; he also earns plaudits for his accuracy. The best defenders make both highlight-reel plays and consistent mundane ones too (or in some cases, make highlight-reel plays look mundane), and Williams fits the description. It’s what gives him such a high floor entering his age-22 season and potential MLB debut.
Other 70-grade arm tools: Max Clark, OF, Tigers; Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Pirates; Coby Mayo, 3B/1B, Orioles; Braden Montgomery, OF, White Sox; Bryce Rainer, SS, Tigers; Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B, Rangers
Fastball: Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers (80)
Touching triple digits will always arch a few eyebrows, but it isn’t velocity alone that earns Misiorowski the nod here. The 6-foot-7 right-hander gets elite extension to shorten the distance between his release and the batter, giving them even less time to react, and his three-quarters release is on the low side, giving him a flat approach angle that enables the heater to buzz over bats. Opposing batters hit just .212 off Misiorowski’s heater at Double-A and Triple-A in 2024, and their whiff rate on the pitch was 31 percent; Major League average was .247 and 22 percent last season.
Curveball: Misiorowski (70)
As if that fastball wasn’t enough, Misiorowski’s curveball is another devastating pitch -- a mid-80s two-plane snapper with bite. The 22-year-old didn’t allow a hit off his curve in 14 Triple-A appearances and elicited whiffs on 41 percent of swings against the pitch at the Minors’ top level. The fastball, curve and hard slider give the Milwaukee righty an imposing arsenal, but concerns about overall command and control continue to follow him. Even so, the mix could be special enough to make Misiorowski an elite closer as early as this summer.
Slider: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Rangers (70)
It’s called a “death ball” for a reason. After Tommy John surgery slowed him early in his career, Rocker got to unleash his killer breaking pitch for good in the upper Minors and eventually the Major Leagues last year. It’s a mid-80s offering that has gyro action and appears at times to drop straight down, rather than have some of the gloveside movement you’d expect from a traditional slider or sweeper. That shape befuddles hitters completely; the slider had a 66 percent swing-and-miss rate in Double-A, Triple-A and the Majors last year.
Other 70-grade sliders: Chase Burns, RHP, Reds; Cade Horton, RHP, Cubs; Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers; Noah Schultz, LHP, White Sox
Changeup: Tink Hence, RHP, Cardinals (70)
Some of the best changeups look like fastballs … until it’s too late. That’s exactly what happens with Hence’s 82-84 mph circle change -- a pitch that comes in with similar arm angle and intent as his 92-96 mph fastball, only to hit the brakes as it approaches the plate. Texas League batters could barely touch Hence’s cambio in 2024; the pitch had a 73 percent whiff rate overall and 63 percent whiff rate in the zone. Even when it was over the plate, there was little they could do.
Splitter: Roki Sasaki, RHP, Dodgers (80)
Sasaki’s triple-digit fastball will garner plenty of fan intrigue as he moves stateside, especially if he can get his velo to bounce back after a slight dip in 2024, but the real seamheads will pay attention to his 88-90 mph splitter. The offering has wowed evaluators on both sides of the Pacific because it comes in hard for such an offspeed offering and often drops straight down, eschewing the armside movement typically associated with splitters and changeups. It garnered a 57.1 percent whiff rate in NPB last year; only Reds hurler Fernando Cruz (59.3 percent) had a better rate of swing-and-miss in the Majors in ‘24.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Cutter: Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers (60)
Jobe’s high-spin slider has enamored scouts since his amateur days, but the 2021 third overall pick added a bridge cutter in late 2022, trying to find something between his fastball and the sweep of his slider. The cutter was the Tigers righty’s most-used secondary pitch during his brief MLB run, illustrating his confidence in the offering, especially when it comes to needing to locate a pitch. Righties expecting to see a breaker head toward the opposing batter’s box can get surprised when a cutter just catches the outside edge.
Control: Rhett Lowder, RHP, Reds (65)
Lowder (34.1 percent) received the most votes for Best Pitchability in MLB Pipeline’s Executive Prospect Poll. The 2023 seventh overall pick walked only 5.4 percent of his batters faced in 108 2/3 innings across three Minor League levels in his first full season, and while he wasn’t as consistent with limiting walks during his six Major League starts, his history of improvement over time should help him iron that out. The ability to pump strikes and work on the fine edges of the zone could keep Lowder in Cincinnati’s rotation for a long time.
Other 65-grade control: Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies
Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB.
Boise Hawks 2022 Seasonal Job Fair Announced
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks have announced the date of their annual seasonal job fair for the 2022 season on Saturday, April 23rd from 10 AM to 1 PM at Memorial Stadium. The Hawks are in search of dedicated and reliable personnel to join their game day staff for the
Boise Hawks Announce Sports Career Academy
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks, the Pioneer Baseball League Southern Division Champions, have announced they are taking resumes for their new Boise Hawks Sports Career Academy. The Boise Hawks Sports Career Academy gives Treasure Valley college students a first-hand look into the world of sports and entertainment sales and service.
Hawks Release New Hospitality Options for 2022
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks, the Pioneer Baseball League Southern Division Champions, have released their new hospitality options at Memorial Stadium for the 2022 season. Groups now can choose from two hospitality options, based on time of food service and each with unique offerings. “Our goal is the give the
Hawks Announce Annual Winter Glove Drive
Hawks Announce Annual Winter Glove Drive Donate a pair of winter gloves and receive a complimentary ticket to Opening Night BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks, the Pioneer Baseball League Southern Division Champions, have announced their annual Winter Glove Drive. For each new pair of winter gloves donated, fans will receive
PBL Announces Postseason Award Winners
All Star Team, Award Winners and Stats Champs Announced At its Annual Meetings in Las Vegas, NV, the Pioneer Baseball League (“PBL”) today announced its 2021 All Star Team, Postseason Award Winners and Statistics Champions. Zac Almond, catcher for the PBL champion Missoula PaddleHeads was named the league’s Most Valuable
2022 Hawks Schedule Release
The Boise Hawks, 2021 Pioneer Baseball League Southern Division Champions, have announced their 2022 game schedule. The 2022 campaign begins on the road, in Idaho Falls, on Wednesday, May 25. Opening Night at Memorial Stadium will take place on Saturday, May 28 against the Idaho Fall Chukars. The final game
BallparktoberFest Postponed
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks announced this morning that they have postponed BallparktoberFest, their annual beer tasting event at Memorial Stadium, until the Spring of 2022. “With TreeFort, AleFort, and various similarly themed events going on throughout the state, we unfortunately had to postpone BallparktoberFest until the spring. With all
From the Desk of Mike Van Hise
It’s taken a few days for me to come down from the excitement (and anxiety, lots of anxiety) of the Championship Series and I can’t help but take some time to share with you our thoughts on the 2021 season. For the first time, we were able to showcase home
PBL Championship Game Three: Boise bested in season finale
Boise, ID - In the final game of the PBL Championship, the Boise Hawks (1-2) had their season end in disappointing fashion, falling 14-1 at the hands of the Missoula PaddleHeads (2-1) on Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. It was a bad start for Boise, who allowed a two-run homer
PBL Championship Game Two: Hawks leave it late to force decisive Game Three
Boise, ID - Game Two of the PBL Championship Series was a story that matched much of the Boise Hawks (1-1) season as they completed a late comeback to take down the Missoula PaddleHeads (1-1) by a final score of 5-4 on Wednesday night at Memorial Stadium. Falling behind early
PBL Championship Game Two and Three Ticket Links
Tickets for the PBL Championship Series can be purchased from the following links, or by calling the front office at (208)-322-5000 or in person at the Gutterdone Box Office at Memorial Stadium. GAME 2 🎟: https://bit.ly/2YLssxL GAME 3 🎟: https://bit.ly/38W3w8m
PBL Championship Game One: Hits hard to come by for Hawks in loss
Missoula, MT - A lack of offense led to a Boise Hawks (0-1) defeat at the hands of the Missoula PaddleHeads (1-0) in Game One of the Pioneer Baseball League Championship Series by a final score of 8-2 on Monday night at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field. Missoula crossed the
PBL Championship Series Preview
Missoula, MT - In their very first season in the Pioneer League, the Boise Hawks have earned the right to play for the PBL Championship in a best of three series against the Missoula PaddleHeads. Both teams took vastly different routes to reach the championship series, with Missoula winning both
Southern Division Championship: Boise takes down Ogden in 12 innings, advances to PBL Championship Series
Ogden, UT - In the only extra innings game played in the Pioneer Baseball League this season, the Boise Hawks walked away as the PBL Southern Division Champions, winning 8-7 over the Ogden Raptors in 12 innings at Lindquist Field on Saturday night. Things started very poorly for the Hawks,
Boise Hawks, ITD Partner for Hawks Postseason
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks are excited to announce the Idaho Transportation Department will be the Presenting Partner of the 2021 Boise Hawks Post-Season. The Hawks return to the post-season for the first time in 7 years. “We’re really proud to partner with the Hawks and congratulate them on a
Game 95: Boise picks up division clinching victory on the strength of five home runs
Ogden, UT - Falling behind after six, a comeback in the final three innings would allow the Boise Hawks (28-19) to walk away from Lindquist Field as the PBL South Second Half Division Champions thanks to a 9-7 victory over the Ogden Raptors (25-22) on Thursday night. Ogden started the
Game 94: Boise struggles to score in series opener
Ogden, UT - A slow night for offense saw the Boise Hawks (27-19) come up short in a 6-2 ballgame against the Ogden Raptors (25-21) on Wednesday night at Lindquist Field. Runs wouldn’t end up on the scoreboard until the bottom of the fourth inning, in large part thanks to
Game 93: Boise breaks playoff drought with overpowering victory
Boise, ID - In their final regular season game at home in 2021 the Boise Hawks (27-18) not only defeated the Grand Junction Rockies (24-21) but also clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2014 thanks to a 7-3 victory on Monday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Jason Dicochea
Game 92: Hawks can't hold early lead
Boise, ID - An early lead wouldn’t be enough for the Boise Hawks (26-18) who saw the Grand Junction Rockies (24-20) come back in the middle innings during an 8-6 defeat on Sunday night at Memorial Stadium. Like Friday night, it was Alejandro Rivero who gave Boise an early lead,
Game 91: Vancena puts Boise on verge of clinching second half crown
Boise, ID - After Matt Dallas shined on Friday, the Boise Hawks (26-17) got another marvelous pitching performance from their starter, guiding them to a 13-6 win over the Grand Junction Rockies (23-20) on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. Offensively it was all Boise in the early and middle innings,
Game 90: Brilliant Dallas pitches Boise to 5-1 victory
Boise, ID - In a night dominated by pitching, it was the Boise Hawks (25-17) who found a way to put runs on the board, winning 5-1 over the Grand Junction Rockies (23-19) on Friday night at Memorial Stadium. Matt Dallas set the tone early, by striking out the side
Game 89: Boise can't hold back Grand Junction
Boise, ID - Thirteen unanswered runs would sink the Boise Hawks (24-17) in a 16-4 loss to the Grand Junction Rockies (23-18) on Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. It took until the third inning for either side to score, with the Rockies firing the opening salvo and plating three in
Game 88: Hawks steal series opener in a Knock Out
Boise, ID - A ninth inning comeback, and a Knock Out round victory padded the Boise Hawks (24-16) lead in the second half over the Grand Junction Rockies (22-18) thanks to a 5-4 victory on Wednesday night at Memorial Stadium. Most of the night was controlled by the men on
Game 87: Offensive onslaught sends Hawks home happy
Idaho Falls, ID - The Boise Hawks (23-16) unloaded an offensive barrage on the Idaho Falls Chukars (20-19) on their way to a 15-6 victory on Sunday night at Melaleuca Field. Hits came early and often for Boise, who got three knocks in the second inning, but ended up stranding
Game 86: Boise gives up early runs in defeat
Idaho Falls, ID - Trying to play catch-up all evening long would not be successful for the Boise Hawks (22-16) in a 14-5 loss to the Idaho Falls Chukars (20-18) on Saturday night at Melaleuca Field. Boise would fall behind 1-0 just two batters into the contest, and end up