Here are the Top 10 LHP 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.com has produced top 10
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.com has produced top 10 prospects rankings by position dating back to 2011, so we're up to 120 lists over 15 years now. Just twice has the same team featured the two best prospects at the same position in the same year.
Mariners outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodríguez were the first duo to accomplish the feat in 2021. Now White Sox left-handers Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith join them four years later. Chicago turned its last three southpaw first-rounders -- Chris Sale (2010), Carlos Rodón (2014), Garrett Crochet (2020) -- into All-Stars, and Schultz (2022) and Smith (2024) look to be on the same path.
For the fourth straight year, high schoolers outnumber collegians on the Top 10 Left-handed Pitching Prospects list. Schultz, Jackson Ferris (Cubs, second round, traded to the Dodgers) and Robby Snelling (Padres, supplemental first round, dealt to the Marlins) were all part of the 2022 prep class. The other high school arms are Thomas White (Marlins, supplemental first) and Alex Clemmey (Guardians, second, shipped to the Nationals) from 2023 and Cam Caminiti (Braves, first) from last year.
The three Top 10 lefties traded almost match the total of four from the other seven positions. Ferris was part of the Michael Busch/Yency Almonte deal last January, while Clemmey moved in the Lane Thomas swap and Snelling changed addresses in the Tanner Scott/Bryan Hoeing exchange at the Trade Deadline last July.
The Top 10 (ETA)
1. Noah Schultz, White Sox (2025)
2. Hagen Smith, White Sox (2026)
3. Thomas White, Marlins (2026)
4. Quinn Mathews, Cardinals (2025)
5. Jackson Ferris, Dodgers (2026)
6. Cam Caminiti, Braves (2028)
7. Justin Wrobleski, Dodgers (2025)
8. Carson Whisenhunt, Giants (2025)
9. Alex Clemmey, Nationals (2027)
10. Robby Snelling, Marlins (2025)
Complete list »
Top Tools
Fastball: Smith (65)
Smith set an NCAA Division I record for strikeout rate (17.3 per nine innings) and also led the nation in average-against (.144) in 2024, thanks in large part to his fastball. He topped all college starters in heater overall (42 percent) and in-zone (39 percent) swing-and-miss rate, operating at 94-97 mph and touching 100 with his funky delivery and low release height creating plenty of deception and carry.
Curveball: Ferris (55)
Ferris still has the same solid upper-70s curveball that was his main breaking pitch in high school, though it wasn't quite as effective last year when he focused more on refining his slider. The Cubs originally taught him a low-80s sweeper before the Dodgers had him scrap it in favor of a tighter mid-80s slide piece.
Slider: Schultz (70)
Using his 6-foot-9 frame and low three-quarters arm slot, Schultz produces exceptional horizontal action on a wipeout breaking ball that continues to gain velocity and now sits in the low 80s and peaks at 88 mph. Double-A hitters batted .152 with 42 strikeouts in 102 plate appearances against his slider.
Changeup: Whisenhunt (70)
Though Whisenhunt struggled with the smaller strike zone and smaller ballparks in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League last year, his changeup continued to shine. He sells his tumbling 78-81 mph cambio with fastball arm speed and can manipulate its depth and shape, resulting in outlandish chase (49 percent) and swing-and-miss (47 percent) rates.
Control: Mathews, Schultz, Wrobleski (55)
Schultz has solid control, which is pretty amazing considering his size and youth, and sports a 153/30 K/BB ratio in 115 1/3 innings over two pro seasons. Mathews and Wrobleski are similar strike-throwers with deeper arsenals but not the same high-end stuff.
Superlatives
Highest ceiling: Schultz
Because of his build, arm slot and slider, Schultz has drawn comparisons to Randy Johnson since high school -- and he's a much more polished pitcher at the same stage of development. He won Double-A Southern League pitcher of the year accolades at age 20 and has posted a 2.03 ERA, .191 average-against and a 33 percent strikeout rate as a pro.
Highest floor: Schultz
Schultz has the best arsenal and control, and his command is as good as anyone on this list. His slider alone could make him a late-inning reliever.
Rookie of the Year candidate: Whisenhunt
Most of these lefties won't get much runway in the Majors this year. The two who figure to get the most opportunity are Whisenhunt, who finished second in the PCL with 135 strikeouts in 109 2/3 innings, and Mathews, who topped the Minors with 202 whiffs in 143 1/3 frames. Whisenhunt has the benefit of much more Triple-A experience and a shakier big league rotation in front of him, so he gets the nod.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Highest riser: Mathews
A 2023 fourth-round pick out of Stanford who garnered much attention for his 156-pitch, 16-strikeout victory over Texas in the NCAA Super Regionals that June, Mathews ranked just 22nd on our Cardinals Top 30 entering his first full pro season. Now he's one of the best lefty prospects in baseball after rocketing to Triple-A and becoming the second Minor Leaguer in the past decade to reach 200 strikeouts in a season. He added about 3 mph to his now-mid-90s fastball and about 4 mph to his now-mid-80s slider, showing the ability to miss bats with both pitches as well as his plus low-80s changeup.
Humblest beginning: Wrobleski
Wrobleski blew out his elbow in 2021 at Oklahoma State, his third college in three years, and had Tommy John surgery two months before the Draft. The Dodgers signed him for a slightly above-slot $197,500 in the 11th round, nursed him back to health and saw his lively fastball jump from 90-93 mph with the Cowboys to 94-96 with a peak of 99. He mixes five pitches and provides plenty of strikes, giving him a high floor to go with a tantalizing ceiling.
Most to prove: Snelling
In 2023, Snelling posted a 1.82 ERA and a 28 percent strikeout rate while reaching Double-A as a 19-year-old in his first pro season. Last year, his fastball and slurve lost velocity and effectiveness as he got pounded for a 6.01 ERA before the Padres traded him to the Marlins. He bounced back somewhat after the deal, but which Snelling will show up in 2025?
Keep an eye on: Kash Mayfield, Padres
The 25th overall pick last July, Mayfield has a fastball that reaches 97 mph with run and carry and already possesses an advanced changeup in the low 80s that plummets at the plate. The Oklahoma high school product also has an upper-70s curveball that he commands well but needs better power and shape. He creates good extension in his delivery and provides plenty of strikes.
Jim Callis is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him @jimcallisMLB and @jimcallis.bsky.social. Listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.
Clearwater Threshers Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
With the minor league season on the horizon, the Philadelphia Phillies have announced the 2025 Field Staff for the Clearwater Threshers. The reigning FSL West First Half Champions return three members of their 2024 coaching staff, including manager Marty Malloy for his fifth year at the helm. Pitching coach Tyler
Threshers Release 2025 Game Schedule
CLEARWATER, FL. - The Clearwater Threshers, proud Single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and back-to-back Florida State League West Division First-Half Champions, have announced their 2025 schedule with game times. The quest for a third-straight playoff spot begins on the night of Tuesday, April 8th, and concludes with a noon
Threshers Announce 2025 Promotional Calendar
The Clearwater Threshers have announced the full promotional schedule for the 2025 Florida State League season. This summer at BayCare Ballpark is full of fireworks, giveaways, concerts, theme nights, and Beach Dogs. Buy Threshers Tickets Fans can look forward to the return of Dollar Tuesday presented by Top Notch Pest
Job Fairs for 2025 Phillies Spring and Threshers Summer Seasons
Philadelphia Phillies Florida Operations is holding multiple Food and Beverage job fairs in January to hire reliable, positive, seasonal gameday staff for the 2025 Phillies Spring Training and Threshers summer seasons. Food and Beverage positions to be filled include stand lead, cook, warehouse runner, cashiers, food runner, and suites runner.
Threshers Anthony wins 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards for defensive excellence have been announced by Minor League Baseball and Rawlings Sporting Goods Company and Threshers infielder Keaton Anthony was named the recipient for the first-base position. From the MiLB news release: "Phillies first baseman Keaton Anthony recorded 593 total
Trio of Threshers Named Florida State League All-Stars
Three members of the Clearwater Threshers earned a nomination to the Florida State League All-Stars. Infielder Devin Saltiban, Outfielder Jordan Viars, and Right-Handed Pitcher George Klassen were the Three who earned a spot on the All-Star Team. All three were on the Thresher's Opening Day roster, with Saltiban remaining a
Threshers Knocked out of Playoffs in 6-1 Defeat
WP: Gabriel Reyes (1-0, 1.50) LP: Titan Hayes (0-1, 81.00) BOX SCORE CLEARWATER, FL – Carson DeMartini gave the Clearwater Threshers (64-63, 0-2) lead in the fourth, but the Lakeland Flying Tigers (80-50, 2-0) scored the final six runs to take a 6-1 win and knock the Threshers out of
Pitcher’s Duel Sends Threshers Home with Loss
WP: Rayner Castillo (1-0, 1.50) LP: Reese Dutton (0-1, 0.00) SV: Micah Ashman (1) BOX SCORE LAKELAND, FL – Three pitchers from the Clearwater Threshers (64-63, 0-1) combined to allow three hits, but the Lakeland Flying Tigers (80-50, 1-0) allowed one as they took down the Threshers 2-1 in game
Owusu-Asiedu Ends Regular Season with Walkoff Home Run
WP: Josh Bortka (4-2, 5.90) LP: Joseph Yabbour (1-1, BS (1), 8.24) BOX SCORE CLEARWATER, FL – Entering the tenth inning down a run, the Clearwater Threshers (64-63, 21-40) scored four runs, including a walkoff home run by Avery Owusu-Asiedu, in the bottom of the tenth to earn a 10-7
Threshers Get Two Hits in Shutout Loss
WP: Dylan Ross (1-0, 0.00) LP: A.J. Wilson (0-1, 3.86) SV: Christian Rodriguez (1) BOX SCORE CLEARWATER, FL – Two hits from Carson DeMartini provide all the offense for the Clearwater Threshers (63-63, 20-40) as they fall 6-0 in a shutout loss to the St. Lucie Mets (45-83, 23-39) on
DeMartini Delivers Game-Tying RBI, Seals Win on Defense
WP: Juan Amarante (2-4, 6.51) LP: Wellington Aracena (1-2, 9.45) SV: Kleyderve Andrade (2) BOX SCORE CLEARWATER, FL – After tying the game in the seventh on a bases-loaded walk, Carson DeMartini delivered a cutoff throw home to stop the would-be tying run and seal a 3-2 win for the
Saltiban Smacks Home Run to Spur Threshers Victory
WP: Danyony Pulido (2-1, 2.94) LP: Hunter Hodges (0-1, 54.00) SV: Titan Hayes (1) BOX SCORE CLEARWATER, FL – Devin Saltiban knocked a homer and a double in his first two at-bats, scoring three runs for the Clearwater Threshers (62-62, 19-39) in a 6-5 victory over the St. Lucie Mets
Heavy Rain and Lightning Stalls Game in Seventh
WP: Will Watson (1-0, 3.38) LP: Sam Highfill (0-1, 6.43) SV: Frank Elissalt (1) BOX SCORE CLEARWATER, FL – Despite a game-tying home run by Avery Owusu-Asiedu, the Clearwater Threshers (61-62, 18-39) fell 4-3 in seven innings to the St. Lucie Mets (44-81, 22-37) on Wednesday evening at BayCare Ballpark.
Threshers Suspended in Second Due to Heavy Rain
After one out was recorded in the top of the second inning, Tuesday’s game between the Clearwater Threshers and St. Lucie Mets was suspended due to heavy rain. The game will be made up in a doubleheader on Wednesday, September 4th, at BayCare Ballpark. Tickets from Tuesday's game may be
Late Rain Cancels Sunday Game
FORT MYERS, FL – Sunday’s game between the Clearwater Threshers and Fort Myers Mighty Mussels has been canceled due to rain and lightning in the area. Rain began during the national anthem and steadily continued, forcing the cancellation of a second game of this series. The Threshers took the final
Threshers Sweep Twin Bill by Combined Seven Runs
GAME ONE: WP: Angel Liranzo (1-0, 3.86) LP: Jose Olivares (2-2, 2.93) FORT MYERS, FL – With runs produced by Raider Tello and Carson DeMartini in both games of the doubleheader, the Clearwater Threshers (61-61, 18-38) swept the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (64-55, 33-21) in both games of a twin
Friday’s Game Suspended in Second Inning
FORT MYERS, FL – After a 15-minute delay at the start of the evening, the game went into a lightning delay after the first hit and out of the bottom of the bottom second inning, with the game locked in a scoreless tie. After a two-hour delay, the game was
Thursday’s Game Postponed Due to Unplayable Grounds
FORT MYERS, FL – With heavy rains for much of the afternoon affecting the grounds on the field Thursday’s game between the Clearwater Threshers and Fort Myers Mighty Mussels has been suspended due to unplayable field conditions at Hammond Stadium. The game will be made up on Friday, August 30
Eduardo Tait Named FCL All-Star
Called up in the final week of the Florida Complex League season, Phillies catching prospect Eduardo Tait was named to the FCL All-Star team for his performance with the FCL Phillies in 2024. The then 17-year-old All-Star catcher led the FCL with 49 RBIs and finished top five in multiple