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.
River Riders get swept on walk off from Johnson City
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Elizabethton River Riders dropped their second game in a row on Wednesday against the Johnson City Doughboys by a final score of 14-11. The Doughboys struck first in the first when Cody Miller scored on a throwing error after stealing third base. Elizabethton tied the
Kerry Herndon-Brown, Connar Penrod earn Appalachian League opening week honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Elizabethton’s Kerry Herndon-Brown and Greeneville’s Connar Penrod were named Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for the period of June 6 to June 11. Herndon-Brown, 18, earned Hitter of the Week honors for the first week of the Appalachian League
River Riders take Game 2 from State Liners to close strong homestand
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - The River Riders took care of business on Sunday against the State Liners with a 6-3 victory, climbing back into a tie for first place in the Appalachian League West with Bristol. The runs were plentiful in the first inning, as both squads put up a two
River Riders slug their way past Axmen in Opening Day victory
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – Three different River Riders hit home runs Tuesday night as Elizabethton defeated the Kingsport Axmen, 9-7. The Axmen got the scoring started in the top half of the first when Payton Allen came home on a sacrifice fly by Corbin Shaw. However, Elizabethton came back in a
River Riders announce 2023 roster
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - The Elizabethton River Riders have named their 32-man roster for the 2023 Appalachian League season. The roster is composed of 17 pitchers and 15 position players, all college students from across the nation. “Our community is in store for an action-packed summer of baseball,” River Riders manager
Elizabethton River Riders announce 2023 coaching staff
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - The River Riders announce their 2023 coaching staff joining manager Jeremy Owens this season in Elizabethton. Leading the team this season includes hitting coach Andy Tomberlin, pitching coach John Chalupa and athletic trainer Kody Eckert. “The River Riders are fortunate to have returning hitting and pitching coaches
Appalachian League's 2023 managers set to take the helm
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Over the last several weeks, Appalachian League teams have announced their managers for the 2023 season. That group includes four brand-new faces with more than 150 years of combined experience in professional baseball. Former big league manager John McLaren, along with Dennis Cook, Bill Kinneberg and
Appalachian League participates in MLK Day of Service
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian League executives participated in the 28th annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2023, volunteering in nine communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Tabbed as a “day on, not a day off” to celebrate the life and legacy of the Civil
Appalachian League celebrates 2022 charitable contributions
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the league’s charitable outreach grew to more than $3.4 million of gift-in-kind and monetary donations this year. Additionally, the league and its clubs volunteered more than 11,000 hours of community service. The league’s reach impacts the towns and cities their 10
Elizabethton River Riders unveil 2023 season schedule
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - The Elizabethton River Riders announced their 2023 baseball schedule. The River Riders will host their first home game June 6 against the Kingsport Axmen. The 2023 Appalachian League season begins June 6 and runs through July 31. The River Riders will celebrate Independence Day at Northeast Community
Appy League adds Justin Morgenstern as director of player personnel
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Morgenstern as the new director of player personnel. Morgenstern joins the Appalachian League from the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was an area scout since 2016. Morgenstern spent his first three years with the organization covering
Elizabethton River Riders announce Kiva Fuller as general manager
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - Boyd Sports, LLC announces Kiva Fuller as the general manager of the Elizabethton River Riders, effective Oct. 3. Kiva joins the River Riders coming from the Johnson City Doughboys as the general manager for the past two seasons, earning the Appalachian League Patriot Award and Promotional Award.
Appalachian League announces Humanitarian of the Year nominees
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 10 nominees for its 2022 Humanitarian of the Year award. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season through
2022 All-Appalachian League Team announced
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 2022 All-Appalachian League Team. The honorees were nominated and voted on by the league’s managers. The All-Appalachian League Team is highlighted by Bluefield’s Jackson Feltner, who was named Player of the Year, and Burlington’s Mason Ruh, who earned Pitcher of the
River Riders come from behind to defeat Pulaski
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – An early lead by the Pulaski River Turtles was not enough Friday night in Elizabethton, as the River Riders came back from a two-run deficit with a four-run seventh inning to beat Pulaski 8-4. The River Turtles got on the board first with a sacrifice fly in
River Riders split doubleheader against Bristol
BRISTOL, Va. - The Elizabethton River Riders split a seven-inning doubleheader Wednesday night against the Bristol State Liners. They won the first game, 11-3, but dropped Game 2, 7-2, to Bristol. Bristol struck early in Game 1, with three first-inning runs, but the Blue and Yellow hit back. Carlo Zorola
Greeneville downs Elizabethton, 7-2
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - Following a week in which the Elizabethton River Riders played just one game, they fell, 7-2, to the Greeneville Flyboys on Monday night at NCCU Ballpark. Greeneville pounded out 10 hits on the night, including seven combined hits from Myles Smith and Cameron LaLiberte to push the
River Riders, Ridge Runners canceled due to rain
BLUEFIELD, W.V. - The Elizabethton River Riders and Bluefield Ridge Runners will not play this week due to rainouts on both July 27 and July 28, with the games not being made up due to no other availability for a makeup game. The River Riders (21-23) are still looking to
Johnson Jr. hits walk-off single, East tops West at 2022 Appy League All-Star Game
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The East defeated the West, 6-5, at the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance on Tuesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After Greeneville's Brock Daniels (Missouri) hit a game-tying two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, Danville's RJ Johnson Jr
Basler's walk-off helps Elizabethton down Burlington, 6-5
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - Down 4-0 in the fourth inning, the Elizabethton River Riders battled all the way to the end and earned a 6-5 victory over the Burlington Sock Puppets on Saturday night thanks to a walk-off single by Peyton Basler. One night after a four-hour-plus win over Pulaski, the
River Rider bats explode, score 22 in win over Pulaski
22-16. No, that is not a football score. The Elizabethton River Riders won a wild, high-octane offensive affair at Calfee Park in Pulaski over the River Turtles, 22-16, on Friday night. It was a night in which Elizabethton managed to get 31 runners on base and have multiple players with
River Riders can’t complete comeback, drop game to Pulaski
PULASKI, Va. - The Elizabethton River Riders fell into a 5-0 hole after two innings Thursday night against Pulaski, and despite clawing all the way back to lead in the sixth inning, they couldn’t hold on as the Blue and Yellow fell to the River Turtles, 8-7. Elizabethton was behind
Early deficit dooms River Riders as Axmen sweep
KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Nothing seemingly went right on Wednesday night for the Elizabethton River Riders, as they were swept in a critical two-game series by the Kingsport Axmen, 10-3, on Wednesday night. The Axmen were off and running early, scoring three runs in the first with the help of a
Elizabethton River Riders announce Appalachian League All-Star selections
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – The Appalachian League has announced its rosters for the second annual All-Star Game taking place on Tuesday, July 26 at Burlington Athletic Stadium in Burlington, N.C. The game is presented by Visit Alamance, and will feature 44 of the league’s top players. Selections were made by the