Meet the Nationwide Road to the Show Ambassadors

This season Minor League Baseball introduces a new content series, "The Road to the Show™, Presented by Nationwide,” which will follow five of MiLB’s top prospects during the 2020 season. The series will give baseball fans a behind-the-scenes look at the prospects, learn who they are on and off the field, and highlight their journey to fulfill their dream of reaching the big leagues. Learn more about the Road to the Show Ambassadors:

SS CJ Abrams (Padres)

The sixth overall pick in last year's Draft, the then 18-year-old Abrams hit the ground running by batting .401/.442/.662 in his first 32 professional games and winning the MVP award in the Arizona Rookie League. Abrams possesses game-changing 80-grade speed and, combined with an above-average hit tool and the potential for at least average power, looks to be a star in the making. Now rated as baseball's no. 25 prospect, the Georgia native will likely return to Class A Fort Wayne, where he got a brief cameo in 2019, when play resumes, but is poised to rise quickly.

Toolshed dream lineup: The teenagers
Padres' Abrams leads AZL All-Stars
Padres promote Abrams to Fort Wayne

OF Jarred Kelenic (Mariners)

Taken sixth overall by the Mets out of Waukesha, Wisconsin a year before Abrams, Kelenic became the key prospect in the deal that sent Robinson Canó and Edwin Díaz to New York in December 2018. In his first year with the M's, Kelenic tore through three levels in his age-19 season, finishing with Double-A Arkansas and batting .291/.364/.540 in 117 games overall. Kelenic wields five legitimately above-average tools, has the speed to play center and the arm to play right, and as MLB.com's No. 11 prospect, should soon become a fixture in Seattle's outfield.

The Road to The Show™: Jarred Kelenic
Toolshed: Meet the 2019 All-MiLB team
Kelenic, Rodriguez lead M's into new era

OF Julio Rodriguez (Mariners)

Following hot on Kelenic's heels is Rodriguez, another Mariners outfielder. The Dominican native, whom is MLB.com's No. 18 overall prospect, made his stateside debut last year at age 18. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Rodriguez was more than solid with Class A West Virginia, hitting .293 with 10 homers in 67 games, then reached another level after a promotion to Modesto, where he hit .462/.514/.738 in 17 Cal League games. Still just 19, Rodriguez has as much offensive upside as anyone in the Minors and seems ticketed for the middle of a Major League lineup.

Toolshed dream lineup: The teenagers
Kelenic, Rodriguez lead M's into new era
Rodriguez drives Cal League pitchers Nuts

C Adley Rutschman (Orioles)

In the last 40 years, two catchers have been taken first overall in the MLB Draft: Joe Mauer and Adley Rutschman. That offers a hint of how highly regarded the switch-hitting Rutschman is after a superlative career at Oregon State. After having his pro debut delayed by mono last summer, the 22-year-old -- who has plus tools across the board and is considered an outstanding defensive catcher -- is expected to become the foundation of the Orioles ballclub for years to come.

Rutschman, Mountcastle soar for Orioles
Toolshed: The origins of Orioles' Rutschman
Orioles promote Rutschman to Delmarva

SS Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals)

Selected second overall -- behind Rutschman -- a few days before turning 19 last June, Witt notched the third-highest Draft bonus in history at $7,789,900. The youngster is a legitimate five-tool prospect who should have no problem playing big league shortstop -- the son of former Major League pitcher Bobby Witt, Witt Jr. reached the mid-90s off the mound in high school. He's already ranked 10th on MLB.com's prospect list and has the skills and makeup to climb much higher.

Toolshed dream lineup: The 20-year-olds
Prospect Roundup: Witt shines in pro debut