There are varying beliefs as to why MLB teams have been pushing their prospects faster in recent years. Some in the industry believe it is due to advanced analytics, allowing teams to analyze the underlying numbers to the stats. For example, pitchers are measured by spin rate and movement. Another varying opinion is the increase in free agent salaries, causing teams to look within to fill a vacancy. No matter what the true reason behind this phenomenon is, aggressive promotions are only increasing. Below you will find one prospect from every team in the American League that made the biggest jump in their respective organizations in 2023 and could contribute at the Major League level in 2024.
AL Prospects that Made Biggest Jump in 2023
AL EAST
Baltimore Orioles – Samuel Basallo C/1B
Starting the 2023 season at 18 years old, he was assigned to low-A Delmarva. That is three years younger than the average age of a low-A player. Basallo proved that he was up to the task as he had a .299 batting average and a .384 on-base percentage. Baltimore decided to reward Basallo with two more promotions in 2023 to high-A and double-A. Basallo rewarded the Orioles by increasing his production at every level. He ended the season with a combined .313 batting average, a .402 on-base percentage, and a career-high 20 home runs. Basallo has all the makings of a middle-of-the-order bat no matter if he plays catcher or first base.
Boston Red Sox – Roman Anthony OF
Going into the season, Anthony was not on Boston’s top 30 prospect list. After a strong 2023 season in which Roman played at three different levels low A, A+, and AA. Anthony’s stock has soared. Not only is he rated as high as No. 2 on Boston’s top 30 prospect list, but some top 100 lists have him in the top 20 in all of baseball. Anthony put himself in the discussion as a 20/20 player by hitting a career-high 14 home runs and stealing 16 bases. There is a lot to like as he shows an advanced eye at the plate with a .403 on-base percentage aided by 86 walks all while being 19 years old. If Anthony can continue his stellar production, he will be in line for a promotion to the majors at some point in 2024.
New York Yankees- Everson Pereira OF
The Yankees allowed Pereira to simmer in the low levels of the minors for a couple of years. Pereira’s development was slowed by the missed season in 2020 due to the pandemic. Upon his return in 2021, Everson showed improvement by posting a combined .303 batting average and hitting 20 home runs in 49 games between three levels. Pereira continued his production in 2022, but it was not until 2023 that he made his biggest jump, playing at two levels in the minors AA and AAA before making his MLB debut on August 22. Though Pereira hit for a high batting average of .300 and a .387 on-base percentage between AA and AAA, the strikeouts increased to over 32 percent. If Pereira can adjust his approach to limit the strikeouts, it is easy to envision him as the Yankee’s everyday corner outfielder for years to come with star potential.
Tampa Bay Rays – Junior Caminero 3B/SS
No prospect made a bigger jump in 2023 than Caminero. Entering the season at 19 years old, Tampa started him at high-A. High-A pitching proved to be no match for Caminero and he was promoted to AA after 36 games. AA Montgomery did not slow him down, as he hit 20 runs in just 81 games while carrying a .309 batting average. Caminero compiled a batting average of .324 while hitting a career-high 31 home runs between the two levels in the minors. Tampa Bay continued to be aggressive by promoting him to their MLB roster, with his debut on September 23 at the age of 20. Caminero’s greatest strength is his elite bat speed which signals more power to come as he continues to fill out. The sky is the limit for Caminero.
Toronto Blue Jays – Damiano Palmegiani 3B/1B
Drafted in the 14th round of the 2021 draft by his hometown club, Palmegiani has found his way to AAA in two full seasons increasing his batting average each season. His calling card is his power, hitting 23 and 24 in each of the last two seasons and finishing second in the Arizona Fall League home run derby. Damiano will have to make some adjustments to his approach to reach his power as he struck out over 31 percent of the time last season. The Blue Jays may potentially have a hole to fill at third base if they cannot resign Chapman. Palmegiani may get his chance to prove what he can do for the big-league club in spring training.
AL CENTRAL
Chicago White Sox – Noah Schultz LHP
The White Sox drafted Schultz in the first round in 2022 with minimal high school action due to contracting mononucleosis. Schultz was able to improve his stock in the summer circuit as he struck out 37 batters in just over 19 innings. He was a relative gamble as a first-round selection but seems to be paying dividends. Schultz increased his fastball to reach the mid-90s and has added a cutter to give him a four-pitch mix. Schultz started at low A and has performed well in his first 27 innings as a pro striking out 38 batters and keeping runs from scoring with a 1.33 ERA. With Schultz standing 6’9” and his arm angle, it is easy to dream of his potential as a staff ace if he can stay healthy and continue to refine his pitches.
Cleveland Guardians – Chase DeLauter OF
DeLauter saw his first action in 2023 after being drafted in the first round of the 2022 draft. He played at three levels in the minors, rookie league, A+, and AA. DeLauter showed he belonged as he hit a combined .355 with a .417 on-base percentage. DeLauter has an elite eye, striking out only 14.1 percent of the time compared to walking just 10.7 percent of the time. Standing at 6’4”, the power will come. If he can reach his power without sacrificing his on-base skills, Cleveland has an All-Star on their hands with MVP upside.
Detroit Tigers – Colt Keith 2B/3B
Keith was a fifth-round pick in the pandemic-shortened season in 2020. He showed promise in his first two seasons in the minors with high batting averages and on-base percentages sitting at .370 and higher. Keith used his performance in the Arizona Fall League to make his biggest jump yet. In 2023 Keith played parts of the season in AA and AAA. He tripled his career high in home runs from nine in 2022 to 27 in 2023. Keith also had a career-high 101 RBI in 2023 and had 38 doubles suggesting more power to come. Keith is in position to be the Tigers’ third baseman of the future with All-Star potential with 25 + home run upside if the spacious Comerica Park does not suppress his power.
Minnesota Twins – Brooks Lee SS
Two seasons after being drafted, Lee made his way to AAA in 2023. Lee has good plate discipline, striking out in only 18 percent of his at-bats in AA. Upon his promotion to AAA, he struggled a bit with a .231 batting average and a .304 on-base percentage. I believe Lee will make the adjustments needed because he kept his strike-out rate in line with his AA numbers of 18 percent. Lee improved his power in 2023 with a career-high of 16 home runs. Lee is at the MLB doorstep and is currently blocked by Carlos Correa at shortstop and Royce Lewis at third base. As they say, talent will always make it to the big leagues and Lee may force the Twins’ hands with his continued production. Lee will continue to add power and projects to be a .270 hitter with 20 + home runs.
Kansas City Royals – John McMillon RP
You do not usually associate a 25-year-old with the description of a fast riser. In 2023 McMillon jumped three levels, from low A, A+, and AA before making his major league debut on August 17. Something clicked for McMillon in 2023 as he improved every stat line. Striking out 91 batters against 25 walks in 51 innings put his K/BB rate at 3.64. He lowered his ERA from 6.10 in 2022 to 2.10 in 2023. McMillon worked primarily as a closer and will compete for a high-leverage bullpen slot in spring training. If he can replicate his 2023 success, then he has a good chance to break camp with the Royal in 2024.
AL WEST
Texas Rangers – Wyatt Langford OF
Drafted No. 4 in the 2023 draft by the Texas Rangers, Langford exploded onto the scene. Langford ripped through four levels in the minors; rookie league, A+, AA, and AAA. He showed no weakness by hitting for a combined .360 average, a 480 on-base percentage, with 29 extra-base hits, and walked more than he struck out (36 BB/ 34 Ks). Langford has a mature approach that allows him to stay back on pitches and drive the ball to all fields. There are no question marks in his profile. He will be a major league contributor in 2024 adding to the Rangers’ already potent offense. Langford has the potential to bat .280 with 30 plus home runs.
Los Angeles Angels – Nolan Schanuel 1B
Schanuel is another 2023 draft pick, selected with the 11th pick. He was the only 2023 draftee to make it to the major leagues. Nolan debuted on August 18 after just 74 at-bats in the minors. Though his promotion was based on the Angels’ needs, Schanuel took full advantage of his opportunity by getting on base in every game he played. Schanuel shows an advanced approach, walking more than he strikes out 20 BB/ 19K. Being 6’4”, Nolan should gain more power as he gets comfortable against big-league pitching. Schanuel will be a high batting average, high on-base percentage first baseman who may need to be less selective to reach his power. I see Schanuel making the needed adjustments and reaching his potential of 20 + home runs.
Houston Astros – Zach Dezenzo 3B/2B
Drafted in the 12th round, Dezenzo has already surpassed expectations. At 6’4” he has the raw power that suggests 25 + home run potential. The only question is whether he will be able to reach that power as he advances because he struck out 32 percent of the time while only walking in 10.6 percent of his at-bats in his first taste of AA. Dezenzo also showed some speed on the base paths with 22 stolen bases last year. That is a potential 20/20 player who can play multiple positions. Dezenzo is in the right organization as the Astros will allow him as much time to develop as he needs as they are more conservative with promotions.
Seattle Mariners – Tyler Locklear 3B/1B
Drafted in 2022, Locklear earned promotions from rookie league to A+ and AA. While climbing the organizational ladder, Locklear showed a good plate approach, with a combined .288 batting average and .405 on-base percentage. In the small sample size in AA, Locklear walked nearly as much as he struck out (11BB/ 14K), while lowering his strike-out rate. Locklear’s calling card is his power which should take a step up from the 13 home runs he hit in 2023 as he gets more comfortable against advanced arms. Coming out of college he played third base but in 2023 he shifted to first base permanently. As it stands Locklear projects to hit at a .250- .260 and 25 + home runs. I think the Mariners would be happy with that production.
Oakland Athletics – Joey Estes RHP
Drafted in the 16th round in 2019 by the Braves, Estes was acquired in the trade of Matt Olson. Estes throws strikes with his mid-90s fastball and is still developing his slider and change-up. Estes pitched in AA and AAA to a combined 3.74 ERA. He had just under a strikeout per inning and nearly a 3 K /1BB ratio. The Athletics like Estes’ aggressiveness and awarded him with a promotion to the MLB. Estes made his debut on September 20 at the age of 22. He is in a good spot as the A’s are rebuilding and will give him plenty of opportunities to prove himself. Estes projects as a back end of the rotation arm currently but is still young enough to further develop his pitches.