MLB Opening Day has come and gone. Today, the MiLB season kicks off across multiple leagues. With that comes the excitement of discovering the next big thing. If you’re reading this, you probably already know the top prospects close to their MLB debut. But sometimes, the next fantasy-relevant name isn’t found in the Top 100. In deeper fantasy formats, especially keeper or dynasty leagues, these lower-ranked prospects can be serious bargains. Here, I’m highlighting five MLB Prospects worth watching as the MiLB season begins.
When choosing these MLB prospects, I focused on two things. First is the prospect status. These are either former Top 100 guys or high-upside names with fantasy potential. Second is opportunity. Each player on this list has a clear path to big-league playing time. So, with that in mind, here are my five prospects to watch as MiLB games get rolling.
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5 MLB Prospects to Watch
Logan Henderson SP | Milwaukee Brewers
Brewers #13 prospect Logan Henderson had a pretty average spring, unlike the performances we’ve seen from him in the minors. Over 8.2 spring innings, he struck out 10, walked 5, and posted a 4.15 ERA. He didn’t really get a true shot at a rotation spot and didn’t fully capitalize on the chances he had. Still, his minor league track record tells a different story. In 173.2 career MiLB innings, he owns an elite 233-to-47 K/BB ratio. He also carries a 3.11 ERA and 0.985 WHIP across three seasons in the minors. Henderson climbed three levels in 2024, finishing at Triple-A, and is knocking on the big-league door. He’s more control than power, with a fastball averaging 93 mph and a changeup he throws 42% of the time. Thanks to his command, he generates a 16% or better called strike rate and 15% swinging strike rate—good for a 32% CSW. That’s impressive for a guy without a dominant fastball or putaway pitch. He simply knows how to pitch. With just three starters listed on Roster Resource, the opportunity is clearly there. If he handles Triple-A again, I’d bet he’s the first up in Milwaukee.
2025 #BrewersFarm Top 100 Prospects
⚾️ #12 ⚾️
RHP Logan Henderson
@loganbh2 #Brewers #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/p411b7indP
— Brewers Farm (@thebrewersfarm) March 19, 2025
Emiliano Teodo SP | Texas Rangers
Earlier in the offseason, I wrote about buying Emiliano Teodo if he moved into a bullpen role. The stuff is absolutely filthy. He touches 102 mph with the fastball, pairs it with a wipeout slider, and mixes in a 60-grade changeup. The righty struck out over 30 percent of batters last year as a starter, despite shaky command. His 5.21 BB/9 screams risk, but he still posted a 1.98 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. That is impressive. His 16.3 percent swinging strike rate powered an 11.4 K/9, and his 16 percent called strike rate helped produce a 32 percent CSW. Teodo has legitimate swing-and-miss stuff. The Rangers also lack bullpen depth and do not have a clear-cut closer. Their current options are Chris Martin, Robert Garcia, and Luke Jackson, none of whom inspire much confidence. We have seen other starters make this transition successfully, like Jhoan Duran and Josh Hader. I expect Teodo to follow a similar path. Elite closers need two things: electric stuff and a real opportunity. The Texas right-hander has both.
2) Emiliano Teodo – TEX
Teodo bullied opposing batters with his elite sinker & slider combo to the tune of a 40.0 K%. He will continue to develop as a SP in AAA this season, but if the Rangers need bullpen help, he has the tools to help them right now! pic.twitter.com/oCmZHhGoVJ
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 24, 2025
Colby Thomas OF | Athletics
Colby Thomas led the minors in extra-base hits in 2024, spending 99 of 123 games in left field. The current Athletics left fielder, Miguel Andujar, is a converted infielder who slugged .377 with four homers last season. Thomas, meanwhile, is an extra-base hit machine with legitimate 40-homer upside. After several offseason moves, the A’s seem ready to compete in 2025. Between Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas, Thomas slashed .277/.342/.563 in 573 plate appearances. He crushed 31 homers, 44 doubles, and 5 triples, and added 15 stolen bases for good measure. Oakland’s No. 3 prospect consistently posts elite exit velocities, maxing out at 110 mph in 2024. His 18 percent strikeout rate and 13.2 percent swinging strike rate in Double-A were excellent. However, both jumped in Triple-A to a 30 percent strikeout rate and 18.1 percent swinging strike rate. Still, he hits the ball hard and drives it in the air and into the gaps. If Thomas makes enough contact at Triple-A, I doubt he stays there long.
There are some concerns surrounding the hit tool (which are valid) but I'm still a believer in Colby Thomas. Should debut for the Athletics this season.pic.twitter.com/EoZYxObwB1
— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) March 23, 2025
Shay Whitcomb INF | Houston Astros
With top prospect Cam Smith making the Astros’ roster, Shay Whitcomb became the odd man out. He was optioned to minor league camp late in spring training. Whitcomb led all minor leaguers in home runs during 2023, blasting 35 between Double-A and Triple-A. In 2024, he returned to Triple-A and boosted his batting average by 53 points while still hitting 25 homers. The power-speed combo is real. Whitcomb has stolen at least 20 bases in every minor league season so far. Strikeouts have always been a concern. From 2021 through 2023, he struck out at least 30 percent of the time each year. That changed in 2024 when he cut his strikeout rate to 19.8 percent. He suddenly looked like a more complete hitter. With tools this loud, it is surprising the Astros are not giving him more chances. They moved Jose Altuve to left field, and Cam Smith has experience at second, third, and in the outfield. This gives Houston added roster flexibility. The good news is Whitcomb can handle almost any position. He played everywhere but catcher last season. If the strikeout gains hold, I believe he hits his way back to Houston and becomes a spark plug down the stretch.
Shay Whitcomb is 2-for-3 in his MLB debut pic.twitter.com/AGXzfj2yxA
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) August 18, 2024
Robert Hassell III OF | Washington Nationals
Once a top 30 prospect in baseball, Robert Hassell has seen his stock drop since the Juan Soto trade. Whether it was the trade itself or injuries from 2022 to 2024, he has struggled since joining the Nationals. He finally reached Triple-A last year but looked overmatched, hitting just .125 with 17 strikeouts. The good news is that he’s healthy now, which showed during his time in the Arizona Fall League. There, he hit .281 with four homers and five steals. He carried that momentum into spring training, slashing .370 with one homer and two steals in 49 plate appearances. Health is a huge factor here. For the first time in years, Hassell may finally be back to form. That’s the version of him that once made him a top prospect. The Nationals already have James Wood and Dylan Crews locked into outfield spots. Still, if Hassell performs at Triple-A, there is no reason to hold him back.
Robert Hassell lll somehow barrels this fastball up and takes it Oppo for a Solo Shot pic.twitter.com/Fif44xYTqg
— Danny (@dannybarrand_) July 31, 2022
