Uncovering the Next Generation of MLB Stars

Tink Hence & Tekoah Roby, RHP, Cardinals

In 2025, Tink Hence stands as the third-ranked prospect in the Cardinals' system. He was the top-ranked prospect from our final Top 100 update of the regular season to make it onto the 40-man roster. While his bat-missing stuff is rarely questioned, concerns do arise regarding his ability to maintain his performance over a full season. Hence relies heavily on his 93-95 mph four-seam fastball, which gains extra velocity from his low release height. Alongside this, he has a trio of secondary pitches that all grade above average or better and generate a significant number of whiffs.

Tekoah Roby, on the other hand, also faces durability concerns after making just 10 starts in 2024. He leans on his fastball nearly half the time, with speeds ranging from 95-97 mph and topping out at 99 mph. He complements this with a plus curveball. If Roby can stay consistent, he has the potential to be a valuable starter with his requisite frame and an intriguing pitch mix.

Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox

Despite a disappointing 2024 season, Colson Montgomery was a straightforward addition to the 40-man roster. As a 2021 first-round pick, he hit.214/.329/.381 with 18 homers and a 28.6% strikeout rate in Triple-A Charlotte. White Sox fans can find some consolation in his Arizona Fall League stint, where he cut down on his swing-and-miss and had a productive time. In 2025, he'll need to continue this improvement as he has the on-base skills and power to become an impactful regular.

Owen Caissie, OF, Cubs

Over the past two seasons, the toolsy Owen Caissie has consistently been among the Cubs' top prospects. As a tall, powerful left-handed hitter, he has produced some of the best exit velocities in the minors. However, his hit tool has faced some skepticism, especially early in his career when he struggled to synchronize his long levers. In 2024, his contact skills improved, with 45% of his plate appearances resulting in either a walk, strikeout, or home run. For a player with otherwise solid-average to plus tools across the board, coaxing more contact from his hit tool will be crucial.

Zac Veen, OF, Rockies

Zac Veen hasn't quite met the expectations set early in his career. He was ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the 2020 draft and was once firmly in the Top 100. Injuries have affected his power and development over the past two years. Nevertheless, he was an easy addition for the rebuilding Rockies club. Veen is skilled at judging balls and strikes, has excellent base running instincts, and performed well against both breaking balls and velocity. Although he didn't produce the exit velocities many hoped for earlier in his career and was once touted as a potential middle-of-the-order slugger, he still has the potential to become a useful contributor.

Moises Chace, RHP, Phillies

Moises Chace may not be the most widely known pitcher the Phillies added to their 40-man roster, but he ranked ahead of Mick Abel in our new Phillies Top 10 Prospects ranking for 2025. After a strong season that began in Baltimore's system and continued with the Phillies after the trade deadline, he has shown great potential. Baseball America subscribers have likely been aware of him for months. He also ranked second behind only Jackson Jobe in Stuff+ among all 21-year-old pitchers in 2024.

Chace's mid-90s fastball is a standout pitch with impressive underlying data and unusual carry from a lower slot. He also throws two separate sliders along with a solid changeup. While he needs to work on his command, there is a lot to like about his game as he enters 2025.

Emiliano Teodo & Winston Santos, RHP, Rangers

Both Emiliano Teodo and Winston Santos have been favorites of various Baseball America writers over the past year. Teodo revamped his fastball last year and carried that momentum into 2024. He reaches triple digits and was the hardest thrower in the Rangers' system in 2024. He also showed improved secondary pitches and a chance to establish himself in a rotation long-term. As a result, he moved from relative obscurity to the fringes of Baseball America's Top 100.

Winston Santos isn't far behind. Scouts have long been interested in his mid-90s fastball. This year, he finally found a reliable slider grip and settled on a more gyro-shaped pitch. This improved offering has led to more swing-and-miss across his entire arsenal. As a result, Santos reached the Futures Game and is now on track for a big league callup in 2025.

Marco Raya, RHP, Twins

If the Twins had left Marco Raya unprotected, another organization might have been tempted to take a chance on him in the Rule 5 Draft and use him in their bullpen. His mid-90s fastball and impressive secondary pitches could cause havoc. Minnesota made sure that didn't happen by protecting him. Raya is quite athletic and has long hinted at significant upside. He has a variety of different pitch shapes to record outs and some of the best stuff among Twins starting pitching prospects. However, he has also never thrown more than 100 innings in a season, and he has a lot to prove before he can contribute to a big league rotation.

Denzel Clarke, OF, Athletics

Denzel Clarke has yet to reach Triple-A and will be 25 years old next year. However, his combination of power, speed, and premium center field defense was too enticing for the Athletics to leave unprotected. Since being drafted in the fourth round in 2021, he has shown this potential. Finding a comfortable swing and approach to generate more contact has been a challenge for him. However, he shook off a disastrous start to the season with a productive second half in Double-A Midland. The Athletics are hopeful that he has made some slight adjustments to put himself in a more consistent hitting position. If these changes stick in 2025, a future Athletics outfield of Clarke, Lawrence Butler, and J.J. Bleday could be very exciting.