Image credit: (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)In the world of baseball, it's essential to constantly assess and reevaluate the talent coming through the ranks. Before looking ahead to the rookie class of 2025 and beyond, let's take a closer look at the graduating AL prospects of 2024. By ranking the top 10 based on projected peak value, we can gain a better understanding of the potential stars of the future. Each player is ranked in order of their updated, end-of-season BA Grade presented on the 20-80 scale, and risk is also assessed on a scale of low, medium, high, and very high.Junior Caminero: The Power-Hitting Third Baseman
Junior Caminero, a 21-year-old third baseman for the Rays, entered the 2024 season with a preseason grade of 70 and a high risk. However, his performance was somewhat affected by a quad injury that delayed his callup until mid-August. Despite this setback, Caminero still showcased his bat speed and power, which are his calling cards. In 2023, he was a rare 19-year-old to top 30 home runs in the minor leagues, and he has the potential to do the same in MLB. His swing decisions are above average, but the biggest question remains about the quality of his defensive play at third base or whether he will move to first base due to his size.In his limited time with the Rays in 2024, Caminero demonstrated his offensive prowess. His ability to hit for power and make solid contact gives him the potential to become a perennial all-star at third base. However, he will need to continue to work on his defense to reach his full potential.Wyatt Langford: The Versatile Left Fielder
Wyatt Langford, a 23-year-old left fielder for the Rangers, was drafted fourth overall in 2023 and made the Rangers' Opening Day roster in 2024. In the first half of the season, his inexperience showed as he was a below-average hitter. However, he course-corrected in the second half, batting.251/.333/.450 for a.784 OPS that ranked 63rd out of 152 qualified hitters.Langford may never win an MVP award, but he will be a strong all-around contributor. He is able to get on base, hit for power, and play stronger defense than expected. His elite sprint speed as a rookie was a surprise, allowing him to steal 19 bases in 22 tries. With continued development, Langford has the potential to become an occasional all-star in left field.Jackson Holliday: The Promising Second Baseman
Jackson Holliday, a 21-year-old second baseman for the Orioles, showed his capabilities in flashes as a 20-year-old, but his rookie season was a bit of a disappointment. He started slowly, going 2-for-34 with 18 strikeouts when he first joined the Orioles. This led to a stint in Triple-A from May to July, where he focused on hitting high-velocity fastballs up in the zone.During his second big league stint, Holliday showed greater aptitude, but there is still work to be done. As a 20-year-old, this is not uncommon or unexpected. The future is bright for Holliday, who has the potential to be an occasional all-star at second base and can do a bit of everything on the field.Evan Carter: The Injured Outfielder with Power
Evan Carter, a 22-year-old left fielder for the Rangers, has been plagued by back injuries in the past few seasons, including his rookie campaign in 2024. He went on the injured list on May 28 and did not return. Before the injury, Carter was one of the top prospects in baseball and even became a postseason hero for the World Series-champion Rangers in 2023, hitting.300/.417/.500 in 17 postseason games.At his best, Carter is an on-base machine with excellent speed, a quality outfield glove, and the power to hit 15 or more home runs. Once he recovers from his injuries, he has the potential to become a star in left field.Colton Cowser: The Orioles' Left Fielder with a Strong Glove
Colton Cowser, a 25-year-old left fielder for the Orioles, made an immediate impact on the team by hitting his way onto the Opening Day roster. His strong defensive skills, especially his plus glove, were a perfect fit for Camden Yards' spacious left field dimensions.Cowser's power translated to 24 home runs in 2024, tying Jackson Merrill for the most among rookies. He finished the season on a strong note with an.814 second-half OPS and climbed to a heart-of-the-order batting position. While he may not excel against left-handed pitchers, his glove protects him from being strictly a platoon player.Lawrence Butler: The Power-Hitting Right Fielder
Lawrence Butler, a 24-year-old right fielder for the Athletics, started the season with the big club but struggled to a.179 batting average with two home runs in 41 games. This led to a demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he worked on syncing up his lower half and getting on time with his bat path.Upon his June 18 callup, Butler was a different hitter. In his last 84 games, he hit.291/.330/.565 with 20 home runs, including two three-homer games. While he may not be an on-base monster, his power and bat-to-ball skills are very real. By the end of 2024, he had become the Athletics' leadoff hitter and is a key part of the club's exciting young core as it moves into its Sacramento phase in 2025.Austin Wells: The Young Catcher with Batting Potential
Austin Wells, a 25-year-old catcher for the Yankees, stands at the forefront of a potential wave of young left-handed-hitting catchers in MLB. He had an average season at the plate as a rookie catcher, which is no small feat. There is room for him to improve his production, but hitting was not his strongest suit in 2024.Wells ranked third in MLB in Statcast catcher framing runs and caught a significant number of innings as a 24-year-old on the No. 1 seed in the American League. These signs point to a long and fruitful career behind the plate for Wells.Luis Gil: The Promising Right-Handed Pitcher
Luis Gil, a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Yankees, exceeded expectations in his rookie season. After missing a significant amount of time due to Tommy John surgery in 2022 and 2023, Gil showed off one of the best fastballs in MLB, with a velocity of 96.6 mph and a shape that deceives hitters.While he is difficult to hit and square up, patient batters were able to take advantage of him. Gil walked 12.1% of batters, the fourth-highest rate among starters with at least 50 innings. However, his power fastball and three-pitch repertoire suggest a bright future as a middle-of-the-rotation starter.Parker Meadows: The Defensive Center Fielder
Parker Meadows, a 25-year-old center fielder for the Tigers, brings a lot of defensive value to the team. His 6-foot-5 frame allows him to cover a lot of ground in center field and on the bases.In the beginning of the season, Meadows struggled, going 7-for-73 and being sent back to Triple-A Toledo. However, adjusting to high-velocity fastballs made a big difference for him. He ascended to the leadoff spot versus right-handed pitchers in August and September and hit.296/.340/.500 in his final 47 games for the surging Tigers.Mason Miller: The Potential Elite Closer
Mason Miller, a 26-year-old relief pitcher for the Athletics, had a rookie season that compared favorably to past elite young closers such as Josh Hader, Kenley Jansen, Craig Kimbrel, and Edwin Diaz. His ability to miss bats and stay off opponents' barrels, combined with his 100 mph fastball and power slider, gives him the potential to become the best closer in the game one day.
