One prospect to watch on every NL Team

With Opening Day just around the corner, each of these NL teams will decide which of their prized prospects will make the big league roster and which will continue to develop in the minors during the 2025 season. Here’s one to look out for on each team.

Phillies: Justin Crawford, OF

While being the son of a former four-time all-star would be a tough task to follow up, Carl Crawford’s son has been making the most of his time in the Phillies organization.

With 42 stolen bases and a .804 OPS in the minors last year, Crawford is showing the same tools his father had, making him a lock for the Opening Day Roster next year if he continues to develop.

Mets: Brandon Sproat, RHP

The top prospect in the Mets organization wasn’t a part of their Spring Breakout roster this year but in two Spring Training appearances, he hasn’t been great.

While that hasn’t been impressive, Sproat’s five-pitch mix is. If he can dominate in Syracuse this year, he could get the call to Queens this year.

Braves: Drake Baldwin, C

Despite being blocked by Sean Murphy for the starting job, Fangraphs projects 23-year-old Drake Baldwin to make the Major League roster. Despite not being graded with anything above a 55 by scouts, Baldwin has posted a .844 OPS during Spring Training and could be an important depth piece as he develops this year.

Nationals: Travis Sykora, RHP

Dylan Crews is the top prospect in the Nationals organization, but picking him felt like the easy way out since he already debuted.

Sykora made his debut in single-A last year and dominated in 85 innings, tossing a 2.33 ERA with 129 strikeouts. Sykora keeping up this pace in 2025 means Washington could have their next true ace.

Marlins: Thomas White, LHP

Normally a starter with a three-pitch mix translates into a future reliever, but the Marlins’ top prospect has been making it work.

Last year he turned around a tough start to his career by striking out 120 batters to the tune of a 2.81 ERA in single-A. Marlins fans should watch how White develops as this season goes on.

Pirates: Bubba Chandler, RHP

After Paul Skenes and Jared Jones had great debut seasons last year, one would think the Pirates system would be drained, but Bubba Chandler is next in line. Chandler’s only outing during Spring Training this year wasn’t pretty, but his 148 strikeouts between double-A and triple-A and electric pitch mix are why he could force his way into their rotation.

Brewers: Jacob Misiorowski, RHP

Misiorowski is ranked as the 100th best prospect, but his tools should propel him to be one of the best pitchers in baseball.

He has an 80-grade fastball, the best grade you can be given, paired with a 70-grade curveball. If he continues to develop pitch control, he could be one of the next dominant Brewers pitchers.

Cardinals: JJ Wetherholt, SS

MLB The Show was released on Tuesday, and the developers gave JJ Wetherholt an 87 overall Spring Breakout card.

Scouts didn’t grade any of his tools below 50, meaning he profiles as a five-tool player. Wetherholt continuing his development is crucial to a Cardinals organization that is beginning to rebuild.

Cubs: Matt Shaw, UTIL

Matt Shaw made his MLB debut during the Tokyo Series and notched his first career hit during the second game. Shaw can play anywhere in the infield and has a 60-grade contact tool paired with 55-power, making him a super valuable piece for the Cubs both this year and in the future.

Reds: Chase Burns, RHP

Drafted second overall out of Tennessee last year, Burns has dynamic stuff, including a 70-grade slider, and solid control.

The Reds are looking to open their World Series window within the next year or so, and having Burns in the system could give them another dynamic starter to pair with Hunter Greene and the rest of their rotation.

Diamondbacks: Jordan Lawlar, SS

A top-three prospect in the Diamondbacks organization since 2022, Lawlar has been a veteran of Arizona’s farm system.

Unlike all of the other prospects on this list, this year is a make-or-break year for the shortstop. Lawlar posted a .335 OPS in 14 games in the majors last year, meaning his job is far from secure.

Dodgers: Dalton Rushing, C/OF

The Dodgers organization loves versatility. Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez have been mainstays in Los Angeles’ playoff teams for a very long time now, and Dalton Rushing looks to be up next.

He has yet to post an OPS below .800 in the minors, which shows how much of a factor he can be in an already deep lineup if he gets the call this year.

Giants: Bryce Eldridge, 1B

With a hitting profile similar to that of Coby Mayo, Eldridge also has 70-grade power, which showed in the minors last year.

The left-handed hitter slugged 23 homers across four minor league levels. MLB Pipeline projects Eldridge to be MLB-ready by next year, and he should be a valuable addition to a Giants roster that is continuously improving.

Rockies: Chase Dollander, RHP

According to X, Chase Dollander’s pitching motion is a perfect match to Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom’s. In Dollander’s first season in the minors, he showed flashes of similar dominance to deGrom, putting up a 2.59 ERA with his great pitch arsenal.

For a Rockies team that doesn’t have much to look forward to, Dollander should give fans hope for the future.

Padres: Leo De Vries, SS

Despite the turmoil in the Padres front office, they have picked up the number one international prospect in back-to-back years, with this year's Leo De Vries. The switch-hitting shortstop profiles as yet another five-tool star for the Padres.

If they contend until 2027, then projections say De Vries should join the team and make an impact.

Dylan Sechrist is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email dks5749@psu.edu.