Consider some of the impressive stats recorded in the Minors this year: 40 home runs, 104 stolen bases, and 202 strikeouts. These figures merely scratch the surface.
Outstanding performances emerged in various forms throughout the 2024 Minor League season. To honor the standout players, MLB Pipeline has once again compiled its Prospect Team of the Year.
Selections for this team were based solely on players’ performances in the Minor Leagues. To be eligible, prospects had to spend a minimum of half the 2024 season in the Minors and be featured in their organization’s Top 30 Prospects at some point during the year.
The Red Sox led the way with three players named to this year’s First and Second Teams, while the Cubs, Guardians, Mariners, and Rays each placed two players on the list.
C: Adrian Del Castillo, Diamondbacks (No. 14)
AAA: .312/.399/.603, 105 G, 26 HR, 75 RBI, 90 R, 55 BB, 80 K, 0 SB, 144 wRC+
The 67th overall pick in the 2021 Draft experienced his most successful professional season, leading the Minor Leagues in slugging percentage (.603) and OPS (1.002). He secured a place among the Minors’ Top 10 for extra-base hits (65, fourth) and total bases (249, seventh), even though he spent much of August and September on the Major League roster for the first time. Playing home games in Reno certainly benefited his numbers, but it was Del Castillo’s enhanced ability to consistently make solid contact that distinguished him in hitter-friendly environments.
1B: Deyvison De Los Santos, Marlins (No. 4)
AA/AAA: .294/.343/.571, 137 G, 40 HR, 120 RBI, 89 R, 34 BB, 144 K, 1 SB, 132 wRC+
After a brief stint with the Guardians as a Rule 5 selection and a subsequent trade from the D-backs for A.J. Puk in July, De Los Santos emerged as the Minor Leagues’ leader in home runs and RBIs. He also ranked second in hits (158) and extra-base hits (67) while finishing fifth in slugging. Possessing some of the highest raw power in the Minors, he could unlock even more potential by addressing his groundball and strikeout rates.
2B: Kristian Campbell, Red Sox (No. 5/MLB No. 74)
A+/AA/AAA: .330/.439/.558, 115 G, 20 HR, 77 RBI, 94 R, 74 BB, 103 K, 24 SB, 180 wRC+
Recognized as MLB Pipeline’s Hitting Prospect of the Year and Breakout Prospect of the Year, Campbell also clinched the MVP Award in the Double-A Eastern League in his first full season. The Red Sox provided him with support to enhance his strength, bat speed, and swing mechanics, allowing him to elevate balls more frequently. As a result, he emerged as the leader in wRC+ in the Minors, while also finishing second in on-base percentage and OPS (.997), fourth in batting average, and fifth in runs scored.
3B: Coby Mayo, Orioles (No. 1/MLB No. 8)
A+/AAA: .293/.372/.592, 93 G, 25 HR, 73 RBI, 65 R, 42 BB, 102 K, 4 SB, 145 wRC+
Despite being sidelined for a month due to a broken rib, Mayo reaffirmed his status as one of the top power-hitting prospects, ranking second among all Minor League hitters with a minimum of 400 plate appearances in both SLG and ISO (.299), while finishing fourth in OPS (.964). This performance led to his Major League debut at the age of 22.
SS: Shay Whitcomb, Astros (No. 14)
AAA: .293/.378/.530, 108 G, 25 HR, 91 RBI, 73 R, 53 BB, 95 K, 26 SB, 123 wRC+
Selected as the 160th and final pick in the shortened 2020 Draft, Whitcomb has consistently delivered impressive statistics throughout his professional career, tying for the Minor League lead with 35 home runs in 2023. This year marked his best performance, with a remarkable 138-point increase in his Triple-A OPS compared to the prior season, making him one of just three Minor Leaguers to achieve at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases.
OF: Roman Anthony, Red Sox (No. 2/MLB No. 12)
AA/AAA: .291/.396/.498, 119 G, 18 HR, 65 RBI, 93 R, 79 BB, 127 K, 21 SB, 149 wRC+
Anthony has continued to validate his reputation as one of the premier all-around hitting prospects in the Minor Leagues by leading the Double-A Eastern League in slugging (.489) and OPS (.856) at just 20 years old. Additionally, he excelled after his promotion to the Triple-A International League, where he posted a slash line of .344/.463/.519 with 16 extra-base hits in 35 games, making him the youngest player to have such significant playing time.
OF: Lazaro Montes, Mariners (No. 3/MLB No. 45)
A/A+: .288/.397/.484, 116 G, 21 HR, 105 RBI, 82 R, 78 BB, 128 K, 5 SB, 138 wRC+
Regarded as one of the most formidable hitters from the 2022 international signing class, Montes has exceeded expectations, demonstrating his hitting talent at every level. He transitioned from Single-A with a stellar .309/.411/.527 performance to High-A as a teenager. He tied for third place among all Minor Leaguers with 105 RBIs and managed to slightly reduce his strikeout rate in 2024, all while drawing an abundance of walks.
OF: Jhostynxon Garcia, Red Sox (No. 12)
A/A+/AA: .286/.356/.536, 107 G, 23 HR, 66 RBI, 78 R, 33 BB, 99 K, 17 SB, 151 wRC+
Garcia, like Campbell, started the season unranked on our Red Sox Top 30 and has concluded it as one of the most effective hitters in the Minor Leagues.
In 2024, he achieved career highs across nearly all categories, hitting balls with greater force and elevating them more effectively than ever before, leading Boston’s farm system with 23 home runs — more than doubling the 11 he amassed in his first three professional seasons.
