3. Ralphy Velazquez
1B
Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 220 | B-T: L-R
Age: 20
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: Coming out of high school in Southern California, Velazquez was a bat-first catcher with a strong hitting track record. After signing with the Guardians for $2.5 million as the 23rd overall pick in 2023, he quickly moved to first base. His 2024 season was solid but not loud, and in 2025 he progressed to the upper minors while hitting .265/.342/.497 between High-A and Double-A. Velazquez was one of eight minor league hitters with 20 or more homers at age 20 or younger.
Scouting Report: At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Velazquez is one of the most physical players in Cleveland’s system, though he has done a nice job taking advantage of the Guardians’ strength and conditioning resources to tighten his body composition. He has a powerful lefthanded swing that comes from a wide and crouched setup in the box. He has tremendous raw power that has led to exit velocities upward of 114 mph. While Velazquez is an aggressive hitter in terms of the frequency of his swings, he pairs that with a solid understanding of the strike zone and bat-to-ball skills that have always led to sustainable strikeout numbers. Velazquez has improved his batted-ball angles, which has helped him tap into his raw power more frequently and could also allow him to run higher BABIP numbers than anticipated given his well below-average speed. Velazquez continues to get some opportunities in left field, but he’s best positioned at—and overwhelmingly plays—first base, where he could become a solid defender with a plus arm. His mobility would make him a below-average defender in an outfield corner.
The Future: Velazquez’s pure offensive upside stacks up with Chase DeLauter in Cleveland’s system. He could become a plus hit, plus power everyday first baseman and middle-of-the-order masher. He should get a full season in the upper minors in 2026.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60
Prospect Rankings & Notes
Moderator: Reds
Jackson Ferris, from BA
5. Jackson Ferris
LHP
Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-L
Age: 21
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Ferris split his high school career between North Carolina and IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., from which he was drafted by the Cubs in the second round in 2022. He dazzled in his first full season as a pro, leading to his inclusion—with fellow prospect Zyhir Hope—in the deal in which the Dodgers traded Michael Busch to the Cubs. Ferris spent all of 2025 at Double-A Tulsa, where he produced mixed results. His stuff was among the best in the system, but his consistency, control and command often lacked and led to more walks than were ideal. He ranked third in the Texas League with 135 strikeouts.
Scouting Report: Scouts universally praise Ferris’ pitch mix, which is led by two- and four-seam fastballs and a cutter, as well as a slider, a curveball and a changeup. The two-seamer was new in 2025, and Ferris moved to the popular kick-changeup grip to help the pitch gain more depth. His fastball and curveball each grade as potentially plus pitches, and the latter ranks as the best of its type in the system. He backs his signature offerings with a slider and cutter that range from average to slightly above-average, as well as a changeup that lags behind the rest of his mix. To get the most out of his stuff, he’ll have to improve the quality and quantity of his strikes. Scouts noticed that Ferris got fatigued early and his stuff waned later in games, so he’ll need to add strength to his frame. His longer arm stroke, which includes a hook and a wrap, limits his repeatability and sometimes leads to scattershot outings.
The Future: If Ferris can improve his stamina and strike-throwing, he has the type of stuff that profiles in the middle of big league rotations. If not, he could make for a useful late-game reliever. The 2026 season will provide further clues as to which path he’ll take.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Cutter: 40 | Control: 40
LHP
Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-L
Age: 21
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Ferris split his high school career between North Carolina and IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., from which he was drafted by the Cubs in the second round in 2022. He dazzled in his first full season as a pro, leading to his inclusion—with fellow prospect Zyhir Hope—in the deal in which the Dodgers traded Michael Busch to the Cubs. Ferris spent all of 2025 at Double-A Tulsa, where he produced mixed results. His stuff was among the best in the system, but his consistency, control and command often lacked and led to more walks than were ideal. He ranked third in the Texas League with 135 strikeouts.
Scouting Report: Scouts universally praise Ferris’ pitch mix, which is led by two- and four-seam fastballs and a cutter, as well as a slider, a curveball and a changeup. The two-seamer was new in 2025, and Ferris moved to the popular kick-changeup grip to help the pitch gain more depth. His fastball and curveball each grade as potentially plus pitches, and the latter ranks as the best of its type in the system. He backs his signature offerings with a slider and cutter that range from average to slightly above-average, as well as a changeup that lags behind the rest of his mix. To get the most out of his stuff, he’ll have to improve the quality and quantity of his strikes. Scouts noticed that Ferris got fatigued early and his stuff waned later in games, so he’ll need to add strength to his frame. His longer arm stroke, which includes a hook and a wrap, limits his repeatability and sometimes leads to scattershot outings.
The Future: If Ferris can improve his stamina and strike-throwing, he has the type of stuff that profiles in the middle of big league rotations. If not, he could make for a useful late-game reliever. The 2026 season will provide further clues as to which path he’ll take.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Cutter: 40 | Control: 40
Jared Thomas, from BA
3. Jared Thomas
OF
Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 175 | B-T: L-L
Age: 22
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: Thomas emerged in his draft year at Texas, hitting .349/.434/.635 with 16 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 60 games as an eligible sophomore. The Rockies drafted him in the second round in 2024 and signed him for $2 million. Thomas shined at High-A Spokane in the first half of 2025, posting a .922 OPS in 73 games, before scuffling in 45 games for Double-A Hartford as his strikeout rate spiked to nearly 35%. He led the Rockies’ system in both walks (70) and strikeouts (145).
Scouting Report: The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Thomas is an average athlete who moves well for his size. He began his pro career playing primarily center field, but when he moved to Hartford, he slid to left field, which is a better long-term fit. Thomas’ move to Double-A also exposed the key area of concern: swing-and-miss issues, particularly against better sequencing and breaking stuff. Still, when he makes contact, it is often loud contact—supported by consistently high exit velocities and quality barrel rates. While Thomas’ approach leans toward aggression, he generally recognizes pitches well enough to do damage in the zone. His power surge at Texas carried over to Spokane, suggesting that he might one day produce at least average power. Encouragingly, his groundball rate remains low, indicating a swing geared for lift and power. Originally a first baseman in college, Thomas is now a full-time outfielder. He lacks the speed for center but is serviceable on the corners with above-average speed and an average arm.
The Future: Given the learning curve Thomas experienced at Double-A, he should start in Hartford again. Since he is largely limited to the outfield corners and first base, developing his power will be crucial to determining whether he can be an everyday regular or a useful lefthanded-hitting role player with average or better tools across the board.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50
OF
Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 175 | B-T: L-L
Age: 22
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: Thomas emerged in his draft year at Texas, hitting .349/.434/.635 with 16 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 60 games as an eligible sophomore. The Rockies drafted him in the second round in 2024 and signed him for $2 million. Thomas shined at High-A Spokane in the first half of 2025, posting a .922 OPS in 73 games, before scuffling in 45 games for Double-A Hartford as his strikeout rate spiked to nearly 35%. He led the Rockies’ system in both walks (70) and strikeouts (145).
Scouting Report: The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Thomas is an average athlete who moves well for his size. He began his pro career playing primarily center field, but when he moved to Hartford, he slid to left field, which is a better long-term fit. Thomas’ move to Double-A also exposed the key area of concern: swing-and-miss issues, particularly against better sequencing and breaking stuff. Still, when he makes contact, it is often loud contact—supported by consistently high exit velocities and quality barrel rates. While Thomas’ approach leans toward aggression, he generally recognizes pitches well enough to do damage in the zone. His power surge at Texas carried over to Spokane, suggesting that he might one day produce at least average power. Encouragingly, his groundball rate remains low, indicating a swing geared for lift and power. Originally a first baseman in college, Thomas is now a full-time outfielder. He lacks the speed for center but is serviceable on the corners with above-average speed and an average arm.
The Future: Given the learning curve Thomas experienced at Double-A, he should start in Hartford again. Since he is largely limited to the outfield corners and first base, developing his power will be crucial to determining whether he can be an everyday regular or a useful lefthanded-hitting role player with average or better tools across the board.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50
Luke Dickerson, from BA
7. Luke Dickerson
SS
Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 197 | B-T: R-R
Age: 20
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: The Nationals bet big on Dickerson in the second round of the 2024 draft, taking the New Jersey prep two-sport athlete—he also starred in hockey—in the second round and going way over slot to sign him for $3.8 million. That was nearly double the slot value for the 44th pick. Dickerson debuted in the Florida Complex League in 2025 but stayed just six games before the Nationals promoted him to Low-A Fredericksburg. He hit well for the first 20 games but his production tapered off and he finished his time in the Carolina League with a .204 average, 25% strikeout rate and five home runs in 83 games.
Scouting Report: The Nationals got an incomplete look at Dickerson in his first full season because he played through a wrist injury. Despite that mitigating factor, he grinded through a full season and showed plus bat speed and aptitude to drive the ball for power to his pull side on occasion. Like many young hitters, Dickerson will need to hone in on his strike zone and make more contact in the zone and avoid chasing out of it. He can get too passive at times. He hits the ball hard enough consistently enough to provide at least average power, while his quality swing decisions should make him an above-average hitter. Dickerson is a solidly-built, 5-foot-11 athlete who moves well on the infield and can convert routine plays at shortstop. He is a plus runner but doesn’t have classic shortstop range, and his arm is borderline for the left side of the infield. Dickerson saw time at second base late in the season, and some scouts have floated center field as a possible destination.
The Future: Scouts who like Dickerson view him as a potential big league second baseman with solid all-around tools with enough hitting ability and power to play regularly.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50
SS
Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 197 | B-T: R-R
Age: 20
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: The Nationals bet big on Dickerson in the second round of the 2024 draft, taking the New Jersey prep two-sport athlete—he also starred in hockey—in the second round and going way over slot to sign him for $3.8 million. That was nearly double the slot value for the 44th pick. Dickerson debuted in the Florida Complex League in 2025 but stayed just six games before the Nationals promoted him to Low-A Fredericksburg. He hit well for the first 20 games but his production tapered off and he finished his time in the Carolina League with a .204 average, 25% strikeout rate and five home runs in 83 games.
Scouting Report: The Nationals got an incomplete look at Dickerson in his first full season because he played through a wrist injury. Despite that mitigating factor, he grinded through a full season and showed plus bat speed and aptitude to drive the ball for power to his pull side on occasion. Like many young hitters, Dickerson will need to hone in on his strike zone and make more contact in the zone and avoid chasing out of it. He can get too passive at times. He hits the ball hard enough consistently enough to provide at least average power, while his quality swing decisions should make him an above-average hitter. Dickerson is a solidly-built, 5-foot-11 athlete who moves well on the infield and can convert routine plays at shortstop. He is a plus runner but doesn’t have classic shortstop range, and his arm is borderline for the left side of the infield. Dickerson saw time at second base late in the season, and some scouts have floated center field as a possible destination.
The Future: Scouts who like Dickerson view him as a potential big league second baseman with solid all-around tools with enough hitting ability and power to play regularly.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50
J.D. Dix, from BA
8. JD Dix
2B
Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 170 | B-T: S-R
Age: 20
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: A well-regarded high school player in Whitefish Bay, Wis., Dix saw his draft stock slip in 2024 due to a shoulder injury that ultimately required surgery for a torn labrum. The Diamondbacks, who liked him before the injury, drafted him anyway with the 35th overall pick with the hope that he fully recovers from the procedure. So far, that hasn’t happened, but with his first full pro season under his belt, Dix looks intriguing anyway as an athletic, hitterish and hard-nosed player. He began 2025 in the Arizona Complex League before moving up to Low-A Visalia at the end of June.
Scouting Report: The switch-hitting Dix has pure, natural swings from both sides of the plate. He offsets long levers with good bat speed and solid bat-to-ball ability. His production in 2025 was just fair, but he has a strong hit tool foundation with few red flags. He sees and handles fastballs and offspeeds well, isn’t too passive or aggressive, uses the whole field and doesn’t hit too many balls on the ground. Those are the sort of attributes that, assuming Dix adds strength to his athletic-looking frame, suggest at least an above-average hitter with average power, if not more. His arm remains a concern. Some think it is fringy but playable at second base, others say it will force a position change, either to first base or the outfield. Dix is a good runner who stole 28 bases in 89 games in 2025. A confident and instinctual player, he is a gamer who makes winning plays.
The Future: Dix is an athletic, projectable player with a wide range of possible outcomes. If his arm improves, perhaps he becomes an offensive-minded second baseman. If not, his bat could still play at either first base, left field or even in center field, where some think his speed could give him plus range.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 40
2B
Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 170 | B-T: S-R
Age: 20
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: A well-regarded high school player in Whitefish Bay, Wis., Dix saw his draft stock slip in 2024 due to a shoulder injury that ultimately required surgery for a torn labrum. The Diamondbacks, who liked him before the injury, drafted him anyway with the 35th overall pick with the hope that he fully recovers from the procedure. So far, that hasn’t happened, but with his first full pro season under his belt, Dix looks intriguing anyway as an athletic, hitterish and hard-nosed player. He began 2025 in the Arizona Complex League before moving up to Low-A Visalia at the end of June.
Scouting Report: The switch-hitting Dix has pure, natural swings from both sides of the plate. He offsets long levers with good bat speed and solid bat-to-ball ability. His production in 2025 was just fair, but he has a strong hit tool foundation with few red flags. He sees and handles fastballs and offspeeds well, isn’t too passive or aggressive, uses the whole field and doesn’t hit too many balls on the ground. Those are the sort of attributes that, assuming Dix adds strength to his athletic-looking frame, suggest at least an above-average hitter with average power, if not more. His arm remains a concern. Some think it is fringy but playable at second base, others say it will force a position change, either to first base or the outfield. Dix is a good runner who stole 28 bases in 89 games in 2025. A confident and instinctual player, he is a gamer who makes winning plays.
The Future: Dix is an athletic, projectable player with a wide range of possible outcomes. If his arm improves, perhaps he becomes an offensive-minded second baseman. If not, his bat could still play at either first base, left field or even in center field, where some think his speed could give him plus range.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 40
Adam Serinowski, from BP
8 - Adam Serinowski, LHP DOB 4/6/2007
The Report: The Dodgers inserting themselves into the Zach Littell deal to grab Serwinowski makes a lot of sense. He’s a funky lefty with a short arm action, a plus fastball/slider combination, and not much of a track record of throwing strikes. The Dodgers have a pretty high tolerance for this kind of profile, and tend to get a lot out of them. But shortly after entering LA’s system, he started throwing more strikes. (Maybe teams should be more willing to let Andrew Friedman’s calls go to voicemail). Serwinowski uses an uptempo delivery with a high hand break and short arm stroke that makes it tough to pick up the ball. His fastball can hit the mid-90s and comes with good carry, if significantly less good command. The low-80s slider falls off a shelf from his over-the-top arm slot and he can run it more left-on-left. There’s a change and a bridge cutter as well. We may have caught Serwinowski in the midst of a breakout with his new org. This may be the best two months of control he ever shows in the pros. I’d bet more on the former, and if you were to place him on a Ronan Kopp to Anthony Banda to Justin Wrobleski to Andrew Heaney continuum, he’s certainly trending towards the high end.
OFP: 55 / no. 3/4 starter or good multi-inning reliever
Variance: High. He might just be exactly Anthony Banda. Or exactly Justin Wrobleski. You’d take those outcomes, but they aren’t really above-average ones.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Top-500 Dynasty Prospects: 367
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Serwinowski is effectively a two-pitch arm with a mid-90s fastball with above-average carry and a low-80s sweeper. Both pitches show promise and flash plus traits. Improving his spotty command and developing repertoire depth will be vital to profile as a starter.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: It works for Robbie Ray.
The Report: The Dodgers inserting themselves into the Zach Littell deal to grab Serwinowski makes a lot of sense. He’s a funky lefty with a short arm action, a plus fastball/slider combination, and not much of a track record of throwing strikes. The Dodgers have a pretty high tolerance for this kind of profile, and tend to get a lot out of them. But shortly after entering LA’s system, he started throwing more strikes. (Maybe teams should be more willing to let Andrew Friedman’s calls go to voicemail). Serwinowski uses an uptempo delivery with a high hand break and short arm stroke that makes it tough to pick up the ball. His fastball can hit the mid-90s and comes with good carry, if significantly less good command. The low-80s slider falls off a shelf from his over-the-top arm slot and he can run it more left-on-left. There’s a change and a bridge cutter as well. We may have caught Serwinowski in the midst of a breakout with his new org. This may be the best two months of control he ever shows in the pros. I’d bet more on the former, and if you were to place him on a Ronan Kopp to Anthony Banda to Justin Wrobleski to Andrew Heaney continuum, he’s certainly trending towards the high end.
OFP: 55 / no. 3/4 starter or good multi-inning reliever
Variance: High. He might just be exactly Anthony Banda. Or exactly Justin Wrobleski. You’d take those outcomes, but they aren’t really above-average ones.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Top-500 Dynasty Prospects: 367
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Serwinowski is effectively a two-pitch arm with a mid-90s fastball with above-average carry and a low-80s sweeper. Both pitches show promise and flash plus traits. Improving his spotty command and developing repertoire depth will be vital to profile as a starter.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: It works for Robbie Ray.
Ryan Johnson, from BA
2. Ryan Johnson
RHP
Ht: 6'6" | Wt: 212 | B-T: S-R
Age: 23
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Mild
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: As a Dallas Baptist junior, Johnson set the school’s single-season (151) and career (341) strikeout records. The Angels drafted him in 2024, using the compensatory second-round pick gained from Shohei Ohtani’s free agent departure. Johnson broke camp with the Angels in 2025 to become the 24th player in history to make the jump from the draft to MLB without spending a day in the minor leagues. His big league stint ended after 14 relief appearances. He landed at High-A Tri-City, where he was stellar before arm fatigue ended his season in August.
Scouting Report: Johnson is a 6-foot-6 righthander with a swing-and-miss arsenal and unorthodox mechanics. He starts his delivery with a truncated overhead windup with a sidestep before going into a short, slinging arm action from a low three-quarters slot, finishing with violence. The high effort has not diminished his control and creates deception for his five-pitch arsenal. Johnson works primarily off his plus, low-90s sweeper/cutter. He can manipulate the shape and velocity of the pitch and locate it for strikes in any count. His fastball peaks at 99 mph and sits 93-94 as a starter—and a tick higher in relief—with plus armside run. It tunnels with his slider to give him an east-west profile. Johnson will incorporate an upper-70s curveball and mid-80s split changeup to lefthanders, but both are fringe-average at best. His starter chances hinge on whether he can repeat his herky-jerky mechanics over extended outings.
The Future: Johnson will continue developing as a starter, with a late-inning relief role serving as a fallback option. Future role questions introduce variance, but there is little doubt that he can become an impact arm in some capacity.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Slider: 60 | Cutter: 60 | Control: 50
RHP
Ht: 6'6" | Wt: 212 | B-T: S-R
Age: 23
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Mild
Adjusted Grade: 45
Track Record: As a Dallas Baptist junior, Johnson set the school’s single-season (151) and career (341) strikeout records. The Angels drafted him in 2024, using the compensatory second-round pick gained from Shohei Ohtani’s free agent departure. Johnson broke camp with the Angels in 2025 to become the 24th player in history to make the jump from the draft to MLB without spending a day in the minor leagues. His big league stint ended after 14 relief appearances. He landed at High-A Tri-City, where he was stellar before arm fatigue ended his season in August.
Scouting Report: Johnson is a 6-foot-6 righthander with a swing-and-miss arsenal and unorthodox mechanics. He starts his delivery with a truncated overhead windup with a sidestep before going into a short, slinging arm action from a low three-quarters slot, finishing with violence. The high effort has not diminished his control and creates deception for his five-pitch arsenal. Johnson works primarily off his plus, low-90s sweeper/cutter. He can manipulate the shape and velocity of the pitch and locate it for strikes in any count. His fastball peaks at 99 mph and sits 93-94 as a starter—and a tick higher in relief—with plus armside run. It tunnels with his slider to give him an east-west profile. Johnson will incorporate an upper-70s curveball and mid-80s split changeup to lefthanders, but both are fringe-average at best. His starter chances hinge on whether he can repeat his herky-jerky mechanics over extended outings.
The Future: Johnson will continue developing as a starter, with a late-inning relief role serving as a fallback option. Future role questions introduce variance, but there is little doubt that he can become an impact arm in some capacity.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Slider: 60 | Cutter: 60 | Control: 50
Henry Bolte, from BA
6. Henry Bolte
OF
Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R
Age: 22
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Bolte has steadily climbed the rungs of the Athletics’ minor league system since signing out of a Bay Area high school for $2 million as a second-rounder in 2022. Along the way, he made a series of mechanical tweaks in search of more contact. He split his age-21 season in 2025 between Double-A and Triple-A, batting .284/.385/.427 with nine home runs and 44 stolen bases over 114 games before a nagging wrist injury ended his year and required September surgery.
Scouting Report: Bolte is a player of extremes. He produces some of the best exit velocities of any A’s minor leaguer, runs the bases as well as any player in the system and is a potential plus outfield defender. Bolte has been quite productive in the minors and, on the right weeks, scouts see massive upside. In other weeks, they wonder if he’ll ever hit enough to piece it all together in the majors. The righthanded-hitting Bolte has smoothed out his swing and improved pitch recognition to trim his strikeout rates, yet still ran a 33% whiff rate in 2025 with holes up in the zone against velocity and down and away versus breaking balls. He also pounds too many balls into the ground, and his 59% groundball rate limits his in-game impact, though the A’s believe his lingering wrist woes contributed to that result. Bolte oozes athleticism on the bases and at all three outfield spots, and his frenetic play style can also lead to some erraticism.
The Future: There’s boom-or-bust risk with Bolte, whose power-speed profile is not far off from current A’s outfielder Colby Thomas. The organization remains encouraged by Bolte’s intangibles and year-over-year progress, and he has the upside of an everyday outfielder who hits .240 with 25-30 homers and steals bases—if he can find a way to optimize his swing and approach to make better contact.
Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60
OF
Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R
Age: 22
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Bolte has steadily climbed the rungs of the Athletics’ minor league system since signing out of a Bay Area high school for $2 million as a second-rounder in 2022. Along the way, he made a series of mechanical tweaks in search of more contact. He split his age-21 season in 2025 between Double-A and Triple-A, batting .284/.385/.427 with nine home runs and 44 stolen bases over 114 games before a nagging wrist injury ended his year and required September surgery.
Scouting Report: Bolte is a player of extremes. He produces some of the best exit velocities of any A’s minor leaguer, runs the bases as well as any player in the system and is a potential plus outfield defender. Bolte has been quite productive in the minors and, on the right weeks, scouts see massive upside. In other weeks, they wonder if he’ll ever hit enough to piece it all together in the majors. The righthanded-hitting Bolte has smoothed out his swing and improved pitch recognition to trim his strikeout rates, yet still ran a 33% whiff rate in 2025 with holes up in the zone against velocity and down and away versus breaking balls. He also pounds too many balls into the ground, and his 59% groundball rate limits his in-game impact, though the A’s believe his lingering wrist woes contributed to that result. Bolte oozes athleticism on the bases and at all three outfield spots, and his frenetic play style can also lead to some erraticism.
The Future: There’s boom-or-bust risk with Bolte, whose power-speed profile is not far off from current A’s outfielder Colby Thomas. The organization remains encouraged by Bolte’s intangibles and year-over-year progress, and he has the upside of an everyday outfielder who hits .240 with 25-30 homers and steals bases—if he can find a way to optimize his swing and approach to make better contact.
Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60
Ralphy Velazquez, from FanGraphs
2. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B
Drafted: 1st Round, 2023 from Huntington Beach HS (CA) (CLE)
Age 20.6 Height 6′ 3″ Weight 230 Bat / Thr L / R FV 50
Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw
35/50 55/60 40/55 30/30 45/50 55
Velazquez was an underslot first-round pick in 2023. Selected as a bat-first catcher, the stick has always looked promising, but questions about his body and future position made him a risky proposition. Even though he’s shed the catcher’s gear, it appears Cleveland chose wisely. Velazquez has gotten himself in great shape and is on the fast track to the big leagues. He reached Double-A just a couple months after turning 20, and spent the season’s final month hammering the competition, hitting .330/.405/.589 with 12 walks and only 19 punchouts in 126 plate appearances at Akron.
Velazquez projects as a middle-of-the-order hitter. Everything looks right in the box. He starts with a wide base, his short stride and kick get him in position on time, his trigger looks natural, and he has a fast bat that’s already producing above-average exit velocities. He’s also showing signs of a mature approach, hunting low-and-in pitches early in counts and adjusting with two strikes.
As a professional, Velazquez has mostly played first base, where he projects average, though Cleveland has occasionally deployed him in an outfield corner. He has the motor to make himself playable — Velazquez was a regular and sometimes solo presence at pre-game defensive work in Brendan’s looks — but he’ll need to take to the finer points of the job because his speed will be tested out there. It’s worth a try, even if first base seems like the likely end point. Regardless, Velazquez is a hitter first. His ascension to Double-A capped off a really promising 2025 season, and he enters 2026 as an arrow-up guy with a chance to reach Cleveland as soon as this summer.
Drafted: 1st Round, 2023 from Huntington Beach HS (CA) (CLE)
Age 20.6 Height 6′ 3″ Weight 230 Bat / Thr L / R FV 50
Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw
35/50 55/60 40/55 30/30 45/50 55
Velazquez was an underslot first-round pick in 2023. Selected as a bat-first catcher, the stick has always looked promising, but questions about his body and future position made him a risky proposition. Even though he’s shed the catcher’s gear, it appears Cleveland chose wisely. Velazquez has gotten himself in great shape and is on the fast track to the big leagues. He reached Double-A just a couple months after turning 20, and spent the season’s final month hammering the competition, hitting .330/.405/.589 with 12 walks and only 19 punchouts in 126 plate appearances at Akron.
Velazquez projects as a middle-of-the-order hitter. Everything looks right in the box. He starts with a wide base, his short stride and kick get him in position on time, his trigger looks natural, and he has a fast bat that’s already producing above-average exit velocities. He’s also showing signs of a mature approach, hunting low-and-in pitches early in counts and adjusting with two strikes.
As a professional, Velazquez has mostly played first base, where he projects average, though Cleveland has occasionally deployed him in an outfield corner. He has the motor to make himself playable — Velazquez was a regular and sometimes solo presence at pre-game defensive work in Brendan’s looks — but he’ll need to take to the finer points of the job because his speed will be tested out there. It’s worth a try, even if first base seems like the likely end point. Regardless, Velazquez is a hitter first. His ascension to Double-A capped off a really promising 2025 season, and he enters 2026 as an arrow-up guy with a chance to reach Cleveland as soon as this summer.
Feldin Celesten, from BA & FanGraphs
From BA
9. Felnin Celesten
SS
Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 175 | B-T: S-R
Age: 20
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Celesten was a touted prospect for years before the Mariners signed him for $4.7 million to kick off the 2023 international signing period. He signed the largest bonus for an international amateur in organization history. A hamstring injury delayed Celesten’s debut until 2024, when struggles early in extended spring training briefly raised concern. He quickly rebounded in the Arizona Complex League, hitting .352/.431/.568 before a wrist injury ended his season. Celesten stayed healthy in 2025 and handled his first full year of affiliated ball, batting .285/.349/.384 with five home runs for Low-A Modesto before an 11-game look at High-A Everett.
Scouting Report: Celesten is a constant tinkerer at the plate, frequently experimenting with the depth of his crouch and the size and timing of his leg kick. A switch-hitter, his mechanics are largely consistent from both sides. However, scouts have noted that his lefthanded swing is more fluid. He projects to have at least a fringe-average hit tool, thanks to his ability to let the ball travel in the zone and a mature approach that includes using the opposite field. His pitch recognition is advanced for his age because he tracks pitches deep, rarely expands the zone and shows a strong feel for spin. On the bases, Celesten is a plus runner with long, explosive strides and efficient routes, particularly around the corners. Defensively, he checks every box to stick at shortstop, with quick lateral movements, soft hands and a strong, accurate arm capable of making throws deep in the hole or on the move.
The Future: Celesten should start the 2026 season back at High-A Everett. He’s still young, and the pop could develop more as his body develops. He has what it takes to be a productive everyday player with the right pace.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50
From FanGraphs
8. Felnin Celesten, SS Video
Signed: International Signing Period, 2023 from Dominican Republic (SEA)
Age 20.3 Height 6′ 1″ Weight 215 Bat / Thr S / R FV 50
Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw
20/40 45/55 20/50 50/50 40/50 60
Seattle’s top signee from the 2023 international class, Celesten shook off the injury bug long enough to suit up more than 100 times combined across both A-ball levels in 2025. At times, there was understandable rust on both sides of the ball, but he also flashed the ability of an elite shortstop prospect, and has continued to play well amidst inconsistent playing time in the Dominican Winter League.
Celestin is an above-average athlete and a switch-hitter with a fast bat from both sides. It’s a power-over-hit cut — he swings hard, pulls off the plate, and has a steep path conducive to damage but also swing and miss — and he should grow into at least above-average pop. Perhaps the most impressive thing is how he’s performed almost identically as a righty and lefty— all the more notable given that there are measurable differences in how his respective swings work. His contact rates aren’t great, but they’re fine for someone his age, particularly factoring in the lost reps.
Celestin’s defensive instincts are good. He has a keen sense for when he can get in front of the ball and when he has to move a little quicker, he knows when he has to hurry a throw and when he has an extra beat, and he’s shown an adaptability to the moment. In one recent LIDOM sequence, he picked up a high chopper in front of second and a little to the first base side of the bag, took two steps to his left to tag a sliding runner, and then spun and fired a strike for the double play. That’s really good feel, especially for someone playing with and against guys many years his senior. That buoys an otherwise unremarkable defensive projection. At short, Celestin’s range is adequate but not outstanding, while his glovework and throwing accuracy should be fine in the end but remain a work in progress.
Celestin is rawer at the plate than most players on our Top 100, but the physicality, offensive tools, and defensive instincts justify a lofty projection. He’s a potential five-tool player, and while he may have a longer development timeline than most guys with his upside, the payoff could be significant. He’ll return to Everett to start the 2026 season.
From BP
9. Felnin Celesten Pos: SS Born: 2005-09-15
B: Switch
T: Right
H: 6′ 1″ W: 175 lbs.
History: Signed January 2023 out of the Dominican Republic for $4,700,000.
Previous Rank
: #8 (org)
Major League ETA
: 2028/2029
The Report: Celesten got the highest IFA bonus in Mariners history in 2023, but a hamstring injury that summer meant he didn’t play in an official game until the 2024 Arizona Complex League. A wrist injury limited his time that season, but he posted impressive exit velocities for his age. He played a full season in 2025, and continued to hit the ball quite hard, but the rest of the profile has some holes to fill in going forward. The switch-hitting shortstop is better from the right side of the plate, despite a more exaggerated set-up—open and squatty with his hands starting almost over the plate. There’s a lot of moving parts in his righty swing, but it’s got a quick, torquey explosion through the zone with his hands in a good position to lift. Celesten doesn’t consistently lift the ball though, owing to some issues with barrel control. His lefty swing is a bit more tentative, spending more time in the zone, but showing less whip as it travels through it. He hasn’t shown a huge split so far, and this is a fairly normal skill distribution for a young switch-hitter (more power as a righty, better contact as a lefty). Overall his contact rate is below-average though, and he’s chased more in full-season ball as part of an overall aggressive approach. Some of this is likely to work itself out with more reps, but Celesten is now 19 with merely good power for his age, so it needs further development to be a true carrying tool.
Defensively he is a mixed bag as well. He is rangy and capable of the spectacular play, but he can be a bit loose with his hands and actions when he has too much time in front of him. His internal clock can be a bit off too, and he can rush throws to get guys by a step on what should be routine plays. This is another thing that can work itself out with more reps, but this is a lot of developmental goals for a now-20-year-old shortstop. Prospect life comes at you fast.
OFP: 55 / Above-average infielder
Variance: High. Celesten has played less than the average 2023 IFA due to injuries and carries significant hit tool and defensive questions into his twenties. —Jeffrey Paternostro
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Top-500 Dynasty Prospects: 110
Potential Earnings: $15-20
Fantasy Overview: Celesten held his own in Single-A yet he remains quite raw. His hit tool is a work in progress, and he has not been able to regularly tap into his power in games yet. The potential remains for an impact fantasy performer, but a lot of work remains.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Asdrúbal Cabrera
9. Felnin Celesten
SS
Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 175 | B-T: S-R
Age: 20
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Adjusted Grade: 40
Track Record: Celesten was a touted prospect for years before the Mariners signed him for $4.7 million to kick off the 2023 international signing period. He signed the largest bonus for an international amateur in organization history. A hamstring injury delayed Celesten’s debut until 2024, when struggles early in extended spring training briefly raised concern. He quickly rebounded in the Arizona Complex League, hitting .352/.431/.568 before a wrist injury ended his season. Celesten stayed healthy in 2025 and handled his first full year of affiliated ball, batting .285/.349/.384 with five home runs for Low-A Modesto before an 11-game look at High-A Everett.
Scouting Report: Celesten is a constant tinkerer at the plate, frequently experimenting with the depth of his crouch and the size and timing of his leg kick. A switch-hitter, his mechanics are largely consistent from both sides. However, scouts have noted that his lefthanded swing is more fluid. He projects to have at least a fringe-average hit tool, thanks to his ability to let the ball travel in the zone and a mature approach that includes using the opposite field. His pitch recognition is advanced for his age because he tracks pitches deep, rarely expands the zone and shows a strong feel for spin. On the bases, Celesten is a plus runner with long, explosive strides and efficient routes, particularly around the corners. Defensively, he checks every box to stick at shortstop, with quick lateral movements, soft hands and a strong, accurate arm capable of making throws deep in the hole or on the move.
The Future: Celesten should start the 2026 season back at High-A Everett. He’s still young, and the pop could develop more as his body develops. He has what it takes to be a productive everyday player with the right pace.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50
From FanGraphs
8. Felnin Celesten, SS Video
Signed: International Signing Period, 2023 from Dominican Republic (SEA)
Age 20.3 Height 6′ 1″ Weight 215 Bat / Thr S / R FV 50
Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw
20/40 45/55 20/50 50/50 40/50 60
Seattle’s top signee from the 2023 international class, Celesten shook off the injury bug long enough to suit up more than 100 times combined across both A-ball levels in 2025. At times, there was understandable rust on both sides of the ball, but he also flashed the ability of an elite shortstop prospect, and has continued to play well amidst inconsistent playing time in the Dominican Winter League.
Celestin is an above-average athlete and a switch-hitter with a fast bat from both sides. It’s a power-over-hit cut — he swings hard, pulls off the plate, and has a steep path conducive to damage but also swing and miss — and he should grow into at least above-average pop. Perhaps the most impressive thing is how he’s performed almost identically as a righty and lefty— all the more notable given that there are measurable differences in how his respective swings work. His contact rates aren’t great, but they’re fine for someone his age, particularly factoring in the lost reps.
Celestin’s defensive instincts are good. He has a keen sense for when he can get in front of the ball and when he has to move a little quicker, he knows when he has to hurry a throw and when he has an extra beat, and he’s shown an adaptability to the moment. In one recent LIDOM sequence, he picked up a high chopper in front of second and a little to the first base side of the bag, took two steps to his left to tag a sliding runner, and then spun and fired a strike for the double play. That’s really good feel, especially for someone playing with and against guys many years his senior. That buoys an otherwise unremarkable defensive projection. At short, Celestin’s range is adequate but not outstanding, while his glovework and throwing accuracy should be fine in the end but remain a work in progress.
Celestin is rawer at the plate than most players on our Top 100, but the physicality, offensive tools, and defensive instincts justify a lofty projection. He’s a potential five-tool player, and while he may have a longer development timeline than most guys with his upside, the payoff could be significant. He’ll return to Everett to start the 2026 season.
From BP
9. Felnin Celesten Pos: SS Born: 2005-09-15
B: Switch
T: Right
H: 6′ 1″ W: 175 lbs.
History: Signed January 2023 out of the Dominican Republic for $4,700,000.
Previous Rank
: #8 (org)
Major League ETA
: 2028/2029
The Report: Celesten got the highest IFA bonus in Mariners history in 2023, but a hamstring injury that summer meant he didn’t play in an official game until the 2024 Arizona Complex League. A wrist injury limited his time that season, but he posted impressive exit velocities for his age. He played a full season in 2025, and continued to hit the ball quite hard, but the rest of the profile has some holes to fill in going forward. The switch-hitting shortstop is better from the right side of the plate, despite a more exaggerated set-up—open and squatty with his hands starting almost over the plate. There’s a lot of moving parts in his righty swing, but it’s got a quick, torquey explosion through the zone with his hands in a good position to lift. Celesten doesn’t consistently lift the ball though, owing to some issues with barrel control. His lefty swing is a bit more tentative, spending more time in the zone, but showing less whip as it travels through it. He hasn’t shown a huge split so far, and this is a fairly normal skill distribution for a young switch-hitter (more power as a righty, better contact as a lefty). Overall his contact rate is below-average though, and he’s chased more in full-season ball as part of an overall aggressive approach. Some of this is likely to work itself out with more reps, but Celesten is now 19 with merely good power for his age, so it needs further development to be a true carrying tool.
Defensively he is a mixed bag as well. He is rangy and capable of the spectacular play, but he can be a bit loose with his hands and actions when he has too much time in front of him. His internal clock can be a bit off too, and he can rush throws to get guys by a step on what should be routine plays. This is another thing that can work itself out with more reps, but this is a lot of developmental goals for a now-20-year-old shortstop. Prospect life comes at you fast.
OFP: 55 / Above-average infielder
Variance: High. Celesten has played less than the average 2023 IFA due to injuries and carries significant hit tool and defensive questions into his twenties. —Jeffrey Paternostro
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Top-500 Dynasty Prospects: 110
Potential Earnings: $15-20
Fantasy Overview: Celesten held his own in Single-A yet he remains quite raw. His hit tool is a work in progress, and he has not been able to regularly tap into his power in games yet. The potential remains for an impact fantasy performer, but a lot of work remains.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Asdrúbal Cabrera
Ralphy Velazquez, from BP article
From a BP article about 1B prospects on 1/12...
Ralphy Velazquez, Cleveland Guardians
Velazquez is just 20, which makes him younger than anyone else in this article, including the three guys in the second section that I don’t project to reach the majors in 2026. He looks nearly major-league ready, though, after reaching Double-A Akron in 2025 and excelling.
At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Velazquez is a big boy, and he has the power befitting of that stature. The left-handed swinger cranked 22 home runs, 28 doubles and nine triples across his 122 games last season between High-A Lake County and Akron, and he saved his best production for his first taste of Double-A late in the year, slashing .330/405/.589 with five homers in 28 contests. Velazquez also sported just a 15.1% strikeout rate during his time with Akron and a 19.1% strikeout rate overall on the year, pairing his thunder with a good understanding of the strike zone. He also doesn’t have splits concerns, having hit better against lefties (.886 OPS) than righties (.823 OPS) in 2025.
Velazquez is as slow as molasses and will provide nothing in the way of stolen bases, and that lack of speed will hurt his runs total, too (though he should get on base plenty). The power, though, is very real. Kyle Manzardo will get regular reps between first base and designated hitter, but the other slot that he’s not playing is pretty wide open. Velazquez surely won’t make the Opening Day roster, but he could push for a promotion sooner rather than later.
Ralphy Velazquez, Cleveland Guardians
Velazquez is just 20, which makes him younger than anyone else in this article, including the three guys in the second section that I don’t project to reach the majors in 2026. He looks nearly major-league ready, though, after reaching Double-A Akron in 2025 and excelling.
At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Velazquez is a big boy, and he has the power befitting of that stature. The left-handed swinger cranked 22 home runs, 28 doubles and nine triples across his 122 games last season between High-A Lake County and Akron, and he saved his best production for his first taste of Double-A late in the year, slashing .330/405/.589 with five homers in 28 contests. Velazquez also sported just a 15.1% strikeout rate during his time with Akron and a 19.1% strikeout rate overall on the year, pairing his thunder with a good understanding of the strike zone. He also doesn’t have splits concerns, having hit better against lefties (.886 OPS) than righties (.823 OPS) in 2025.
Velazquez is as slow as molasses and will provide nothing in the way of stolen bases, and that lack of speed will hurt his runs total, too (though he should get on base plenty). The power, though, is very real. Kyle Manzardo will get regular reps between first base and designated hitter, but the other slot that he’s not playing is pretty wide open. Velazquez surely won’t make the Opening Day roster, but he could push for a promotion sooner rather than later.
Luke Dickerson, from BP
4.
Luke Dickerson
Pos: MI
Born: 2005-08-09
B: Right
T: Right
H: 5′ 11″
W: 197 lbs.
History: Drafted 44th overall in the 2024 draft, Morris Knolls HS (Rockaway, NJ); signed for $3.8 million.
Previous Rank
: #7 (org)
Major League ETA
: 2029
Year Team Level Age PA R 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ BABIP
2025 F-NAT ROK 19 26 5 0 0 1 10 4 4 1 1 .273 .385 .409 – .294
2025 FBG Lo-A 19 333 34 14 2 5 31 41 84 21 5 .204 .309 .319 99 .266
The Report: Dickerson was a late riser from the Jersey prep ranks in 2025 and signed with the Nationals for just under four million dollars. The former two-sport athlete (he had 58 points in 38 games in his high school hockey season) got off to a blazing start in his first taste of pro ball. He impressed first at the complex before a quick promotion to Low-A, but after a wrist contusion in June his slugging numbers were down the rest of the season. When he was healthy, he showed an interesting blend of power and speed, posting a max exit velocity above the MLB average with a decent amount of contact in the air. His doesn’t look that effortful despite his 5-foot-11 frame, although that hasn’t turned into much contact-wise, with his overall contact rate a little below MLB-average despite average swing decisions. It’s high enough above the contact shelf—especially for his age and runway—that it’s not a huge knock, but he’ll have to prove he can still hit when he reaches the upper minors. As of now, his athleticism is ahead of his actions and metrics in the infield, so while he could grow into a decent second baseman or shortstop, it’s not impossible to see him in the outfield given his plus or better speed.
OFP: 50/ Above-average power/speed threat with some sort of up-the-middle defense
Variance: High. Dickerson will have to show he can hit upper minors pitching to make the profile play
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Top-500 Dynasty Prospects: 177
Potential Earnings: $10-15
Fantasy Overview: Dickerson flashed exciting power-speed potential prior to his wrist injury. His poor surface level stats likely will turn many off of him entering the year. However, Dickerson makes enough contact with legit thump to quickly rehabilitate his dynasty value with a strong start in 2026. An infielder with 20-20 potential is always worth chasing.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Brian Dozier
Luke Dickerson
Pos: MI
Born: 2005-08-09
B: Right
T: Right
H: 5′ 11″
W: 197 lbs.
History: Drafted 44th overall in the 2024 draft, Morris Knolls HS (Rockaway, NJ); signed for $3.8 million.
Previous Rank
: #7 (org)
Major League ETA
: 2029
Year Team Level Age PA R 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ BABIP
2025 F-NAT ROK 19 26 5 0 0 1 10 4 4 1 1 .273 .385 .409 – .294
2025 FBG Lo-A 19 333 34 14 2 5 31 41 84 21 5 .204 .309 .319 99 .266
The Report: Dickerson was a late riser from the Jersey prep ranks in 2025 and signed with the Nationals for just under four million dollars. The former two-sport athlete (he had 58 points in 38 games in his high school hockey season) got off to a blazing start in his first taste of pro ball. He impressed first at the complex before a quick promotion to Low-A, but after a wrist contusion in June his slugging numbers were down the rest of the season. When he was healthy, he showed an interesting blend of power and speed, posting a max exit velocity above the MLB average with a decent amount of contact in the air. His doesn’t look that effortful despite his 5-foot-11 frame, although that hasn’t turned into much contact-wise, with his overall contact rate a little below MLB-average despite average swing decisions. It’s high enough above the contact shelf—especially for his age and runway—that it’s not a huge knock, but he’ll have to prove he can still hit when he reaches the upper minors. As of now, his athleticism is ahead of his actions and metrics in the infield, so while he could grow into a decent second baseman or shortstop, it’s not impossible to see him in the outfield given his plus or better speed.
OFP: 50/ Above-average power/speed threat with some sort of up-the-middle defense
Variance: High. Dickerson will have to show he can hit upper minors pitching to make the profile play
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Top-500 Dynasty Prospects: 177
Potential Earnings: $10-15
Fantasy Overview: Dickerson flashed exciting power-speed potential prior to his wrist injury. His poor surface level stats likely will turn many off of him entering the year. However, Dickerson makes enough contact with legit thump to quickly rehabilitate his dynasty value with a strong start in 2026. An infielder with 20-20 potential is always worth chasing.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Brian Dozier
