The 2025 Minor League season is officially underway, with all four affiliated levels beginning play over the past two weeks. With thousands of players spread across 120 teams, there are countless reasons to follow each of these squads, but a few teams stand above the rest in terms of prospect talent.
There's more than one way to crack an egg, though, when setting out to rank the 10 most exciting teams in the Minors, Top 100 prospect talent is certainly important, as is depth of talent from the organization's Top 30 lists. Some squads have cohesive themes that make them important as well, such as having group of players from the same Draft class climbing the ranks together.
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Rosters will change with promotions, trades and injuries, but we've already learned a quite bit in the first handful of games. Below is a look at the most loaded teams in the Minor Leagues for 2025, noting the number of MLB Top 100 prospects and organizational Top 30 prospects on each roster along with "Prospect Points" for each, awarding 100 points for the No. 1 overall prospect, down to one point for No. 100 from the Top 100, and 30 points for a team's No. 1 prospect, down to one point for No. 30 in the organization.
1. Iowa Cubs (Cubs, Triple-A)
Top 100 prospects: 5 (177)
Top 30 prospects: 10 (183)
Triple-A Iowa stands above the rest of the Minors as the only team with five Top 100 prospects. Right-hander Cade Horton (MLB No. 49) is the top prospect on the team, but Iowa can almost fill out an entire lineup of ranked prospects. Outfielder Owen Caissie (MLB No. 51), catcher Moises Ballesteros (MLB No. 66), second baseman James Triantos (MLB No. 70) and outfielder Kevin Alc¨¢ntara (MLB No. 87) are all tooled up, and while corner slugger Jonathon Long (CHC No. 13), infielder Ben Cowles (CHC No. 22) and outfielder Christian Franklin (CHC No. 25) don't have plus grades, they each have versatile well-rounded profiles. Right-hander Brandon Birdsell (CHC No. 8) earned the Cubs' 2024 Minor League Pitcher of the Year award -- a year after Horton won -- as an innings-eater with a repeatable and deceptive delivery, while Jack Neely (CHC No. 16) is a weapon out of the bullpen with a 70-grade slider.
2. Everett AquaSox (Mariners, High-A)
Top 100 prospects: 3 (147)
Top 30 prospects: 8 (144)
The Mariners have an MLB-leading seven batters on the Top 100 list, and three of them are at High-A Everett. Leading the pack is Colt Emerson (MLB No. 19), who sports a 65-grade hit tool, and he is joined by Lazaro Montes (MLB No. 40) and Michael Arroyo (MLB No. 95). Montes stands 6-foot-5 and provides 65-grade thump, which he put on display in his first game of the season, belting a towering homer in his first at-bat. Rounding out the group are switch-pitching sensation Jurrangelo Cijntje (SEA No. 9) and uber athlete Tai Peete (SEA No. 12), who both opened eyes at Spring Breakout, as well as catcher Josh Caron (SEA No. 21), right-hander Brock Moore (SEA No. 23) and corner infielder Luis Suisbel (SEA No. 29).
3. Charlotte Knights (White Sox, Triple-A)
Top 100 prospects: 3 (170)
Top 30 prospects: 6 (130)
Charlotte's Truist Field is one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the Minors, especially vulnerable to home runs with a short right-field porch, and the Knights have all kinds of bats to take advantage of that. Charlotte has two of the best catching prospects in baseball in lefty-swinging Kyle Teel (MLB No. 30) and switch-hitter Edgar Quero (MLB No. 63), and shortstop Colson Montgomery (MLB No. 37) has the best left-handed power of the formidable group. Chase Meidroth (CWS No. 8) is a power-over-hit infielder with tremendous on-base skills. On the mound, right-handers Jairo Iriarte (CWS No. 9) and Nick Nastrini (CWS No. 27) each have a trio of above average-to-plus pitches, although their control has wobbled at times.
4. Birmingham Barons (White Sox, Double-A)
Top 100 prospects: 2 (154)
Top 30 prospects: 8 (137)
Birmingham is home to MLB's top two left-handed pitching prospects -- and there are even more tantalizing arms beyond them. The trio of Noah Schultz (MLB No. 15), Hagen Smith (MLB No. 32) and Grant Taylor (CWS No. 7) headlines a staff that has seven of Chicago's Top 30 prospects. Schultz was deemed "Mr. Saturday Night" by White Sox brass after pitching every seven days -- on Saturdays -- in 2024 with major success (a 1.48 ERA in 16 starts). Smith, a 2024 first-rounder, was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award and had a nation-leading 17.25 K/9 at Arkansas. And Taylor -- a second-rounder in 2023 -- notched a 1.13 ERA in four starts for Single-A Kannapolis last year. Right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez (CWS No. 18), lefty Tyler Schweitzer (CWS No. 23), infielders Jacob Gonzalez (CWS No. 14) and William Bergolla (CWS No. 16) and outfielder Wilfred Veras (CWS No. 29) round out the eight Top 30 prospects on the squad.
5. West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers, High-A)
Top 100 prospects: 3 (178)
Top 30 prospects: 3 (82)
The Whitecaps only have three prospects from Detroit's Top 30 Prospects list, but it's a mighty trio to have. Heady drafting in 2023 supplied the Tigers with center fielder Max Clark (MLB No. 5) and middle infielder Kevin McGonigle (MLB No. 27), a pair of prep stars who have each developed into two of the best pure hitters in the Minors. First baseman/catcher Josue Brice?o (MLB No. 92) was one of the bigger signings in the Tigers' 2022 international class ($800,000) and is looking to build off a breakout season in which he became the first hitter in the Arizona Fall League's 32-year history to win the Triple Crown. All three swing from the left side and possess tremendous potential at age 20, although McGonigle went on the injured list after reportedly suffering an ankle injury during his 4-RBI game in the Whitecaps' season opener.
6. Worcester Red Sox (Red Sox, Triple-A)
Top 100 prospects: 2 (189)
Top 30 prospects: 3 (81)
Seeking high-powered bats? Look no further. The WooSox roster features just two hitters on Boston's Top 30 list, but they're also the organization's top two in the Minors. Roman Anthony (MLB No. 2) and Marcelo Mayer (MLB No. 11) are both knocking on the door to the bigs, and will be terrorizing Triple-A pitching while they wait. Anthony -- who ranks as the top position prospect in the Minor Leagues -- was promoted to Worcester as a 20-year-old last August and posted a .982 OPS in 35 contests. Mayer leveled up the same day but didn't play due to a back injury. But the 2021 first-rounder excelled in Spring Training action, producing a .983 OPS in 36 at-bats. Flame-throwing right-handed reliever Luis Guerrero (BOS No. 27), the team's other Top 30 prospect, touches 100 mph with his fastball and had a 0.00 ERA in 10 innings for Boston in 2024.
7. Norfolk Tides (Orioles, Triple-A)
Top 100 prospects: 2 (177)
Top 30 prospects: 6 (117)
Much like West Michigan and Worcester, the Norfolk lineup doesn¡¯t have an abundance of representatives from Baltimore¡¯s Top 30 list, but the ones it does have are must-watch talents. The highest-ranked players of the group are Samuel Basallo (MLB No. 12) and Coby Mayo (MLB No. 13), who both stand 6-foot-4 and have a knack for launching moonshots. In the outfield, compensatory picks Dylan Beavers (BAL No. 6) and Jud Fabian (BAL No. 24) sport exciting power-speed combinations, while Cameron Weston (BAL No. 17) provides back-end starter potential with above-average control and ability to locate pitches and Brandon Young (BAL No. 19) is a dependable strike-thrower.
8. Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners, Triple-A)
Top 100 prospects: 2 (91)
Top 30 prospects: 5 (114)
Cole Young (MLB No. 47) and Harry Ford (MLB No. 62) were promoted in tandem the past two seasons and now stand at the Minors' top level together. The former first-rounders project to be key contributors in the heart of a Tacoma lineup that also features righty slugger Tyler Locklear (SEA No. 11) and third baseman Ben Williamson (SEA No. 13). Young possesses advanced bat-to-ball skills at the dish while Ford offers unique athleticism behind it, as evidenced by his 35 stolen bases in 2024. Logan Evans (SEA No. 10), a right-hander with five offerings and a kitchen-sink approach, headlines the rotation.
9. St. Paul Saints (Twins, Triple-A)
Top 100 prospects: 2 (107)
Top 30 prospects: 8 (151)
St. Paul is home to two of the most talented hitters in Triple-A. Outfielder Emmanuel Rodriguez (MLB No. 35) produces exceptional power from the left side and has the speed to stick in center, while Luke Keaschall (MLB No. 58) has the pure hitting talent to make a difference wherever he winds up defensively. Each has dealt with injury issues but is dynamic when on the field. With the Twins' penchant for developing arms, this team is certainly worth watching for the electric stuff of Marco Raya (MIN No. 6), the impressive command of Andrew Morris (MIN No. 9), the wide arsenal of Cory Lewis (MIN No. 11) or the pitchability of Travis Adams (MIN No. 21). Second baseman Payton Eeles (MIN No. 22) and catcher Diego Cartaya (MIN No. 23) carry intrigue for the lineup for their on-base ability and raw power respectively as well.
10. Durham Bulls (Rays, Triple-A)
Top 100 prospects: 2 (93)
Top 30 prospects: 6 (74)
Tampa Bay consistently has one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, and Triple-A Durham is its most exciting affiliate -- even before potential promotions. This team particularly stands out for its impressive defense. Shortstop Carson Williams (MLB No. 8) is the best defensive player in the Minor Leagues -- known for his 70-grade arm and range -- while Tre' Morgan (MLB No. 91) might be the best defensive first-base prospect when he's not getting reps in left field. And don't forget center fielder Chandler Simpson, Tampa Bay's No. 7 prospect and the fastest man in the Minors, who is a walking highlight reel and in the conversation for Top 100 status. Dominic Keegan (TB No. 13) shows above-average potential on both sides of the ball and has the pleasure of catching a pair of southpaws with deep arsenals: Ian Seymour (TB No. 20) and Joe Rock (TB No. 22).
Honorable mention: Las Vegas Aviators (Athletics, Triple-A), Northwest Arkansas (Royals, Double-A), Springfield Cardinals (Cardinals, Double-A) and Indianapolis Indians (Pirates, Triple-A)