2024 MiLB Best Tools: Managers Vote On The Top Prospects
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Image credit: Chandler Simpson (Photo by Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images)
Baseball America’s minor league Best Tools is one of the longest-running features we have done, stretching back to 1983, which means that Dwight Gooden, Kirby Puckett and Orel Hershiser were among the first year Best Tools honorees.
As has been the case since 1983, these winners were compiled as voted on by the managers for each league.
Best Batting Prospect
Triple-A (International): Jackson Holliday, Norfolk (Orioles)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Adrian Del Castillo, Reno (D-backs)
Double-A (Eastern): Marcelo Mayer, Portland (Red Sox)
Double-A (Southern): Brooks Baldwin, Birmingham (White Sox)
Double-A (Texas): Dalton Rushing, Tulsa (Dodgers)
High-A (Midwest): Alex Freeland, Great Lakes (Dodgers)
High-A (Northwest): Kyle Karros, Spokane (Rockies)
High-A (South Atlantic): Justin Crawford, Jersey Shore (Phillies)
Low-A (California): Colt Emerson, Modesto (Mariners)
Low-A (Carolina): Jaison Chourio, Lynchburg (Guardians)
Low-A (Florida State): Kevin McGonigle, Lakeland (Tigers)
Best Power Prospect
Triple-A (International): James Wood, Rochester (Nationals)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Shay Whitcomb, Sugar Land (Astros)
Double-A (Eastern): Roman Anthony. Portland (Red Sox)
Double-A (Southern): Joe Mack, Pensacola (Marlins)
Double-A (Texas): Deyvison De Los Santos, Amarillo (D-backs)
High-A (Midwest): Chris Newell, Great Lakes (Dodgers)
High-A (Northwest): Lazaro Montes, Everett (Mariners)
High-A (South Atlantic): Xavier Isaac, Bowling Green (Rays)
Low-A (California): Lazaro Montes, Modesto (Mariners)
Low-A (Carolina): Blake Mitchell, Columbia (Royals)
Low-A (Florida State): Cristian Feliz, Dunedin (Blue Jays)
Best Strike-Zone Judgment
Triple-A (International): Jackson Holliday, Norfolk (Orioles)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Will Wagner, Sugar Land (Astros)
Double-A (Eastern): Adael Amador, Hartford (Rockies)
Double-A (Southern): Chandler Simpson, Montgomery (Rays)
Double-A (Texas): Liam Hicks, Frisco (Rangers)
High-A (Midwest): Luke Adams, Wisconsin (Brewers)
High-A (Northwest): Jake Snider, Spokane (Rockies)
High-A (South Atlantic): Termarr Johnson, Greensboro (Pirates)
Low-A (California): Braedon Karpathios, Lake Elsinore (Padres)
Low-A (Carolina): Jaison Chourio, Lynchburg (Guardians)
Low-A (Florida State): Kevin McGonigle, Lakeland (Tigers)
Best Baserunner
Triple-A (International): Luisangel Acuña, Syracuse (Mets)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Cade Marlowe, Tacoma (Mariners)
Double-A (Eastern): Adael Amador, Hartford (Rockies)
Double-A (Southern): Chandler Simpson, Montgomery (Rays)
Double-A (Texas): Cooper Bowman, Midland (Athletics)
High-A (Midwest): Dylan O’Rae, Wisconsin (Brewers)
High-A (Northwest): Caleb Ketchup, Tri-City (Angels)
High-A (South Atlantic): Chandler Simpson, Bowling Green (Rays)
Low-A (California): Jonah Cox, San Jose (Giants)
Low-A (Carolina): Adrian Santana, Charleston (Rays)
Low-A (Florida State): George Lombard Jr., Tampa (Yankees)
Fastest Baserunner
Triple-A (International): Victor Scott II, Memphis (Cardinals)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Greg Jones, Albuquerque (Rockies)
Double-A (Eastern): Joe Lampe, Akron (Guardians)
Double-A (Southern): Chandler Simpson, Montgomery (Rays)
Double-A (Texas): Tyler Tolbert, Tyler Tolbert
High-A (Midwest): Homer Bush Jr., Fort Wayne (Padres)/Beloit (Marlins)
High-A (Northwest): Jonah Cox, Eugene (Giants)
High-A (South Atlantic): Chandler Simpson, Bowling Green (Rays)
Low-A (California): Kendall George, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)
Low-A (Carolina): Elijah Green, Fredericksburg (Nationals)
Low-A (Florida State): Max Clark, Lakeland (Tigers)
Best Pitching Prospect
Triple-A (International): David Festa, St. Paul (Twins)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): AJ Blubaugh, Sugar Land (Astros)
Double-A (Eastern): Brandon Sproat, Binghamton (Mets)
Double-A (Southern): Noah Schultz, Birmingham (White Sox)
Double-A (Texas): Emiliano Teodo, Frisco (Rangers)
High-A (Midwest): Quinn Mathews, Peoria (Cardinals)
High-A (Northwest): Chase Dollander, Spokane (Rockies)
High-A (South Atlantic): Noah Schultz, Winston-Salem (White Sox)
Low-A (California): Brody Hopkins, Modesto (Mariners)
Low-A (Carolina): Gary Gill Hill, Charleston (Rays)
Low-A (Florida State): Thomas White, Jupiter (Marlins)
Best Fastball
Triple-A (International): Paul Skenes, Indianapolis (Pirates)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Michel Otañez, Las Vegas (Athletics)
Double-A (Eastern): Bubba Chandler, Altoona (Pirates)
Double-A (Southern): Jacob Misiorowski, Biloxi (Brewers)
Double-A (Texas): Edgardo Henriquez, Tulsa (Dodgers)
High-A (Midwest): Edgardo Henriquez, Great Lakes (Dodgers)
High-A (Northwest): Chase Dollander, Spokane (Rockies)
High-A (South Atlantic): Luis Perales, Greenville (Red Sox)
Low-A (California): Reynaldo Yean, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)
Low-A (Carolina): Jarlin Susana, Fredericksburg (Nationals)
Low-A (Florida State): George Klassen, Clearwater (Phillies)
Best Breaking Pitch
Triple-A (International): Anthony Maldonado, Jacksonville (Marlins)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Hans Crouse, Salt Lake (Angels)
Double-A (Eastern): Zach Messinger, Somerset (Yankees)
Double-A (Southern): Cade Horton, Tennessee (Cubs)
Double-A (Texas): Emiliano Teodo, Frisco (Rangers)
High-A (Midwest): Quinn Mathews, Peoria (Cardinals)
High-A (Northwest): Spencer Giesting, Hillsboro (D-backs)
High-A (South Atlantic): Noah Schultz, Winston-Salem (White Sox)
Low-A (California): Brody Hopkins, Modesto (Mariners)
Low-A (Carolina): Alex Clemmey, Lynchburg (Guardians)/Fredericksburg (Nationals)
Low-A (Florida State): Cade Smith, Tampa (Yankees)
Best Changeup
Triple-A (International): Devin Sweet, Toledo (Tigers)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Carson Whisenhunt, Sacramento (Giants)
Double-A (Eastern): Ryan Webb, Akron (Guardians)
Double-A (Southern): Drew Thorpe, Birmingham (White Sox)
Double-A (Texas): Tink Hence, Springfield (Cardinals)
High-A (Midwest): Craig Yoho, Wisconsin (Brewers)
High-A (Northwest): Ryan Costeiu, Tri-City (Angels)
High-A (South Atlantic): Josh Cornielly, Brooklyn (Mets)
Low-A (California): Dylan Carmouche, Eugene (Giants)
Low-A (Carolina): Alejandro Rosario, Down East (Rangers)
Low-A (Florida State): Luis Serna, Tampa (Yankees)
Best Control
Triple-A (International): Bowden Francis, Buffalo (Blue Jays)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Davis Daniel, Salt Lake (Angels)
Double-A (Eastern): Tyler Stuart, Binghamton (Mets)/Harrisburg (Nationals)
Double-A (Southern): Drew Parrish, Mississippi (Braves)
Double-A (Texas): Zebby Matthews, Wichita (Twins)
High-A (Midwest): Austin Peterson, Lynchburg (Guardians)
High-A (Northwest): Sean Sullivan, Spokane (Rockies)
High-A (South Atlantic): Hunter Barco, Greensboro (Pirates)
Low-A (California): Jace Kaminska, Fresno (Rockies)
Low-A (Carolina): Manuel Rodriguez, Carolina (Brewers)
Low-A (Florida State): Fernando Perez, Dunedin (Blue Jays)
Best Reliever
Triple-A (International): Walter Pennington, Omaha (Royals)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Tyler Ferguson, Las Vegas (Athletics)
Double-A (Eastern): Seth Halvorsen, Hartford (Rockies)
Double-A (Southern): Hayden Harris, Mississippi (Braves)
Double-A (Texas): Troy Taylor, Arkansas (Mariners)
High-A (Midwest): Edgardo Henriquez, Great Lakes (Dodgers)
High-A (Northwest): Zach Agnos, Spokane (Rockies)
High-A (South Atlantic): Daniel Harper, Jersey Shore (Phillies)
Low-A (California): Welinton Herrera, Fresno (Rockies)
Low-A (Carolina): Bryan Magdaleno, Down East (Rangers)
Low-A (Florida State): Josh Ekness, Jupiter (Marlins)
Best Defensive Catcher
Triple-A (International): Dillon Dingler, Toledo (Tigers)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Carlos Perez, Las Vegas (Athletics)
Double-A (Eastern): Kyle Teel, Portland (Red Sox)
Double-A (Southern): Edgar Quero, Birmingham (White Sox)
Double-A (Texas): Cooper Johnson, Frisco (Rangers)
High-A (Midwest): Ethan Salas, Fort Wayne (Padres)
High-A (Northwest): Juan Flores, Tri-City (Angels)
High-A (South Atlantic): Shawn Ross, Greensboro (Pirates)
Low-A (California): Darius Perry, Fresno (Rockies)
Low-A (Carolina): Blake Mitchell, Columbia (Royals)
Low-A (Florida State): Connor Burns, Daytona (Reds)
Best Defensive First Baseman
Triple-A (International): Troy Johnston, Jacksonville (Marlins)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Ryan Noda, Las Vegas (Athletics)
Double-A (Eastern): Jake Holton, Erie (Tigers)
Double-A (Southern): Tim Elko, Birmingham (White Sox)
Double-A (Texas): Dillan Shrum, NW Arkansas (Royals)
High-A (Midwest): Brett Squires, Quad Cities (Royals)
High-A (Northwest): Matt Coutney, Tri-City (Angels)
High-A (South Atlantic): Keaton Anthony, Jersey Shore (Phillies)
Low-A (California): Bryce Eldridge, Eugene (Giants)
Low-A (Carolina): Caden Connor, Kannapolis (White Sox)
Low-A (Florida State): Yohairo Cuevas, St. Lucie (Mets)
Best Defensive Second Baseman
Triple-A (International): Connor Norby, Norfolk (Orioles)/Jacksonville (Marlins)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Jesus Bastidas, Sugar Land (Astros)
Double-A (Eastern): Jimmy Glowenke, Richmond (Giants)
Double-A (Southern): Cody Morissette, Pensacola (Marlins)
Double-A (Texas): Frainyer Chavez, Frisco (Rangers)
High-A (Midwest): Jadher Areinamo, Wisconsin (Brewers)
High-A (Northwest): Brock Rodden, Everett (Mariners)
High-A (South Atlantic): William Bergolla Jr., Jersey Shore (Phillies)/Winston-Salem (White Sox)
Low-A (California): Michael Arroyo, Modesto (Mariners)
Low-A (Carolina): Rikuu Nishida, Kannapolis (White Sox)
Low-A (Florida State): Kevin McGonigle, Lakeland (Tigers)
Best Defensive Third Baseman
Triple-A (International): Devin Mann, Omaha (Royals)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Andres Chaparro, Reno (D-backs)
Double-A (Eastern): Ben Cowles, Somerset (Yankees)/Iowa (Cubs)
Double-A (Southern): Matt Shaw, Tennessee (Cubs)
Double-A (Texas): Ben Williamson, Arkansas (Mariners)
High-A (Midwest): Luke Adams, Wisconsin (Brewers)
High-A (Northwest): Kyle Karros, Spokane (Rockies)
High-A (South Atlantic): Jack Brannigan , Greensboro (Pirates)
Low-A (California): Andy Perez, Fresno (Rockies)
Low-A (Carolina): Gleider Figuereo, Down East (Rangers)
Low-A (Florida State): Javier Rivas, Bradenton (Pirates)
Best Defensive Shorstop
Triple-A (International): Cam Devanney, Omaha (Royals)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Mason McCoy, El Paso (Padres)
Double-A (Eastern): Tsung-Che Cheng, Altoona (Pirates)
Double-A (Southern): Carson Williams, Montgomery (Rays)
Double-A (Texas): Keyber Rodriguez, Frisco (Rangers)
High-A (Midwest): Gregory Barrios, Wisconsin (Brewers)
High-A (Northwest): Dyan Jorge, Spokane (Rockies)
High-A (South Atlantic): Kevin Made, Wilmington (Nationals)
Low-A (California): Leodalis De Vries, Lake Elsinore (Padres)
Low-A (Carolina): Cooper Pratt, Carolina (Brewers)
Low-A (Florida State): George Lombard Jr., Tampa (Yankees)
Best Infield Arm
Triple-A (International): Colson Montgomery, Charlotte (White Sox)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Casey Schmitt, Sacramento (Giants)
Double-A (Eastern): Ryan Ritter, Hartford (Rockies)
Double-A (Southern): Carson Williams, Montgomery (Rays)
Double-A (Texas): Jack Winkler, Midland (Athletics)
High-A (Midwest): Jose Devers, Lake County (Guardians)
High-A (Northwest): Kyle Karros, Spokane (Rockies)
High-A (South Atlantic): Sebastian Walcott, Hickory (Rangers)
Low-A (California): Andy Perez, Fresno (Rockies)
Low-A (Carolina): Austin Charles, Columbia (Royals)
Low-A (Florida State): Roderick Arias, Tampa (Yankees)
Best Defensive Outfielder
Triple-A (International): Dylan Crews, Rochester (Nationals)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Pedro Leon, Sugar Land (Astros)
Double-A (Eastern): Jud Fabian, Bowie (Orioles)
Double-A (Southern): Jakob Marsee, Pensacola (Marlins)
Double-A (Texas): Denzel Clarke, Midland (Athletics)
High-A (Midwest): Luis Lara, Wisconsin (Brewers)
High-A (Northwest): Cole Carrigg, Spokane (Rockies)
High-A (South Atlantic): Enrique Bradfield Jr., Aberdeen (Orioles)
Low-A (California): Druw Jones, Visalia (D-backs)
Low-A (Carolina): Jaison Chourio, Lynchburg (Guardians)
Low-A (Florida State): Avery Owusu-Asiedu, Clearwater (Phillies)
Best Outfield Arm
Triple-A (International): Matt Gorski, Indianapolis (Pirates)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Sandro Fabian, Round Rock (Rangers)
Double-A (Eastern): Jud Fabian, Bowie (Orioles)
Double-A (Southern): Mason Auer, Montgomery (Rays)
Double-A (Texas): Jose Ramos, Tulsa (Dodgers)
High-A (Midwest): Luis Lara, Wisconsin (Brewers)
High-A (Northwest): Cole Carrigg, Spokane (Rockies)
High-A (South Atlantic): Cole Gabrielson, Hudson Valley (Yankees)
Low-A (California): Ryan Lasko, Stockton (Athletics)
Low-A (Carolina): Brenner Cox, Fredericksburg (Nationals)
Low-A (Florida State): Raylin Heredia, Clearwater (Phillies)
Most Exciting Player
Triple-A (International): James Wood, Rochester (Nationals)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Shay Whitcomb, Sugar Land (Astros)
Double-A (Eastern): Roman Anthony, Portland (Red Sox)
Double-A (Southern): Carson Williams, Montgomery (Rays)
Double-A (Texas): Emmanuel Rodriguez, Wichita (Twins)
High-A (Midwest): Max Clark, West Michigan (Tigers)
High-A (Northwest): Cole Carrigg, Spokane (Rockies)
High-A (South Atlantic): Sebastian Walcott, Hickory (Rangers)
Low-A (California): Leodalis De Vries, Lake Elsinore (Padres)
Low-A (Carolina): Jaison Chourio, Lynchburg (Guardians)
Low-A (Florida State): Aidan Miller, Clearwater (Phillies)
Best Manager Prospect
Triple-A (International): Chad Tracy, Worcester (Red Sox)
Triple-A (Pacific Coast): Travis Barbary, Okla. City (Dodgers)
Double-A (Eastern): Chad Epperson, Portland (Red Sox)
Double-A (Southern): Sergio Santos, Birmingham (White Sox)
Double-A (Texas): Carlos Cardoza, Frisco (Rangers)
High-A (Midwest): Victor Estevez, Wisconsin (Brewers)
High-A (Northwest): Robinson Cancel, Spokane (Rockies)
High-A (South Atlantic): Greg Brodzinski, Jersey Shore (Phillies)
Low-A (California): Zach Vincej, Modesto (Mariners)
Low-A (Carolina): Nick Stanley, Carolina (Brewers)
Low-A (Florida State): Jose Mayorga, Dunedin (Blue Jays)