2 The Bigs

By Sal Corso: March 18th, 2025

We’ve done our bold fantasy baseball predictions for prospects likely to see the majors. Now, we’re going to focus on full-season minor league names and takes.

Check out the video here and the full write-up below!

Here are six BOLD predictions, both positive and negative, for 2025 for some of the game’s top prospects.

1. Lazaro Montes struggles in AA with a 35% K-rate and falls out of the Mariners Top-5

Montes impressed in his short stint with the Mariner’s this spring (.313/.45/.750), including two monster home runs (one below). Last year, Montes showed some growing pains on his way up the M’s organizational levels. From A –> A+, He saw a (+)10.5pp increase in K-rates, (-).100p in SLG and (-)6pp drop in Contact %. He’ll be 20 & 1/2 years old in May, and the Mariner’s will want to push Montes to AA as soon as possible. I think the growing pains will continue at this level. Since the Seattle farm is enriched with talent, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Young, Arroyo, Celesten, and maybe even Taj Peete jump Montes in MLB.com’s rankings.

2. Robert Calaz hits 35 HR and leads all levels of MiLB

This kid had a .633 SLG % in A-ball last year for the Rockies (12 HR in 62 Games). He’s going to strike-out, we know this, but he’s also going to hit for power. The 65% contact rates at lower levels are a concern, but he’ll get enough at-bats in A/A+ to display that 60-grade power tool that MLB and Fangraphs give him. If there was a Home Run leaders futures bet for minor league baseball, I’d tell you to call the hotline, but I’d also tell you to take Calaz.

Rockies prospect Robert Calaz got all of this one for his first Single-A homer. pic.twitter.com/CPt6t7zmry

— Rhys (@RhysBWhite) August 12, 2024

3. Michael Arroyo goes for a .950 OPS in a full AA season

Enter Michael Arroyo in the search bar on our homepage. We’ve covered him too many times (still not enough). This kid is special, and he’s my bet for the biggest jump-up the MLB.com Top-100 prospect list. He carried a .900+ OPS through A+ at 19 years old, give me a .950 OPS in AA as a follow-up.

4. Bryce Eldridge strikes out 180 times

Here’s the lone name on this list that may see some time in the pros. I just don’t think he’s ready and will likely only see a quick stint up there. In 116 games at legitimately every level of minor league ball last year, Bryce struck out 132 times. Yes, 180 seems like a ridiculous number, but is it? If he adds another 30 games / 120 PA to his total this year, most coming at the higher levels (AAA/MLB), it’s not very far-fetched. Like Calaz, he’ll probably hit 30 HR too, but he’s not ready for professional pitching. The Giants are in dire need of some power at the pro level, although they may have found one savior in Heliot Ramos.

5. Josue De Paula goes for 25-50

“Please stay healthy, please stay healthy” – I say as I kneel by my bedside in prayer.

25 HR / 50 SB is NOTHING for this kid if he stays on the field. This is the year of De Paula, and the reason why he’s my #2 international prospect in baseball, and has a shot to take that #1 overall spot on MLB’s top 100 going into 2026.

6. Jaison Chourio racks up 170 hits and wins MiLB Player of the Year

Will the power develop? We’ll see. But there’s one thing for certain, the bat-to-ball skills need little to no work. Chourio racked up 90 hits in 98 games last season in A-ball. He also consistently delivers a .400+ OBP like it’s his job (yes, I know it technically is). He’ll likely spend a majority of his time in High-A with a late season promotion to AA. His speed and 50% ground-ball rate will likely add 15-20 infield hits that others wouldn’t get as well. I’m expecting a nice bump in his SLG% to come along with his development, but that’s just a plus. If I’m going to say he’ll win MiLB Player of the Year, I’ll have to back that up with a full stat line prediction:

.292/.421/.470 18 HR 98 RBI 70 SB & a 180 wRC+