As we continue to evaluate the top prospects in baseball, let’s try and predict the future. In this series, we will look at breakout prospects from teams in each division. To kick it off we’ll dive into 10 breakout prospects from the AL East. These are the prospects we believe are ready to climb the prospect rankings.
10 Breakout Prospects from the AL east
Roderick Arias, NYY
(27 GP, .267/.423/.505, 6 HR, 32 R, 26, RBI, 17 SB)
Considered to be the top international prospect from the 2022 class, the Yankees gave him a 4 million dollar signing bonus. Arias has above-average tools across the board. He suffered a hand injury that caused season-ending surgery but prior to his injury Arias was showing off his skills in the FCL. In his 26 games he had an OPS of .928, 27 walks to 29 strikeouts, and stealing 17 bases. He has the hands, arm strength, and footwork to stay at shortstop, now he needs a season to stay healthy and play a full season.
Chase Hampton, NYY
(20 GS, 106.2 IP, 145 K, 12.6 K/9, 1.14 WHIP, 3.63 ERA)
After the Soto deal, the Yankees lost much of their depth at starting pitching. At High-A, Hampton dominated in 47 innings, striking out 77 with a batting average against of .179 and a 1.00 whip. He held his own after being promoted to Double-A. His control wasn’t as strong, having a whip of 1.26 and a 4.37 ERA. His fastball sits around 94 MPH and has an above-average slider. Hampton might get a call midseason to the big club. If his control gets better, he has the upside to be a number 3 starter.
Enrique Bradfield Jr, BAL
(25 GP, .291/.473/.329, 0 HR, 22 R, 26 RBI, 25 SB)
Selected number 17 overall in the 2023 draft. The speedy outfielder from Vanderbilt has plus-plus speed as he stole 122 bases in his three years in college. He has below-average power, but his power grew in college, going from 1 home run his freshman year to a total of 14 home runs his last 2 seasons in college. In his pro debut, Bradfield went three levels batting .291 and stealing 25 bases in 27 attempts. He could be the Orioles leadoff hitter in the near future and give his fantasy owner a very high number of stolen bases.
Chayce McDermott, BAL
(26 GP, 119 IP, 152 K, 11.55 K/9, 1.15 WHIP, 3.10 ERA)
McDermott threw the most innings of his professional career while going through 2 levels finishing the season at Triple-A and winning a championship. He was named the Baltimore Orioles 2023 minor league pitcher of the year. During his time in Triple-A, his stats got stronger throwing 50.2 innings with a 2.49 ERA, a .156 batting average against while striking out 64 hitters. His arsenal consists of a heavy fastball that gets to the upper 90s with two plus breaking balls. McDermott’s control will decide if he becomes a starter or a high-leverage reliever.
Brayden Taylor, TB
(25 GP, .242/.361/ .516, 5 HR, 19 R, 15 RBI, 11 SB)
The Rays selected Taylor 19th overall in the 2023 draft. Coming out of college, Taylor had one of the best hit tools in the draft. He is the first positional player from TCU drafted in the first round and is their single-season and career home run champion. He is considered to be more hit tool over power but in his brief stint in the minor leagues, Taylor hit 5 home runs to go along with an OPS of .877. He has average speed but is a smart base runner swiping 11 bags in as many attempts.
Santiago Suarez, TB
(15 GP, 59.1 IP, 52 K, 7.48 K/9, 1.01 WHIP, 1.52 ERA)
I wonder when Major League Baseball GMs will learn to stop trading young prospects from their system to the Rays. Curtis Mead, Junior Caminero, and now Santiago Suarez. The Rays are slowly developing this 19-year-old, letting him throw just 59 innings over two levels. Suarez attacks the strike zone with his fastball that sits around 94 MPH. This youngster has plus control and already has an above-average curveball. He is still a few years away from making the big club but keep an eye on him this season as he could be the Rays’ top pitching prospect and a future top-100 prospect in the game.
Arjun Nimmala, TOR
(9 GP, .200/.500/.320, 0 HR, 7 R, 3 RBI, 1 SB)
The 2023 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year winner mostly played cricket as a youngster before dedicating all his time to baseball. He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round of the 2023 draft. Nimmala shows plus bat speed and has a chance to be a power-hitter on the left side of the infield as he continues to grow and gain strength. He only played 9 games in the Florida Complex League with just 25 at-bats and showed a strong batting eye with 14 base on balls to 8 strikeouts.
Emmanuel Bonilla, TOR
(50 GP, .307/.407/.429, 3 HR, 41 R, 22 RBI, 5 SB)
This exciting outfielder from the Dominican Republic was signed for 4.1 million by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023. Showing a strong combination of hitting and power at the plate, Bonilla put up good numbers in the Dominican Summer League and had a max exit velocity of 108 mph despite struggling against breaking balls but that is normal for someone his age. He is expected to begin the 2024 season in the Florida Complex League. Already at 6’1 180 pounds, as he continues to grow and add strength it will push him to a corner outfield spot.
Kyle Teel, BOS
(26 GP, .363/.482/.495, 2 HR, 15 R, 22 RBI, 3 SB)
The top catcher entering the 2023 draft fell to the Red Sox at 14 overall. Already considered one of the best catchers in the minor leagues, Teel dominated 3 levels and finished at Double-A. The Virginia product was the ACC Player of the Year his junior year and is an athletic catcher who has no weaknesses. Teel had an OPS of .938 or higher at each level he climbed this past season. He has a great shot at being a top 25 prospect in the game. If everything comes together you are looking at a catcher who will have a high batting average with 15-20 home run power and could swipe some bags for you while staying behind the plate for a decade.
Miguel Bleis, BOS
(31 GP, .230/.282/.325, 1 HR, 18 R, 16 RBI, 11 SB)
The Red Sox signed Bleis back in 2021 for $1.5 million out of the Dominican Republic, the most for a Dominican since Rafael Devers. Bleis tools are extremely loud, showing plus tools in power, speed, and fielding. With his explosive bat speed, the sky is the limit for this prospect. His fielding and plus speed should keep him in center field. He suffered a shoulder injury last season at Low-A Salem that resulted in season-ending surgery. Hopefully, he is completely recovered from his shoulder surgery and has a healthy 2024 season, so we get to see him show off his plus tools.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.