15 prospects primed for a bounceback season from injury
A lot of players will be getting a fresh start heading into the 2025 season. Prospects who missed significant time due to injury have had upwards of six months between regular-season games to return to health. Now they'll be looking to re-establish their value and maybe even reach new heights.
A lot of players will be getting a fresh start heading into the 2025 season.
Prospects who missed significant time due to injury have had upwards of six months between regular-season games to return to health. Now they'll be looking to re-establish their value and maybe even reach new heights.
With that in mind, we're going to take a look at prospects who missed significant time in 2024 due to injuries and have a chance to bounce back in a big way -- or potentially face an injury-prone label.
Here are 10 current Top 100 prospects with something to prove, as well as five bonus players whose health could help them rejoin that list in the coming season.
Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies (MLB No. 8)
Painter was baseball's top pitching prospect before suffering a right elbow injury in Spring Training 2023 that required Tommy John surgery that July. The 2021 first-rounder returned to the mound in the 2024 Arizona Fall League, where he displayed the premium stuff that has twice made him a global Top 10 prospect. The big question for 2025 will be how slowly the Phillies ease Painter back since the team would surely prefer to pitch him in the stretch run and a potential postseason appearance rather than shut him down after hitting an innings limit in late summer.
Jordan Lawlar, SS, D-backs (MLB No. 11)
After playing in three postseason games during Arizona's 2023 World Series run, Lawlar appeared primed for a key role on the '24 squad. It didn't work out that way, though. The 2021 first-rounder missed the first two months of the season due to right thumb surgery, suffered a left hamstring injury and then aggravated it during a rehab outing. He got some extra ABs over the winter in the Dominican Winter League, which will hopefully get him up to speed as he pushes to earn playing time at shortstop and third base in the Majors.
Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox (MLB No. 12)
Due to right wrist and back injuries in '22, a left shoulder impingement in '23 and a lumbar strain in '24, Mayer has yet to play 100 games in a season since Boston drafted him fourth overall in 2021. The good news is that none of the injuries have been recurring, although it's slowed his development and hampered his production. The Red Sox are hoping that with good health, Mayer will be able to make his Major League debut sooner rather than later.
Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians (MLB No. 36)
The Guardians drafted DeLauter 16th overall in 2022 despite the outfielder suffering a broken left foot that spring, and he's rewarded their selection -- when he's on the field. Leg and foot injuries have limited his playing time in pro ball, and they led to consecutive Arizona Fall League appearances to make up for lost time. The fact that these injuries are recurring is concerning, but he has the kind of rare power than Cleveland has not developed in years.
Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Twins (MLB No. 37)
Injuries have prevented Rodriguez from playing even 50 games in three of his four pro seasons -- with a career high of 99 in 2023. A left knee injury in 2022 and an abdominal strain in '23 limited the slugger, while a right thumb injury sidelined him for much of 2024 before flaring up again and requiring surgery in September. More consistent at-bats in 2025 could be crucial as Rodriguez aims to clean up swing-and-miss issues against pitching in the upper Minors.
Jeferson Quero, C, Brewers (MLB No. 47)
Quero might have made his big league debut last summer but he suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder making a diving play on Triple-A Nashville's Opening Day. He's expected to be fully recovered from surgery for the 2025 season, although it will be key to see if his plus arm strength returns, as defense is his calling card. All-Star catcher William Contreras' presence in the Majors enables the Brewers to not rush Quero's development, so he'll have time to improve his swing decisions.
Cade Horton, RHP, Cubs (MLB No. 52)
The seventh overall pick in 2022 was a finalist for Pitching Prospect of the Year in his first full pro season and started off '24 strong before his production declined along with his velocity. The Cubs shut him down in late May after he suffered a right lat strain, and he did not return after a setback during his rehab. Horton has only thrown 176 1/3 innings between college and pro ball, so he'll need to prove his durability, but he'll be on track to join Chicago's rotation this summer if healthy.
Felnin Celesten, SS, Mariners (MLB No. 74)
Celesten is set to make his highly anticipated full-season debut in 2025, which may have come last year if not for season-ending hamate surgery in July. The No. 2 prospect in the 2023 international class also battled a left hamstring injury that prevented him from playing in games in his signing year. The Dominican native performed well in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League when healthy last year and his stock could soar if that continues at Single-A.
Edwin Arroyo, SS, Reds (MLB No. 92)
Arroyo missed the entire 2024 regular season after suffering a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder that required surgery in March. He did get some game action in the instructional league and the Arizona Fall League, where his glove looked ahead of his bat. Switch-hitters often need more development time, and the shoulder malady left him feeling better from the left side than the right in the Fall League. That will bear watching in 2025.
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Jonny Farmelo, OF, Mariners (MLB No. 96)
The 29th overall pick in 2023 was in the midst of a breakout season when he tore his right ACL in June 2024. He still cracked the 2025 preseason Top 100 because of the toolsy skill set and advanced approach he displayed before the injury. Farmelo is not expected to return until midseason 2025, and it's unclear how much of his dynamic athleticism will return immediately. If he's able to show off 65-grade speed -- his only plus tool -- and his unorthodox swing mechanics continue to produce results, his arrow will continue to point up.
Bonus
Zac Veen, OF, Rockies
Veen's plus speed and arm strength are clear, although his power ceiling is a bit uncertain as his swing path changed while he dealt with several injuries. Between left wrist surgery in 2023 and a lower-back strain and a ruptured flexor tendon in his right thumb in 2024, the ninth overall pick in the 2020 Draft has only played in 111 combined games the past two seasons.
Ricky Tiedemann, LHP, Blue Jays
Tiedemann entered 2024 as the top lefty pitching prospect in baseball but suffered left ulnar nerve inflammation in April that later required Tommy John surgery. The 2021 third-rounder is expected to return in late 2025, and he could rise in the rankings if his stuff returns quickly like Painter's did last year.
Chase Hampton, RHP, Yankees
After beginning the 2024 season as MLB's No. 92 prospect, Hampton only tossed 18 2/3 innings due to a right flexor strain and a lower-body injury. The 23-year-old will likely return to Double-A Somerset and could reach the Majors in '25 if his quality five-pitch mix -- which features four above-average pitches -- returns to its previous form.
Gabriel Gonzalez, OF, Twins
Gonzalez burst onto the Top 100 in 2023, but his power disappeared in his first season in the Twins organization during a campaign disrupted by a lower-back injury. The 21-year-old has a chance to reassert his power with a clean bill of health, which is key since he projects as a fringy corner defender.
Daniel Espino, RHP, Guardians
Espino once had some of the best stuff in the Minors and that led to his No. 16 ranking on the 2023 preseason Top 100. But he hasn't pitched since April 2022 because of right knee tendinitis and two right shoulder surgeries, so it's uncertain what he'll look like when he's back on the mound.
Ben Weinrib is a contributor for MiLB.com.
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