Every MLB Team's Biggest Breakout Prospect of the 2024 Season

Even with entire scouting departments dedicated to player evaluation, the world of MLB prospects remains something of a crap shoot.

Top prospects routinely fail to live up to the hype, while players outside the top-tier conversation are just one breakout performance away from raising their profiles.

That second group is the focus today.

We've highlighted one breakout prospect from each of the 30 MLB organizations, with each player's organizational rank at the beginning of the 2024 campaign, according to Baseball America, included for context. Only players ranked outside their team's Top 10 prospects to start the year were considered.

To be eligible, a player also had to still hold prospect eligibility, which means fewer than 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days on the active roster at the MLB level.

Baltimore Orioles: RHP Michael Forret (Age: 20)

Preseason Rank: Unranked

The Orioles have had more success developing hitters in recent years, but it looks like they may have uncovered a quality arm when they took Forret in the 14th round of the 2023 draft and gave him three times slot value with a $450,000 bonus. The 6'3", 190-pound right-hander has seen an uptick in his velocity since starting his pro career, and with a 3.87 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 100 strikeouts in 76.2 innings between Single-A and High-A, his stock is trending up.

Boston Red Sox: 2B Kristian Campbell (Age: 22)

Preseason Rank: Unranked

Campbell hit .376/.484/.549 as a draft-eligible sophomore at Georgia Tech before the Red Sox took him in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, and his advanced hit tool has him flying up prospect rankings. He was sent to High-A for his first full professional season and earned a midseason promotion to Double-A, hitting a combined .344/.449/.553 with 29 doubles, 12 home runs, 53 RBI and 17 steals in 86 games. He also played in the Futures Game and currently ranks No. 97 on B/R's Top 100 prospect list.

New York Yankees: LHP Brock Selvidge (Age: 21)

Preseason Rank: 14

Selvidge has put up solid numbers since going in the third round of the 2021 draft, but his performance this year while making the jump to Double-A has elevated his prospect profile. With a 4.25 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 84.2 innings in his age-21 season, he has held his own as one of the younger pitchers in the Eastern League. Catcher Agustin Ramirez would have been the pick here before he was traded to the Miami Marlins in the Jazz Chisholm Jr. deal.

Tampa Bay Rays: RHP Gary Gill Hill (Age: 19)

Preseason Rank: Unranked

No organization does a better job turning under-the-radar pitchers into top prospects than the Rays, and Gill Hill looks like their next success story. The 6'2", 160-pound right-hander has plenty of remaining projection, and he has already seen his stuff improve significantly since going in the sixth round of the 2022 draft. In 84.0 innings at Single-A, he has a 2.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and an 88-to-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Toronto Blue Jays: RHP Fernando Perez (Age: 20)

Preseason Rank: 24

"This package is all about command and throwing strikes, which gives Perez an impressive potential floor," wrote MLB.com in their prospect profile on Perez.

It's a unique profile for a young, international signing, and one that gives him intriguing upside as he grows into his 6'3", 170-pound frame. As it stands, he has a 3.67 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 85 strikeouts in 81.0 innings at Single-A Dunedin.

Chicago White Sox: 2B/SS Brooks Baldwin (Age: 23)

Preseason Rank: Unranked

A 12th-round pick in 2022 out of UNC-Wilmington, Baldwin has been a surprise climber in the White Sox system this year, hitting .324/.391/.460 with 27 extra-base hits and 17 steals in 82 games in the upper levels of the minors before making his MLB debut on July 19. He is now seeing everyday playing time between the two middle infield spots and has settled into the No. 2 spot in the batting order.

Cleveland Guardians: SS Angel Genao (Age: 20)

Preseason Rank: 15

Signed for $1.175 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, Genao is a switch-hitting middle infielder who packs more offensive punch than his 5'9", 150-pound frame might suggest. After posting middling numbers the first three seasons of his pro career, he has exploded this year with a .330/.373/.507 line that includes 30 doubles, 10 home runs, 60 RBI and 21 steals in 89 games between Single-A and High-A.

Detroit Tigers: RHP Jaden Hamm (Age: 21)

Preseason Rank: Unranked

Hamm flashed potential during three inconsistent seasons at Middle Tennessee State before going in the fifth round of the 2023 draft. After allowing three hits and one unearned run over 12 innings in his pro debut, he has taken off at High-A West Michigan this year. The 6'1", 190-pound right-hander has a 2.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a 107-to-24 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 84.1 innings.

Kansas City Royals: RHP Ben Kudrna (Age: 21)

Preseason Rank: 11

The Royals reached for prep left-hander Frank Mozzicato with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 draft, then used the savings to ink Kudrna to a $2.998 million bonus with their next selection at No. 43 overall. He has done a much better job limiting hard contact this season, lowering his opponents' batting average from .283 to .232 while posting a 3.84 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 84.1 innings between High-A and Double-A.

Minnesota Twins: RHP Zebby Matthews (Age: 24)

Preseason Rank: 15

The Twins have a shaky history of developing in-house pitching talent, but it looks like they unearthed a gem when they took Matthews in the eighth round of the 2022 draft out of Western Carolina. The 6'5", 225-pound right-hander has a 2.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and a brilliant 114-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 97.0 innings over three minor league levels, and his command is among the best in the minors.

Houston Astros: RHP Miguel Ullola (Age: 22)

Preseason Rank: 13

The Astros love a live arm with elite velocity, and Ullola fits the mold with a 70-grade fastball that sits in the upper 90s and has electric late life up in the zone. He probably fits best at the back of the bullpen unless his command improves and his secondary stuff takes a step forward, but with a 4.35 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 101.1 innings at Double-A he has the stuff to be a major late-inning weapon.

Los Angeles Angels: RHP George Klassen (Age: 22)

Preseason Rank: 28 (PHI)

Klassen was acquired at the deal that sent Carlos Estévez to the Philadelphia Phillies, and he has been one of the breakout pitching prospects of 2024. After flashing elite velocity during an injury-plagued college career, he was taken in the sixth round of the 2023 draft. In his first full professional season, he has a 1.96 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 99 strikeouts in 64.1 innings between Single-A and High-A.

Oakland Athletics: OF Colby Thomas (Age: 23)

Preseason Rank: 21

Thomas posted a 1.184 OPS with 17 home runs in 42 games during a breakout junior season at Mercer University before going in the third round of the 2022 draft. The 5'10", 190-pound outfielder might have the best raw power in the Oakland system, and he is hitting .290/.354/.583 with 35 doubles, 24 home runs and 76 RBI in 98 games between Double-A and Triple-A.

Seattle Mariners: RHP Logan Evans (Age: 23)

Preseason Rank: Unranked

The Mariners have done a great job drafting and developing college pitching in recent years, and Evans is the latest to emerge as a top prospect after going in the 12th round of the 2022 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. With a polished three-pitch repertoire, plus command and a strong 6'4", 215-pound frame, he has gone 8-4 with a 2.69 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 64 strikeouts in 73.2 innings at Double-A.

Texas Rangers: RHP Winston Santos (Age: 22)

Preseason Rank: Unranked

After struggling to a 6.29 ERA in 98.2 innings at High-A in 2023, it's not surprising that Santos was well off the top prospect radar heading into the season. The undersized 6'0", 160-pound right-hander has shown improved stuff across the board this year, posting a 2.80 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 64.1 innings back at High-A before earning a promotion to Double-A where he has taken some time to find his footing.

Fellow pitchers Emiliano Teodo (No. 15 preseason) and Alejandro Rosario (No. 24 preseason) have also raised their prospect profiles significantly.

Atlanta Braves: RHP Didier Fuentes (Age: 19)

Preseason Rank: Unranked

Signed for just $75,000 out of Columbia in 2022, Fuentes was hit hard in his stateside debut last year with a 7.27 ERA in 26 innings at Single-A. He has looked much better in his second go-around at that level this season, posting a 2.96 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 91 strikeouts in 70 innings. Despite an undersized 6'0", 170-pound frame, his strike-throwing ability gives him a chance to stick as a starter.

Miami Marlins: C Agustin Ramirez (Age: 22)

Preseason Rank: 20 (NYY)

Ramirez made headlines this spring when his Double-A hitting coach called him a potential "generational player" offensively, and the Marlins acquired him as the prospect centerpiece in the deal that sent Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the Yankees. It remains to be seen if he will stick behind the plate, but it's his bat that will carry him to the big leagues. In 94 games between Double-A and Triple-A, he is hitting .274/.363/.510 with 20 doubles, 21 home runs and 76 RBI.

New York Mets: RHP Jonah Tong (Age: 21)

Preseason Rank: Unranked

Tong does a great job working up and down in the zone with a lively mid-90s fastball and hammer curveball from an over-the-top-delivery, and after scuffling in his pro debut, the 2022 seventh-round pick has emerged as one of the Mets most promising pitching prospects. The 6'1", 180-pound right-hander has a 2.86 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 129 strikeouts in 88 innings between Single-A and High-A.

Philadelphia Phillies: RHP Jean Cabrera (Age: 22)

Preseason Rank: Unranked

After spending the entire 2022 and 2023 seasons at Single-A batting his command and struggling to avoid hard contact, Cabrera has surged up Philadelphia's prospect rankings this season. Signed for a $10,000 flier out of Venezuela in 2019, he has a 3.62 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 97 strikeouts in 92.0 innings between High-A and Double-A. He still needs to add strength to his 6'0", 145-pound frame, but he has quality stuff.

Washington Nationals: RHP Travis Sykora (Age: 20)

Preseason Rank: 14

One of the top high school pitchers in the 2023 draft, Sykora was given a $2.6 million signing bonus as a third-round pick, which was roughly the equivalent of the No. 32 overall pick's slot value. With a towering 6'6", 232-pound frame and a 70-grade fastball that bumped 101 mph in high school, the raw tools are tantalizing and the early results have been promising. Over 14 starts at Single-A, he has a 2.67 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 86 strikeouts in 57.1 innings.

Chicago Cubs: RHP Brandon Birdsell (Age: 24)

Preseason Rank: 25

Birdsell spent one season at Texas A&M, one season at San Jacinto JC and two seasons at Texas Tech before going in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. The 6'2", 240-pound right-hander has moved quickly through the minors, and with a 3.97 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 99.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, he is knocking on the MLB door.

Cincinnati Reds: SS Sammy Stafura (Age: 19)

Preseason Rank: 16

Part of a loaded 2023 high school shortstop class, Stafura was one of the draft's top cold weather prospects after playing his prep ball in New Jersey. The Reds took him with the fourth pick in the second round and signed him to an above-slot bonus, but he was still well outside the team's Top 10 prospects when the season began. With a .281/.396/.449 line, 24 extra-base hits and 21 steals in 68 games this year, his stock is on the rise.

Milwaukee Brewers: SS Cooper Pratt (Age: 19)

Preseason Rank: 17

Another member of the 2023 high school shortstop class, Pratt has quickly vaulted onto leaguewide Top 100 lists, checking in at No. 93 on B/R's most recent update. The 6'4", 195-pound infielder may eventually outgrow shortstop, but his offensive game has the potential to play elsewhere. He was a 2024 Futures Game participant and is hitting .287/398 with 21 extra-base hits and 26 steals in 82 games between Single-A and High-A.

Pittsburgh Pirates: RHP Zander Mueth (Age: 19)

Preseason Rank: 16

An above-slot signing at No. 67 overall in the 2023 draft, Mueth is a 6'6" right-hander with three plus pitches and a deceptive arm slot. He didn't pitch after signing, but sent his stock soaring when he posted a 1.58 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 51.1 innings in rookie ball. The Pirates have a good track record with cold weather pitching prospects, including Mitch Keller (Iowa) and Quinn Priester (Illinois), and Mueth could be the latest out of Belleville East High School in Illinois.

St. Louis Cardinals: LHP Quinn Mathews (Age: 23)

Preseason Rank: 24

Mathews made headlines for the wrong reasons when he threw 156 pitches in a super regional start against Texas while at Stanford, but that didn't stop the Cardinals from taking the durable workhorse in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. The 6'5", 188-pound southpaw has a 2.52 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 151 strikeouts in 107 innings over three minor league levels, and he has limited opposing hitters to a .170 average. He was No. 52 on B/R's latest Top 100 prospect list.

Arizona Diamondbacks: RHP Yilber Diaz (Age: 23)

Preseason Rank: 14

Armed with an upper 90s fastball and a plus curveball, Diaz piled up 140 strikeouts in 102.2 innings last season, but it came with a 4.82 ERA and a 13.2 percent walk rate. He trimmed those free passes to a more manageable 11.6 percent clip this season between Double-A and Triple-A while posting a 3.87 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 81.1 innings before making his MLB debut on July 8.

Colorado Rockies: LHP Carson Palmquist (Age: 23)

Preseason Rank: 14

Palmquist was one of the best closers in the nation during his sophomore season at Miami before moving into the rotation as a junior and pitching well enough to go in the third round of the 2022 draft. The 6'3", 185-pound left-hander has a 3.69 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 114 strikeouts in 85.1 innings this season between Double-A and Triple-A, and he could make a play for a rotation spot next spring.

Los Angeles Dodgers: SS Alex Freeland (Age: 22)

Preseason Rank: 25

After posting a .707 OPS with 28 extra-base hits in 106 games at High-A last season, Freeland has come out of nowhere to emerge as one of the top offensive performers in the Dodgers system. He is hitting .267/.404/.455 with 25 doubles, 13 home runs, 57 RBI and 29 steals in 100 games across three levels, and he was recently promoted to Triple-A.

San Diego Padres: RHP Isaiah Lowe (Age: 21)

Preseason Rank: 21

The Padres gutted the farm system at the trade deadline, leaving Lowe as one of the top pitchers still standing in the minor league ranks. An 11th-round pick in 2022 from the North Carolina high school ranks, he has a 3.08 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 76 innings between Single-A and High-A. There is limited projection remaining in his 6'1", 220-pound frame, but his performance this season has undoubtedly raised his prospect profile.

San Francisco Giants: LHP Jack Choate (Age: 23)

Preseason Rank: Unranked

A ninth-round pick in 2022 who is trying to become the first player from Assumption College in Massachusetts to reach the majors, Choate has put together a quietly excellent season, albeit a bit behind the developmental curve. He started the year with a 2.90 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 87 strikeouts in 77.2 innings at High-A before earning a promotion to Double-A earlier this month.