Are These 18 Early-Season Prospect Performances For Real?

Plus: 20 standout college freshmen & 12 prospects who could get extensions

April 18, 2025

18 Prospect Performances That Could Mean Something—Or Nothing—Early In 2025

Each morning during the season, we put together our free Baseball America Prospect Report newsletter that delivers the latest news and numbers from top prospect performers the night before straight to your inbox.

Several weeks into the new season, we’re starting to see some familiar names pop up in the daily rundown.

Mark Chiarelli has compiled a batch of 18 prospects—some flying under the radar, some trending upward and a few off to concerning starts—who have consistently stood out in our BAPR stat runs and are worth monitoring as the season develops.

IMPRESSIVE FRESHMEN TO KNOW

20 College Freshmen Impressing In 2025

College baseball’s freshman class is always brimming with intrigue, but the 2025 group is already proving to be something special.

From front-line starters to middle-of-the-order threats and shutdown relievers, BA college writer Jacob Rudner has highlighted a list of 20 first-year players who have locked down critical roles on some of the top teams in the nation. Highlights include:

  • A do-everything Tennessee slugger with a 1.200 OPS

  • An electric Yale righty with a 0.19 ERA (!!!) over 47.1 innings

  • Texas A&M’s center fielder of the future

12 Players Who Could Be Next In Line For Contract Extensions

From Jackson Chourio’s $82 million deal with the Brewers to Kristian Campbell’s recent multi-year extension with the Red Sox, there’s a growing trend for young players without MLB track records to sign long-term extensions with big league clubs.

While this route may not be right for every up-and-coming prospect, we figure to see more deals inked in the near future. To that end, Jesús Cano has identified 12 prospects and pre-arbitration MLB players who could be next in line for a big payday.

TRENDING NOW AT BASEBALL AMERICA

🤔 Geoff Pontes wondered if Jakob Wright is the next sleeper Dodgers pitcher.

💪 Jesús Cano wrote about Twins RHP C.J. Culpepper’s road from Cal Baptist.

3️⃣ Brendan Tuma spotlighted three AL first basemen ready for breakouts.

💎 Diamond Baseball Holdings announced the purchase of a 43rd MiLB team.

⚾ Get ready for college baseball Week 10: Freak Sheet and What To Watch For

🎙️ A trio of new BA podcasts dropped for some weekend listening:

FOLLOW BA ON SOCIAL

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? BECOME A BA SUBSCRIBER TODAY

Join the thousands of fans, players, coaches and front office personnel who are the backbone of the Baseball America community by subscribing today.