This opinion piece is powered by my master credentials as the minor league recap guy. The primary criteria used to rank the players are actual game performance, in context with league level and league metrics. Secondary criteria include professional scouting reports, video and statistical analysis, intuition, and psychic powers.
While these lists try to rank the prospects from best to worst, I would more roughly divide this list into three groups: the first four, all 20-year-olds, all premium prospects,
all on the same timeline; the next four, a little older, all exciting talents that have flashed their tools and have upside potential, and the last two, young and with the least track record. Rankings within the groups are somewhat superfluous.
1. Zyhir Hope
age 20, primary level: High-A, 266/.376/.428. Legit 5 tool player, star personality.
2. Eduardo Quintero
age 20, levels High-A and Low-A, .293/.415/.508. California League MVP despite playing the last seven weeks in High-A.
3. Josue De Paula
age 20, primary level, High-A, .250/.391/.400. Most places rank him #1, but those batting and slugging averages don’t scream #1 prospect when it is his hitting and power tools that give him his high ranking.
4. Kendall George
age 20, primary level, High-A, .295/.409/.370. Those hitting lines improved dramatically in the second half of the season, when he closed the gap with the three players ranked above him. Not going to be a power guy, but doesn’t need to if he can run down balls in center field with that 80 speed, get on base, and cause havoc. I rank him higher than the consensus by moving him up into this group.
5. James Tibbs III
age 22, primary levels, High-A, Double-A, .243/.373/.429, Numbers improved to .269/.407/.493 in 36 games for Tulsa, with a big power display towards the end. The Giants took him as the 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft and gave him almost $5 million, now the Dodgers have him, courtesy of sending Dustin May to the Red Sox.
6. Mike Sirota
age 22, levels, Low-A, High-A, .333/.452/.616, Season cut short by injuries, numbers jump out at you, but it’s only 216 at-bats in A-ball.
7. Charles Davalan
age 21: Low-A, .500/.541/.735. In the eight games he played, he did a Mickey Mantle impression. As the 41st overall pick in the 2025 draft, he started his Dodger career with a wild surge that included three consecutive four-hit games.
8. Zach Ehrhard
age 22: levels, High-A, Double-A, .272/.374/439, showed aptitude and spark as a leadoff hitter for Tulsa, scoring 32 runs in 34 games.
9. Ching-Hsien Ko
age 19, levels Rookie League and Low-A, .310/.437/.876, the youngest of the group, most of his production was done in the Rookie League, had a 636 OPS in 32 games at Low-A. Ko is highly rated by scouts.
10. Jaron Elkins
age 20, primary level Low-A, .264/.350/.414, big time speed with power potential.
