2024 Bowman Baseball Top Prospects to Chase
2024 Bowman Baseball is back, bringing a wave of emerging top prospects. Read up on some of our top Bowman prospects to watch out for!
Written by: Emil Cienik and Jay Grusznski
Note: Players are listed in no particular order.
Walker Jenkins – OF, Twins
Already the 10th overall prospect in baseball, Walker Jenkins has as much upside as any high school hitter we’ve ever seen. Yes, he’s that good. After being in the conversation to go #1 in the 2023 Draft, Jenkins heard his name called by the Minnesota Twins at the 5th pick. He signed for a slot value $7.14 million, and then proceeded to absolutely crush in the first 16 games of his professional career. With a smooth lefty swing combined with a massive 6’3”. 210lbs build, Jenkins has a hit tool that scouts drool over. Even at a crisp 19 years old, we don’t have to wait for his power to develop like most prospects his age. Jenkins impresses even more with an elite plate presence as he is selective with his pitches and does not swing and miss. The Twins got a good one – alongside Dylan Crews, Walker Jenkins is easily one of the top two chases in 2024 Bowman.
Dylan Crews – OF, Nationals
A two-time SEC Player of the Year (winning outright in 2023 against Wyatt Langford), a 2023 Golden Spikes Award winner, and a 2023 NCAA College World Series champion – Dylan Crews’ pedigree is undeniable. This dude was absolutely unstoppable at the plate during his junior campaign at LSU. Despite leading Division 1 baseball in almost all hitting categories, it might be even more impressive that he did it at the same time as lowering his strikeout rate 5% from his sophomore season. Crews was drafted 2nd overall by the Nationals, signed for $9 million, and instantly became a Top-10 prospect in all of baseball. The Nats placed Crews in AA to start the year and he got off to an extremely hot start. It wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Crews get called up to AAA to replace James Wood after he gets the call to the big leagues. Frankly, Crews might not be that far behind Wood, and we might see them both sharing an outfield in Washington by the time 2024 comes to an end. It goes without saying that Dylan Crews is probably going to be the majority favorite for top chase in 2024 Bowman.
Arjun Nimmala – SS, Blue Jays
One of the best stories to come out of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Blue Jays selected 17-year-old high schooler Arjun Nimmala with the 20th pick. This pick made Nimmala the highest drafted first generation Indian American player in any of the four major sports. It’s hard to ignore the global impact Nimmala has and how that will greatly improve the desire for his 1st Bowman. It’s also hard to ignore the extremely high upside this kid has as a baseball player. Nimmala was ranked as the 11th overall prospect in the Draft and checks all the boxes when it comes to projectability. He has raw power at the plate, he’s an above-average runner, he’s quick and fluid enough defensively to stick at shortstop – you name it, Nimmala does it well. The youngest player in the Draft, he’ll be 18 years old for this full season and will soon be the #1 prospect in the Blue Jays organization. While there may be some growing pains, it will be extremely fun to watch Nimmala progress and make his way through the minors.
Aidan Miller – 3B/SS, Phillies
It’s still too early to tell, but the Phillies may have gotten the steal of the Draft in Aidan Miller. After missing most of his high school senior season with a broken wrist, Miller slid a bit in the Draft to the 27th pick and then signed for an above-slot $3.1 million. The time off obviously didn’t affect him too much, as Miller came out hot in his professional debut at the Florida Complex League, getting promoted after posting a .414 batting average in 10 games. Miller is big, strong, and already has plus power. He also hasn’t had to sacrifice his average for that power, as Miller excels in working counts and limiting strikeouts. While he’s mainly played shortstop, it looks as if he fits in more as a third baseman due to his size and arm strength. Regardless of where he ends up, the Phillies have high hopes for him – Miller will be a big chase in the hobby and one of the top chases in 2024 Bowman.
Brock Wilken – 3B, Brewers
If you aren’t a Brewers fan, you may have missed the Spring Training push by fans on social media calling for Brock Wilken to be an opening day starter for the big-league squad. While it was a long shot this year, the hype is still real for the power hitting third baseman. Coming out of Wake Forest, Wilken was drafted 18th overall with his biggest strength being his bat. More specifically, the epic power he holds in his bat. Wilken finished second in Division 1 baseball with 31 home runs last season and now holds the ACC and Wake Forest records with 71 career homers. His approach at the plate was greatly improved last year, as his number of walks went up with his strikeouts going down. If he can continue down this path in the minors, Wilken will be a special player for the Brewers and their future cornerstone third baseman.
George Lombard Jr. – SS, Yankees
6’3” and uber-athletic. Major league family bloodline. First round draft pick out of high school. $3 million signing bonus. Yankee shortstop. Is there really anything else we need to say about George Lombard Jr.? After passing on his Vanderbilt commitment as the Yankees 26th overall selection in the 2023 Draft, Lombard Jr. looked extremely impressive during his first few minor league games. While he is still young and will need some development, the profile is there, and the Yankees will look to tap into his raw power as he progresses. You’ll hear plenty of comparisons to Anthony Volpe, and Lombard has the same, if not more upside. This kid has all the makings of a hobby monster, and we won’t be surprised to see his auto prices reflect that as a really big chase in 2024 Bowman.
Kyle Teel – C, Red Sox
Arguably one of the best college bats in the 2023 Draft, Kyle Teel proved it the minor leagues last year with some insane production. He slashed a combined .363/.482/.495 with a .977 OPS through 26 games, earning him promotions all the way up to AA. There isn’t much to not like about Teel as he just does everything really, really well. He’s been noted as a great leader, a student of the game, and just a downright hard worker. He has one of the best coaches you could ask for, especially as it’s a guy that Teel has drawn comparisons to, in Jason Varitek. Teel is off to a really solid start this year in AA, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him move up to AAA. Look for him to continue his production at the plate as he works his way to the big-league roster in Boston.
Luis Baez – OF, Astros
While it may seem like the Draft names are the biggest chases in 2024 Bowman, there are a few key international players that will carry some serious hype as well. Look no further than Luis Baez. The Astros made Baez their top signee in 2022 after signing him for $1.3 million out of the Dominican Republic. While it looked for a while that he may have that desirable power/speed combo, he’s since put on some weight, locking him into a role as a big-time power hitting corner outfielder. He’s still young, he has some strikeout concerns, but he’s got a great arm in the outfield and is projected to be a 30+ home run hitter. Baez is a guy that could see his singles prices skyrocket through the course of this season due to the ridiculous power numbers he can produce.
Yohandy Morales – 1B/3B, Nationals
The Nationals were obviously excited about getting Dylan Crews with their first-round pick, but they may have been just as excited to get Yohandy Morales at #40 in the 2023 Draft. Special Assistant to the GM for the Nationals, Kris Kline, openly admitted they had Morales ranked in their top 20 prospects for this class. One of the best college bats available, and a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, Morales came off an outstanding season at the plate and absolutely delivered in his first few appearances in the minor leagues. Three different promotions found Morales playing alongside Crews in AA last year, which is where they both started off this 2024 season. Morales will be much more than a fallback option if you don’t hit a Dylan Crews auto in a break – this kid has some special talent and will be right in the mix moving up to the bigs with this epic Nationals prospect group.
Yoeilin Cespedes – SS, Red Sox
While he may not have the size to turn heads, Yoeilin Cespedes sure has the talent to do so. Signing out of the Dominican at 17 years old for $1.4 million, the Red Sox knew Yoeilin Cespedes was a pure hitter, but nobody could’ve predicted the numbers he would put up in the Dominican Summer League. Cespedes absolutely raked, hitting .346/.392/.560 with six home runs in 209 plate appearances. This season-long performance was good enough to earn him the award of Boston’s Latin Program Position Player of the Year, and it started the talent comparisons to current Red Sox third baseman, Rafael Devers. Cespedes is an aggressive hitter, and he doesn’t rely on just pull power, but instead hits the ball hard to all parts of the field. If Cespedes can stay on this trajectory as he comes stateside, we’ll see him fly up prospect ranking boards.
John Cruz – OF, Yankees
The New Your Yankees signed John Cruz out of the Domincan Republic in 2022 and he immediately showed a good eye at the plate, walking 48 times in 54 games. The then-16-year-old also showed some pop with 16 extra base hits in that same time frame. Moving to the States in 2023, the 6’2” lefty swinging outfielder opened some eyes in the Florida Complex League – leading the league in RBI with 47 and finishing second with 10 home runs, all while hitting .294. While Cruz’s 1st Bowman autographs are with the Yankees, the Miami Marlins acquired him in March in a deal that sent SS Jon Berti to New York. The Marlins hope Cruz continues to add power as he fills out his frame.
Ramon Ramirez – C, Royals
Ramon Ramirez was very impressive in his professional debut in 2023 after signing with the Royals as a 17-year-old out of Venezuela for (what now looks to be an insane bargain) $57,500. The righty hit .344 with 9 doubles and 8 home runs while walking more than striking out in 44 games. A slightly below average runner, Ramirez had primarily played outfield, but the Royals signed him as a catcher as his strong arm took to the position well. He’ll look to make his stateside debut later this year and Kansas City is excited to see his natural power bat against advanced competition.
Robert Calaz – OF, Rockies
One of the top names during the 2023 international signing period, the Rockies reeled in Robert Calaz for $1.7 million. Debuting in his home country’s Dominican League, Calaz lived up to the hype and hit .325 with 21 extra base hits in 43 games. Already 6’2” and 202 pounds as an 18-year-old, the righty is more physically developed than most Dominican teenage prospects. It’s obvious that his power potential is what excites scouts the most. An above-average runner, Colorado is playing Calaz in center field and there is hope he can stick there. His United States debut will come this summer with some big expectations.
Cooper Pratt – SS, Brewers
Cooper Pratt was a top-50 talent in the 2023 MLB Draft but most teams felt his commitment to his home state Ole Miss was firm, so he fell to the Brewers in the 6th round. Milwaukee gave him $1.35 million, which was 4 times slot value for that pick, to turn pro and pass up college. The 6’4” shortstop may eventually outgrow the position, but he does have the instincts and arm to potentially stick there. His professional debut was a success, hitting .356 over 12 games in the Arizona Complex League. He was off to a good start in 2024 with Class A Carolina, hitting .318 in six games before going down with a broken finger. Look for Pratt to bounce back from this and continue turning heads in the Brewers organization.
Sebastian Walcott – SS, Rangers
While we covered him in the release of 2023 Bowman Chrome this past year, Sebastian Walcott is good enough to talk about again. Although they won’t appear with the 1st insignia, Walcott’s first ever Bowman autos are here and they’re going to be extremely desirable. The hype on this kid is real. The 6’4” shortstop may be the best prospect to ever come out of the Bahamas and has been one of the fastest rising prospects in the minors, quickly finding his way in 3rd with the Rangers organization behind Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford. While the strikeout rate is a concern, Walcott is special at the plate, consistently putting up insane exit velocity numbers and launching the ball like crazy. He received an aggressive assignment to start the year in High-A and will be looking to make some noise as the youngest player in that league.
Walker Martin – SS, Giants
The Giants had Walker Martin on their short list when making their 1st round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, but ultimately decided on Bryce Eldridge. When their second-round selection came up at pick 52, Martin was somehow still available, so the Giants got their guy and gave him first round money at just under $3 million to stay. Martin came off a fantastic high school career – winning three straight state championships in baseball and football and was named the Colorado player of the year in baseball as a senior. He even came one game short of tying the national record for consecutive games with a home run with a streak of 9 in a row. The 6’2”, 188-pound sweet swinging lefty with easy pop in his bat will be making his professional debut later this season with some lofty expectations.
Abimelec Ortiz – 1B, Rangers
Aibimelec Ortiz took one of the more interesting paths to prospect status out of this 2024 Bowman crop. Undrafted out of high school in Puerto Rico at the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy, Ortiz attended junior college in Florida before signing with the Rangers for just under $20,000 as an undrafted free agent in 2021. His first two seasons as a professional didn’t excite scouts too much as he hit under .235 both years; however, he did show some power with 11 home runs each season. Ortiz spent the 2022 offseason training with Carlos Delgado, switched to wearing contacts in games, and the results were immediate with a breakout season. Starting 2023 in Class A, the 5’10”. 230 pounder hit .307 with 7 home runs in 29 games before being promoted to High A, where he would go on to win league MVP after slugging 26 home runs and batting .290. A below-average runner who will probably be limited to first base, Ortiz will have to continue to produce with his bat to fulfill his potential.
Enmanuel Tejeda – SS, Yankees
The Yankees signed Enmanuel Tejeda as a 17-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in 2022. After being overshadowed by Roderick Arias during the same signing period, Tejada’s $40,000 signing bonus quickly proved to be one of the biggest steals of the international class. Making his professional debut in his home country later that year, the 5’9” infielder hit .289 with 6 doubles and 7 triples in 46 games. Moving up to the Florida Complex League, the righty continued to hit for a high average, hitting .307 and earned league All Star status. He’s shown a great eye and patience at the plate, walking more times than striking out in his career. He’s split his time defensively at 2B, 3B, and SS, but he’s really struggled at third and probably doesn’t have the power profile to stick there. Tejada is off to a great start in 2024 after batting .306 in his first 13 games in Low-A, and if he can continue hitting like this, he’ll quickly rise up the Yankee prospect rankings.
Brice Matthews – SS, Astros
A breakout junior season at Nebraska in which he hit .359 with 20 homers and 20 stolen bases propelled Brice Matthews into the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft, going 28th overall to the Astros. After a quick stop in the Florida Complex League, the righty bat with top exit velocities had 6 doubles and 4 homers for Class A Fayetteville. Aggressive and speedy on the base paths, Matthews stole 18 bases in 35 games. The 5’10” 190-pound shortstop is athletic enough to stay there, and limiting his strikeouts will help him reach his potential at the plate. His power/speed combo has pushed him up to the Astros #4 prospect in the organization, and we could potentially see him as the keystone prospect in Astros trade talks later this year.
Luke Adams – 3B, Brewers
Despite being a 12th round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, the Brewers gave Luke Adams 6th round money to sign out of high school in Illinois. An 11-game professional debut in the Arizona Complex League showed promise, as Adams hit .375 with 4 extra base hits and a .512 on base percentage. Moving up to Class A Carolina in 2023, the 6’4” 210-pound slugger hit 18 doubles and 11 homers in 99 games while taking a bunch of walks for a .400 OBP and was named a Carolina League All Star. The recently turned 20-year-old has spent the majority of his time playing third base but may eventually end up at first or a corner outfield spot.
George Wolkow, OF – White Sox
After reclassifying from the 2024 MLB Draft, George Wolkow was one of the youngest players in the 2023 Draft and had a strong commitment to South Carolina. The White Sox selected the local Illinois product in the 7th round but gave him a $1 million signing bonus (4 times slot value) to forgo college and turn pro. Despite being one of the youngest, the 6’7” 239-pound Wolkow was one of the more imposing prospects in the draft, with his raw power potential being his calling card. Don’t worry, we won’t talk about the comparisons to Aaron Judge; however, it is worth noting his bond with Hall of Famer, Jim Thome, who has had close ties to him for the past couple years. Wolkow’s athletic lefty swing was on display during a brief pro debut in the Arizona Complex League where he hit his first professional home run and didn’t look overmatched as a 17-year-old.
Agustin Ramirez – C, Yankees
After being one of the top Dominican catchers in the 2018 international class and signing to the Yankees for $400,000, it would be four years before Agustin Ramirez would advance past rookie ball. A solid first half of the 2023 season at Class A Tampa would lead to a promotion to High A Hudson Valley, where the 6’0” 210-pound backstop’s season would take off. The righty hitter slugged 9 homers in just 27 games while batting .384 for the Renegades, earning yet another promotion. Over the course of the year during his age-21 season, Ramirez hit 24 doubles and 18 homers, earning himself a spot on the Yankees 40-man roster.
Jeffry Rosa – OF, Mets
It’s tough to not pay attention to someone with the nickname “El Oso” aka “The Bear”, but unfortunately, Jeffry Rosa’s professional debut at the Dominican Summer League in 2022 was pretty forgettable. The very last and cheapest signing in the Mets’ 2022 International Signing Class, the 6’1”, 180-pound 17-year-old Rosa inked a deal for $100,000 and didn’t do anything of note in his first season. A full offseason of training and making tweaks to his swing; however, paid off massively for Rosa’s 2023 breakout season. Rosa led the DSL in many hitting stats, including home runs with 15, slugging percentage at .669, and was also near the top in categories such as OPS. We’ll get to see Rosa play stateside this summer in the Florida Complex League, and if he can continue hitting, he will skyrocket up prospect rankings.
Aidan Smith – OF, Mariners
Another steal of the 2023 MLB Draft, how Aidan Smith made it to the 4th round is a complete mystery. Granted, it did take the Mariners an over-double slot value $1.2 million signing bonus to lure Smith away from his Miss State commitment. The athletic 6’3” outfielder was heralded as the best pure hitter in the Texas high school ranks, one of the best pure hitters of the draft, and consistently showed flashes of greatness both at the plate and in center field during his professional debut last season. He’s got great speed, an advanced plate approach, and hits the ball hard enough to project as a 20+ home run per year hitter. Smith is off to a great start to his 2024 season in Single-A, and is definitely one of the names you should keep on your radar.
Alfonsin Rosario – OF, Cubs
There’s only one word that you really need to describe Alfonsin Rosario – raw. The monstrous 6’6” 210-pound 19-year-old (who doesn’t look like he has a single ounce of fat on him) is about as pure of an athlete as can be. He consistently puts up 100+ mph exit velocities at the plate, he’s clocked consistently throwing 100+ mph from the outfield, and has all the tools of an absolute beast of a baseball player. Perfect Game has even been quoted as saying Rosario made Tropicana Field look small in batting practice. While he may need extra time to develop as he starts facing advanced pitching for the first time, the Cubs believe they can mold Rosario into a monster power hitter, which was enough for them to take him in the 6th round of the 2023 Draft. If Rosario can develop nicely, the Cubs will have an extremely special player.
Kelvin Hidalgo – 3B/SS, Rockies
Another young international signee that made some noise in the Dominican Summer League last year, Kelvin Hidalgo is looking to build off of a monster 2023 season. Posting a .310/.406/.574 slash line with 12 home runs, 54 RBIs, and a .980 OPS through 51 games was enough to earn Hidalgo the league’s Most Valuable Player award. He’s fast, he can hit, and he has as much upside as any young prospect currently in the minor leagues. Look for Hidalgo to come stateside in 2024 as he’s primed to be a big breakout candidate and shoot up the prospect boards.
Felix Morrobel – SS, Angels
The Angels were extremely active in the 2023 International Signing period, inking 18 different players to deals. Their highest ranked prospect was switch-hitting shortstop, Felix Morrobel, who signed for $900,000. Ranked 50th in the class, Morrobel showcases exactly what we would expect from a top young international prospect: Athleticism, quickness, arm strength, and great potential at the plate. While he profiles more as a line drive hitter now, we could see him add more pop as he develops. Currently, he makes hard contact to all fields and is off to a strong start in rookie ball.
Boston Baro – SS, Mets
If you like deep Draft sleepers that sign for well over slot value, Boston Baro might just be a guy you should chase in 2024 Bowman. Drafted in the 8th round in 2023, the Mets pulled Baro away from a UCLA commitment with a $700,000 deal, well above the assigned value of $192,900. Baro’s thin and wiry 6’2” 170-pound frame does not deliver much power at the moment, but he consistently drives balls into the gap and has been praised for his plate approach and bat-to-ball skills. Baro reportedly gained 15-20 pounds of muscle over the offseason and will join Low-A St. Lucie once he recovers from a hamate fracture suffered earlier this spring. Not sure how many times in the prospect list we’ll talk about steals of the draft, but we’re definitely going to put Baro in that list.
Tony Blanco Jr. – OF/1B, Pirates
Falling just outside of the top-10 international prospects in 2022, the Pirates landed Tony Blanco Jr. with a signing bonus of $900,000. Son of former big leaguer Tony Blanco, Junior outsizes his dad by quite a bit, standing 6’7” and weighing 243 pounds at only 18 years old. While the floor may be low if his strikeout rates stay high, the ceiling is sky-high due to this kid’s massive raw power. He projects as a potential 40+ home run hitter that will punish baseballs. For now, we’ll tamper our expectations until we see him progress through more advanced levels of the minor leagues, but it’s tough to not want to chase the massive upside on this guy.
Brock Porter – P, Rangers
We’ve got to talk about one pitcher in 2024 Bowman at least, right?! It was obvious the Rangers wanted Brock Porter badly in the 2022 Draft, as they pulled him from a Clemson commitment and signed him to a record bonus for a fourth-round pick at an insane $3.7 million. Porter’s first season in the minor leagues proved he was worth the investment. Posting video game numbers in Single-A, Porter struck out 95 batters in 69.1 innings pitched, only allowed 1 home run, and had a WHIP of 1.17. All at only 19 years old, fresh out of high school. Now the top pitching prospect in the Rangers organization, it’s obvious that we’ll see Porter in a big league jersey within the next couple of years.