As the baseball season enters its third month, the evaluations of prospects are becoming more comprehensive. The MLB Pipeline team is seizing the moment to spotlight standout players who may not yet be well-known.
During the most recent MLB Pipeline Podcast, hosts Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo, along with Jason Ratliff, continued to explore the most interesting prospects within the Minor Leagues, examining them by division. After discussing the AL East, AL Central, AL West, and NL East, they shifted focus to the NL Central.
Here are five notable prospects from the National League Central:
The skinny: Selected as the ninth overall pick in the 2024 Draft, 19-year-old Konnor Griffin is making a strong impression in his professional debut. After an outstanding May, he holds a .310/.371/.511 batting line with eight home runs and 25 steals for Single-A Bradenton.
Mayo’s take: “While we haven’t exclusively focused on the most prominent names, I can’t overlook Konnor Griffin. As last year’s first-round pick for the Pirates, he stands out for his all-around skill set. Although there are minor concerns about his hitting ability, his impressive Spring Training persuaded the Pirates to send him to Bradenton. He’s been a thrilling player to watch, showcasing his versatile abilities on the field.”
The skinny: The 22-year-old Ryan Gallagher, drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 Draft, has excelled as one of the top pitchers in the High-A Midwest League, recording a 2.92 ERA with a 48-11 SO-BB ratio over eight starts for South Bend.
Callis’ take: “I’m bending the rules here because Ryan Gallagher is set to join the Cubs’ Top 30 list soon, and he certainly won’t be at the bottom. The Cubs began the year with seven Top 100 prospects, all hitters except for Cade Horton. They’re in dire need of more pitching talent, and Gallagher appears to be a solid find. He was named Big West Conference freshman of the year in 2022, underwent Tommy John surgery, and returned as an All-American last season, leading Division I in WHIP. Since turning pro, he has gained some velocity on his fastball, which is well-controlled.”
The skinny: A second-round pick in 2024, 19-year-old Tyson Lewis has hit the ground running in the Arizona Complex League with an impressive .383 average and 1.018 OPS over 12 games.
Mayo’s take: “The Reds are mirroring their approach with Lewis as they did with Sammy Stafura, beginning his journey in the Complex League. Though the sample size is small, his performance has been encouraging. If he keeps hitting like this, he’s likely to advance to Single-A Daytona soon.”
The skinny: An unexpected gem from Milwaukee’s strong 2024 international class, Peña claimed the Dominican Summer League batting title while stealing 39 bases in his debut. This year, he’s continued to impress with a .339 average and 22 steals as an 18-year-old for Single-A Carolina.
Callis’ take: “Peña’s numbers surpass those of Jesús Made. Both made the leap to Single-A at 18, with Peña posting a .969 OPS and 14 extra-base hits in just 30 games. He has remarkable speed and is proficient defensively at shortstop, with the potential to play second base and third base as well.”
The skinny: An eighth-round pick in 2023, Henderson has turned heads with a 2.27 ERA and 56 strikeouts in nine starts at Double-A.
Mayo’s take: “Henderson has caught my attention since 2023. After being part of the rotation at Fresno State, his selection by the Cardinals in the eighth round was intriguing. He embodies the essence of a Cardinals pitching prospect and is showing promise in Double-A, which is a significant challenge.”
