MAKING THE GRADE

Assessing the future value of graduated National League prospects

- MATT EDDY

In this issue, Baseball America ranks the Top 10 Prospects in each of the 15 National League organizations.

But before looking ahead to the rookie class of 2025-and beyond-let's reassess the graduating NL prospects of 2024 by ranking the top 10 based on projected peak value. Each player is ranked in order of his updated, endof-season BA Grade, which is presented on the 20-80 scale, and risk.

Note: We no longer rank foreign professionals as prospects. This applies to Shota Imanaga, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jung-Hoo Lee.

This ranking was developed by the BA editorial team.

1. PAUL SKENES RHP | PIRATES 2025 AGE: 23

Preseason: 65/High Updated: 80/Medium

As much as we loved Skenes heading into 2024, we were way too light. His 99 mph fastball and mid-80s slider created a foundation for ace status. But Skenes went over the top in his brilliant rookie season by broadening his attack to include a 94 mph sinker or "splinker" because of his split-finger grip-curveball, sweeper and changeup. That level of dominance and unpredictability resulted in a season with few equals among pitchers so young. His 1.96 ERA was tops for any pitcher with at least 120 innings in 2024, while his 214 adjusted-ERA+ is the second-best mark since integration for a pitcher 22 or younger. Only one rookie ever has bettered his 26.8 K-BB% in so many innings. With continued health, Skenes could front a championship rotation.

UPSIDE ROLE: No. 1 starter

2. JACKSON CHOURIO LF | BREWERS

2025 AGE: 21

Preseason: 70/High Updated: 70/Medium