MLB Prospect Watch: AL West
Houston Astros – Jacob Melton OF – ETA 2025
The Astros farm system doesn’t have many prospects who can look to break the big league club very soon. Trading away Drew Gilbert in the Verlander trade at last year’s deadline however, frees up room for Jacob Melton to move in the Astros system. The outfielder was taken in the second round by the Astros in the 2022 draft, after he impressed scouts, hitting for a .360 batting average with 17 home runs to go along with 22 stolen bases at Oregon State. Melton’s hitting stats have been average so far through his first two seasons of his minor league career, hitting .248 with 27 home runs. Melton tallied 52 stolen bases in those two seasons and with a 60 grade run tool, he has potential to be a big threat on the bases at the MLB level.
Los Angeles Angels – Nolan Schanuel 1B – ETA 2024
Breaking the big league club in 2023, Schanuel managed to go from the draft in July, to playing in Anaheim just months later. In 22 games in the minors, Schanuel hit .365 with 15 RBI’s, enough to earn him a spot on the big league roster. In 29 games in the majors, Schanuel hit .275 showing potential to be a great contact hitting first baseman. Schanuel seems to have cemented his spot at first base for the Angels, and the organization’s top prospect will be on everyone’s watch throughout his first full season in the majors.
Oakland Athletics – Jacob Wilson SS – ETA 2025
Son of former big leaguer Jack Wilson, Jacob Wilson hopes to live up to his father’s name. Wilson was drafted 6th overall in the 2023 draft out of Grand Canyon, and impressed in his first look in the minors. Wilson hit .333 with 11 doubles in just 26 games. Wilson looks poised to move quickly through the system, and he and Oakland’s seventh ranked prospect Max Muncy look to service the middle infield for years to come at the big league level.
Seattle Mariners – Colt Emerson SS – ETA 2026
Seattle’s 2023 first round pick Colt Emerson was taken 22nd overall and impressed in his short minor league season last year. Hitting .374 in 24 games, he totaled a 1.045 OPS across rookie ball, slugging at a .550 rate. At just 18 years old, 2024 will be a huge year for Emerson’s development. While the big league club is looking to make a postseason push as well as win a division title, don’t let that distract you from what Seattle has currently developing in their farm system.
Texas Rangers – Wyatt Langford OF – ETA 2024
A surprise to many, was standout Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford falling to fourth overall in the 2023 MLB draft. Langford impressed at Florida with his raw power, hitting .373 and slugging at a .784 rate, taking the Gators to the College World Series in 2023. Langford impressed the Rangers farm system, hitting .405 through 12 games in AA, enough to earn him a spot on the AAA roster. Langford hit 10 home runs in his 44 games this season in the minors, and he currently looks to break the big league roster out of spring training. Rangers staff say he looks like one of the best players on the team during batting practice, and 2024 is no doubt a huge year for Langford to prove his abilities to the Rangers and the rest of the MLB as he campaigns for American League Rookie of the Year.
Honorable Mentions
Houston – Brice Matthews SS – ETA 2026
Los Angeles – Ben Joyce RHP – ETA 2023
Oakland – Max Muncy SS – ETA 2024
Seattle – Harry Ford C – ETA 2025
Texas – Jack Leiter RHP – ETA 2024
