By: Tobey Schulman
The American League Central is home to a lot of losing teams in Major League Baseball. However, these teams have great prospects in their farm systems that are set to come up in the next few years and help make this division competitive for a championship again.
Chicago White Sox – Colson Montgomery SS – ETA 2024
The White Sox no longer have Tim Anderson to fill the shortstop position. The decision to not re-sign Anderson could partly be due to the White Sox confidence in top prospect Colson Montgomery. The 2021 first round pick has a .280 batting average in three seasons in the minors, with a .410 on base percentage, and .438 slugging percentage. His discipline at the plate keeps his strikeout numbers limited as well, as he both struck out and walked 56 times in 2023. Montgomery flashes potential to be a great big league shortstop, and with Anderson no longer occupying the role, expect Montgomery to fill that role early in 2024.
Cleveland Guardians – Daniel Espino RHP – ETA 2025
Since being drafted in 2019, Daniel Espino has had high hopes, but has battled injuries. Despite injuries, Espino shows promise of being a very good frontline starter. Espino possesses some incredible pitches in his arsenal. Espino has the highest possible scouting grade on his fastball, graded as an 80 overall. Topping out at 103 miles per hour, this makes for a brutal pitch for hitters to face. His 70 grade slider, which has topped out at 93 miles per hour, gives him that 1-2 punch with his arsenal that would make for an incredible frontline starter. Likely to return to action in the middle of 2024, this year is a huge year for Espino’s development to break the rotation in 2025 and start what many can only hope will be a Cy Young caliber career in Cleveland.
Detroit Tigers – Max Clark OF – ETA 2026
Max Clark was the first high school player drafted in 2023 after he hit .646 with 33 RBIs and an Indiana state record of 52 walks in 120 plate appearances his senior season. Clark was rather underwhelming to start his minor league career in the FSL and FCL, hitting just .224. However, Clark had 19 RBIs in just 23 games and is known to be a big threat on the basepaths as well as having some high power upside. Clark’s impressed scouts with his speed and fielding ability, and has all the tools necessary to be Detroit’s franchise center fielder. At just 19 years old, 2024 is set to be a big first full season for Clark and his development in the Detroit system.
Kansas City Royals – Blake Mitchell C – ETA 2027
Taken in the first round of the 2023 draft out of high school by Kansas City, Blake Mitchell was no doubt a big risk. Mitchell has a 70 grade arm behind the plate and flashes great potential on offense as well. Mitchell however only hit for a .147 average in 13 games in the ACL, but had an on base percentage of .423, walking 17 times compared to his 14 strikeouts. With such a small sample size, it’s unfair to critique his stats too heavily and his first full season will give Kansas City a better idea of where they’re at with their top prospect. With Salvador Perez’s career coming to an end most likely in the next few seasons, Mitchell seems to be the guy Kansas City wants behind the plate to fill his shoes.
Minnesota Twins – Walker Jenkins OF – ETA 2026
Sitting at #10 on the MLB Pipeline Top 100, Walker Jenkins is on every prospect watchlist coming into this season. Taken 5th overall in the 2023 draft, Jenkins is just 19 years old possessing a 6 ‘3”, 210 pound frame. Through 26 games in rookie ball, Jenkins hit .362 with 38 hits, five doubles, four triples, and three home runs. Jenkins flashes incredible power and decent speed as well. Jenkins has a great arm in the outfield and will look to display that more throughout the 2024 season. While he only played 26 games this season, the future looks bright for Jenkins. Given he keeps up this level of production, Jenkins should soar through the Minnesota system.
Honorable Mentions
Chicago – Jacob Gonzalez SS – ETA 2026
Cleveland – George Valera OF – ETA 2024
Detroit – Jackson Jobe RHP – ETA 2025
Kansas City – Cayden Wallace 3B – ETA 2025
Minnesota – Austin Martin OF – ETA 2024
