Every year, the Midwest League has big-name prospects that could get a call to the show within a year or two. This year, many players rank within the top five prospects in their respective organizations, according to MLB Pipeline.
As a Fort Wayne, Indiana, native, I see many Class A-Advanced Midwest League baseball. Being in Fort Wayne provides the opportunity to witness the Fort Wayne Tincaps, a San Diego Padres affiliate, and the chance to see prospects from opposing Midwest League teams.
Here are some of the top prospects currently playing in the Midwest League.
- Ethan Salas (Tincaps/Padres No. 1 prospect)
- Sal Stewart (Dayton Dragons/Cincinnati Reds No. 4 prospect)
- Cam Collier (Dayton Dragons/Reds No. 5 prospect)
- Ralphy Velazquez (Lake County Captains/Cleveland Guardians No. 5 prospect)
- Max Clark (West Michigan Whitecaps/Detroit Tigers No. 1 prospect)
- Kevin McGonigle (West Michigan Whitecaps/Tigers No. 3 prospect)
- Josue De Paula (Great Lakes Loons/Los Angeles Dodgers No. 2 prospect)
- Luis Morales (Lansing Lugnuts/Oakland Athletics No. 3 prospect)
- Cooper Pratt (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers/Milwaukee Brewers No. 2 prospect)
- Jac Caglianone (Quad Cities River Bandits/Kansas City Royals No. 1 prospect)
- Walker Jenkins (Cedar Rapids Kernels/Minnesota Twins No. 1 prospect)
- Thomas White (Beloit Sky Carp/Miami Marlins No. 1 prospect)
- Noble Meyer (Beloit Sky Carp/Marlins No. 2 prospect)
With so much talent in the Midwest League, seeing these players play before they get called up is exciting. With the second half of the season winding down, it is also a reasonable time to look ahead to some prospects who have performed well this season and could significantly climb up their organization’s prospect rankings.
Here are five prospects that should see their prospect ranking improve that fans should watch out for.
Will Simpson, 1B, Lansing Lugnuts
Currently ranked the 29th prospect in the Oakland Athletics organization, according to MLB Pipeline, Will Simpson should see a significant improvement in his ranking. The 22-year-old first baseman is hitting .277 with 15 home runs (tied for third in MWL), 79 RBI (leads the MWL) and 103 hits in 102 games for the Lansing Lugnuts. This successful season should move him, at the very least, into the top 20 prospects.
Jadher Areinamo, INF, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Jadher Areinamo is a prospect who is essentially a utility player. He can play second base, shortstop and third base. He has done it all for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers this season, which is a testament to why they’re currently leading the MWL West division. He’s the 24th-ranked prospect in the Brewers farm system. In addition to his impressive defensive play, 20-year-old Areinamo has also been tearing it up at the plate. He has a .308 average (2nd in MWL), 112 hits (2nd in MWL) and 29 stolen bases in 94 games. Seeing him jump into the top 15 prospects very soon shouldn’t be surprising.
Ryan Cardona, RHP, Dayton Dragons
Ryan Cardona doesn’t rank within MLB Pipeline’s top 30 prospects for the Reds. After being drafted in the 19th round in the 2021 MLB draft, Cardona has spent a few years in the minor leagues. This season, he may have improved his stock enough to climb the rankings. This season, the 24-year-old right-hander has posted an 8-4 record (2nd most wins in MWL), 3.35 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts (5th in MWL) in 19 games. After a rough few first seasons, Cardona has stamped his name into the conversation as a top arm in the Reds’ farm system.
Darlin Saladin, RHP, Peoria Chiefs
Although he’s played for two teams this season, Darlin Saladin has a 9-2 combined record (Class A & Class A-Advanced). For Peoria, he is 5-2, with a 3.57 ERA, has 52 strikeouts, and a 1.26 WHIP in just eight games. Saladin is the 22nd-ranked prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals farm system, and it’s primarily due to him being labeled undersized at 5-foot-11, 150 pounds. The 21-year-old has put together an impressive season on two different levels and should soon find himself in the top 20 for the Cardinals.
Seth Stephenson, CF, West Michigan Whitecaps
Speaking of being undersized, Seth Stephenson measures 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, but the kid is a speedster and has been a fantastic outfielder for the West Michigan Whitecaps. He doesn’t rank in the top 30 for the Detroit Tigers, but the 23-year-old has 51 stolen bases this season, which leads the MWL. In addition to that, he also has 88 hits, a .254 average and three triples. After a season like in 2024, Stephenson should find himself in this discussion in the top 25-30 prospects next season.
Honorable Mention: Joshua Mears, OF, Tincaps; Pedro Ramirez, 3B, South Bend Cubs; Rubel Cespedes, 3B, Cedar Rapids Kernels; John Klein, RHP, Cedar Rapids Kernels; Inohan Paniagua, RHP, Peoria Chiefs; Carter Spivey, RHP, Lake County Captains.
