May 13, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar (10) tosses the ball as San Francisco Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski (5) reacts after hitting a double during the fourth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images A number of top Major League Baseball prospects have already made their debuts in 2025, but several strong pedigrees remain on the verge of being promoted from the minor leagues. Here’s a look at a few we could see contributing in the majors in the coming weeks:
Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates, RHP
Chandler’s promotion to join Paul Skenes in the big-league rotation has seemed inevitable — and even imminent — though the Pirates have good reasons to delay it beyond alleged service-time manipulation.
The Pirates already have a solid rotation featuring Skenes, Mitch Keller, Bailey Falter and Andrew Heaney. Their struggles have come more from inconsistent hitting. Chandler is not the final piece that would suddenly make them contenders this season.
While his results look good at first glance, Chandler has shown inconsistencies at Triple-A. The decision the Pirates must make is whether he would be better served ironing those issues out in the majors. Either way, he remains MLB’s top pitching prospect — pretty good for a third-round pick in 2021.
Entering action Wednesday, Chandler posted a 2.68 ERA with 73 strikeouts and just two home runs allowed in 55 1/3 innings over 14 starts for Triple-A Indianapolis. Control remains a concern — he has walked 21 batters in his past 35 innings — and that’s not something he could afford to do at the next level.
C.J. Kayfus, Cleveland Guardians, OF/1B
The Guardians’ lineup lacks punch across the board, and Kayfus could help fill holes at first base, right field or designated hitter. He’s a .302/.403/.537 hitter with 28 home runs, 102 walks, 45 doubles and 14 triples in 809 minor-league plate appearances since 2023. He’ll turn 24 in late October but has just 251 plate appearances above Class A.
Kayfus’ prospect status and output resemble Kyle Manzardo, who has been adequate but no better than league average in nearly 400 plate appearances with Cleveland. The Guardians need more.
His promotion could depend on how patient Cleveland remains with outfielder Nolan Jones, who has shown occasional flashes of his 2023 Rockies form but has otherwise been as underwhelming as the rest of the outfield — aside from Steven Kwan.
Jordan Lawlar, Arizona Diamondbacks, IF
The Diamondbacks entered Wednesday at .500 and remain in the thick of the National League playoff race. But major injuries to the pitching staff cast doubt on their postseason hopes for this year and next. A retooling could be in order.
It may make sense for GM Mike Hazen to clear space on the infield for Lawlar, who is blocked at third, short and second base by some of Arizona’s top players. With middle infielders Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte signed to extensions, the more likely moves would involve first baseman Josh Naylor or third baseman Eugenio Suárez.
Approaching his 23rd birthday, Lawlar has already made multiple brief MLB appearances, including eight games earlier this season. He has yet to hit in 56 career plate appearances but is raking at Triple-A Reno in a favorable hitting environment — .324/.409/.594 with 10 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 50 games. Baseball America ranks Lawlar the No. 11 overall prospect.
Chase Burns, Cincinnati Reds, RHP
May 24, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Wake Forest pitcher Chase Burns (29) starts against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the ACC Baseball Tournament at Truist Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-USA TODAY Sports The Reds have two highly regarded pitching prospects named Chase. Burns, age 22, is the better regarded, ranked No. 8 overall by Baseball America. The second overall pick in the 2024 draft, Burns was recently promoted to Triple-A after posting a 1.29 ERA in 42 Double-A innings. His professional sample size is small, but his college track record could allow him to rise quickly.
In addition to a varied pitch mix (plus fastball, curveball, slider and changeup), Burns is said to have an advanced mound presence. With the Reds on the fringe of the playoff picture, Burns could emerge as a wild card to boost their NL Wild Card hopes after the trade deadline.
Dylan Beavers, Baltimore Orioles, OF
Several promising outfielders have cycled through Baltimore in recent seasons, but the Orioles are struggling to keep them healthy or productive. If Heston Kjerstad, Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Carlson continue to struggle or stay sidelined, the O’s could turn to Beavers. The 23-year-old has shown the ability to get on base, hit for power and steal bases in nearly 1,400 minor-league plate appearances.
He’s not Baltimore’s top prospect — that’s catcher Samuel Basallo — but Beavers could get a quicker shot at the big leagues simply because of what the Orioles need right now.
Justin Crawford, Philadelphia Phillies, OF
The Phillies are World Series contenders but continue to run out a lineup with too many average performers, especially in the outfield. Crawford profiles as a classic leadoff hitter — he gets on base, steals bases and plays strong defense in center field. At just 21 years old, he has only 55 games at Triple-A but has posted a .338/.405/.431 slash line.
