Minor League Barometer: Risers & Fallers

In the final Minor League Barometer of the season, we'll zoom out and take a look at which phenoms have seen their star rise and drop. And nothing about those who've already made their way to the Majors, including Sal Stewart, Jonah Tong, Carter Jensen and Payton Tolle. As always, this list isn't meant to be complete as space limits the ability to discuss every qualifying player.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the rest of 2025!

And don't forget to keep checking out where future major league baseball starts slot into RotoWire's MLB Top Prospects & Rankings!

UPGRADE

Edward Florentino, OF, PIT – Though Konnor Griffin may enter next season as the top prospect, perhaps no one has boosted their status this year as much as Florentino. At only 18, he dominated the Florida Complex League to begin the campaign before being quickly promoted to Low-A. And despite being one of the youngest players at this level, Florentino has more than held his own slashing .265/.384/.513 through 52 games while showing patience well beyond his age. He's also flashed stellar speed and emerging power by swiping 29 bags (while only being caught four times) and clubbing 10 home runs. Already at 6-4, 200, Florentino may only be scratching the surface of his potential. He may have been unfamiliar at the beginning of 2025, but will enter next season as one of the more promising outfielders.

Robby Snelling, P, MIA – Snelling has bounced around the ranks for years, yet the southpaw is still only 21 and competing at Triple-A. He's sparkled over nine starts there having notched a 1.37 ERA and 67:13 K:BB in 52.2 innings. Snelling has recaptured his control and likes to challenge hitters, though still elicits plenty of swings and misses. He's also kept the ball down with only 10 homers against across 23 starts allowing 10 home runs in 23 starts after 17 from 24 last year. An honorable mention here goes to Jakob Marsee, who's already in the bigs and has already made his presence felt. Along with Agustin Ramirez and a talented young pitching staff that could add Snelling and Thomas White as early as next season, the Marlins could finally be building something.

Alfredo Duno, C, CIN – With Sal Stewart's recent promotion, the Reds' most exciting phenom is the teenaged backstop Duno who's picked up more walks (91) than strikeouts (89) during 110 games at Low-A leading to a .423 OBP. He's also hitting .281 to go along with 16 home runs and 78 RBI. Duno has an eagle eye at the dish and the ability to hit for average and power at only 19 years of age. The Reds are also currently low on high-upside catchers, so there's a clear path for him to eventually move up to the parent club - though that certainly will take at least a couple more years.

Kevin McGonigle, SS, DET – McGonigle had always been highly thought of in prospect circles, but injuries have limited him to under 100 games in each of the last two campaigns. He still crushed opposing pitching at High-A earlier this season by slashing .376/.462/.648 across 36 appearances.  McGonigle's average has considerably decreased since a promotion to Double-A, yet he's drawn more walks (28) than strikeouts (21) through 38 games. With a combined 16 homers and nine steals, the 21-year-old looks like a future centerpiece for the Tigers and not much standing in his way to make his MLB debut in 2026. An honorable mention goes to teammate Josue Briceno, a 20-year-old catcher who's surged up the prospect charts.

CHECK STATUS

Connelly Early, P, BOS – The Red Sox rebuild has likely succeeded a year earlier than expected, with still more help on the way. Though the aforementioned Payton Tolle may be more well-regarded, Early has done quite nice for himself with a shot at a big-league rotation spot in 2026.  He's recorded a combined 2.60 ERA and 132:40 K:BB over 100.1 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. The southpaw isn't overpowering as he utilizes his off-speed pitches with great effectiveness while inducing a lot of ground balls and getting many strikes. Early's lack of fastball velocity may ultimately cap his upside, yet he's done well and could make a legitimate play to appear behind Garrett Crochet next season.

Spencer Jones, OF, NYY – George Lombard could have also received the nod here as he started the campaign with a bang before his production tailed off. Jones still has his doubters, but he quieted plenty of them with a dazzling midseason start at Triple-A. While he's also cooled off a bit, the 6-7 slugger is still batting .271 with a .560 slugging percentage through 52 games. Jones has 81 strikeouts during that stretch, so it appears swing-and-miss will always be a part of his profile.  He's also gone deep 32 times between Double-A and Triple-A. While Jones didn't receive a September call-up, Trent Grisham is likely in line for a big payday this offseason from someone other than the Bronx Bombers, where Jones could compete for a spot in 2026.

Arjun Nimmala, SS, TOR – Nimmala started 2025 strong at High-A by hitting close to .300 for the first two months while still being a teenager, though that number has plummeted since June and now sits at .227. Strikeouts and lack of consistent contact remain a concern as he hasn't gone above .228 at any level since being a 2023 first-round selection. Nimmala has shown an intriguing combination of emerging power and speed with 13 home runs and 17 stolen bases while also having room to fill out and mature. The hit tool development will go a long way towards determining his future path.

Owen Murphy, P, ATL – It has been a down year for Atlanta with their pitching staff ravaged by injuries. Reinforcements could be on the way in 2026 and beyond, starting with Murphy's return from Tommy John surgery that has gone very well with a 1.66 ERA and 25:4 K:BB across five starts. The organization has been careful not to overwork the former first-rounder as he hasn't completed more than 5.1 innings in any outing. Murphy will turn 22 later this month, so he could begin 2026 at Double-A with an eye towards the Majors before the end of the campaign if all goes according to plan.

DOWNGRADE

Travis Sykora, P, WAS – The Nationals have endured a rough season with respect to their top pitching prospects. Jarlin Susana has battled multiple injuries and Cade Cavalli finally came back but has been mediocre with the big club. Meanwhile, Sykora underwent Tommy John surgery and is unlikely to pitch until 2027. He had established himself as one of the top phenoms prior to being sidelined, having already worked his way to two Double-A appearances. And at High-A, Sykora registered a 1.21 ERA and 47:8 K:BB during 29.2 innings. He'll likely be 23 upon his return, yet won't have managed more than five innings at Double-A.

Xavier Isaac, 1B, TB – Isaac has battled ailments all season that's limited him to 41 Double-A games. A balky elbow could be largely to blame, though he's also struggled to hit above the Mendoza Line at this level. Isaac had produced a .201/.366/.446 line with nine home runs and 22 RBI in 41 contests. While he's demonstrated his usual patience at the dish, the power numbers haven't yet caught up to his raw potential. Add in the difficulty in making consistent contact, and Isaac's star certainly appears to have significantly dimmed. But as Isaac is only 21 and already at Double-A, it's far too soon to completely give up on him. The hope is that he comes back healthy during 2026 and starts racking up long balls and walks.