With the annual prospect rankings update approaching, MLB Pipeline has identified one rising player from each Major League Baseball organization whose performance in 2025 has notably improved their standing.
For the New York Yankees, right-handed pitcher Brendan Beck has seen his stock rise. Beck, selected in the second round of the 2021 draft out of Stanford, missed all of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery and sat out 2024 after another elbow operation. In his return this season, he is “back to throwing four pitches for strikes, the best of which is a low-80s slider,” according to MLB Pipeline. He has recorded a 2.88 ERA with opponents hitting .205 against him and posted an 86/22 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 93â…” innings between Double-A and Triple-A. Beck is also noted as the younger brother of San Francisco Giants pitcher Tristan Beck.
Other teams have also highlighted prospects who have made significant progress or breakthroughs this year. For example, Toronto Blue Jays’ Gage Stanifer has emerged as a key arm in their system; Baltimore Orioles’ Esteban Mejia earned a promotion after showing triple-digit velocity; and Boston Red Sox’s Brandon Clarke developed an impressive fastball-slider combination despite injury setbacks.
The list features both established names returning from injuries and lesser-known players making unexpected leaps. Across divisions, organizations are seeing young talent either reach new levels or rebound from previous challenges.
MLB Pipeline will release its updated Top 30 prospect lists and Top 100 overall rankings next week, incorporating recent draftees and accounting for notable player developments throughout professional baseball so far this season.
“He’s back to throwing four pitches for strikes, the best of which is a low-80s slider, and has logged a 2.88 ERA, .205 average-against and 86/22 K/BB ratio in 93 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. He’s the younger brother of Giants right-hander Tristan Beck.”
