With the 2024 MLB Draft behind us, MLB Pipeline has adjusted their rankings to their Top 100 Prospects list. 81 players on the list were born in the United States. Still, the list features ten players born in the Dominican Republic, three Venezuelans, three Cubans, and one player from Australia, Puerto Rico, and Italy. We break down the top ten international prospects on the list:
Caminero lands on the list as the overall number two prospect in all of minor league baseball. The Dominican native was recently called up by the Rays, where he is likely to take over as the Rays primary third baseman. In Triple-A Durham this year, Caminero hit .276 in 53 games, hitting 13 home runs and driving in 34 RBIs.
The Orioles have several young players who have all graduated from prospect status in recent years, like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Jordan Westburg, but knocking on the door is catcher and first baseman Samuel Basallo. Basallo’s power has shown up with Double-A Bowie, where he’s slugged 15 home runs and 47 RBIs in 95 games.
This highest-ranking 2024 draftee on the list would be Australian native Travis Bazzana. The first overall pick of the draft was the first of his Draft Class to make his professional debut. He also ranks as the 13th-best prospect on the Top 100. So far, in 11 games this year, Bazzana is hitting .205 with one home run and five RBIs. He began his journey in the minors with High-A Lake County.
Born in the Dominican Republic, the outfielder is ready for his name to be called by potentially this September. Dominguez made his MLB debut in 2023, hitting .258 with an impressive four home runs in eight games donning the pinstripes. He missed time to injury at the end of last year and into this season, but he’s back with Triple-A Scranton. Dominguez is batting .253 in 22 games, hitting two home runs, with his on-base percentage at .305.
The youngest player on the list is catcher Ethan Salas. The 18-year-old has spent this entire season with High-A Fort Wayne, where it hasn’t been his best season. So far, through 90 games, the Venezuelan native has been hitting .196, along with four home runs and 36 RBI, and has also stolen nine bases. Salas reached Double-A in his first full professional season in 2023, so
we will see how the Padres plan to utilize Salas in their 2025 plans and where he will begin the season.
Rodriguez, a native of the Dominican Republic, could be in the Twins plans early next season potentially. The 21-year-old outfielder is having one of his best professional years yet. With Double-A Wichita, Rodriguez is batting .298, crushing eight home runs with 20 RBIs in 37 games. He’s been sidelined since Jul. 8 as he recovers from a thumb injury.
Chase Burns is the second 2024 draftee to appear on our list of top international players, as he was born in Naples, Italy. Although he never played in Italy growing up, Burns found tons of success at the University of Tennessee before transferring for his junior season to Wake Forest. Burns had a remarkable season with the Demon Deacons, recording a 10-1 record, posting a 2.70 ERA, striking out 191 batters in 100 innings of work. It will be interesting to see how quickly Burns can fly through the minor league system, where he could potentially join a rotation with Hunter Greene and former Wake Forest alum Rhett Lowder.
Hailing from Canada, Owen Caissie could be in the mix in the Chicago Cubs plans for September. The 22-year-old has played the entire season with Triple-A Iowa, hitting .270 with 12 home runs and 54 RBIs. Although his power numbers are down from last season, what sticks out the most is his ability to get on base, with his on-base percentage ranks at .363, while he has walked 50 times in 355 at-bats. Depending on where the Cubbies are by the end of the month, a decision could be made to get Caissie up north to Chicago.
The only player on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list born in Nassau, Bahamas, is Rangers shortstop Sebastian Walcott. Also, just 18 years old, Walcott is getting his first full season with High-A Hickory. He’s performed well in 96 games, holding a .254 average, where he’s blasted ten homers and 37 RBIs, with his speed showing up, where he’s stolen 18 bases. With him only being 18, seeing where he will fit in the Rangers plans will be fun, with Marcus Semien and Corey Seager locked up to long-term contracts.
Rounding out our Top 10 International Prospects is catcher Jeferson Quero. Born in Venezuela, the catcher posted a strong 2023 season with Double-A Biloxi, hitting 16 home runs and driving in 49 RBIs in 90 games. Unfortunately, for opening day with Triple-A- Nashville, Quero suffered labrum damage in his right shoulder on a head-first slide back into first base, ultimately ending
his season. He walked in his only plate appearance for 2024. A potential catching duo in William Contreras and Quero could become a reality next season as Quero recovers from injury.
With almost a month left in the minor league season and a few weeks until the calendar flips to September, some of these names could potentially be making their MLB Debuts. We’ll see which players will be set to make an impact either this season or in the next few years.
