MLB Pipeline released their Top 100 Prospects list just before teams reported for camp, but many players on that list will not see a big league ballpark this season. For instance, Walker Jenkins (#3) and Max Clark (#6) are currently projected to arrive in Minnesota and Detroit in 2026. While their timelines are likely to shift, both young hitters are unlikely to have any impact on their parent club’s 2025 season.
On the other hand, guys like Dylan Crews (#4) and Jackson Jobe (#5) already made their MLB debuts in 2024. Both Crews and Jobe are almost assuredly going to be on the Nationals and Tigers Opening Day rosters. Crews and Jobe should be on the short list for Rookie of the Year and they have rookie cards in Topps Series One. In this case, let’s place them aside since they’re already MLB players. Similarly, let’s place Jenkins and Clark in the category of “long-term prospects” who are unlikely to see big league action this season.
This leaves a gap for a different kind of prospect who has yet to debut for their MLB team, but is likely to get the call-up very soon. Some on this list may indeed make the Opening Day roster and others could get an early call. While there are a slew of prospects that fit this criteria, for the purposes of this article, the list will be narrowed down to five.
Five “High Impact” Prospects
- Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox (#12)
- Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates (#15)
- Matt Shaw, INF, Cubs (#19)
- Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants (#24)
- Christian Moore, 2B, Angels (#68)
The Red Sox are following the lead of division rival Orioles building their core through the farm system. Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell rank ahead of Mayer on the prospect list, but it’s Mayer who’s off to the hottest start down in Fort Myers. All three Red Sox youngsters could end up in Boston this season adding to an already strong team. Mayer could quickly eclipse Trevor Story at shortstop, who’s struggled to stay healthy the past few years.
Add another flamethrower, Bubba Chandler, right behind Paul Skenes and the Pirates might have the most dangerous, young due in baseball. He put up 148 strikeouts in 119.2 inning last season the minors. Many have already projected that Matt Shaw will be the starting third baseman for the Cubs on Opening Day. Shaw put up 21 home runs, 71 RBIs, 31 stolen bases and hit .284/.867 OPS between AA and AAA in 2024.
Bryce Eldridge is a 6-7, 20 year old slugger who hit .293/.890 OPS with 23 homers and 92 RBIs last season. He could very well provide the type of power the Giants lineup truly needs. Christian Moore was the top star for the National Champion, Tennessee Vols in 2024. The #8 overall pick of the 2024 Draft made a big splash on the minor league scene in his first 25 professional games. Moore making waves at Angels camp, poised to earn a spot in the Opening Day lineup, according to Jon Morosi.
The Card Market
While there are plenty of decisions to be made before Opening Day, these prospects are prime candidates to have a serious impact on their MLB clubs in 2025. So how is this effecting their card prices? Let’s look at each player’s Bowman Draft 1st Chrome Prospect base autograph card. All of these are in PSA 10 condition and sold on eBay in the past week.
- Marcelo Mayer (2021) $383.00 on 2/28
- Bubba Chandler (2021) $299.99 on 2/21
- Matt Shaw (2023) $297.95 on 2/28
- Christian Moore (2024) $283.99 on 2/26
- Bryce Eldridge (2023) $199.99 on 2/28
In the next few weeks, rosters will take shape across MLB. Will Shaw and and Moore make the Opening Day rosters? How quickly will Mayer, Chandler and Eldridge get the call-up? Will they make an immediate impact in 2025? And how high will their card prices jump? Somewhere on this Top 100 list is a hidden gem that the scouts and pundits don’t see coming. This is what makes baseball card prospecting a high risk, but potentially high reward endeavor.
