By Coleman Smith
Arizona Diamondbacks: Dylan Ray (9th Pipeline, 19th Fangraphs; RHP, 2025 ETA)
Dylan Ray came to Arizona via their 4th round draft pick in the 2022 draft after just a one year career at the University of Alabama in which he worked out of the bullpen due to Tommy John surgery in 2021. He would begin starting games immediately at Rookie and A ball in 2022 before a Northwest League All Star campaign at A+ in 2023 in which he made 22 starts and would finish the season in AA. Ray posted an impressive 30.4% K% at A+, showing an above average ability to create swing and miss.
Ray attacks hitters with a deep 5 pitch arsenal. His 4 seam fastball had inconsistent velocity but usually sits around 90-96, reaching the upper 90s occasionally. For secondaries, he starts with a harder gyro slider in the upper 80s he typically tries to throw down to his glove side. He also features a low 80s changeup that graded 55 on Pipeline and led to Ray having reverse strikeout rate splits (36.4% vs LHB, 23.7% vs RHB). He will also throw a curveball in the upper 70s as well as a high 80s cutter.
Ray did not receive an invite to Dbacks Spring Training this year, so a debut before the backend of 2024 is highly unlikely. Ray has made just 33 starts above the high school level, and only threw 56 innings in the entire 2022 season. Look for him to begin the season at AA with a possible promotion to AAA during the season as he also works to get more innings on his arm.
Colorado Rockies: Ryan Ritter (13th Pipeline, UR Fangraphs; 2B/SS, 2025 ETA)
When the Rockies selected Ryan Ritter in the 4th round of the 2022 draft, they thought they were getting a great defensive SS that would struggle with the bat. In his first full pro season however that was not the case. Ritter put up a 20-20 season across 3 levels, ultimately finishing with 24 homers and 20 stolen bags. He would finish the season at AA after starting in low A ball, but there were a bit of struggles at the higher levels.
Most of Ritter’s power came in his 65 game low A ball stint in which he posted 18 homers and a .606 slugging percent. He would trade the power in for speed in A+, stealing 12 bases in just 46 games at the level after just 6 in low A. The bigger concern with Ritter at A+ and AA was his strikeout rate. He struck out 24.4% of the time in low A, but that jumped to 34.8% at A+ and AA. He still posted a 121 wRC+ at A+, but in 8 games at AA Ritter had just 4 hits compared to 11 K’s. Ritter would be named the California League MVP for his time with low A Fresno.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Zyhir Hope (21st Pipeline, UR Fangraphs; OF, 2025 ETA)
Zyhir Hope wasn’t picked until the 11th round in the 2023 draft out of Colonial Forge HS, partly due to teams believing he was strongly committed to the University of North Carolina, and partly because he barely participated in the showcase circuit. Nevertheless, he received a $400,000 bonus and chose to sign with the Cubs.
Hope played 11 games for the Cubs rookie ball affiliate after being drafted, posting a .962 OPS with 3 homers, 3 steals, and a 13/8 K/BB ratio. He was then traded in January to the Dodgers along with Jackson Ferris for Michael Busch and Yency Almonte. Hope will play his first full professional season as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
What excites me about Zyhir Hope is the tools. As a prep player, Hope was also being scouted as a LHP with a fastball reaching up to 96 on the radar gun. He also runs a 6.56 60 yard dash, meaning he possess both the speed and arm necessary to stick in CF long term. Hope has also clocked 110 mph exit velocities and his max bat speed has been measured at 86.4 mph, suggesting plus raw power at the plate. With proper development, he could potentially be a future 5 tool player for the Dodgers.
San Francisco Giants: Hayden Birdsong (7th Pipeline, 23rd Fangraphs; RHP 2025 ETA)
When the Giants selected Hayden Birdsong in the 6th round of the 2022 draft out of Eastern Illinois University, he had only 15 career starts under his belt at the college level, spread across three seasons. He would continue to come out of the bullpen in 11.2 IP in his first professional season before transitioning to starting in 2023.
In his first season primarily starting games, Birdsong’s stuff shined. Among minor league pitchers with at least 100 IP in 2023, Birdsong ranked 2nd in K% and 4th in K-BB%. He progressed 3 levels, ultimately finishing at AA where he ran into some trouble.
Birdsong possesses a four pitch arsenal including a 4 seam fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. The fastball, curveball, and slider also graded as above average by MLB Pipeline, giving him a deep arsenal of quality pitches. The fastball sits in the mid 90s and has touched 98, with the curveball in the upper 70s and slider in the low 80s. The changeup sits in the mid 80s and gives him a third pitch against left handed hitters to pair with the fastball and curve.
Birdsong was a non-roster invitee to Giants Spring Training, where he has struggled a bit with command while the stuff has looked impressive. If he can get the walk rate closer to the 6.5% he put up in A+ rather than the 12%+ at A and AA, Birdsong could develop into a nice rotation piece for a Giants team that currently has 2 rookies and a non-roster invitee listed in the rotation on Roster Resource.
San Diego Padres: Jakob Marsee (12th Pipeline, 9th Fangraphs; OF, 2024 ETA)
The Padres drafted Jakob Marsee in the 6th round of the 2022 draft out of Central Michigan University. Since making his debut later that season, two of his traits have stood out: speed and plate discipline. In 160 minor league games, Marsee has stolen 61 bases while being caught only 10 times. His base stealing ability is aided by his knack for getting on base without striking out.
| Level | PA | BB% | K% |
| Rk | 47 | 29.8 | 21.3 |
| A | 86 | 18.6 | 17.4 |
| A+ | 499 | 17.4 | 16.4 |
| AA | 69 | 15.9 | 21.7 |
| AFL | 118 | 17.7 | 21.2 |
Marsee was named the Arizona Fall League MVP after posting a 1.215 OPS with 5 homers and 16 stolen bases in 24 games. Previous AFL MVPs have included Royce Lewis, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Kris Bryant, so the award does have some merit.
The Padres likely won’t be a great team in 2024, and they appear to have positions up for grabs in the outfield. Jose Azocar, Jurickson Profar, Jackson Merrill, and Cal Mitchell all figure to compete for time in LF and CF while Fernando Tatis Jr. holds down right. Injuries, poor play, or exceptional play from Marsee himself could all lead to Jakob seeing time in the Petco Park outfield this season.
Coleman Smith is a writer for and co-founder of Low Three Quarter Media. See more of his work and others’ work on the site through the links at the top of the page, or explore another recent article linked below.
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