One interesting thing about the NL Central prospects is that this group could very well be one of the divisions in baseball where each top prospect gets the call-up. It’s prospects like these who will make the divison race much more intruiging in 2024. Despite rebuilding for the past few seasons, the Chicago Cubs are doing alot more work on the player development side of things. The Cinncati Reds, who made noise last season, have promoted multiple prospects which has decreased the depth in the system. The defending NL Central Milwaukee Brewers prospect system is loaded with star power and depth. Pittsburgh Pirates are slowly heading down the right path as their system remains strong despite a few promotions last year. Over in St. Louis, the Cardinals have multiple strong prospects at the top.
NL Central Top Prospects
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Chicago Cubs
Scouting grades: Hit: 55| Power: 50| Run: 70| Arm: 55| Field: 80| Overall: 55
Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a combined .283/.365/.511 between Double-A and Triple-A to reach the majors in September. He’ll get more of that this year as he still has yet to get his first major-league hit. Crow-Armstrong has a high ceiling with his feiling and defensive work, which is enough for him to be in the outfield. He’s strong enough to hit 20 home runs as he did so last year in the minors and a good hitter to hit .300 or higher. He’s more useful for contact with his combination of plus-plus speed. He adds to his defensive game with strong arm strength and accuracy on his throws. He is the type of player who can show a willingness to use the entire field and patiently work counts at the plate.
Noelvi Marte, 3B, Cincinnati Reds
Scouting grades: Hit: 50| Power: 60| Run: 55| Arm: 55| Field: 50| Overall: 55
Noelvi Marte, has hit everywhere he’s played. He reached High-A during his U.S. debut in 2021 then went on a roll after a sluggish start to his 2022 season when he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in the Luis Castillo deal. To his ability however, Marte continues to main some of his athleticism and speed even as he’s filled out so quicky. He hit his way from Double-A to Cincinnati in 2023, hitting .380/.416/.544 from September 1 until the end of the season. Despite his 80-game suspension, he’s ready for a major league job now.
Jackson Chourio, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Scouting grades: Hit: 55| Power: 65| Run: 70| Arm: 50| Field: 60| Overall: 65
The Milwaukee Brewers have a promising star in the making.
Jackson Chourio was hitting .297/.353/.492 with a 15% strikeout rate, spending the final week of the 2023 campaign with Triple-A Nashville. His 22 homers and 40 steals made him the fifth 20-40 teenager in the minors since 1958 and the first since Ronald Acuna Jr. in 2017. With his plus-plus spped, Chourio continues to push the envelope more than ever before, especially on the base paths. Chourio can track down balls in the gaps as a center fielder despite getting looks in right. His remarkable tools have on the Brewers Opening Day lineup, and perhaps the making of a potential All-Star.
Paul Skenes, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Scouting grades: Fastball: 80| Slider: 70| Changeup: 55| Control: 60| Overall: 65
Paul Skenes is a pitcher of unusual size, already 6’6″ and 235 pounds or so. But Skenes brings an imposing presecne on the mound. He can hide the ball well behind his body thanks to a compact arm action, allowing him to get away with some below-average life on the pitch. It’s no secret that Skenese offers ace ceiling with his size and arm strength. His velocity can average 98 mph and topping out 102 mph on his fastball. He will need some time to develop his game in order to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a real top-of-the-rotation solution. Skenes could very well be the Pirates next best dominant pitcher coming down the pipeline since drafting Gerrit Cole.
Masyn Winn, St. Louis Cardinals
Scouting grades: Hit: 55| Power: 45| Run: 70| Arm: 80| Field: 60| Overall: 55
Masyn Winn reached the St. Louis Cardinals as a 21 year old. His breakout came in 2022, where he hit 2.83/.364/.468 with 12 home runs and 43 steals between High-A and Double-A. Winn is an elite defender at shortstop who has an 80 arm. His arm is something of a cannon as he threw 100.5 mph in the 2022 Futures Game, but has since learned to keep it under cotntrol. He has outstanding plate discipline at his age which comes across all areas of that term- pitch selection, pitch type recognition and his ball/strike recognition are all-above average. Even if his power doesn’t follow him to the majors, Winn has multiple ways to contribute to the Cardinals.
Main Photo: © Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
