The AL West is the only division in baseball where a pitching prospect isn’t featured. Instead, it’s a mix of outfielders and infielders who were drafted within the last two years in what could be the weakest pool of prospects at this time. The incumbent division champions Houston Astros farm system has hit a low point following the Justin Verlander trade. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics have the weakest farm systems in baseball as they can only go up from here. However, that’s not the case for a team like the Seattle Mariners. They had a huge draft haul last year to add to their cupboards down the road. Lastly, the Texas Rangers may have won the World Series, but their farm system is the only one in the division that’s in great shape.
AL West Top Prospects
Jacob Melton, OF, Houston Astros
Scouting grades: Hit: 50| Power: 55| Run: 65| Arm: 55| Field: 55| Overall: 50
Jacob Melton was the Houston Astros second-round pick in 2022. He’s overly aggressive at the plate and still doesn’t have a classic left-handed swing. But Houston continues to work with him to streamline it and tone down a big leg kick he had in college. His strength and bat speed create plus raw power that plays all fields, and his mechanical changes have enabled him to drive the ball in the air more consistently. He struggled against southpaws and did most of his work in High-A Asheville in 2023. His quickness gives him solid range in center field and has a better chance to play there after Drew Gilbert departed in the Verlander deal.
Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Los Angeles Angels
Scouting grades: Hit: 60| Power: 50| Run: 50| Arm: 50| Field: 50| Overall: 55
Taken No. 11 overall by the Los Angeles Angels, Nolan Schanuel played 22 minor league games before getting called up to the big leagues. He did quite well in his debut with a .275/.402/.330 line and more walks than strikeouts. Schanuel’s plate discipline is legit as he rarely chases out of the zone and he can hammer fastballs like nothing. He has a keen sense of finding the barrel, whiffing just 17.6 percent of the time. He’s an above-average runner who has good base running instincts. He’s already reached the majors and there’s no reason to think that he won’t be in the lineup consistently.
Jacob Wilson, SS, Oakland Athletics
Scouting grades: Hit: 65| Power: 45| Run: 50| Arm: 55| Field: 50| Overall: 55
The son of Jack Wilson, Jacob became the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. He hit a combined .333 while leaping High-A Lansing during his professional debut. He’s not a runner but he has outstanding instincts and hands to stick at shortstop long-term. His issue is his bat, he doesn’t strike out much (2.3 percent strikeout rate in 2023), but his contact is fairly weak. The contact skill is elite, with 12 strikeouts total in his last two years at Grand Canyon. A step forward with more of an offensive impact could move Wilson up to another level in the minor leagues.
Cole Young, SS/2B, Seattle Mariners
Scouting grades: Hit: 60| Power: 45| Run: 55| Arm: 55| Field: 50| Overall: 55
Like teammate Colt Emerson, Cole Young is also a left-handed hitter, but with very different profiles. Young’s a better athlete, and runner and has a better chance to stay at shortstop in the long. He’s got a great feel for the barrel, with a strikeout rate under 15 percent last season while drawing as nearly as many walks. Young has seen some time on the right side of second to provide some positional versatility. It’s something that could come in need as his advanced bat looks like it can get him to Seattle sooner.
Wyatt Langford, Texas Rangers
Scouting grades: Hit: 60| Power: 70| Run: 55| Arm: 45| Field: 50| Overall: 65
Wyatt Langford had a debut like no other for the Texas Rangers. He played at four levels last season, hitting .360/.480/.677 in 200 professional plate appearances, He’s an electric offensive player with a smooth, powerful right-handed swing where he stays very steady through contact. His lone weakness is hitting against left-handers, slashing .242/.349/.253 in 2023. Langford is fast enough to play at center but played left in college and spent most of his major league debut there too. His average arm strength gives him the chance to play all three spots.
Main Photo: © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
