No. 20: Pitching prospect Connelly Early
It didn't matter if he was in High-A or Double-A, Connelly Early impressed wherever he went. The left-handed pitcher posted a 3.99 ERA, .214 BAA, and 1.19 WHIP in 23 starts between the two levels. He struck out 138 batters compared to 39 walks in 103 2/3 innings.
Early struck out nine batters on three separate occasions in 2024. That included his second-to-last start of the year when he didn't allow a run (or a walk) over six two-hit innings.
Early is a weapon because he has a legitimate chance to make it to the Majors as a starter, but he could be effective as a lefty out of the bullpen.
Early has a fastball in the low-90s with some movement. It can creep up above 95 MPH. Overall, he has a good command of the pitch. However, there were a few times in 2024 when he didn't seem to have it all game. He has a slider in the high 80s that doesn't have the most exaggerated cut. It's Early's fourth pitch. There isn't much to talk about here.
The lefty has an inconsistent curveball that plays around 80 MPH. At the best of times, it has a good break that gets hitters out in front. Other times, it doesn't do much and is extremely hittable.
Early's best pitch is his changeup. It looks like his fastball out of his hand, but sits in the low-80s with a significant late drop. He has a good command of the pitch and rarely has an off-day.
If Early can add some velocity or improve on one of his non-changeup offspeed pitches, there's a clear next step. The 2024 season was a great introduction.
Fastball: 45
Slider: 35
Curveball: 40
Changeup: 55
Control: 40
Overall: 40
No. 19: Outfield prospect Nelly Taylor
Nelly Taylor slashed .233/.337/.376 with 26 doubles, four triples, and eight home runs between Single-A and High-A. He recorded 54 RBI, 74 runs, and 33 steals.
Taylor spent most of the year in Single-A, where he put up respectable numbers. He ended the year getting 10 games in High-A. While there, the Polk State product went 11-for-38 (.289) with two doubles, one triple, and two home runs.
Taylor struck out 119 times and walked 63 times in 475 plate appearances. That's a strikeout rate of 25.1% and a walk rate of 13.3%. The walks are great, but he could benefit from cutting back on the Ks. He has plenty of time — 2024 was his first professional season. He has flashed some power potential, which took off after he left Salem.
Taylor is a plus runner, and steals will always be a part of his game. Meanwhile, he's elite defensively, in Ceddanne Rafaela territory. Diving plays and perfect reads were common. Thanks to Taylor's great instincts and fantastic speed, he covers more ground than most others and has a solid arm to keep runners honest. In a system that boasts the likes of Miguel Bleis, Jhostynxon Garcia, Roman Anthony, Phillip Sikes, Juan Chacon, and more in the outfield, Taylor is in his own category defensively.
Taylor has a wild story. He had a tumor removed when he was five or six to become cancer-free. It led to Taylor not playing team sports until he was older. Due to that, he hasn't had as much time in baseball as others. It also means that Taylor can't take supplements like creatine.
Despite those setbacks, Taylor has flourished. Salem manager Liam Carroll pointed to Taylor as a leader of the clubhouse. Multiple people within the organization have told me that Taylor is the guy. Many have a high view of him. Taylor deserves that praise.
Hit: 40
Power: 45
Run: 65
Arm: 40
Field: 70
Overall: 45