2) A.J. Ewing
The only true positive to A.J. Ewing’s 2024 season was his 16.5% walk rate. He struck out at a poor 28.5% rate and only had a .157 isolated slugging percentage. When he did get on base, he wasn't the most efficent base stealer, going 13-21 in attempts. Sure, his 114 wRC+ made him an above-average producer at the plate, but drawing walks was the only thing he wasn’t struggling with. However, in 2025, Ewing improved in nearly every part of his game.
Ewing stepped to the plate 564 times, starting the year at A-Ball St. Lucie, and ending the season at Double-A Binghamton. He slashed .315/.401/.429 with a .390 wOBA, and 147 wRC+. Ewing significantly cut down on the Ks, with a strikeout rate of just 18.6%. His walk rate did take a step back, but 12.1% is still a solid digit. Ewing may not have hit for as much power either, with a .113 ISO, but he was a massive stolen base threat, going 70/88 in attempts.
Ewing even performed well at Double-A. It was only a 28-game sample size, but he put up a 133 wRC+ while slashing .339/.371/.430. He also tacked on a dozen more stolen bases while only getting caught twice. Considering 2025 was his age-20 season, and he didn’t turn 21 until August, Ewing couldn’t have had a better breakout season after struggling in 2024.
Ewing had the fifth most stolen bases in the minor leagues last season, and was one of only five players with at least 50 steals and a wRC+ over 140. He was also one of only 21 players with a sub-20% strikeout rate, a walk rate of at least 10%, and a wRC+ over 140 in at least 300 plate appearances. Unsurprisingly, among those 21, he led them in steals.
Ewing had some prospect notoriety going into this year. Baseball America ranked him as the organization’s 23rd-best prospect going into this season. But now, he’s among their top ten, coming in at number six on their list. They are not the only list that holds him in high regard; MLB Pipeline ranks him seventh. His outstanding performance at Double-A at such a young age definitely should make him a candidate to at least get a cup of coffee next year in the Major Leagues.