The AL East is one division where it’s easy to see prospects dueling within their own division. While the National League has roughly 150 miles separating the Phillies, Mets, Marlins and Nationals on Florida’s Treasure Coast, all five AL East teams train on the Gulf Coast. That means during the spring, there’s a good chance you’ll see a prospect facing hitters he’s likely to see regularly once the season begins.
That raises the stakes a bit. Each matchup becomes a dress rehearsal to see if a prospect can help the big club. In a division where every team except Boston has won a title in the past five seasons, that matters.
Here are some AL East pitching prospects to watch this spring.
Trey Gibson, Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles need better pitching. Baltimore’s run differential was easily the worst in the AL East last season, which is why it finished at the bottom of the division. Gibson has moved quickly through the system since the Orioles signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
He opened last season at High-A Aberdeen and finished at Triple-A Norfolk. He features a lively fastball and three quality breaking pitches. He still needs more experience, but the raw tools are there for him to develop into a strong starter.
Look for Baltimore to make a decision on Gibson this summer. The Orioles do not have much flexibility here, as he will be Rule 5 draft eligible at the end of the season. That means he must either be added to the 40-man roster or moved in a trade. How Baltimore’s season unfolds will determine his path. If the Orioles fall out of contention again, Gibson could spend significant time in the big leagues. If they are in the race, he becomes a logical trade chip for a proven arm.
Payton Tolle, Boston Red Sox
Tolle has a strong fastball, but he needs another quality pitch. Right now, he is too reliant on that one major league caliber offering, throwing it nearly two thirds of the time during his 16 innings with Boston last season. At the major league level, hitters will sit on a one pitch profile and wait for the one mistake.
Tolle will likely begin the year in the Boston bullpen. The Red Sox believe he can develop into a starter, but he will need to show more to lock down the No. 5 role. He has excellent control to pair with the fastball, and at this stage he is better off facing big league hitters in short stints than turning over Triple A lineups two or three times a night.
Elmer Rodriguez, New York Yankees
If you have ever played a Major League Baseball video game, you know five pitches is usually the max. Rodriguez already has six in his arsenal, which says a lot about his raw ability. The question is whether he can consistently locate them. His command has been inconsistent at times, though he made notable strides last season at Double-A Somerset.
At the major league level, hitters are far less likely to get themselves out. Rodriguez needs to sharpen his control so he can effectively mix two or three pitches within the zone and expand from there. He is expected to open the season at Triple-A Scranton, and how quickly he refines that command will determine how soon he reaches New York.
Brody Hopkins, Tampa Bay Rays
Like Rodriguez, Hopkins has a strong mix of pitches but some control issues. He is further along in his development, with a fastball that touches 100 mph and a slider that reaches the low 90s. The problem is the walk rate, which is too high for the major leagues and has to come down for him to lock in a role.
At 24, time is not exactly on his side. The Rays will have to add him to the roster or risk losing him in the Rule 5 Draft, so a decision is coming soon. The most likely path is a stint at Triple-A Durham to iron out the command, followed by a look in a back end role if he shows enough progress.
Johnny King, Toronto Blue Jays
After coming one win away from their first World Series title since 1993, Toronto doesn’t need immediate help from its farm system. If their top prospects are not on a fast track to the majors, they are more likely to be moved as trade pieces for a final championship addition.
That leaves a longer-term project like King, who has plenty of upside but is still just 19. He needs to develop a third pitch, but time is on his side. He will likely open the season at Single-A Dunedin or High-A Vancouver, with no pressure to rush.
This spring will be about refining his arsenal and improving his walk rate as the Blue Jays continue to take a patient approach with his development.
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