Lookout Landing’s 2025 Prospect Rankings: Honorable Mentions #2

The bats that couldn’t crack our rankings

As we anticipate a new big-league season, there’s also a new minor-league season ahead, which means it’s time for Lookout Landing’s annual prospect rankings. This year, we’re once again working backwards up to our top prospects, starting with some groups of players who merit mention even if they aren’t some of our top-ranked prospects. After covering some arms that just missed our top 20 the last time around, this time we’ll be analyzing some of the bats that weren’t able to make our top twenty. If you missed last week’s inaugural article, click here.

Check back every Tuesday and Thursday this offseason for the latest updates to this series.

Grant Knipp

Knipp was one the most exciting picks of day two in the 2024 draft after the Mariners cut back on spending after splurging on two premiere pitching talents early on day one. Put simply, Knipp is all about power. With an arm that’s been up to 98 in bullpens and some of the most tremendous power output in all of college baseball last season, Knipp has about as much intrigue as you can get out of a sixth rounder that’s already 23 years old. Primarily a catcher, Knipp legitimately has an argument for the best power in the system and should have no trouble doing heavy damage as a professional (for those who want to nerd out, his 90th Percentile EV was a tick under 110 MPH, which is very, very good.). There’s legitimate concern over whether he can make enough contact to be viable at the plate, but he won’t have to hit much over the Mendoza Line to be an asset, especially if he’s able to stick behind the plate at catcher. Though he’s a good athlete, there are some questions as to whether he’ll have to move to first base in the future; however, if things totally fall apart at the plate, he’s always got the reliever route in his back pocket. Currently listed as a two way player, let’s hope we can get some crazy highlights of the catcher closing out games for the AquaSox this summer.

Spencer Packard

One of the longest tenured “Honorable Mention” guys, Spencer Packard has always had the ability to hit as a professional since being drafted in the ninth round of the 2021 draft. Consistently posting excellent K/BB ratio’s and displaying sound bat to ball skills, it’s not hard to see why he’s been able to ascend to Tacoma with relatively few road bumps. The rest of the tools, however, are where things become a bit more shaky. The power isn’t bad, but it’s not a standout tool and is probably average at best. Defensively and on the bases, it’s probably closer to a DH profile than anything. He doesn’t provide much value outside of what he can do offensively. I still think Packard is a great piece to have in this system and has a shot to regain some power in the PCL, but it’s growing unlikely he’ll be anything more than a bench bat as a big leaguer. He’ll play all of next season at 27 years old and will have to stave off several other options that are all vying for the same shot at the big leagues.

(Here’s Packard doubling off of up-and-coming prospect Max Scherzer last season)

Carlos Jimenez

Jimenez is looking to be a rare double DSL survivor, however the young centerfielder has long had capabilities that have had be bullish on his future. His lefty swing is on balance and smooth, catered primarily for line drives over the long ball. He’s had relatively solid success in the power department thus far, though he doesn’t project to be much of a threat there as he continues to ascend the prospect ranks. Jimenez has above average footspeed, is an average or better defender in the outfield, and can combine his OBP-centric approach with his ability to swipe a bag to cause havoc for opposing pitchers. It’s not an overwhelming profile that will jump off the page, but he maximizes every part of his game and gets results that are greater than the sum of his parts. I’d expect him to continue playing at Modesto to begin the 2025 season.

Jared Sundstrom

A very large human being that possesses some serious pop, Sundstrom is a massively physical outfielder that moves incredibly well for someone of his stature. The 6’3 Sundstrom has moved all around the outfield in his time as a professional, though he’s primarily concentrated on center and right in thanks to his above average speed and arm. Sundstrom was the AquaSox’s best bat from beginning to end and will almost certainly begin next season in Arkansas where his biggest test yet will arrive. Sundstrom already struggles a bit with contact rates, and the considerable uptick in stuff will be a challenge he’ll have to prove he can vanquish in order to solidify himself as a legitimate big league hopeful. With his combination of speed, defense, and power, he’ll have a reasonable shot at contributing in Arkansas and should be someone to monitor early this season.

Brandon Eike

A recent draftee into the system, Eike was the M’s 13th rounder last season and features a profile that’s a little ‘Locklear lite’ as Scott Hunter loosely phrased when comparing the two VCU Rams. Eike doesn’t have nearly the pedigree Locklear had coming out of school, however he does possess a solid bat that could potentially grow into something worth keeping an eye on. He’s a corner infielder that most likely ends up at first base, but his contact ability and power numbers were both solid during his time in college. If he can continue hitting as a professional and prove his abilities during his first full season as a professional, I’m sure there will be a spot for him in Everett’s lineup this spring.

Caleb Cali

Caleb Cali Fan Club, this one’s for you. A 16th rounder in the 2023 draft out of Arkansas, Cali was one of the earliest surprises from a loaded draft class that is exceptionally well represented in our top twenty list. After a brief stint in the ACL after being drafted, Cali exploded onto the scene in Modesto and was arguably the league’s best hitter over the first month of the season. He quickly earned a promotion to Everett where results were more tepid, however it seems as though he was making slow and steady adjustments during his time in the PNW. Finishing the year off on a ~six-week hot streak, Cali will look to build on his strong end to the season and potentially earn a shot at Arkansas at some point next season. Having briefly interviewed Caleb about his aspirations, he provided grounded, yet ambitious, personal goals for himself that speak to his growth as a professional. He carries himself as a diligent, down to earth guy who goes about his business every single day, and I believe that’s helped him become the player he is today. There’s still a long ways to go until the big league dream is achieved, but I know I’ll be rooting for him each step of the way.

That wraps up our coverage this week. Check back next Tuesday for more prospect coverage coming your way!