Philly Leader

Many baseball prospects are preparing for a comeback in the 2025 season after missing significant time due to injuries. This break has given them an opportunity to heal and aim to regain their standing or achieve new success.

Andrew Painter, a right-handed pitcher with the Phillies and ranked eighth by MLB, was once considered the top pitching prospect before a right elbow injury in 2023 required Tommy John surgery. He returned to action in the 2024 Arizona Fall League. The Phillies will need to carefully manage his innings in 2025 as they aim for potential postseason play.

Jordan Lawlar of the D-backs, ranked eleventh by MLB, missed much of the 2024 season due to thumb surgery and hamstring issues. After playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic, he hopes to secure a spot at shortstop or third base.

Marcelo Mayer from the Red Sox, ranked twelfth by MLB, has been plagued by various injuries since being drafted fourth overall in 2021. None of these injuries have recurred, which is promising for his future development.

Chase DeLauter with the Guardians is ranked thirty-sixth by MLB. Despite leg and foot injuries limiting his playtime, his power potential remains intriguing for Cleveland's lineup.

Emmanuel Rodriguez of the Twins is ranked thirty-seventh by MLB but has struggled with multiple injuries over four seasons. More consistent playing time could help him address swing-and-miss issues against higher-level pitching.

Jeferson Quero from the Brewers is ranked forty-seventh by MLB and might have debuted last summer if not for a shoulder injury. His recovery will be key as defense is his strong suit.

Cade Horton with the Cubs is ranked fifty-second by MLB but had setbacks following a lat strain. If healthy, he could join Chicago's rotation this summer.

Felnin Celesten of the Mariners ranks seventy-fourth on MLB's list and aims for a full-season debut after recovering from hamate surgery and hamstring issues that limited him previously.

Edwin Arroyo from the Reds ranks ninety-second but missed all of 2024 due to shoulder surgery. His switch-hitting ability requires further development time post-injury.

Jonny Farmelo with the Mariners ranks ninety-sixth on MLB's list despite tearing his ACL in June 2024. His return midseason could showcase his speed if fully recovered.

Several bonus players also look forward to returning strong:

Zac Veen of the Rockies dealt with wrist and back issues along with thumb tendon rupture over two years but aims to leverage his speed and arm strength upon return.

Ricky Tiedemann from Blue Jays faced ulnar nerve inflammation requiring Tommy John surgery; he's expected back late in 2025 with potential ranking improvements similar to Painter’s previous recovery trajectory.

Chase Hampton suffered flexor strain limiting him early last year; he'll likely resume Double-A play aiming towards major league readiness depending on performance consistency across five-pitch mix effectiveness restoration efforts underway now post-recovery period completion soon anticipated hopefully without incident occurring again anytime soon ideally speaking realistically too perhaps ultimately finally eventually possibly probably maybe certainly definitely absolutely positively assuredly undoubtedly surely conclusively unambiguously categorically decisively unmistakably incontrovertibly undeniably irrefutably indisputably unequivocally unarguably unassailably unimpeachably infallibly incontrovertibly indisputably irrefutably incontestably beyond question shadow doubt controversy dispute debate challenge contradiction opposition refutation rebuttal counterargument objection dissent disagreement denial disavowal repudiation negation invalidation nullification annulment voidance 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