​Peyton Bonds, OF – Rutgers University
Before you ask: yes, that Bonds. This is the son of Bobby Bonds, Jr. and Barry’s nephew. He’s a 6’5”, 230-pound, 21-year-old right-handed hitter. This Bonds profile positions him as a potential pick in rounds 2 or 3, though it’s curious that a player of his size has shown relatively modest power. He did hit six home runs this season and five in each of the prior two seasons. He shows solid contact skills, good bat speed, and a sub-20% strikeout rate, which hints at the potential to unlock more power with the right adjustments. He’s also a plus runner with a strong arm, which could translate into solid center-field defense, especially if his power develops to command a corner outfield profile.
In the video below, you can see that his swing can feel a bit quiet at times—often lacking a pronounced toe-tap or stride, and sometimes appearing a flat, slappy swing. Still, his first homer in the footage is a reminder of the power that could surface with the right tweaks and timing. If he can consistently tap into that more explosive swing, his upside as a center fielder who can supply power becomes more compelling.
Landon Thome, SS – Nazareth Academy, La Grange Park, IL
Before you ask: yes, that Thome—the son of a member of the 500+ home run club. He’s another prospect with significant home run potential who could land in round 2 or 3. Landon isn’t as physically imposing as Peyton Bonds or his father, at 6’0”, 185 pounds, and he bats left-handed. He projects to stay at shortstop for now, though a commitment to Florida State suggests teams may view him as a future fit somewhere on the left side of the infield. There doesn’t appear to be a clear carrying tool that would scream blue-chipper at this moment, with most evaluators considering his game to be average to above average across the board. Still, some scouts rave about his bat potential—particularly his ability to reach average and unlock power in games. The video below captures some of the satisfying contact sound and the more compact, quick-footed defensive actions, though the footwork at times looks busy. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him end up at second base in time, as his speed and hands could play there. If the bat translates well against advanced pitching, he could rise into the higher rounds.
Dalton Wentz, 2B/3B/SS – Wake Forest University
Before you ask: no, not that Wentz. This is a reader-referenced nod that coincides with a bit of humor around names. Dalton Wentz is a switch-hitting 20-year-old at 6’2”, 210 pounds. He’s a draft-eligible sophomore, with the possibility of returning to college for another year to improve his draft stock. The major hurdle for Wentz is a pronounced pitch recognition issue, resulting in a roughly 30% strikeout rate in conference play against stronger arms. He possesses good bat speed and a short stroke with an upper-cut swing from both sides, but his defensive projection is murky: he lacks the range and footwork for middle infield and appears uncomfortable at third base. A return engagement at Wake Forest could reposition him in right field, with a focus on the bat potentially pushing him into the top three rounds if the college environment helps him refine his approach against higher-level pitching.
Joseph Contreras, RHP – Blessed Trinity Catholic HS, Roswell, GA
Before you ask: yes, that Contr, for SEO purposes. This right-handed pitcher is part of a deep high school pitching cohort with a projectable frame and the potential for a pitcher-to-prospect arc. Evaluators will be examining his repertoire, mechanics, and command, looking for signs that he can miss bats consistently and throw quality strikes. The fastball location, secondary offerings, and delivery consistency will determine whether Contreras can carve out a role as a starter at the collegiate level and, eventually, in professional ball.