There is no doubt that WPBL die hard fans across the country are counting down the days until they see top prospect Joram van der Wal make his pro debut. After entering the minors at only 16 years old in 2021, the left fielder has gained a cult following of fans waiting for the prodigy to begin his big league career. With Astoria starting the season with a dreadful 2-16 record, the consensus around the league is that Astoria should call him up just to sell tickets and avoiding finishing the season in the red. But the WPBL has plenty of other exciting prospects to keep an eye on while Joram watch continues. Here are 6 other players to watch this season at the lower levels of the WPBL.
1. Taylor Simkins – Kennewick
Simkins was just a modest 6’1” tall 17 year old pitcher when he was selected in the 3rd round of the 2022 Amateur Draft. Projected as a fringe WPBL player, he began his pro career with the Raton Bouges of the Goya Beans Southwest Desert League and put together two below average seasons there in 2023 and 2024. But in the winter of 2024, Simkins hit a growth spurt. Teammates didn’t recognize Taylor when he showed up to 2025 minor league spring training at a whopping 6’8” height. The increase in height also came with a major increase in pitch speed, as Simkins saw his fastball velocity increase from 93 mph to all of a sudden lighting up the gun at 98 mph. In 2025 his K rate nearly doubled, jumping from 5.8 to 10.1, and scouts began to take notice. Now 21 years old and playing with AAA Napa Valley, Simkins is rated as the #1 prospect in the WPBL. He features an elite fastball/sinker combo that freezes opposing batters. The one question mark surrounding Simkins future is if he is capable of developing a strong third pitch. He’s toyed around with both a change up and screwball, but so far has not been able to round out his repertoire. If Simkins is able to do so, expect to dominate the WPBL for the next decade plus as a top flight starter. If he can’t, Simkins still has an extremely bright future as an elite late reliever.
2. Charles McClure – Walla Walla
“Chicken Legs” was the 2nd overall pick in the 2025 amateur draft, and came into the Walla Walla system with high expectations. Currently ranked the #12 overall prospect in the WPBL, McClure has struggled so far both at A ball Bisbee and at this past winters Hawaiian League. Small sample size, as he only has 98 total pro plate appearances, but he has yet to even crack a .600 OPS. Scouts are still high on McClure as they believe the 18-year-old is still adjusting to the high level of professional pitching, and hold on to the belief that is only a matter of time until Chicken Legs breaks out. While most still project McClure to eventually slide over to a corner outfield spot, he has shown the speed and range so far to hold down center field if called upon. Some say that Charles McClure has the highest ceiling of any batter currently in the minor leagues, only time will tell if he can reach it.
3. Ben Costa – Crescent City
Ben Costa was the final round selection of the Kodiaks in the inaugural 2021 Amateur Draft and has slowly advanced through the minor league system. Now the #8 overall prospect, Costa was projected to make his WPBL debut this season before injuring his back in spring training. His debut has been delayed until mid-June, but the Kodiak organization still has high hopes for the right-handed pitcher. Costa features one of the best curveballs in the league, and his numbers have improved at every stop through the Crescent City farm system. While fans are disappointed to have to wait longer for their potential new ace, a strong 2nd half of the season could see Costa in the middle of the Rookie of the Year race thanks to the weak rookie class this season.
4. John Vanterpool – Astoria
While Joram van der Wal gets most of the attention around the Astoria minor league system, overall Astoria boasts a deep system full of promising players. One of the more intriguing players in Vanterpool from Long Beach, CA. While most top prospects have strong track records of success in the minor leagues, Vanterpool’s pedigree is based almost entirely on potential. Since being a 10th round pick in 2025, Vanterpool has pitched a total of 23.2 innings in the minor leagues. Over that short sample size, the lefties peripheral numbers have been strong despite a high ERA and WHIP numbers. But it has been enough for the scouts to like what they see, as on the latest prospect rankings Vanterpool climbed all the way to #18 on the charts. Vanterpool is repeating another season in AA in 2026, as he looks to get a few more innings under his belt with Glenwood Springs. With another strong season, Vanterpool could see himself jump into the #10 and even higher expectations.
5. J.J. Brown/David Carmona/John DeRoche – Great Falls
Great Falls, formerly the Warrenton Osprey, have compiled top picks over the past couple seasons and that has led to a trio of top 25 ranked pitchers who project to be the future of the Black Eagle rotation. Brown and Carmona were both top two picks in the amateur draft, while DeRoche, a former 3rd round pick, was acquired in the blockbuster Joe Watts/Mac Johannson trade with Elko. All three still are a few years away from making their big league debut, but with patient coaching and development they could begin reaching their peaks right when the current “Big 3” pitching staff of Patterson, Schumacher, and Herfurth are fading out. And with alphabetical last names, the “BCD” trio have the potential to push the inconsistent Great Falls franchise to heights they have never reached before.
6. Francisco Gutierrez – Lake Tahoe First baseman Gutierrez is a prospect who has been around the block a few times. He first entered the league as a young 17 year old in Kennewick’s system in 2021, before being traded to the Mustangs in 2022 as part of the Mitch Jones deal. He’s been a top 10 ranked prospect for the past 5 seasons, despite some underwhelming minor league numbers. “Gonzo” was projected to be the ultimate power hitter, a rival to Randy BBQ, but through five minor league seasons he has only averaged around 5 home runs a season. As he continues to age, now 22 years old, many wonder if that projected power will ever become realized. He has had a strong start to the 2026 season, his third consecutive at AAA Folsom, and if the trend continues there is potential for Gutierrez to make his WPBL debut this season.
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