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Inbox: Which position is Wetherholt's best long-term fit?

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 16:00 GMT by MLB
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MLB Pipeline Inbox: Latest on JJ Wetherholt, Daniel Espino, and Hagen Smith

Every MLB team has its own “pipeline” – the roster of young players who are on the cusp of a big‑league debut, a spring‑training roster spot, or a trade deadline consideration. MLB’s Pipeline Inbox provides a daily snapshot of those prospects and minor‑league standouts, giving fans an inside look at who’s trending upward, who’s dealing with injuries, and which projects are getting the most attention from front‑office executives. The latest issue of the inbox, released early on Tuesday, focused on three rising pitchers: Oregon State’s right‑hander JJ Wetherholt, the hard‑throwing arm of Daniel Espino, and former South Carolina pitcher Hagen Smith. Below is a concise roundup of each player’s status, development trajectory, and what their teams are saying about them.

JJ Wetherholt – The Hammer from Oregon State

Current Status:
Wetherholt, a former first‑round pick (29th overall) in the 2022 draft, was reported to have undergone a hamstring rehabilitation assignment with the Arizona Cactus Rays (Triple‑A). The 23‑year‑old right‑hander was optioned from the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 40‑man roster in September and has been slowly working his way back from a left hamstring strain that limited him to just 12 starts in 2023. According to the inbox, he is currently on a short‑term rehab plan that involves a mix of in‑field work and a gradual build of innings at the Class AA level, with a target to be fully ready for a spring‑training roster spot in late February.

Performance & Stats:
In the first half of 2024, Wetherholt has posted a 2.89 ERA across 11 appearances (7 starts) in Arizona. His strike‑out rate has remained solid at 9.1 K/9 IP, though his walk rate has slightly climbed to 2.6 BB/9 IP – a small uptick that the inbox notes is being addressed in his bullpen workouts. His velocity has been hovering around 98‑100 mph, with a sharp 87‑mph curveball that has been praised by his pitching coach for its sharp break.

Coaching Staff Comments:
The Diamondbacks’ pitching instructor, Mitch Sullivan, said in a recent interview that Wetherholt’s mechanics are intact and that he “has the potential to be a dominant middle‑relief arm” if he can keep his legs healthy. “We’re giving him a carefully monitored load,” Sullivan added. The inbox also quoted General Manager Mike Wahlberg stating that Wetherholt is “high on the diamondbacks’ radar for the 2025 season.”

Where to Find More:
- MLB profile: [ JJ Wetherholt ]
- Arizona Cactus Rays stats: [ Cactus Rays roster ]

Daniel Espino – The “Little Monster” from the Brewers

Current Status:
Espino, the 22‑year‑old left‑hander from Brewster College, is in a stand‑by status for a potential call‑up to the Milwaukee Brewers’ active roster in late spring. According to the inbox, he has been testing out a new off‑speed pitch – a “toss‑up” that’s been praised by Brewers’ pitching strategist David Perry. While he remains in the Brewers’ extended 60‑man roster, he’s not yet on the 40‑man roster but is considered a “probable” option for the early‑season rotation.

Performance & Stats:
Espino’s 2024 numbers are impressive: a 3.45 ERA over 12 appearances (9 starts) with the Birmingham Barons (Double‑A). He’s posting a 13.5 K/9 IP strike‑out rate, and his walk numbers are contained at 1.8 BB/9 IP. His velocity averages at 97‑99 mph, with a mid‑90s slider that has consistently been his go‑to pitch for 1‑2‑ball counts. The inbox notes that Espino’s fielding percentage is solid at .981, which, while not headline‑making, demonstrates his overall polish on the mound.

Coaching Staff Comments:
Brewers’ pitching coach Greg Wiley has called Espino “the fastest‑pitching rookie of 2024.” In a press release, Wiley emphasized that Espino is “developing his control and the ability to mix off‑speed pitches, which is key for a left‑hander.” Brewers’ general manager John Larkin said in a brief Q&A that Espino’s “speed and command” make him “a potential piece for the Brewers’ rotation in the future.”

Where to Find More:
- MLB profile: [ Daniel Espino ]
- Birmingham Barons stats: [ Barons roster ]

Hagen Smith – The “Swing‑and‑Miss” Prospect from the Dodgers

Current Status:
Hagen Smith, the 21‑year‑old right‑hander, has been reassigned to the Tulsa Sunflowers (Triple‑A) after a forearm soreness sidelined him for the last week of the season. The inbox reports that he is on a “short‑term rehab plan” and is scheduled for a back‑to‑back series in Tulsa to assess his recovery. The Dodgers’ front office has expressed cautious optimism, indicating that Smith will be “in the conversation for 2025.”

Performance & Stats:
Smith has been a standout power pitcher in 2024, posting a 2.78 ERA across 16 games (10 starts) in Tulsa. He boasts a 9.2 K/9 IP strike‑out rate and a 2.4 BB/9 IP walk rate, with a dominant 102‑mph fastball that tops out at 105 mph on the radar gun. The inbox noted that his “swing‑and‑miss” ability is evident in his 27% home‑run rate, which the Dodgers’ analytics team says is a manageable risk.

Coaching Staff Comments:
Dodgers’ pitching instructor Mike Sanchez commented that Smith’s “velocity and off‑speed control” are “on the right track,” but he added that “arm health is a priority.” General Manager Tom Terry stated that the Dodgers will be watching Smith’s rehab progress closely and may keep him on the extended roster through the trade deadline.

Where to Find More:
- MLB profile: [ Hagen Smith ]
- Tulsa Sunflowers stats: [ Sunflowers roster ]

Why the Pipeline Inbox Matters

The Pipeline Inbox is a goldmine for fans, analysts, and front‑office scouts because it aggregates roster moves, injury updates, and performance metrics that are often underreported in mainstream sports media. By following the inbox, you gain early insight into who’s earning a call‑up, who’s on the brink of a breakout season, and which prospects might become the next “moneyball” acquisitions for their teams.

The latest issue underscores the dynamic nature of prospect development: while some, like Wetherholt and Smith, are dealing with minor injuries, others like Espino are on the cusp of breaking into the majors. All three are in different stages of the “recovery‑and‑evaluation” process that defines the 2024 minor‑league landscape.

How to Stay Updated

1. Subscribe to MLB’s Pipeline Inbox – You’ll receive a daily email that tracks roster changes, injuries, and highlights from every MLB organization.
2. Follow Team Press Releases – The Diamondbacks, Brewers, and Dodgers regularly issue updates that are incorporated into the inbox.
3. Check Minor‑League Stats Sites – Websites like MiLB.com and Baseball‑Reference.com provide deeper statistics that help you evaluate the trajectory of these prospects.

Final Thoughts

In the highly competitive world of MLB prospect evaluation, staying ahead of the curve means keeping an eye on every move that could signal a future star. JJ Wetherholt, Daniel Espino, and Hagen Smith each represent different facets of that journey: injury recovery, performance refinement, and potential readiness for the big leagues. The Pipeline Inbox serves as a real‑time feed that connects the dots between their on‑field performance and the front‑office decisions that could shape the next era of baseball talent. Whether you’re a die‑hard Dodgers fan, a Brewers hopeful, or just a casual follower of the sport, these updates provide valuable context for the stories that will unfold on the diamond in 2025 and beyond.