Central STL News

Maybe the 20 home run, 20 stolen base milestone is no longer a high enough benchmark for Minor League Baseball prospects. In the 2025 season, sixteen players achieved at least 20 home runs and 20 steals. This number is lower than the average of 30 players per year who reached this mark in 2022 and 2023 but still ties for the fourth-most in a single Minor League season since records began in 1958.

Among those who joined the "20/20 club" in 2025 were Spencer Jones (New York Yankees), Kyler Fedko (Minnesota Twins), Kala'i Rosario (Minnesota Twins), Junior Perez (Oakland Athletics), Carson Williams (Tampa Bay Rays), Rece Hinds (Cincinnati Reds), Dillon Lewis (New York Yankees), Andrew Pinckney (Washington Nationals), Kaelen Culpepper (Minnesota Twins), Konnor Griffin (Pittsburgh Pirates), Chris Newell (Los Angeles Dodgers), Milan Tolentino (Cleveland Guardians), Joshua Baez (St. Louis Cardinals), BJ Murray Jr. (Chicago Cubs), Kemp Alderman (Miami Marlins) and MJ Melendez (Kansas City Royals).

There have been notable increases in power-speed combinations among prospects over recent years. The trend can be seen when comparing statistics from previous decades. For example, from 2021 to 2025 there have been more than one hundred "20/20" seasons, which matches numbers only previously seen during a similar four-year stretch between 1980 and 1983.

The article notes that four players surpassed even higher thresholds by reaching at least twenty-five home runs and twenty-five stolen bases: Spencer Jones, Kyler Fedko, Kala'i Rosario, and Junior Perez. According to historical data, this is the second-highest total for such performances in a single season since six players did it in 1982.

Konnor Griffin stood out with his debut performance for Pittsburgh's system by hitting at least twenty home runs and stealing sixty bases—making him only the fifth player since 1958 to accomplish a "20/60" season.

Cardinals prospect Joshua Baez also drew attention by combining twenty home runs with fifty-four stolen bases—a rare feat that has only occurred multiple times in three different seasons since record-keeping began.

Rule changes like larger base sizes and disengagement limits are credited as contributing factors to increased attempts at stolen bases across Minor League Baseball. There is also an increased focus on developing athleticism and power among young players throughout the sport.

Carson Williams of Tampa Bay became just the third player since 1961 to post three consecutive "20/20" seasons before making his Major League debut on August 22, according to league sources.

"We are in the midst of another golden age of power and speed, akin to the rip-and-run 1980s -- just with more pop," states MLB Pipeline.

The pattern suggests that current trends could continue if recent developments within baseball remain consistent.