The Two-Way Trap: Why the Pipeline Can't Sustain the Unicorn
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Teams are betting on dual-threat prospects, but the physical toll and developmental hurdles suggest that diversification is a recipe for failure.
The baseball industry is currently enamored with the idea of the two-way unicorn, but a look at the developmental pipeline reveals a stark reality: the system isn't built to sustain it. While the romanticism of a Shohei Ohtani-style talent persists, as MLB Pipeline first reported, Ohtani is the most gifted player in the history of the sport, making a grueling workload look effortless when it is, in fact, anything but.
Currently, the Texas Rangers are leading the charge in this experimental direction. MLB Pipeline reports the Rangers currently boast double the number of two-way prospects on their Top 30 list compared to the other 29 teams combined. Specifically, the Rangers are banking on infielders and right-handers Seong-Jun Kim and Josh Owens. While both have performed well this summer, they have only spent two weeks in Single-A, leaving the long-term viability of their dual roles unproven.
Other organizations have flirted with the concept, but the results are often underwhelming or unsustainable. The Athletics have Shotaro Morii, an infielder and right-hander who has struggled significantly at the Single-A level. MLB Pipeline reports that Morii has posted a 15.26 ERA over 15 1/3 innings and a .227 batting average with a 29 percent strikeout rate through 63 games.
Even when the talent is undeniable, the physical toll often wins. The Boston Red Sox previously ranked Conrad Cason—another infielder/right-hander—on their Top 30 list, but he was squeezed off the list this summer. Cason has seen minimal playing time while recovering from Tommy John surgery and battling elbow stiffness and a hamstring strain.
History suggests that the risk of injury is the primary barrier. MLB Pipeline points to Brendan McKay as a cautionary tale; despite being the most talented two-way college player since Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, McKay was unable to stay healthy after the Tampa Bay Rays selected him fourth overall in the 2017 Draft.
Because of these risks, the most prudent path is specialization. The Los Angeles Angels recently illustrated this approach with Jared Grindlinger. Despite being a prospect who could have played both ways, the Angels signed him as a full-time position player for $5,886,800 as the 12th overall pick in the 2026 Draft. MLB Pipeline argues that while watching Grindlinger play both ways would be entertaining, he has a far greater chance of professional success by not diversifying his skill set.
Ultimately, the pipeline is not designed to support the dual-threat model. Whether it is the inability to stay healthy or the struggle to maintain quality production on both sides of the ball, the evidence suggests that teams should push these athletes to focus on either hitting or pitching as quickly as possible to avoid breaking their best arms.