MLB Pipeline’s High 100 Prospects record and our group High 30 lists are ever-changing rankings. We replace them a number of instances a 12 months, together with changing gamers as soon as they graduate. That looks as if it’s occurring increasingly rapidly today and the 2024 season shouldn’t be a lot completely different contemplating eight of the highest 10 on the High 100 have 2024 ETAs.
We’re within the sport of projecting who’s subsequent, even amongst these not prepared (but) to grow to be massive leaguers, so why not attempt to predict who will rise to the highest of the prospect rankings in two years’ time? Under is a participant for every group we really feel shall be their group’s No. 1 prospect earlier than the beginning of the 2026 season. The record has some well-known prospect names on it, with 13 present members of our new High 100 being chosen. Little doubt that a number of extra will grow to be extra family names over the subsequent couple of years.
How can we be assured? Two years in the past, we picked a prospect who might rocket up the charts in 2024. A complete of 10 of these gamers are on our present High 100, and one, Elly De La Cruz, has graduated to the massive leagues. That’s 11-for-30 and a .367 common will get us into Cooperstown.
Blue Jays: Arjun Nimmala, SSSome swing-and-miss considerations induced Nimmala – ranked MLB Pipeline’s No. 11 prospect within the 2023 Draft – to drop to twentieth total to the Blue Jays. On this state of affairs, Toronto coaches and coordinators have two years to iron these out throughout the Florida native’s sojourn into professional ball. The opposite instruments are definitely there. Nimmala reveals plus uncooked energy, and he has the vary and arm to stay at brief. Contemplating he solely turned 18 in October, he has ample runway to attain High 100 standing.2022 projection for 2024: Gunnar Hoglund, RHP (2024 High 100: NR)
Orioles: Enrique Bradfield, Jr., OFPredicting a university hitter from an enormous program like Vanderbilt to nonetheless be on prospect lists in 2026 may be just a little bit dicey, however given the depth the Orioles have, we’re taking the chance. Bradfield’s 80-grade pace will play on either side of the ball, on the basepaths — he went 25-for-27 in stolen base makes an attempt throughout his professional debut final summer season — and in heart discipline. He doesn’t want energy, however how a lot impression he has will assist decide the 2023 first-rounder’s ceiling.2022 projection for 2024: Coby Mayo, 3B/1B (2024 High 100: No. 30)
Rays: Xavier Isaac, 1B (MLB No. 58)The 2022 twenty ninth total choose has already taken good steps ahead by way of his athleticism and agility, prompting his soar to No. 1 in our first-base rankings, and which may simply be the beginning. Isaac went deep 19 instances between Single-A and Excessive-A in his first full season, and he has the uncooked energy for lots extra as he continues to mature. He may very well be a 30-homer hitter within the Tampa Bay system by 2026 and needs to be pulling down the door to St. Petersburg by then.2022 projection for 2024: Nick Bitsko, RHP (2024 High 100: NR)
Purple Sox: Miguel Bleis, OFSigned for $1.5 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, Bleis has extra upside than any Purple Sox worldwide prospect since Rafael Devers. A middle fielder with 30-30 upside and the potential for stable or higher instruments throughout the board, he did not get a lot of an opportunity to indicate what he might do in 2023 as a result of he subluxated his left shoulder on a swing in late Might and had season-ending surgical procedure.2022 projection for 2024: Blaze Jordan, 1B/3B (2024 High 100: NR)
Yankees: Roderick Arias, SS (MLB No. 86)MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 prospect within the 2022 worldwide crop, Arias collected a $4 million bonus out of the Dominican Republic. Wrist and thumb accidents minimize his first two professional seasons brief however did not cease him from exhibiting the potential for 4 plus instruments and a double-plus arm. He hit .267/.423/.505 with six homers and 17 steals in 27 video games within the Rookie-level Florida Complicated League throughout his U.S. debut.2022 projection for 2024: Arias
Guardians: Ralphy Velazquez, C/1BA California highschool product, Velazquez went twenty third total within the 2023 Draft as a result of he had one of many higher mixtures of hitting capability and energy obtainable. He homered twice in six video games throughout a short professional debut in Rookie ball. He’ll want time to develop behind the plate, although his stable arm power ought to assist him deter the working sport.2022 projection for 2024: Angel Martinez, INF (2024 High 100: NR)
Royals: Blake Mitchell, C (MLB No. 94)Final 12 months’s eighth total choose already lays declare to the highest spot in Kansas Metropolis’s system, nevertheless it’s fairly properly acknowledged that he has a protracted highway of growth forward as a high-school catcher. Mitchell already pops for his above-average energy potential and has an absolute cannon behind the plate. After a number of years of exhibiting it within the Minors – whereas persevering with to hone his offensive strategy and total defensive work – he may very well be a top-three catcher within the Majors by 2026.2022 projection for 2024: Ben Kudrna, RHP (2024 High 100: NR)
Tigers: Max Clark, OF (MLB No. 13)There’s an actual temptation to say a tooled-up participant like Clark might attain the Majors earlier than his twenty first birthday, however we’ll be just a little extra conservative than that. The 2023 third total choose definitely has the pace to face out in at present’s sport, and he already confirmed an honest strategy within the decrease ranges that would assist him settle in as a plus hitter in time. The in-game energy will want time to develop, and that ought to hold Clark in prospect territory for 2 extra years.2022 projection for 2024: Cristian Santana, SS (2024 High 100: NR)
Twins: Walker Jenkins, OF (MLB No. 10)Courtesy of the inaugural Draft Lottery, the Twins have been lucky to land Jenkins at No. 5 in what may very well be a historic prime of the primary spherical. Already the group’s prime prospect, Jenkins was one of many 5 gamers who had authentic No. 1 total choose expertise and he definitely didn’t disappoint throughout his 26-game professional debut, with a .362/.417/.571 line between the Florida Complicated League and Single-A Fort Myers.2022 projection for 2024: Chase Petty, RHP (2024 High 100: No. 98)
White Sox: Noah Schultz, LHP (MLB No. 50)A 6-foot-9 left-hander with a low arm slot, Schultz attracts bodily comparisons to Corridor of Famer Randy Johnson however is far more superior at this stage of his profession than Johnson was. The twenty sixth total choose within the 2022 Draft, he has a 93-97 mph fastball and a nasty low-80s slider with great sweeping motion. A flexor pressure and a shoulder impingement restricted him to 10 begins in Single-A throughout his professional debut final 12 months, however he dominated with a 1.33 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 27 innings.2022 projection for 2024: Colson Montgomery, SS (2024 High 100: No. 9)
Angels: Nelson Rada, OFThe Angels challenged Rada by sending him to full-season ball at age 17 in 2023 and he was up for the problem, hitting .276 with a .395 on-base proportion and 55 steals (which led the California League). He wants so as to add power so he can impression the ball extra as he strikes up the ladder, however his instincts and strategy level to a future as a desk setter who mans heart discipline for a very long time.2022 projection for 2024: Arol Vera, SS (2024 High 100: NR)
Astros: Luis Baez, OFBaez landed the most important bonus within the Astros’ 2022 worldwide class, turning professional for $1.3 million out of the Dominican Republic. He matches the right-field profile with loads of pure uncooked energy and plus arm power. He made his U.S. debut a 12 months in the past, batting .248/.357/.481 with 11 homers in 58 video games between Rookie ball and Single-A at age 19.2022 projection for 2024: Alex Santos, RHP (2024 High 100: NR)
A’s: Myles Naylor, 3BThis got here all the way down to a selection between 2023 highschool draftees, right-hander Steven Echavarria and Naylor, and we determined to go along with the safer choose within the bat. The bloodlines don’t harm both, as Myles is the youthful brother of Josh and Bo and he’s seen as a little bit of a center floor between Josh’s uncooked energy and Bo’s hitting capability. He had a tough summer season debut final 12 months, however wager on him to begin trying just like the A’s future third baseman in 2024.2022 projection for 2024: Pedro Pineda, SS (2024 High 100: NR)
Mariners: Colt Emerson, SS/2B (MLB No. 87)The Mariners positive have a knack for locating highschool bats within the first spherical of the Draft, don’t they? It began with Harry Ford in 2021 and Cole Younger in 2022, and now Emerson, taken No. 22 total final July, has joined them within the High 100. The left-handed-hitting infielder definitely made a really robust first impression throughout his professional debut, posting an OPS of 1.045 over 24 video games and exhibiting little drawback adjusting to full-season ball on the finish of the 12 months.2022 projection for 2024: Harry Ford, C (2024 High 100: No. 38)
Rangers: Sebastian Walcott, SS (MLB No. 71)Walcott has the potential to grow to be the most effective participant ever produced by the Bahamas. Signed for $3.2 million in 2023, he superior to Single-A at age 17 whereas slashing .246/.335/.471 with seven homers and 12 steals in 48 video games between three stops. Each his uncooked energy and arm power grade as properly above common and he has 30-30 shortstop ceiling.2022 projection for 2024: Evan Carter, OF (2024 High 100: No. 5)
Braves: Jose Perdomo, SSThis is a little bit of a daring prediction as a result of Perdomo has but to play an inning {of professional} baseball. However he was No. 3 on our High 50 worldwide prospects record and the Braves favored him sufficient to offer him $5 million to hitch the group. He has the prospect to grow to be a plus hitter with loads of energy whereas with the ability to stick at shortstop for a very long time. It’s attainable he’ll be simply making his full-season debut when 2026 comes round, however he may very well be that good.2022 projection for 2024: Diego Benitez, SS (2024 High 100: NR)
Marlins: Noble Meyer, RHP (MLB No. 57)Meyer already ranks as the highest prospect within the Marlins system after they chose him with the tenth total choose within the 2023 Draft. He is very superior for a excessive schooler however seemingly will not graduate to the massive leagues earlier than turning 21. He can attain 100 mph along with his fastball — and his mid-80s slider with two-plane break is a fair higher providing.2022 projection for 2024: Jose Salas, INF (2024 High 100: NR)
Mets: Ryan Clifford, OF/1B (MLB No. 97)Clifford hit 24 homers in 2023, tied for the second-most amongst Minor League youngsters, whereas splitting time between the Astros and Mets programs. It’s that energy potential that pushed him into the High 100 this time round and will put him atop the New York record as soon as Jett Williams, Drew Gilbert and Luisangel Acuña graduate earlier than 2026. He’d earn extra credit score if he might stick in an outfield nook fairly than transfer full time to first base in that span.2022 projection for 2024: Matt Allan, RHP (2024 High 100: NR)
Nationals: Cristhian Vaquero, OFThere’s been hope for a big-time breakout by Vaquero since he signed for $4.925 million in January 2022, and we’d get to see it quickly. The 6-foot-3 switch-hitting outfielder is a burner with plus-plus pace, and he has the scale to develop into above-average energy. He’ll need to work on elevation on contact and night out his left-right splits to achieve his appreciable ceiling, however by 2026, he might have sufficient at-bats and bodily maturation to get there.2022 projection for 2024: Vaquero
Phillies: Starlyn Caba, SSCaba was one of many prime gamers within the 2023 worldwide signing class and received $3 million to hitch the Phillies group. The switch-hitter received off to an excellent begin throughout his debut within the Dominican Summer season League, exhibiting an strategy that belies his years with extra walks (28) than strikeouts (16) en path to posting a .301 common and a .423 OBP. He runs properly and needs to be at the least a plus defender at shortstop for a very long time.2022 projection for 2024: Andrew Painter, RHP (2024 High 100: No. 27)
Brewers: Yophery Rodriguez, OFEach of the previous two seasons, Milwaukee took gifted outfielders from the DSL and aggressively skipped them over the Arizona Complicated League to open their first stateside seasons at Single-A Carolina. These have been Jackson Chourio and Luis Lara. There are already whispers that Rodriguez might comply with the identical path. The left-handed-hitting outfielder has a mature strategy and the potential to indicate good energy and pace, making him one other well-rounded choice in heart — as if the Brewers didn’t have sufficient of these.2022 projection for 2024: Jackson Chourio, OF (2024 High 100: No. 2)
Cardinals: Leonardo Bernal, CSt. Louis has been pretty aggressive with the Panama native, starting with sending him to Single-A for his age-18 season in 2022. He repeated Palm Seashore as a 19-year-old and traded in a few of his energy for persistence as his OBP jumped from .316 to .381. As is the case with many younger backstops, Bernal simply wants time to marry the numerous components of his sport – particularly exhibiting extra impression from the proper facet of his switch-hitting duties – however his defensive work provides him a stable flooring and the potential to see a High 100 in time.2022 projection for 2024: Joshua Baez, OF (2024 High 100: NR)
Cubs: Moises Ballesteros, C/1B (No. 8 catcher)One of many sweetest-swinging catching prospects within the sport, Ballesteros gained Chicago’s 2023 Minor League participant of the 12 months accolades after hitting .285/.374/.449 with 14 homers whereas ending his age-19 season at Double-A. He earns comparisons to Alejandro Kirk due to his bat-to-ball abilities, gifted palms and husky body, and the Cubs are assured he’ll enhance his receiving and blocking and keep behind the plate.2022 projection for 2024: Cristian Hernandez, SS/2B (2024 High 100: NR)
Pirates: Lonnie White Jr., OFSometimes you simply need to go along with the longshot and this appeared like the proper spot, particularly with so lots of the prime Pirates prospects anticipated to graduate earlier than the beginning of the 2026 season. Accidents restricted White, a former two-sport star in highschool, to simply 11 video games from the time he signed in the summertime of 2021 by means of the 2022 season. The toolsy outfielder began to indicate what he might do in 2023, with an .882 OPS by means of 61 video games. If he can get by means of a full season unscathed, the numbers might actually begin popping.2022 projection for 2024: Anthony Solometo (2024 High 100: No. 82)
Reds: Ricardo Cabrera, SSNo. 3 on our High 50 worldwide prospects record because the signing interval opened in 2022, Cabrera joined the Reds for $2.7 million. He received his toes moist within the DSL that summer season, however actually began to indicate what he might do, significantly on the plate, throughout his U.S. debut final 12 months. Cabrera completed second within the Arizona Complicated League along with his 1.028 OPS and earned a late bump to full-season ball, going 6-for-19 with Single-A Daytona. He would possibly find yourself at third finally and can hold enjoying brief for now, nevertheless it’s the bat that has the Reds excited.2022 projection for 2024: Elly De La Cruz, SS/3B (2024 High 100: Graduated)
D-backs: Druw Jones, OF (MLB No. 78)This can be a vote of confidence that Jones can proper the ship. The 2022 second total choose was coming off left shoulder surgical procedure after which battled quad and hamstring accidents for a lot of his first full season. Even when wholesome, he nonetheless struggled to hit with a .252 common, .351 slugging proportion and 26 p.c strikeout price over 29 video games at Single-A. He nonetheless has numerous uncooked energy and the plus-plus pace to be an aggressive baserunner and Gold Glove-caliber defender in heart. Extra well being means extra at-bats means extra alternatives to regulate for a high-ceiling expertise.2022 projection for 2024: A.J. Vukovich, 3B (2024 High 100: NR)
Dodgers: Josue De Paula, OFThe second cousin of former NBA guards Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair, De Paula was born in Brooklyn, moved to the Dominican Republic and signed for $397,500 in 2022. He batted .284/.396/.372 whereas making his U.S. debut in Single-A at age 18 final 12 months, and he has the instruments and abilities to grow to be a .300 hitter with 30-homer energy as soon as he is absolutely developed.2022 projection for 2024: Wilman Diaz, INF (2024 High 100: NR)
Giants: Bryce Eldridge, OF/RHP (MLB No. 96)One of the best two-way prospect within the 2023 Draft, Eldridge will get the prospect to each hit and pitch as a professional, however groups strongly most well-liked him as a slugger. A Virginia excessive schooler drafted sixteenth total final July, he generates great uncooked energy with bat pace, power and the leverage in his 6-foot-7 body. He posted a .905 OPS with six homers in 31 video games and reached Single-A in his professional debut.2022 projection for 2024: Aeverson Arteaga, SS (2024 High 100: NR)
Padres: Leodalis De Vries, SSThe prime worldwide prospect from the 2024 class would possibly make our High 100 as early as this summer season and has a very good probability to achieve Single-A earlier than he turns 18. A basketball participant with a point-guard background, De Vries has good lateral quickness that helps him on the filth and the basepaths, and as a switch-hitter, he’s already impressing San Diego officers along with his early zone consciousness and energy from either side. At 17, Ethan Salas joined our High 10 on the finish of his first season. It would take De Vries just a little longer, however he might definitely be at or near the rankings mountaintop in two years.2022 projection for 2024: James Wooden, OF (2024 High 100: No. 14)
Rockies: Chase Dollander, RHP (MLB No. 52)As a university arm from the highest 10 of the 2023 Draft, it’s attainable Dollander will attain Colorado forward of this, particularly with the Rockies’ want for pitching. However he had some issues to iron out and seeing him within the rotation on Opening Day 2026 can be simply superb. He’s but to throw an official skilled pitch, however when he’s at his finest, he has a legit four-pitch combine and three of them are at the least above common.2022 projection for 2024: Drew Romo, C (2024 High 100: NR)
