They and so many different rookies left their marks on the 2025 season. One 12 months in the past, they had been mere prospects who had but to make their MLB debuts, and one other host of newcomers will inevitably be difference-makers for his or her golf equipment in 2026. So we would higher get to know them now.
Right here is one prospect from every staff to regulate heading into subsequent season.
BLUE JAYS: LHP Ricky Tiedemann (TOR No. 4 prospect)Two years in the past, Tiedemann was a freight practice of prospect hype, the hard-throwing lefty who had simply taken a large leap in velocity and uncooked stuff. Sadly, elbow troubles led to Tommy John surgical procedure in 2024, however Tiedemann is again to full well being now — and whereas he didn’t return to recreation motion in 2025, he’s anticipated to have a standard spring. Nonetheless simply 23 and nonetheless gifted bodily, Tiedemann might rapidly grow to be one of many greatest tales of camp if he appears to be like even like 90% of his outdated self. Sure, the Blue Jays will take into account stretching him again out as a starter, nevertheless it’s going to be awfully tempting to make use of him in shorter stints if he’s overwhelming hitters early. — Keegan Matheson
ORIOLES: OF Enrique Bradfield Jr. (BAL No. 4 prospect)It is probably not lengthy earlier than the 24-year-old speedster turns into an choice for the O’s in middle subject. The 2023 first-round Draft decide reached Triple-A Norfolk in 2025, taking part in 15 video games there earlier than tallying a further 20 within the Arizona Fall League. Bradfield’s 80-grade velocity and 70-grade protection are a part of a talent set not like any participant at the moment within the massive leagues in Baltimore, so he ought to complement the lineup nicely when he arrives. The Vanderbilt product might want to show he can deal with Triple-A pitching earlier than getting referred to as as much as the massive leagues, which might occur as quickly as subsequent summer season. — Jake Rill
RAYS: SS Carson Williams (TB No. 1 prospect, No. 50 total)The Rays gave Williams a glance within the Majors ahead of even they anticipated, making an attempt to profit from a disappointing season and a thinned-out shortstop group by making their high prospect the common starter down the stretch. The 22-year-old hit 5 homers and made some good defensive performs, however he hit simply .172/.219/.354 with 44 strikeouts in 106 plate appearances over 32 video games. The Rays consider Williams shall be higher for the expertise as a result of it highlighted areas the place he can enhance. Taylor Partitions is prone to begin the season at shortstop, however the athletic Williams ought to have one other probability to show himself in Spring Coaching. — Adam Berry
YANKEES: OF Spencer Jones (NYY No. 4 prospect, No. 99 total)With light-tower energy and improved consistency, Jones is knocking on the massive league door with a professional probability to power his manner onto the Opening Day roster. The 6-foot-7 outfielder is coming off his most constant professional season, hitting .274 with 35 homers and 80 RBIs throughout Double-A and Triple-A in 2025. Added to the 40-man roster in November, Jones spent a part of the offseason understanding at Yankee Stadium. Although swing-and-miss will most likely all the time be a part of his profile, the Yankees consider Jones’ athleticism and muscle have positioned him to compete in a crowded outfield image. — Bryan Hoch
GUARDIANS: OF Chase DeLauter (CLE No. 2 prospect, No. 58 total)DeLauter has had some powerful harm luck, however his expertise has lengthy been evident. We bought a style of it this fall, when he grew to become solely the sixth participant to debut within the Majors within the postseason. The 24-year-old made a stable impression in the course of the AL Wild Card Sequence, and he might make a bigger affect in 2026. DeLauter shall be within the combine for Cleveland’s Opening Day roster, and supplied he stays wholesome, it’s tantalizing to consider how he might assist over a full season — given his mix of dimension, athleticism, energy and plate self-discipline. — Tim Stebbins
ROYALS: C Carter Jensen (KC No. 1 prospect, No. 39 total)After making his debut in September, hitting 300 with a .941 OPS and impressing in all aspects of his recreation, Jensen will compete for an Opening Day roster spot in 2026. And the Royals view the 22-year-old Kansas Metropolis native as an integral a part of their staff for subsequent season and the longer term, bringing a mix of energy and on-base potential to the lineup. Jensen has vastly improved his protection over time within the Minor Leagues, so the Royals be ok with having him as Salvador Perez’s backup behind the plate whereas additionally having each get at-bats at DH. — Anne Rogers
TIGERS: INF Kevin McGonigle (DET No. 1 prospect, No. 2 total)Arguably no Tiger apart from Tarik Skubal has as a lot consideration surrounding him this offseason as McGonigle, who soared up prospect rankings by posting a .991 OPS throughout three ranges of the farm system after which earned Arizona Fall League MVP honors. He’s anticipated to be in Main League camp come Spring Coaching with an opportunity to place him in place to make his MLB debut in some unspecified time in the future in 2026. Whereas opinions are blended on his long-term place, he might start his profession at shortstop, his major place thus far, or he might shift over to 3rd, the place he performed a bunch within the AFL. — Jason Beck
TWINS: LHP Connor Prielipp (MIN No. 9 prospect)Minnesota has a cadre of extraordinarily thrilling place gamers on the way in which, however for those who’re on the lookout for the potential for early affect, regulate Prielipp. The hard-throwing left-hander was a second-round select of Alabama in 2022, and although he’s had some hassle staying wholesome, he’s been electrical every time he’s been in a position to pitch. Prielipp made it to Triple-A in 2025, and along with his future seemingly in aid and the Twins in want of aid assist, you could possibly see his big-time arm within the massive league bullpen rapidly. — Matthew Leach
WHITE SOX: OF Braden Montgomery (CWS No. 1 prospect, No. 35 total)The switch-hitting outfielder is a part of a trio — together with left-handers Noah Schultz (CWS No. 2 prospect, No. 40 total) and Hagen Smith (CWS No. 5 prospect, No. 88 total) — who characterize the following high prospect group pushing towards the Majors. That push gained’t get them there on Opening Day with the White Sox, however they need to make vital contributions in the course of the 2026 season. Montgomery had an impressive first skilled season throughout three Minor League stops with a .270/.360/.444 slash line, 12 house runs, 34 doubles and 14 stolen bases. He has the flexibility to play all three outfield spots. — Scott Merkin
ANGELS: CF Nelson Rada (LAA No. 7 prospect)Rada reached Triple-A Salt Lake final 12 months for the primary time regardless of being in his age-19 season. And although he was almost eight years youthful than his common competitors, he greater than held his personal, batting .323/.433/.416 with a homer, six doubles, three triples, 20 stolen bases and 17 RBIs in 42 video games. He’ll come into Spring Coaching competing for a roster spot. And whereas it’s extra seemingly he goes again to Triple-A for extra seasoning, he’s put himself firmly on the membership’s radar along with his mix of on-base expertise, stolen-base potential and protection in middle. — Rhett Bollinger
ATHLETICS: LHP Gage Leap (ATH No. 3 prospect, No. 60 total)Leap highlights a trio of A’s prospects on the Prime 100 listing because the closest to being Main League-ready. He began out the 2025 marketing campaign — his debut as an expert — at Excessive-A Lansing, the place he posted a 2.32 ERA in six video games (5 begins) with 45 strikeouts and 5 walks throughout 31 innings, then earned a promotion to Double-A Midland, posting a 3.64 ERA in 20 video games (19 begins) with 86 strikeouts throughout 81 2/3 innings for the Rockhounds. In all, Leap went 9-7 with a mixed 3.28 ERA in 26 video games (24 begins) with 131 strikeouts and 34 walks over 112 2/3 innings. With the A’s looking for to enhance their rotation in 2026, count on Leap to make his manner into that group in some unspecified time in the future subsequent 12 months. — Martín Gallegos
RANGERS: SS Sebastian Walcott (TEX No. 1 prospect, No. 6 total)When anybody thinks of Texas Rangers prospects in 2025, Walcott is the participant who instantly involves thoughts. The 19-year-old shortstop signed with the Rangers for $3.2 million out of the Bahamas in January 2023. He rapidly grew to become top-of-the-line prospects within the system and has solely gotten higher and higher since. He reached Double-A Frisco for simply 5 video games in 2024 earlier than getting a full season there this previous season, hitting .255/.355/.386 with 13 house runs and 32 stolen bases as one of many youngest gamers at that stage. He hasn’t touched Triple-A Spherical Rock simply but, and sure gained’t break camp with the massive league membership, however all eyes will proceed to be on Walcott in 2026. — Kennedi Landry
BRAVES: RHP JR Ritchie (ATL No. 2 prospect, No. 86 total)Ritchie has positioned himself to make his MLB debut in some unspecified time in the future in the course of the 2026 season. The 22-year-old hurler posted a 2.64 ERA whereas combining to make 26 begins over three ranges in 2025. He started the season in Excessive-A and ended up producing a 3.02 ERA over 11 begins on the Triple-A stage. Not dangerous, particularly when you think about this was his first full skilled season with none restrictions following Tommy John surgical procedure. The No. 35 total Draft decide from 2022 might power his manner into Atlanta’s rotation in some unspecified time in the future in 2026. — Mark Bowman
MARLINS: RHP Josh White (unranked)A lot has been written about catcher Joe Mack (MIA No. 4 prospect, No. 70 total), so why not spotlight breakout reliever White? The 25-year-old mixed for a 1.86 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP with 4 saves in 45 video games (two begins) between the Double-A and Triple-A ranges. Miami does not have set roles in its bullpen of misfits, so he might have a shot at making the Opening Day roster if he performs nicely this spring. — Christina De Nicola
METS: OF Carson Benge (NYM No. 2 prospect, No. 21 total)From the start of this offseason, the Mets made it clear they needed to go away area for Benge to contribute. Coming off a standout season that noticed him dominate Double-A Binghamton as he climbed a number of ranges within the farm system, Benge will compete for a job on the Opening Day roster. He might not win one. However even when that occurs, Benge ought to get each alternative to contribute to the Main League staff in some unspecified time in the future. As long as he continues producing on the plate, the 2024 first-round Draft decide is prone to run with it. — Anthony DiComo
BREWERS: RHP Logan Henderson (MIL No. 5 prospect)Henderson nonetheless has rookie standing going into 2026, however he has extra of a foothold than many of the different gamers in that group after making his Main League debut in April and going 3-0 with a 1.78 ERA in 5 Milwaukee begins earlier than a proper flexor pressure ended his common season in August. Because of Milwaukee’s run into October, Henderson was in a position to get again into pitching form by season’s finish and even had hopes of being included on the NLCS roster towards the Dodgers. Whereas he didn’t get that want, simply being obtainable ought to characterize a springboard into subsequent season. — Adam McCalvy
CARDINALS: 2B/SS/3B JJ Wetherholt (STL No. 1 prospect, No. 5 total)Wetherholt, the highest prospect within the group since being drafted No. 7 in 2024, is poised to make the Playing cards out of Spring Coaching. The sweet-swinging lefty has proven all-around expertise with the bat, displaying pop and hitting to all fields. He slashed .306/.421/.510 with a .931 OPS, 17 homers, 28 doubles, 59 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 109 video games throughout two ranges in 2025. The one query is the place Wetherholt will play defensively. To arrange him for the flexibility that could be wanted, Wetherholt cut up time at brief, second and third within the Minors. The Playing cards don’t care the place he performs if his bat is of their lineup. — John Denton
CUBS: C/DH Moisés Ballesteros (CHC No. 2 prospect, No. 53 total)The Cubs are ready to present developmental runway to each outfielder Owen Caissie (CHC No. 1 prospect, No. 47 total) and Ballesteros in ‘26. For this train, let’s shine the highlight on Ballesteros, who performed in 20 video games for Chicago final season and flashed his offensive potential. He hit .298 total with 5 extra-base hits, 9 walks, 11 RBIs and an .868 OPS, and posted a .999 OPS in 14 video games in September whereas serving to to fill in for an injured Kyle Tucker. Ballesteros’ MLB-ready bat matches finest as a DH, however he additionally gives a third-string catching choice and has some expertise at first base. — Jordan Bastian
REDS: INF Sal Stewart (CIN No. 1 prospect, No. 31 total)Known as up on Sept. 1, Stewart led the membership with 5 homers in the course of the season’s ultimate month and batted .255/.293/.545 with eight RBIs and 11 runs scored in 18 massive league video games. Supervisor Terry Francona loves the right-handed hitter’s superior strategy, nevertheless it stays to be seen the place Stewart matches on the roster. A 3rd baseman throughout participant growth, he realized first base on the fly within the massive leagues and is working on the market within the offseason. Relying on the roster make-up and acquisitions, Stewart might lock down first base with a very good camp. — Mark Sheldon
D-BACKS: INF/OF Jordan Lawlar (unranked)Lawlar has been referred to as as much as the massive leagues thrice since being chosen sixth total in 2021, however he has not gotten an extended runway to get snug and present what he can do. With Geraldo Perdomo locked in because the beginning shortstop, the Diamondbacks despatched Lawlar to winter ball this 12 months to get him some work in middle subject. This spring, he’ll see time in middle in addition to at shortstop and third base with Arizona planning to present him each alternative to grow to be a much-needed right-handed bat in a lefty-heavy lineup. — Steve Gilbert
DODGERS: RHP River Ryan (LAD No. 9 prospect)Ryan’s first style of MLB motion was transient however spectacular when he was pressed into massive league obligation in 2024, posting a 1.33 ERA (three earned runs in 20 1/3 innings) throughout 4 begins. Nonetheless, Ryan exited the ultimate a kind of begins with an harm and had Tommy John surgical procedure, which sidelined him for all of ’25. The Dodgers ended the 12 months with a stellar six-man rotation, with all however the retired Clayton Kershaw returning. Whether or not it is out of Spring Coaching or at one other level, Ryan ought to feasibly get an opportunity to affect the massive league membership in ’26. — Sonja Chen
GIANTS: RHP Blade Tidwell (SF No. 13 prospect)The Giants hoped to get a have a look at Tidwell after they acquired him from the Mets as a part of the Tyler Rogers commerce, however the 24-year-old right-hander ended up happening with a shoulder harm that prevented him from debuting with San Francisco in 2025. Given the Giants’ want for extra rotation depth, Tidwell ought to have loads of alternatives to emerge as an enormous league contributor subsequent 12 months, particularly since he already has a preexisting relationship with new supervisor Tony Vitello, who coached him on the College of Tennessee. — Maria Guardado
PADRES: RHP Miguel Mendez (SD No. 5 prospect)The Padres want pitching. They’ve misplaced Dylan Stop, and Yu Darvish is out for the season. Factor is, they’ve traded most of their high-level starting-pitching prospects in latest offers — aside from one very intriguing righty arm. No one made greater strides within the Padres’ system final season than Mendez, who was added to the 40-man roster final month. There’s little or no probability Mendez will crack the season-opening rotation. However he’s about to report back to his first massive league camp, and he ought to present some helpful depth, with the potential for a midseason breakthrough. — AJ Cassavell
