Again in September 2022, we took swings at guessing who could be the highest prospect by the point Opening Day 2024 rolled round.
Some have been dead-on hits. We mentioned Jackson Holliday “could possibly be within the dialog for No. 1 general prospect” and Jackson Chourio was on a “fast ascent towards Milwaukee.” We referred to as Carson Williams a “candidate to see the highest 50 by 2024” and mentioned Jackson Merrill was a “potential star.”
We couldn’t have predicted 2023 Draft picks Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews or Max Clark would have taken excessive spot of their methods as a result of they didn’t have organizations on the time, however there have been some misfires (Kevin Parada, Elijah Inexperienced, Brandon Barriera) as a result of both lackluster performances or accidents.
Total although, there have been extra hits than misses, so let’s give it one other go. Listed below are the prospects we predict will likely be on the high of every membership’s High 30 come the beginning of the 2026 season:
Blue Jays: Arjun Nimmala, SS (No. 5)Toronto went for long-term upside when it chosen then-17-year-old Nimmala twentieth general final yr, and after some preliminary struggles in Single-A that led to time on the event checklist this yr, the shortstop is again to exhibiting above-average in-game energy (he’s slugging .479) and an enhancing contact fee. That trajectory may take him into the High 100 in some unspecified time in the future in his second full season in 2025.
Orioles: Vance Honeycutt, OF (No. 3)Considerations about his general hit device apart, Honeycutt has nearly as good an general toolset as nearly any prospect within the O’s system, and maybe amongst all Minor Leaguers. The 2024 first-rounder has 4 no less than plus instruments, with 70 for his center-field protection, 65 for his pace and 60s for his energy and arm. There’ll at all times be strikeouts to take care of, but when he can restrict them considerably, he has 30/30 potential.
Rays: Xavier Isaac, 1B (No. 3/MLB No. 20)There’s a temptation to say a high 25 general prospect presently in Double-A can have graduated by 2026, however Isaac’s early seems to be with Montgomery doubtless level to a Southern League return no less than to start ‘25. The 2022 first-rounder has a few of the most promising energy within the sport (greater than 1 / 4 of his flyballs have left the yard this season), and he stays an eventual 40-homer menace within the bigs — nice even for a first-base prospect. Isaac might have a while to regulate to the higher Minors, however his power and persistence will push him atop the Tampa Bay checklist following anticipated graduations by Junior Caminero and Carson Williams by 2026.
Crimson Sox: Braden Mongomery, OF (No. 4/MLB No. 58)There’s a whole lot of discuss today about how the Large 3 (Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, Kyle Teel) has expanded to the Large 4 (Kristian Campbell), however each member of that quartet is on the Triple-A Worcester roster. Montgomery — Boston’s high decide this yr — has nonetheless but to debut as he recovers from a damaged proper ankle. When he does, he’ll deliver plus energy as a switch-hitter and arguably the strongest arm within the system to his first full season in 2025 and maybe put himself on Fenway Park’s doorstep.
Yankees: George Lombard Jr., INF (No. 3)Lombard’s 2024 numbers could not leap off the web page, nevertheless it was telling that the Yankees have been keen to advertise the 19-year-old shortstop from Single-A to Excessive-A in his first full season. The 2023 twenty sixth general decide has a promising flooring as a result of his above-average pace and plus glovework at a premium place, and he’s proven some good uncooked pop and an unwillingness to broaden the zone this season. He may assume the No. 1 mantle as soon as Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones graduate as anticipated by subsequent summer time.
Guardians: Jaison Chourio, OF (No. 4/MLB No. 69)With the expectation that No. 1 general decide Travis Bazzana may attain the bigs as early as subsequent summer time, Chourio is Cleveland’s subsequent huge title with out upper-level expertise. The 19-year-old switch-hitter has an astonishing 69/86 Okay/BB ratio this season at Single-A, cementing his report as a possible plus hitter, and his run, arm and fielding instruments all grade out as no less than above common. The ability might want to come to make him a mega prospect like brother Jackson was, however the different items are there.
Royals: Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP (No. 1/MLB No. 17)How lengthy will Caglianone pitch? That would decide simply how lengthy he’s a prospect. His plus-plus energy and spectacular bat-to-ball expertise (regardless of a excessive chase fee at Florida) would make him a fast mover as a primary baseman alone, but when Kansas Metropolis stays open to his two-way standing, the 2024 sixth general decide’s four-pitch combine will want extra seasoning within the Minors, resulting in him remaining No. 1 for the Royals in ‘26.
Tigers: Max Clark, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 6)Final yr’s third general decide has come as marketed. He’s been a constant hitter at each Single-A and Excessive-A, exhibiting good bat-to-ball expertise for his age at 19, and his plus-plus pace and general protection in middle area proceed to be robust weapons in his first full season. There’s been some energy (9 homers), however somewhat extra as he enters his 20s would make him a real five-tool expertise and perhaps even a contender for the No. 1 general spot.
Twins: Walker Jenkins, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 3)The No. 5 general decide in final yr’s Draft, Jenkins landed atop the Twins’ High 30 from the get-go after signing, and there’s no motive to maneuver him from his perch. A hamstring harm value him two months this yr, however he nonetheless hit his approach from Single-A to Excessive-A, and he’s posted a really respectable mixed .858 OPS. Search for him to erupt in 2025 and proceed to be close to the highest of the High 100, not simply the Twins’ checklist, a yr after that.
White Sox: George Wolkow, OF (No. 7)The excellent news for White Sox followers: assistance is across the nook with Noah Schultz, Colson Montgomery, Hagen Smith, Edgar Quero and Jairo Iriarte all prone to be choices on the South Aspect subsequent summer time. That leaves a brand new title to take over at No. 1 by 2026, and Wolkow could possibly be the bat to just do that. Nonetheless solely 18, the 6-foot-7 outfielder has a few of the greatest energy within the system, and his above-average arm power works properly in proper area. He actually wants to enhance his contact fee in his second full season, however there’s no denying his uncooked potential and excessive upside.
Angels: Joswa Lugo, SS (No. 6)We would like to go away this clean for whoever the Angels’ high decide within the 2025 Draft is, or perhaps we must always go Trey Gregory-Alford since he’s the 2024 model of present No. 1 Angels prospect Caden Dana because the membership’s Eleventh-round decide who signed approach over slot. As a substitute, we’ll use Lugo’s very encouraging begin to his profession (.301/.370/.466 within the Dominican Summer season League) as a harbinger of fine issues to come back. We’re excited to see what Dawel’s youthful brother does when he comes stateside in 2025.
Astros: Walker Janek, C (No. 2)Houston’s high decide this yr is coming off a spring at Sam Houston by which he was the Buster Posey Award winner as the highest collegiate catcher within the nation and the Convention USA Defensive Participant of the 12 months. He exhibits plus uncooked energy from the fitting aspect and has the arm to decelerate runners – an enormous benefit in as we speak’s speedier sport. The potential is there for him to be an all-around backstop ought to he proceed to enhance his framing and reduce down on his chase fee.
A’s: Nick Kurtz, 1B (No. 2/MLB No. 44)This can be a little bit of a dangerous decide as a result of Kurtz, the No. 4 general decide on this yr’s Draft, is already in Double-A (and hitting there), so there’s the possibility he’ll have graduated by the beginning of the 2026 season. He has batted .368/.520/.763 with extra walks than strikeouts over a dozen video games to this point. It’s not out of the query he’ll be within the huge leagues in a rush, but when he spends sufficient time within the Minors in 2025 and nonetheless has rookie standing heading into 2026, the A’s could have the possibility to get a PPI decide.
Mariners: Colt Emerson, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 29)Emerson is presently the M’s high prospect, so there’s no motive to suppose he’ll relinquish the spot, even when Cole Younger and Harry Ford don’t graduate. He may have some competitors from Lazaro Montes or Felnin Celesten, however we’re sticking with the 2023 first-rounder, who managed to achieve Excessive-A in his first full season regardless of lacking time with each an indirect harm and a foot fracture.
Rangers: Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B (No. 1/MLB No. 37)Walcott has spent all the 2024 season as an 18-year previous at Excessive-A, greater than 4 years youthful than the common hitter at his stage. Tremendous athletic at 6-foot-4, he has large ceiling and is ending off robust, hitting .314/.374/.500 over his final 30 video games. It wouldn’t shock us to see him close to the highest of the High 100 at first of the 2026 season.
Braves: Cam Caminiti, LHP (No. 1)The very best-ranked highschool pitcher within the 2024 Draft class, Caminiti has but to throw an official skilled pitch, however he’s already the highest prospect within the system. And with the following 4 within the system at Triple-A, they’ll all have graduated. We even have religion that the younger lefty would be the subsequent within the line of younger Braves pitchers to excel as a professional. He’ll land within the High 100 and work his approach as much as turn into among the best left-handed pitching prospects within the sport.
Marlins: Thomas White, LHP (No. 1/MLB No. 45)White and fellow 2023 draftee Noble Meyer push one another, and each have made it to Excessive-A of their first full season. White, considerably surprisingly, has proven extra polish this yr. The lefty has gotten sharper because the season has gone on, with higher command up a stage, placing collectively a mixed 2.72 ERA and 11.1 Okay/9. Reducing his stroll fee from 3.6/9 in Single-A to 2.9 with Beloit is an excellent signal.
Mets: Carson Benge, OF (No. 5)Brandon Sproat is nearly actually a Main League consideration in 2025, as are Drew Gilbert and Jett Williams (even after a misplaced yr for the latter). Even Ryan Clifford may use his energy to push to Queens by then, having spent a lot time in Double-A already. That leaves 2024 first-rounder Benge as subsequent up. The previous Oklahoma State two-way star will solely hit within the execs, and that traces up together with his Draft scouting stories as a left-handed slugger with good bat-to-ball expertise and promising uncooked energy.
Nationals: Travis Sykora, RHP (No. 3/MLB No. 97)The 2023 third-rounder entered professional ball with promising measurement at 6-foot-6 and an attention-grabbing combine with a 95-98 mph fastball, plus splitter and above-average slider. These components have made him certainly one of Single-A’s greatest pitchers the previous few months, and with one other full season beneath his belt in 2025, Sykora may turn into one of many sport’s greatest pitching prospects interval by ‘26.
Phillies: Aidan Miller, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 28)The present high Phillies prospect isn’t doubtless to surrender his standing. The 2023 first-round decide and 2024 Futures Gamer shortly earned a promotion from Single-A Clearwater to Excessive-A Jersey Shore, and after struggling somewhat bit with the brand new stage, he is posted a really strong .936 OPS over his final 30 video games. And he’s simply beginning to faucet into his large uncooked energy, so be careful.
Brewers: Cooper Pratt, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 61)Milwaukee pulled off one of many steals of the 2023 Draft when it managed to take and signal Pratt as a sixth-rounder. It’s been a strong first full season for the 20-year-old shortstop as he’s climbed to Excessive-A already, and his defensive work at a premium place has helped his inventory amongst scouts. Count on extra energy to come back in his second full season, enabling him to leap into the highest 50 general dialog.
Cardinals: JJ Wetherholt, SS/2B (No. 1/MLB No. 18)In heavy consideration for the No. 1 general decide in July, Wetherholt went to the Playing cards at No. 7, and St. Louis was elated so as to add arguably the most effective pure hitter on this class. Hamstring points restricted him final spring and can make his pace value following in professional ball. If not for Masyn Winn’s presence on the six, Wetherholt may push fairly shortly towards the Majors, however he’ll doubtless dangle onto prospect standing by 2026.
Cubs: Jefferson Rojas, SS (No. 7)All six of the Cubs’ present High 100 prospects are in Triple-A at current, and one thing can have gone flawed if any of them are nonetheless on a prospect checklist in 2026. Rojas isn’t far off from being a High 100 man himself, holding his personal regardless of aggressive assignments up the ladder. He hardly ever strikes out, and whereas his general numbers don’t leap off the web page, have in mind he’s spent the yr in Excessive-A at age 19.
Pirates: Konnor Griffin, SS/OF (No. 2/MLB No. 54)Whereas many thought the Pirates would “play it protected” within the first spherical of this yr’s Draft and take a school hitter, they went all in on ceiling by taking Griffin, who arguably has the most effective all-around toolset of anybody within the class. 4 of the instruments are no less than plus, and he was exhibiting off an 80-grade arm on the again fields in Florida after signing. He has the possibility to be a plus defender at brief or middle area, with 30/30 upside offensively.
Reds: Chase Burns, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 23)Burns is the second straight Wake Forest pitcher the Reds took within the first spherical, going No. 2 general a yr after Cincinnati chosen Rhett Lowder, who’s making his huge league debut on Friday. Burns has extra electrical stuff than Lowder with a bit much less polish, however even when he follows a equally fast path to The Present, he’ll nonetheless be prospect-eligible to begin the 2026 season.
D-backs: Druw Jones, OF (No. 2/MLB No. 89)The 2025 season needs to be a giant one for Jones. If this summer time was about getting the 2022 No. 2 general decide again on observe after an injury-riddled first full marketing campaign, subsequent yr will likely be about getting him to take off. Jones stays a plus-plus defender in middle, giving him a very good flooring, and there’s nonetheless above-average uncooked energy in his 6-foot-4 body. He’ll want to begin elevating extra on contact, and if that occurs, he’ll be nearer to reaching his immense ceiling as a five-tool expertise.
Dodgers: Josue De Paula, OF (No. 2/MLB No. 48)Signed for slightly below $400,000 in January 2022, De Paula was a “decide to click on” for a lot of in 2024, and whereas he hasn’t set the world on fireplace statistically, he has risen up the High 100 and reached Excessive-A at age 19 whereas notching double digits in homers and stolen bases. Typically predictions of a prospect breakout are a yr off, so preserve De Paula circled for a coming-out celebration in 2025.
Giants: Bryce Eldridge, 1B (No. 1/MLB No. 53)A legit two-way prospect heading into the 2023 Draft, Eldridge is specializing in hitting solely in his first professional season, with wonderful outcomes. The 2024 Futures Gamer has fared higher on the plate since transferring as much as Excessive-A at age 19, and has a mixed .882 OPS with 19 homers. There needs to be much more of that to come back because the 6-foot-7 left-handed hitter continues to study to faucet into his appreciable uncooked energy.
Padres: Ethan Salas, C (No. 1/MLB No. 19)Given Leodalis De Vries had extra success as a hitter this season earlier than his shoulder harm, it’s an inexpensive take that he’ll leapfrog over the uneven Salas by 2026. However allow us to not neglect that Salas stays the youngest common at Excessive-A this season, and he’s proven his greatest outcomes but in August, a very good signal he simply wanted time to regulate to his superior project. He stays among the best defensive catching prospects in baseball, and with one other yr for his bat to catch as much as his glove, he could possibly be a top-10 general expertise once more.
Rockies: Charlie Condon, OF/3B (No. 1/MLB No. 11)We’re not overly involved by Condon’s pedestrian begin at Excessive-A Spokane. He nonetheless has each likelihood to be a plus hitter with top-of-the-scale energy, one who is bound to make changes based mostly on the small pattern of adversity he’s confronted throughout his summer time debut. Even when he begins the yr again within the Northwest League, he’ll make it to no less than Double-A in 2025 and be thought-about one of the harmful hitters within the Minors by the beginning of his second full season.
