We’re all the time wanting forward right here at MLB Pipeline, and we’re gazing even additional into the longer term with this projection of who will rank as every group’s No. 1 prospect on Opening Day 2027.
Rather a lot has modified since we undertook we undertook this train in the beginning of February: differing levels of improvement, graduations, the 2025 Draft, trades. Eighteen of our 30 decisions are completely different than they had been seven months in the past, together with 9 guys drafted in July.
Eight of those gamers already are the highest prospect of their farm system and 20 of them are already Prime 100 Prospects, highlighted by shortstops Leo De Vries (No. 3 total) and Jesús Made (No. 5). Talking of shortstops, they claimed half of the 30 spots on this checklist.
Blue Jays: JoJo Parker, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 40)Toronto took the third high-school shortstop off the board after they chosen the Mississippi native eighth total in July, and he’s already leapfrogged Arjun Nimmala as the highest position-player prospect within the system. Parker already has a sound left-handed swing and was including power heading into the Draft. Even when he has to maneuver off quick, his bat will do loads of speaking early in his profession and will ship him hovering larger up the rankings, due to a plus hit device and above-average pop.
Orioles: Slater de Brun, OF (No. 6)The Orioles are slowly restocking and so they have some choices for this honor, from 2025 draftees from the faculty ranks like Ike Irish and Wehiwa Aloy and breakout gamers like Esteban Mejia or Nate George. However de Brun, who signed for an over-slot $4 million at No. 37 total in July’s Draft, has as excessive a ceiling as any of them and will bounce to the highest of the checklist with a giant first full season the place he can showcase his hit device, velocity and protection.
Rays: Theo Gillen, OF (No. 2/MLB No. 65)Taken 18th total within the 2024 Draft, Gillen, who’s at present out with a fractured left center finger, has posted the best OBP (.433) amongst Single-A batters with at the very least 300 plate appearances this season. His distinctive plate self-discipline borders on passivity with a low swing price, however it’s a stable basis for now, particularly if he provides power and energy and continues to develop into heart discipline (nonetheless a comparatively new place).
Pink Sox: Franklin Arias, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 23)Arias is so superior offensively and defensively that the Pink Sox have promoted him to Double-A Portland at age 19 for the top of the Jap League season. Signed for $525,000 out of Venezuela in 2023, he slashed .279/.342/.384 with 11 steals by way of 107 video games as a youngster taking part in at three full-season ranges. He’ll finally push Marcelo Mayer to 3rd base in Boston’s infield of the longer term.
Yankees: George Lombard Jr., SS (No. 1/MLB No. 24)One of many higher defenders within the Minors, Lombard has the potential for stable or higher instruments throughout the board and has a excessive baseball IQ as properly. A 2023 first-rounder from a Florida highschool, he has batted .234/.369/.376 with 31 steals in 121 video games between Excessive-A and Double-A at age 20. His father George Sr. performed within the huge leagues and is the Tigers’ bench coach, whereas his youthful brother Jacob is as proficient as any participant within the 2026 highschool class.
Guardians: Jaison Chourio, OF (No. 6)Chourio, the Brewers’ Jackson Chourio’s little brother, injured his proper shoulder on a swing in early Might, main to 2 stints on the injured checklist and midseason struggles. He has regarded extra like his traditional self in August and September, controlling the strike zone whereas lacing line drives from either side of the plate and utilizing his plus velocity properly on the bases and in heart discipline. Signed for $1.2 million out of Venezuela in 2022, he received Single-A Carolina League MVP honors final 12 months and is hitting .233/.379/.285 with 63 walks in 75 video games as a 20-year-old in Excessive-A.
Royals: Kendry Chourio, RHP (No. 8)Chourio’s inventory has risen like a rocket since he signed for $247,500 again in January. The 17-year-old righty has already reached Single-A in his first professional season, and his outcomes have been distinctive: 2.98 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 60 strikeouts, 4 walks in 48 1/3 innings. Chourio has the stuff to again it up too with a mid-90s fastball, spectacular curveball and creating changeup, to not point out straightforward plus management. There’s all the time the prospect accidents might get in the best way for such a younger arm – and it’s price noting that present high prospect Blake Mitchell possible received’t graduate by ‘27 – however the pleasure round Chourio is as excessive as any 17-year-old pitcher within the sport.
Tigers: Bryce Rainer, SS (No. 4/MLB No. 34)The 2024 eleventh total decide was off to an encouraging begin with loud exit velocities and a low chase price with Single-A Lakeland earlier than struggling a season-ending shoulder harm in early June. At his finest, the 20-year-old shortstop can present plus uncooked energy, above-average velocity and a cannon of an arm from the grime – the essential elements of a promising participant on the six. He’ll want to enhance his in-zone contact and launch angles to get probably the most of his instruments, however with Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark and Josue Briceño potential 2026 graduates, Rainer is about to imagine the highest prospect mantle.
Twins: Eduardo Tait, C (No. 2/MLB No. 53)Despatched to the Twins, together with Mick Abel, because the return within the Jhoan Duran Commerce Deadline deal, Tait is already No. 5 on our Prime 10 catchers checklist and he simply turned 19. The left-handed hitting catcher is simply beginning to get to his energy and has the sort of arm power you need out of your backstop. He’s reached Excessive-A as a youngster, so he’s already means forward of the curve.
White Sox: Billy Carlson, SS (No. 3/MLB No. 76)A number of evaluators mentioned Carlson was the perfect defensive shortstop they’ve ever seen in highschool, which is why the White Sox signed him for $6,235,900 because the tenth total decide in July. He’ll must make some changes on the plate however provides 20-homer potential, and he was additionally clocked as much as 97 mph on the mound.
Angels: Joswa Lugo, SS (No. 6)Our fixed chorus is how the Angels get their prospects, particularly Draft picks, to the large leagues in a rush, although their third-rounder from this 12 months, highschool lefty Johnny Slawinski, might vie for this honor in 2027. However despite the fact that Lugo acquired shut down throughout his United States debut in early July following a again pressure, he held his personal when he was on the sphere within the Arizona Advanced League and will take off with a possible transfer to full-season ball subsequent 12 months.
Astros: Xavier Neyens, SS (No. 3)Neyers’ mixture of physicality and energy stood out within the 2025 Draft, the place the Astros chosen him twenty first total and signed the Washington prep prospect for $4.12 million. He is a 6-foot-4, 210-pounder with loads of bat velocity and power, and he is additionally athletic for his measurement and possesses an arm able to delivering of 95-mph fastballs on the mound.
A’s: Leo De Vries, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 3)This one shall be fascinating to observe. Whereas he’s nonetheless solely 18, De Vries has reached Double-A since he got here to the A’s within the Mason Miller commerce and the A’s don’t shrink back from aggressive promotions, so it’s not out of the query that he’ll graduate subsequent 12 months. The identical could possibly be true along with his greatest competitors for the highest spot within the org: 2025 first-rounder Jamie Arnold, who as a sophisticated faculty lefty ought to zip by way of the system.
Mariners: Ryan Sloan, RHP (No. 5/MLB No. 41)There are some fairly thrilling choices right here as a result of it’s unclear who among the many 9 Prime 100 prospects will graduate. No. 1 prospect Colt Emerson might nonetheless be round and 2025 first-rounder Kade Anderson ought to transfer quick, however may nonetheless be eligible. However Sloan, who jumped onto the Prime 100 this 12 months with a really robust first full season as a prep right-hander, might catapult into the checklist of high pitching prospects within the sport after one other 12 months.
Rangers: Gavin Fien, SS (No. 2)Fien received MVP honors at MLB’s Excessive Faculty All-American Recreation and led the U.S. 18-and-under nationwide staff in slugging (.680), main a number of scouts to think about him the perfect bat within the 2025 highschool class. He lacked consistency this spring however nonetheless confirmed good swing choices and plus uncooked energy earlier than the Rangers signed him for $4.8 million because the twelfth total alternative.
Braves: Cam Caminiti, LHP (No. 1/MLB No. 79)The Braves’ first-rounder in 2024, Caminiti was slowed out of the gate this season with some forearm tendinitis, making his full-season debut in early June. He’s achieved a pleasant job lacking bats with Single-A Augusta with a carefully-monitored workload. Subsequent 12 months, the gloves might come off and his four-pitch combine might assist him make a giant leap ahead.
Marlins: Aiva Arquette, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 38)The consensus finest faculty place participant within the 2025 Draft, Arquette slashed .354/.461/.654 with 19 homers at Oregon State earlier than signing for $7,149,900 because the seventh total decide. He is greater (6-foot-5, 220 kilos) than most shortstops, comes with 30-homer upside and is surprisingly clean for his measurement at shortstop.
Mets: A.J. Ewing, OF/2B (No. 7)The New York system has seen a variety of thrilling breakouts in 2025, and Ewing’s was maybe the most important by way of particular person progress. Utilizing his plus velocity, the 21-year-old has grow to be a formidable defender in heart discipline and stolen 68 baggage in 114 video games throughout Single-A, Excessive-A and Double-A this season. His means to make constant contact has equally fueled his rise, even when his energy is unlikely to be higher than common. With Carson Benge and Jett Williams already at Triple-A and pushing for the Majors, Ewing ought to get extra time to marinate on the higher ranges in 2026 and make a robust case to be No. 1 for ‘27.
Nationals: Eli Willits, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 18)That is removed from a sizzling take. The No. 1 total decide in 2025 shall be a company’s high prospect lower than two years later. However credit score the place it’s due – Willits is already residing as much as his billing as a possible plus switch-hitter throughout his early days at Single-A Fredericksburg, and as a possible above-average defender at quick, he ought to stay on the premium place long-term. Nonetheless solely 17, the son of former Main Leaguer Reggie Willits is hoping to develop into extra energy, and if he does, he could possibly be a Prime 5 total prospect within the sport by this time subsequent 12 months, by no means thoughts 2027.
Phillies: Aroon Escobar, 2B (No. 5)Presently No. 8 on the Prime 10 2B prospects checklist, Escobar has flirted with our Prime 100 checklist and has moved firmly into the Phillies’ Prime 10. He’s had a really stable first go-round in full-season ball, incomes a promotion to Excessive-A at age 20, displaying off a stable method on the plate and posting 14 homers and 22 steals. The highest three on the present checklist ought to all graduate and we’ll give the every-day participant the sting over Gage Wooden, the right-hander taken within the first spherical of this most up-to-date Draft.
Brewers: Jesús Made, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 5)There’s a sure temptation to assume Made, who solely turned 18 in Might, will proceed climbing shortly and could possibly be in Milwaukee by the second half subsequent 12 months. Even that is likely to be too aggressive for the Crew, who waited till Jackson Chourio was 20 to name him up. Regardless of. The switch-hitting shortstop has the texture and energy on the plate to be a future No. 1 total prospect, and his means to transition simply to every degree up to now solely furthers the trade’s confidence that he could possibly be a future No. 1 total prospect by the point he truly reaches The Present.
Cardinals: Rainiel Rodriguez, C (No. 4/MLB No. 95)Rodriguez has already put collectively one of the vital spectacular age-18 seasons in current reminiscence; his 147 wRC+ for Single-A Palm Seashore is larger than the marks for Julio Rodríguez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (each 146) on the similar age and degree. His energy does the speaking right here, backed by an distinctive means to elevate and pull the ball with loud exit velos at such a younger age. There are some defensive questions behind the plate, however even at first base, Rodriguez’s bat is wanting extremely precious already and could possibly be much more so by his age-20 marketing campaign in ‘27.
Cubs: Jefferson Rojas, SS/2B (No. 3/MLB No. 60)One of the vital superior hitters on the 2022 worldwide market, Rojas signed for $1 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2022 and has persistently dealt with older pitching till scuffling when he reached Double-A in the course of this season at age 20. He is batting a mixed .237/.343/.389 with 11 homers and 19 steals in 105 video games between Excessive-A and Double-A this 12 months, and the Cubs imagine he can stick at shortstop.
Pirates: Seth Hernandez, RHP (No. 3/MLB No. 26)The prediction is that the Konnor Griffin prepare will maintain going full-steam forward subsequent 12 months, and he’ll graduate to the large leagues in 2026, his age 20 season, after catapulting to No. 1 total prospect standing. Hernandez was the perfect prep arm within the 2025 Draft class and has frontline starter potential, which he’ll showcase in his first full season. His fundamental competitors could possibly be Edward Florentino.
Reds: Tyson Lewis, SS (No. 4/MLB No. 82)He’s performed his means onto the Prime 100 in his first full season of professional ball after the Reds went over slot within the second spherical of the 2024 Draft to get him. The left-handed hitting shortstop hit his means from the ACL to full-season Daytona and greater than held his personal, displaying glimpses of energy (9 mixed homers in 75 video games, .500 SLG) and velocity (26 steals).
D-backs: Slade Caldwell, OF (No. 2)The 2024 twenty ninth total decide zoomed to Excessive-A after solely 48 video games in his first full season however has hit a little bit of a wall on the larger degree (Hillsboro’s pitcher-friendly park possible hasn’t helped). All the identical, he has an OBP-first profile proper now attributable to excessive selectivity, and with plus-plus velocity, he could possibly be a formidable defender in heart or left relying on staff want. Leaping on pitches he might drive would go a good distance towards pushing Caldwell again into the Prime 100 in 2026 and past.
Dodgers: Zyhir Hope, OF (No. 2/MLB No. 19)Acquired within the Michael Busch commerce with the Cubs in January 2024, Hope options the perfect all-around instruments within the Dodgers system: plus energy and arm power to go along with stable hitting means, velocity and protection in any respect three outfield positions. He is hitting .269/.381/.438 with 13 homers and 25 steals in 118 video games in Excessive-A at age 20.
Giants: Josuar Gonzalez, SS (No. 2)The consensus finest place participant within the 2025 worldwide crop, Gonzalez signed for $2,997,500 out of the Dominican Republic in January. A switch-hitter with electrical bat velocity and at the very least stable instruments throughout the board, he slashed .288/.404/.455 with 33 steals in 52 video games within the Rookie-level Dominican Summer season League throughout his professional debut.
Padres: Ethan Salas, C (No. 1/MLB No. 83)There was a time after we would have guessed that Salas would have graduated by 2027, given San Diego’s historical past of aggression with its high prospects. That’s not the case as a stress response in his again has saved him out of the Double-A San Antonio lineup for a lot of ‘25. Nonetheless solely 19, the backstop ought to get one other crack on the Texas League and might want to present he can cling on the plate and preserve his standing as a sound defender to hush a few of his scouting critics and maintain off 2025 first-rounder Kruz Schoolcraft from rising to No. 1. A wholesome flip within the Arizona Fall League in a couple of weeks will surely assist the trigger.
Rockies: Ethan Holliday, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 17)In rivalry to go No. 1 total on this 12 months’s Draft, the Rockies had been thrilled that Holliday made it to them at No. 4, signing him for $9 million, a file for a highschool participant. Matt’s child has gotten his skilled toes moist with Single-A Fresno, which ought to assist him hit the bottom operating in 2026 and stick atop this checklist.
