The brand new yr is for brand spanking new begins, the unknown and the to-be-determined. Nobody can completely say what’s going to occur on this 2026 calendar yr, however we are able to actually take a couple of extremely educated guesses.
Within the land of Minor League Baseball, there will not be a extra sought-after prediction than who the subsequent batch of breakout prospects will likely be. Breakouts can are available in many types. Some beforehand little-known younger abilities will surge into their group’s High 30 lists. Some within the High 30 lists will turn into nearer to family names by attaining High 100 standing. Injured gamers can present us their true skillsets as soon as totally wholesome.
Preserving all of that in thoughts, right here is one breakout prospect candidate from every farm system for 2026:
Blue Jays: Juan Sanchez, 3B/SS (No. 18)Signed for $997,500 in January, Sanchez has arguably already damaged out with a .341/.439/.565 line and eight homers in 56 video games final summer season within the Dominican Summer season League. His right-handed energy already performs out of his 6-foot-3 body, and there might be extra coming as he continues to fill out. Toronto officers who noticed him within the D.R. got here away believing Sanchez might be the true deal as a result of his thrilling exit velocities, and carrying that slugging output stateside over a bigger pattern will ship him capturing up the Toronto rankings.
Orioles: Luis De León, LHP (No. 18)De León was the most effective hurlers in the entire Minors down the stretch in 2025, spinning a 1.47 ERA over his last seven begins whereas putting out 14.5 Okay/9. The 22-year-old adopted that up with a powerful five-outing stint within the Arizona Fall League (2.76 ERA, 22 Okay’s in 16 1/3 innings), the place his sinker was clocked as excessive as 98.5 mph. After watching a pair of fellow Orioles pitching prospects escape final yr in Braxton Bragg (No. 12) and Michael Forret (dealt to Tampa Bay within the Shane Baz deal), De León has the stuff with a high-octane three-pitch combine — and mound moxie in addition — to get pleasure from an analogous rise in ‘26.
Rays: Nathan Flewelling, C (No. 30)Tampa Bay has appreciated the Canadian backstop because it chosen him within the third spherical in 2024, and the group backed that up by giving him 461 plate appearances between Single-A and Excessive-A, the second-most of any catcher aged 18 or youthful in 2025. Flewelling’s floor numbers don’t essentially pop (.230/.393/.341, six homers) exterior of the OBP, however his contact was typically loud sufficient for his age that extra eye-popping stats shouldn’t be far behind, if he continues alongside this trajectory. Flewelling will nonetheless solely be 19 throughout the 2026 marketing campaign.
Pink Sox: Dorian Soto, SS (No. 9)Soto landed a $1.4 million bonus because the eighth-ranked prospect within the 2025 worldwide class as a switch-hitting shortstop with an athletic construct and elite work ethic. The Dominican native was higher from the left aspect in his debut season, partly due to a wrist harm that affected his right-handed swing extra, however he tasks to hit for energy from each side of the plate. Soto has an opportunity to make it to Single-A by the top of 2026 with a robust season and his inventory may soar if he stays nimble at brief — though his bat ought to profile at third base if not.
Yankees: Dax Kilby, SS (No. 7)It is uncommon for a participant to succeed in Single-A the identical yr they’re drafted out of highschool, and it is even rarer for them to thrive. The Georgia native was one of the vital superior highschool bats within the 2025 class and confirmed as a lot when he slashed .353/.457/.441 in 18 video games with extra walks (13) than strikeouts (11). Kilby stands out each for his wonderful swing choices and highly effective, brief swing, and he may leap into the High 100 if he solutions questions on his fringy infield protection.
Guardians: Juneiker Caceres, OF (No. 13)Caceres is not overly bodily and can probably be a nook outfielder long run, however his finest software is crucial one (hit). The Venezuela native’s uncanny knack for locating the barrel is made even higher by his propensity for placing the ball within the air, which ought to allow him to maximise his energy, particularly if he is in a position to pull the ball extra. After thriving at two Rookie-ball ranges, Caceres made it to Single-A as a 17-year-old and held his personal with a 103 wRC+, and he’ll be one of many youngest gamers on the degree once more in 2026.
Royals: Warren Calcaño, SS (No. 17)Proper-hander Kendry Chourio was the large breakout of 2025 for Kansas Metropolis, however Calcaño was really the membership’s largest worldwide signee with a bonus of $1,847,500. He lasted solely 9 video games within the DSL, going 9-for-26 (.346) with a homer and eight walks, earlier than injuring his shoulder in a freak collision. Calcaño must be more healthy for his age-18 season in ‘26. He’s already thought of a gifted defender at shortstop and was within the midst of proving he had a complicated strategy as a switch-hitter. A bigger, more healthy pattern may make him one of many extra thrilling prospects within the Royals system.
Tigers: Kelvis Salcedo, RHP (No. 29)After repeating the DSL in 2023 and 2024, Salcedo took off within the Florida Advanced and State Leagues with a 1.83 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings this season. He may be getting began. His mid-90s fastball might be an above-average pitch, whereas his upper-80s slider — an actual dropper with good velo — will get spectacular whiff charges. He’s gotten even higher at limiting walks as he climbs with solely six walks in 23 1/3 innings at Single-A Lakeland, and if that pattern holds, he’ll be a much bigger title as he seems to be to eclipse the 70-frame mark for the primary time as a professional.
Twins: Khadim Diaw, C (No. 21)Diaw made historical past as the primary participant of Senegalese descent to be chosen within the MLB Draft when the Twins nabbed him within the third spherical in 2024. When wholesome, the Loyola Marymount product has posted a .422 on-base share in 66 profession Minor League video games and a 161 wRC+ final yr between Single-A Fort Myers and Excessive-A Cedar Rapids. But it surely’s been staying on the sector that’s confirmed tough. Beset by a pair of fractures to his left thumb together with wrist and hamstring accidents, Diaw is wanting to make use of his age-22 marketing campaign as a springboard up the organizational ladder. There’s lengthy been some perception {that a} shift to the outfield may unencumber his bat (whereas concurrently decreasing some defensive put on and tear), with the 2025 Commerce Deadline acquisition of catcher Eduardo Tait (MIN No. 3/MLB No. 57) probably facilitating such a transfer.
White Sox: George Wolkow, OF (No. 10)Few gamers within the Minors have as massive of a distinction between their ceiling and ground as Wolkow. The 6-foot-7 slugger has near-top-of-the-line uncooked energy however hasn’t but been in a position to faucet into it due to swing-and-miss and chase points. The excellent news is he lower his Okay fee from an untenable 40.3 p.c in 2024 to a still-high 29.6 p.c in 2025. Additional enchancment, particularly in opposition to breaking balls, may allow him to succeed in that long-awaited breakout.
Angels: Gabriel Davalillo, C (No. 11)The Halos ponied up $2 million to land Davalillo, the top-ranked catching prospect within the 2025 worldwide class, when the signing interval opened. He proceeded to slash .302/.408/.518 with seven homers, 31 RBIs and extra walks (23) than strikeouts (21) throughout 41 contests within the Dominican Summer season League, all whereas placing 48.3 p.c of his balls in play to the other area, backing up his status as a complicated hitter. Whether or not the Venezuela native sticks behind the plate stays to be seen, however the Angels have actually by no means proven hesitancy to problem their high prospects and Davalillo is positioned to see simply how prescient these Francisco Alvarez comps are as he enters his potential first full season of professional ball at simply 18 years outdated.
Astros: Ryan Forcucci, RHP (No. 8)Forcucci was getting first-round buzz at UC San Diego earlier than Tommy John surgical procedure derailed his junior season. Nonetheless, the Astros pounced within the third spherical of the 2024 Draft and are eagerly awaiting his professional debut. The 6-foot-3 righty has two most important weapons that generate loads of whiffs in a fastball that advantages from a low launch peak and wonderful carry and a good, mid-80s slider. It will likely be key to see how his stuff returns as he builds again up and if he can develop his changeup or curve into a robust third pitch.
A’s: Shotaro Morii, SS/RHP (No. 21)Morii was one thing of a shock signee because the 2025 worldwide signing interval opened, forgoing an opportunity to be a High 10 choice within the NPB Draft in his native Japan in deference to leaping straight to professional ball within the States. The A’s imagine in Morii’s two-way skills, although they despatched him out as a hitter solely in his debut marketing campaign this previous yr, when he logged a .399 OBP and .783 OPS in 43 Arizona Advanced League contests. The best-paid Japanese newbie to make the leap stateside has a clean left-handed stroke and a cannon of a throwing arm that results in evaluators believing his long-term house is shortstop, however a four-pitch combine on the bump provides him one other pathway to breaking out in ‘26 and past as he continues to hone his all-around repertoire.
Mariners: Yorger Bautista, OF (No. 10)They don’t nickname simply anybody “La Bestia” (The Beast). Bautista boasts as loud of a set of instruments as anybody within the Mariners system since Julio Rodríguez, all of which helped him to land at No. 6 on the 2025 worldwide prospects listing. Bautista might want to trim down the swing-and-miss (29.8 p.c Okay fee) in the long term, however his first style of professional ball as a 17-year-old within the Dominican Summer season League noticed him slug seven house runs and wallop 41.9 p.c of his hits for additional bases. The Venezuela native is one in every of simply two ranked prospects to have a minimum of a 60 grade on his energy, run and throwing arm instruments — a category by which he’s joined solely by MLB’s No. 1 general prospect, Konnor Griffin.
Rangers: Yolfran Castillo, SS/3B (No. 13)Robust shortstop protection out of a 6-foot-3 body and spectacular plate self-discipline give Castillo a excessive ground for an 18-year-old who simply reached Single-A. If he is in a position so as to add extra energy as he matures — and there is loads of room to fill out — his worth may actually take off. Presently, he has a contact-oriented strategy, and solely one in every of his 22 extra-base hits in 2025 was a house run. His exit velocities are bettering over time, giving hope that he might be an affect offensive participant.
Braves: Owen Murphy, RHP (No. 8)By means of seven begins at Excessive-A in 2024, Murphy gathered 60 strikeouts in 41 innings, held opposing batters to a .129 common and notched a 1.54 ERA. Atlanta’s first-round decide within the 2022 Draft was staring down the High 100 general prospects listing till his elbow gave out and he underwent Tommy John surgical procedure. He returned this previous July and appeared very similar to the identical dominant hurler throughout seven outings, posting a 1.19 ERA whereas showcasing a tremendously repeatable supply and a slider with important chunk, enhancing his general arsenal. In a system all of a sudden flush with pitching prospects (9 of Atlanta’s high 12 ply their commerce on the bump), Murphy might have the best ceiling of all, one thing he’ll look to show as he takes on the higher ranges of the Minors for the primary time in 2026.
Marlins: Kevin Defrank, RHP (No. 8)After incomes one of many largest bonuses for a pitcher within the 2025 worldwide class, Defrank is already dwelling as much as the hype. The Dominican native is kind of imposing between his huge 6-foot-5 construct and fastball velocity that touches triple digits. His sinking changeup already seems to be like a plus providing — uncommon for somebody his age — and his sweeping slider has promise. Defrank will likely be 17 for many of the season and will pitch stateside in some unspecified time in the future in 2026. His top-of-the-rotation potential makes him one of the vital thrilling pitching prospects in any group.
Mets: Peter Kussow, RHP (No. 27)The Mets had the most effective pitching growth departments in 2025 — their hurlers led the full-season Minors in strikeouts and Okay share — and the primary arm the group took was the 6-foot-5 Kussow out of a Wisconsin highschool. The previous Louisville commit’s measurement provides the membership a lot to dream on, as does a fastball that already touches 97 mph, however his high-spin slider bought the largest raves from Mets evaluators. A full offseason and spring of professional instruction and steerage may assist Kussow seem like a fourth-round steal rapidly.
Nationals: Marconi German, SS/3B (No. 28)A $400,000 signee out of the Dominican Republic final offseason, German didn’t fly beneath the radar lengthy as a DSL midseason and end-of-season All-Star with a .283/.479/.513 line, eight homers and 33 steals in 53 video games. He may be simply getting going and at a great time, contemplating Washington’s adjustments in player-development infrastructure. The switch-hitter has higher uncooked energy than his 5-foot-10 measurement would point out and an honest strategy for his age. If the Nats’ new group may help German tick up in both skillset in his age-18 season (whereas he’s nonetheless very malleable as a prospect), then German might be a face of the membership’s PD enhancements.
Phillies: Mavis Graves, LHP (No. 25)A sixth-round decide within the 2022 Draft out of the South Carolina highschool ranks, Graves has climbed one degree per season by way of the Phillies’ system. A candidate to have been Philadelphia’s choice for this slot final yr, he’s a 6-foot-6 southpaw with as much as 5 pitches (together with a slider that has registered north of three,000 rpms) who has posted 11.9 Okay/9 throughout almost 200 profession Minor League innings. The walks started to tick again up in ‘25, however issues started to click on down the stretch, as he posted a 1.30 ERA in his last eight begins for Excessive-A Jersey Shore to pave the way in which for an age-22 marketing campaign by which he’s poised to make a leap into the higher ranges of the Minors.
Brewers: Frank Cairone, LHP (No. 26)Cairone got here as a little bit of a shock when he went to the Crew with the 68th general decide in July, however the New Jersey prep pitcher had loads going for him. He was solely 17 on Draft Day. His slider reached 2,900-3,000 rpms on the Draft Mix, and his fastball ran as much as 95 mph with 7 ft of extension on the similar occasion. There’s a lot to work with for a prep lefty. Cairone wants to carry that velocity deeper into begins as he enters the professionals, however after a primary full offseason of power coaching and prep, he may make Milwaukee evaluators look sensible rapidly in his age-18 marketing campaign.
Cardinals: Cade Crossland, LHP (No. 28)After stints in Division II and the JuCo ranks, Crossland transferred to Oklahoma for 2025, solely to pressure a again muscle within the fall. He was choosing up velocity because the spring wore on, touching 97-98 mph in Could, and that helped him go to the Cardinals within the fourth spherical in July. His 83-85 mph changeup already profiles as a plus pitch, and if the speed continues to select up with extra distance from the again harm, he may have two such plus choices. Discovering consistency in his breaking stuff — with a slider and curve that mix collectively — must be a precedence in professional ball.
Cubs: Juan Cabada, 2B/3B (No. 14)Cabada was one of many Cubs’ greatest signings within the 2025 worldwide class ($1.5 million) and instantly stands out for his superior hitting means. The left-handed-swinging infielder has fast wrists that allow a top quality line-drive strategy. He is on the smaller measurement at 5-foot-10, 185 kilos, so there are questions on his energy ceiling, however it’s straightforward to think about his discerning eye serving to him decide the correct pitches to drive sooner or later. Most scouts do not assume he’ll keep at shortstop long run, partly due to the Cubs’ depth on the place on the farm, however his efficiency there bears watching.
Pirates: Tony Blanco Jr., 1B/OF (No. 30)Few hitters at any degree of affiliated ball have proven a capability to gentle up Statcast like Blanco. After accounting for the hardest-hit ball (120.4 mph) and longest house run (464 ft) within the Arizona Fall League (along with a legendary Residence Run Derby efficiency), the son of a former massive leaguer has set the stage for a breakout in 2026. Hamstring accidents restricted him to open final season, however when wholesome, he notched an .859 OPS in 30 video games between the Rookie-level Florida Advanced League and Single-A — together with a 119.8 mph walk-off homer on Aug. 2. If he makes sufficient contact to get to that light-tower energy persistently, there will likely be a big up arrow subsequent to Blanco’s title.
Reds: Arnaldo Lantigua, OF (No. 12)The Reds straight benefited from the Dodgers’ quest to signal Roki Sasaki, including Lantigua to their ranks in trade for 2025 worldwide signing interval funds. The No. 23 prospect in his personal worldwide class in ‘23, Lantigua rebounded after repeating the DSL in ‘24 and responded to a push as much as Single-A final summer season with aplomb. His .490 SLG and .225 ISO ranked fourth amongst all Reds Minor Leaguers with a minimum of 300 plate appearances in ‘25, as he delivered a max exit velocity of 107.5 mph throughout his time with Daytona. His stroll fee took a little bit of a nostril dive as he got here stateside (8.1 p.c in 81 video games this season), however by persevering with to slug, he offered an extra tantalizing glimpse into his all-around offensive potential.
D-backs: David Hagaman, RHP (No. 15)Hagaman underwent inside brace surgical procedure as a junior at West Virginia, was on the comeback path within the Rangers system, bought traded to the D-backs as a part of the Merrill Kelly deal and completed 2025 with 5 appearances within the Arizona Fall League. It’s loads over about 19 months. He stands out most for his big-time extension over 7 ft, and that helps a fastball that already reaches the higher 90s. Hagaman has each a curveball and a slider to go along with a changeup that every one flash above-average. His strike-throwing improved within the professionals, albeit due to a wholesome quantity of chase, however he’ll need to show that may maintain with extra begins deeper outings earlier than leaping up considerably.
Dodgers: Adam Serwinowski, LHP (No. 13)Already possessing a fastball that touches triple digits and a high-spin slider, Serwinowski has sky-high potential, and the 21-year-old lefty will get added deception out of his funky supply and spectacular extension out of his 6-foot-5 body. The large questions for him are about his fringy changeup and bettering command. After he arrived through commerce in July, his stroll fee did enhance from 11.7 p.c to 10.1, however additional progress is required within the higher Minors. The Dodgers are a great system for him to land in, although, as they’ve loads of pitching depth and he would not must be shielded from the Rule 5 Draft for one more offseason.
Giants: Rayner Arias, OF (No. 8)Arias was the No. 15 prospect within the 2023 worldwide class however has but to interrupt out after accidents have restricted him to simply 95 whole video games throughout his first 5 seasons. Now he’ll have one of the vital extremely anticipated full-season debuts of 2026. The Dominican native stands out for his plus uncooked right-handed energy. It hasn’t proven up in video games but, and he is struck out greater than you would like, though it is arduous to inform how a lot of that needed to do with a number of wrist accidents. Staying wholesome will likely be a giant first step, however he has massive offensive potential with an opportunity to stay in middle if all of it comes collectively.
Padres: Tucker Musgrove, RHP (No. 24)A former two-way participant on the College of Cell’s NAIA-affiliated program, Musgrove did all he may to face out within the pitching-starved Fall League, exhibiting off a four-seamer and sinker within the higher 90s together with a cutter, a sweeper, a slider and a curveball. He throws all of them with upward of seven ft of extension. Musgrove underwent Tommy John surgical procedure shortly after signing in 2023 and suffered setbacks all through 2025, limiting his professional output severely. If his well being and stuff maintain in ‘26, he might be on the quick observe to San Diego.
Rockies: Riley Kelly, RHP (No. 18)Colorado nabbed Kelly within the fourth spherical of the 2025 Draft, betting that the positive factors he made throughout a shift to the rotation in his junior yr might be carried over into professional ball. At 6-foot-5, Kelly has two main factors working in his favor: a historical past of sunshine utilization (as a result of a mix of accidents and inconsistencies) and a background as a highschool quarterback, giving him premium athleticism on the bump. In a system perpetually on the prowl for upside pitching expertise, the highest-drafted UC Irvine hurler in additional than a decade affords loads of that with a curveball that always exceeds 3,000 rpms and a 92-96 mph heater that he can dot up. He will likely be making his professional debut in ‘26 and tasks as a quick mover if his newfound affinity for throwing strikes can proceed with the Rockies.
