That is the time of yr once we like to take a look at nice developments within the early a part of the Minor League schedule. Once we did so a yr in the past, we spotlighted a number of prospects who have been steaming towards MLB Pipeline’s High 100 record: A.J. Ewing, Carlos Lagrange, Joe Mack, Rainiel Rodriguez, Caden Scarborough, Mike Sirota and Jaxon Wiggins.
Roughly two months into the 2026 season, Astros catcher/first baseman Jason Schiavone is your sudden Minor League chief in residence runs (18), slugging (.773) and OPS (1.221). After accidents marred the beginning of his profession, Mariners shortstop Felnin Celesten is tearing up Excessive-A and exhibiting why he was one of the crucial coveted gamers within the 2023 worldwide class. Nationals infielder Devin Fitz-Gerald has grown into some energy and is making a case for being one of the best a part of the five-prospect bundle obtained from the Rangers within the MacKenzie Gore commerce.
Beneath, we spotlight these gamers and 27 extra, one from every farm system who’s making encouraging progress:
Blue Jays: Nolan Perry, RHP (No. 17)A Twelfth-round decide in 2022, Perry entered this season with solely 84 1/3 profession innings as a consequence of early limits and Tommy John surgical procedure that knocked him out for a part of 2024 and all of 2025. He’s not solely wholesome now, however he’s added just a few ticks to his fastballs after the rehab course of (now sitting 93-95 mph) and he’s picked up a splitter to assist him towards lefties. His slider and curveball have additionally been efficient pitches, resulting in a 1.45 ERA and 50 strikeouts via 31 innings at Single-A and Excessive-A. He shot up the High 30 after Brandon Valenzuela’s commencement and will turn into an attention-grabbing 40-man choice when Rule 5-eligible this offseason.
Orioles: Wehiwa Aloy, SS (No. 5)If you’re the Golden Spikes Award winner and SEC Participant of the 12 months, there are going to make certain expectations when it comes to efficiency. However issues about his hit instrument and his tendency to chase breaking stuff out of the zone saved him out of the first-round correct final July. The Okay fee is a bit excessive (27.8 p.c), however he’s attending to his energy (10 homers in 32 video games) whereas slashing .326/.375/.612 with Excessive-A Frederick.
Rays: Cooper Flemming, INF (No. 27)A second-round pick of the California high-school ranks final yr, Flemming has shot out of the gate in his first Minor League season, hitting .311/.405/.496 with 4 homers in 35 video games for Charleston. His 147 wRC+ is tied for second-best amongst youngsters at Single-A alongside first-rounders Xavier Neyens (152) and Tate Southisene (146). Flemming already drew reward for his clear mechanics as a left-handed hitter earlier than including 25 kilos of power between the Draft and Spring Coaching, and he’s reaping the rewards rapidly in his profession.
Pink Sox: Anthony Eyanson, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 72)The Pink Sox had excessive hopes for Eyanson, whom they paid an almost double-slot $1.75 million bonus as a third-rounder final July after he helped Louisiana State win the School World Sequence. However they could not have foreseen him dominating to the extent he has in his professional debut: 0.61 ERA, .108 opponent common, 42/7 Okay/BB ratio in 29 1/3 innings between Excessive-A and Double-A. He has added 3 mph to his fastball, which now works at 94-96 mph and tops out at 100, making his already-nasty mid-80s slider much more devastating.
Yankees: Jack Cebert, RHP (No. 25)The Yankees excel at turning later-round picks into high quality pitching prospects, and their newest instance is Cebert, a Fifteenth-round senior signal a yr in the past out of Texas Tech. Extra of a two-seam fastball man with the Pink Raiders, he is now having extra success with a full of life 92-96 mph four-seamer and an improved low-80s slider. He wanted simply three outings to earn a promotion from Excessive-A to Double-A and sports activities a 2.36 ERA, .179 opponent common and 37/7 Okay/BB ratio in 34 1/3 innings between the 2 ranges.
Guardians: Justin Campbell, RHP (No. 22)A two-way star at Oklahoma State earlier than specializing in the mound in 2022 and pitching his method into the supplemental first spherical, Campbell missed his first three full professional seasons due to two elbow operations (together with Tommy John surgical procedure in April 2024) and a wrist process. Not solely is he lastly wholesome, he is displaying extra fastball velocity (93-97 mph) than he did in faculty and successfully mixing 5 choices. His long-awaited professional debut goes effectively, with a 1.66 ERA, .145 opponent common and 35 p.c strikeout fee between Excessive-A and Double-A.
Royals: Justin Lamkin, LHP (No. 13)Final yr’s 71st total decide, Lamkin was the speak of the backfields in Shock this spring, with director of participant growth Mitch Maier saying, “I am actually excited as a result of, wow, that is what it seems like.” However even provided that, the previous Texas A&M hurler is transferring faster than anticipated, having already reached Double-A after posting a 1.27 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 38 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings for Excessive-A Quad Cities. Lamkin works with a fastball-slider-changeup-curveball combine, and whereas he’s proven slightly little bit of a velo bump within the professionals, it’s the slider particularly that has gotten a ton of whiffs early in 2026.
Tigers: Ben Jacobs, LHP (No. 16)Jacobs was our left-handed pitching decide for the early All-Breakout Prospect Workforce on this week’s MLB Pipeline e-newsletter. He’s proven a 93-95 mph fastball that performs effectively due to a flat strategy angle and units up a full suite of different pitches in his low-80s slider, upper-70s curveball and low-80s changeup. The Arizona State product has fanned 41 batters in 26 ⅔ innings between Single-A and Excessive-A, and his 38.7 p.c strikeout fee is Twelfth-best within the Minors (min. 25 IP).
Twins: Connor Prielipp, LHP (No. 5)There’s lengthy been a sentiment among the many Twins brass that if Prielipp may keep wholesome, his stuff would play. This was principally theoretical as a result of the 2022 draftee tossed simply 30 innings mixed in 2023 and 2024 after having Tommy John surgical procedure in faculty, then inside brace surgical procedure as a professional. After topping 80 innings in 2025, although, he got here out throwing very effectively in Triple-A to kick off 2026 (2.30 ERA, .204 BAA, 12.6 Okay/9 over 15 2/3 IP) to earn his first name to the massive leagues. He’s been one of many Twins’ greatest starters since, posting a 2.89 ERA with a WHIP beneath 1.00, 10.4 Okay/9 and a BAA of .169 over his first 5 begins.
White Sox: Jacob Gonzalez, INF (No. 24)After starring in faculty at Mississippi, serving to the Rebels win the 2022 School World Sequence and going Fifteenth total within the 2023 Draft, Gonzalez slashed simply .232/.310/.335 in his first three professional seasons whereas wanting defensive on the plate. He has been extra aggressive in 2026 whereas bettering his exit velocities and high quality of contact. He ranks second within the Minors with 15 homers, practically doubling his earlier profession excessive of eight simply one-third of the best way into the season, and is batting .305/.419/.646 in Triple-A.
Angels: Nate Snead, RHP (No. 19)Snead pitched virtually completely out of the bullpen throughout his faculty profession, first at Wichita State after which over two years at Tennessee. However his mixture of an enormous repertoire and first rate strike-throwing functionality had many considering he may get an opportunity to begin in professional ball. The Angels have been amongst that group and after taking him after the tip of the third spherical final July, despatched him out to be part of the Excessive-A Tri-Metropolis rotation to start his professional profession. He’s responded by posting a 3.39 ERA and 34/6 Okay/BB ratio over his first 29 1/3 IP whereas additionally posting a 55-percent groundball fee.
Astros: Jason Schiavone, C/1B (unranked on Astros High 30)An Eleventh-round pick of James Madison in 2024, Schiavone generates among the highest exit velocities (a max of 116 mph this yr) and stroll charges (23 p.c). He additionally whiffs lots (30 p.c Okay fee) as a result of he takes a variety of strikes and swings and misses at in-zone choices. It is a unstable profile however working to the tune of a .288/.448/.773 line with 18 homers, 9 steals and 39 walks in 36 video games, principally in Excessive-A.
A’s: Henry Bolte, OF (No. 5)Ever since going over slot to signal Bolte within the second spherical of the 2022 Draft, Bolte has proven off an thrilling velocity and uncooked energy mixture, stealing 122 bases and hitting 38 homers mixed over his first three full seasons of professional ball. With that got here a variety of swing-and-miss, recording a 32.4 p.c strikeout fee in that very same time span. He lower that down significantly with Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the yr, posting a 1.076 OPS to go together with 12 homers and 17 steals in simply 37 video games to earn a name as much as the massive leagues, the place he’s began out 6-for-17 (.353) over his first 5 contests.
Mariners: Felnin Celesten, SS (No. 7)The Mariners believed sufficient in Celesten’s ceiling to present him $4.7 million to check in January 2023. Accidents have been a stumbling block out of the gate, with a Grade 2 hamstring pressure ruining his professional debut after signing and left hamate surgical procedure chopping his 2024 season brief. He performed 104 video games in 2025 and held his personal in full-season ball, albeit with out a lot impression and the one-time High 100 prospect tumbled off that record. He’s making noise like he belongs again on to this point this yr. Nonetheless solely 20, he’s hitting .346/.442/.506 over 35 video games with Excessive-A Everett.
Rangers: Malcolm Moore, C (No. 18)Moore went from the thirtieth total selection within the 2024 Draft to batting simply .199/.300/.304 in his first two years as professional after which struggling within the Arizona Fall League. A damaged finger after a foul tip struck his proper hand final April contributed to his woes, however the Stanford product has regarded a lot better on the plate now that he is totally wholesome. He is hitting balls tougher and launching them within the air extra usually, which has translated right into a .333/.420/.623 line with seven homers in 29 video games in Excessive-A.
Braves: Eric Hartman, OF (No. 20)When a younger, under-the-radar participant places up actually good numbers over the primary month of his second full professional season, you make a remark. When he retains it going into Could, you pay even nearer consideration. The Braves bought Hartman within the twentieth and ultimate spherical of the 2024 Draft from the Alberta, Canada highschool ranks and he fared effectively whereas coping with hamstring points in an aggressive push to full-season ball. He bought nudged as much as Excessive-A Rome this yr, nonetheless solely 19, and has responded with a .308/.390/.643 line over his first 36 video games, tapping into stunning energy with 12 homers and utilizing his double-plus velocity to swipe 15 luggage.
Marlins: Karson Milbrandt, RHP (No. 9)The Marlins have had excessive hopes for Milbrandt since signing him to an over-slot $1,497,500 bonus as a third-round pick of a Missouri highschool in 2022. Inconsistent management and command have led to slower growth than anticipated, however he is finding his pitches a lot better this yr, main the Double-A Southern League in ERA (1.24), strikeouts (51), Okay fee (37 p.c) and WHIP (0.91). He is leaning closely into his upper-80s cutter and likewise lacking bats along with his mid-90s fastball and mid-80s sweeper.
Mets: Yovanny Rodriguez, C (No. 30)There’s some physicality and uncooked energy in Rodriguez’s profile, however it hadn’t proven up a lot in video games over his first two seasons within the Dominican Summer time League, the place he hit 4 homers over 87 video games between 2024 and 2025. Now stateside for the primary time within the Florida Complicated League, the 19-year-old catcher has already gone deep 5 occasions in eight video games to guide all Rookie-level hitters within the class. He additionally ranks third early on with a .757 slugging proportion.
Nationals: Devin Fitz-Gerald, INF (No. 10)The Nationals acquired Fitz-Gerald from the Rangers within the offseason MacKenzie Gore deal and confirmed they thought they might push the 20-year-old infielder by assigning him to Excessive-A Wilmington after he performed solely 10 Single-A video games final yr as a consequence of a left shoulder harm. The switch-hitter has been as much as the duty and extra, particularly within the energy division. He’s clubbed 11 homers – together with eight in a 10-game span between Could 5-16 – to rank fourth amongst all Excessive-A hitters. He additionally ranks second at stage with 92 whole bases, third with 23 extra-base hits, fourth with a .643 slugging proportion and fifth with a 1.067 OPS – all whereas enjoying in a pitcher-friendly residence park.
Phillies: Bryan Rincon, SS (No. 27)Due to his excellent protection at shortstop, Rincon has all the time had a reasonably excessive flooring. He may deal with the premium place within the massive leagues proper now, and the considering all the time was that if he may hit in any respect, he’d be an enormous leaguer. Accidents haven’t helped his growth, enjoying simply 119 video games mixed in 2024 and 2025, however hitting simply .186 over these years didn’t assist his prospect inventory. Now 22, Rincon is exhibiting indicators of life on the plate with Double-A Studying, with a .932 OPS, seven homers and 15 steals over his first 36 video games. And it’s not a hitting-friendly Studying mirage: Rincon’s OPS is definitely greater on the street.
Brewers: Luis Lara, OF (No. 5/MLB No. 95)Lara entered this yr with 10 profession homers unfold out throughout 4 Minor League seasons. His profession excessive for a single marketing campaign was 4, set in 2024. He’d by no means slugged above .390 in a season both. Coming into Wednesday, the switch-hitting outfielder has gone deep seven occasions already via 44 video games for Triple-A Nashville and is hitting .337/.449/.503. His exit velocities nonetheless won’t pop, however there’s sufficient juice in his bat to make him a attainable on a regular basis heart fielder in Milwaukee, particularly given how good his velocity and protection have all the time been as a professional.
Cardinals: Jacob Odle, (unranked on Cardinals High 30)The 2023 14th-rounder missed all of 2024 as a consequence of Tommy John surgical procedure and struggled a bit with Single-A Palm Seaside final yr (6.28 ERA, 30 walks in 43 innings). Again within the Florida State League this spring, Odle has been a revelation with a 1.80 ERA, 43 strikeouts and 14 walks in 30 frames. He’s been holding good velocity with a four-seamer that averages 97.2 mph, and he performs off that with a doubtlessly particular curveball. The 22-year-old ought to lastly see Excessive-A Peoria earlier than lengthy.
Cubs: Pedro Ramírez, 3B/2B (No. 2/MLB No. 86)Ramírez got here into the season with among the greatest bat-to-ball abilities amongst Cubs farmhands, and he has taken his sport to a different stage by hitting balls tougher and rising his launch angle to faucet into some energy. Signed for simply $75,000 in 2021 — out of the identical Venezuelan program that spawned Moisés Ballesteros — he is slashing .312/.395/.547 with a career-best 9 homers in 43 Triple-A video games.
Pirates: Easton Carmichael, C (No. 16)The Pirates’ third-round decide in 2025, Carmichael opened eyes with a house run within the Spring Breakout sport in Florida this previous March, and he’s saved hitting since. The backstop has a .307/.358/.526 line over 33 video games, and he’s not simply placing up numbers in Excessive-A Greensboro’s pleasant confines, all whereas making extra strides than anticipated along with his total defensive sport behind the dish.
Reds: Edwin Arroyo, SS (No. 3/MLB No. 100)Drafted again in 2021 out of Puerto Rico by the Mariners and traded to the Reds within the Luis Castillo deal on the 2022 Commerce Deadline, Arroyo was within the High 100 prior to now, missed all of 2024 following a torn left labrum, and didn’t present a lot impression on the plate in a full 2025 season. The Reds nonetheless thought he may get again to the participant he was pre-surgery and added him to their 40-man roster and it certain is wanting like a great choice. The 22-year-old has a .348/.411/.601 line over 44 video games with Triple-A Louisville, with 22 extra-base hits (9 homers). He’s again within the High 100 and loudly knocking on the massive league door because the Reds have some infield points he may assist resolve quickly.
D-backs: Alberto Barriga, C (No. 27)Barriga’s protection behind the plate has lengthy been particular; his 43 p.c caught-stealing fee this season at Excessive-A Hillsboro matches his profession fee. However standing 5-foot-9, the backstop’s energy has been extra of a query, and he slugged simply .296 with 4 homers in 99 video games for Single-A Visalia final yr. Now up within the Northwest League, he’s already gone deep six occasions and owns a .310/.402/.586 slash line over 102 plate appearances.
Dodgers: Cam Leiter, RHP (No. 21)When the Dodgers drafted Leiter within the second spherical out of Florida State final July, he hadn’t pitched since growing shoulder points in March 2024 and having cleanup surgical procedure seven months later. They gambled that his premium stuff would come again and it has in his professional debut, as he is coping with an upper-90s fastball and upper-80s slider whereas expertly killing spin on a low-90s changeup. The most recent within the lengthy line of pitching Leiters — father Kurt reached Double-Some time uncles Al and Mark and cousins Jack and Mark Jr. made it to the Majors — has compiled a 2.40 ERA with a 37 p.c strikeout fee in 15 innings.
Giants: Jonah Cox, OF (unranked on Giants High 30)The son of former massive league catcher Darron Cox, Jonah led NCAA Division I with 114 hits and common a 47-game hitting streak (third-longest in D-I historical past) whereas serving to Oral Roberts attain the 2023 School World Sequence. A sixth-round decide by the Athletics that July and dealt to the Giants for Ross Stripling seven months later, he confirmed off effectively above-average velocity however middling offensive manufacturing in his first three years as a professional. Now he is hitting balls tougher and within the air extra usually, main the Minors in hitting and slashing .419/.464/.718 with 21 steals in 35 Double-A contests.
Padres: Jase Bowen (No. 23)After spending seven years within the Pirates system, Bowen signed a Minor League cope with the Padres final offseason and has been a revelation for the farm system at Triple-A El Paso. Coming into Wednesday, he’s hitting .291/.357/.623 with 11 homers and 5 steals in 38 video games. There are some tough markers about his potential to make contact towards secondary pitches, however Bowen has exhibited good energy and velocity whereas enjoying all three outfield positions. He may very well be an choice for the Main League membership if/when it wants further assistance on the grass.
Rockies: Sterlin Thompson, OF (No. 15)There was hope that Thompson can be a fast-moving faculty bat once they took him in 2022, however he was slowed by an elbow harm in his first full season, and struggled a yr later in 2024. It regarded like he was figuring it out in 2025 in Triple-A and bought added to the 40-man roster, and he headed again to Albuquerque this season to indicate that final yr wasn’t a mirage. The 24-year-old nook outfielder hit .344/.491/.496 over 36 video games as proof, and that led to his first name as much as the massive leagues final week.
