Updated 2026 MLB top 100 prospect rankings: Made, Arias, more

Much has changed across baseball since we last ranked the top MLB prospects.

MLB draft picks and breakout seasons have put new names on our list, taking the place of those who have graduated to the majors or taken a step back in 2026. Even some of the prospects still on the list are in new uniforms after an eventful MLB trade deadline sent some top young players to new places.

It all makes this the perfect time for my updated ranking of the top prospects in the sport as the minor league season hits its homestretch.

This is my ranking of these players for the long term, considering their upside, risk and proximity to the big leagues, in consultation with scouts and execs around the league. Here's more on the grading tiers and lingo I use. Players in the big leagues are eligible for this update (MLB rookie eligibility rules apply here -- 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days on the active roster) so you will see some recently called up major leaguers.

60 FV tier

1. Jesús Made, SS, Milwaukee Brewers, Age: 19.3, Level: Double-A

Made's grip on the top spot isn't as strong as it was in May, but he's still got it in this update. He has a tremendous combination of bat control, raw power, speed, defense, body control and instincts. If he can lift the ball a bit more, he could be a star.

2. Franklin Arias, SS, Boston Red Sox, Age: 20.7, Level: Double-A

Arias is having a huge breakout season, moving from No. 36 in my preseason list to No. 6 in the May update and now right on Made's heels for the top spot.

This year he added a lot of raw power, in-game loft while sacrificing just a bit of contact; this is why the young shortstops who don't have game power just yet litter the bottom of these lists with upside if it clicks.

3. Kade Anderson, LHP, Seattle Mariners, Age: 22.1, Level: Double-A

Anderson's stuff and command have both been a bit better than I expected when I ranked him as the top prospect in the 2025 draft, basically hitting his upside right after signing. I don't know why he's still at Double-A, but he'll likely be near the top of the preseason AL Rookie of the Year predictions next March.

4. Leo De Vries, SS, Athletics, Age: 19.9, Level: Double-A

De Vries may be an above-average hitter with above-average in-game power who can play an average shortstop while also stealing dozens of bases; there's a reason he was the name the A's wanted for the best closer in recent memory at the 2025 trade deadline.

5. Max Clark, CF, Detroit Tigers, Age: 21.7, Level: MLB

Now that he's in the big leagues, I'll be interested to see how much raw power Clark chooses to get to in games. I think he'll be a solid defensive center fielder who hits 15-18 homers, steals 20-plus bases and hits about .270.

That's obviously a really good player, but sometimes players choose to lean much more into contact or power than we're expecting early in their big league career.

6. Sebastian Walcott, SS, Texas Rangers, Age: 20.4, Level: Double-A

Walcott is back on the field after having elbow surgery and then a concussion. He has 30-homer potential if he can lift the ball more but may end up belting more like 20 annually while hitting for better average and sticking on the left side of the infield.

7. Seth Hernandez, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates, Age: 20.1, Level: High-A

I will likely rank Hernandez and Willits near each other until they both graduate from my list, even though they have almost nothing in common as players. Hernandez has the traits to project starter command (huge extension, two-way athleticism, a solid idea of what he's doing) and he's flashing three plus pitches.

Pittsburgh may move him fast to challenge him more once he returns from an oblique strain. He gets the nod over Willits now since he's the most likely big league ace in the minors leagues, even if he comes with a bit more risk than Kade Anderson.

8. Eli Willits, SS, Washington Nationals, Age: 18.7, Level: High-A

Willits doesn't come with big power and likely won't eclipse 20 homers except in a career year, but he's above-average to plus at basically everything else on the field, putting up numbers across both A-ball levels when other players his age are just graduating from high school or are in the complex leagues.

9. George Lombard Jr., SS, New York Yankees, Age: 21.2, Level: MLB

Lombard has been lauded since high school for his instincts in all phases and defense, the product of top-notch coaching from his father, Tigers bench coach George Sr. Lombard Jr.'s raw tools are good-not-great, but he has continued refining this year and he now looks above average in all phases as he's getting his feet wet in the big leagues for a team that could use an answer at shortstop.

10. Josue De Paula, RF, Los Angeles Dodgers, Age: 21.2, Level: Double-A

Top Stories

Viral video sparks new debate over homeless encampment near UC Berkeley housing

SF landlord skirts rent control laws, doubling family's rent and pushing them out

At least 5 people injured following stabbing at Thunder Valley Casino in NorCal: sheriff's office

I remember getting a tentative Yordan Alvarez comp on De Paula in 2023 and it's stuck with me ever since. De Paula isn't a great runner or defender (better than Alvarez, but you get the idea) but De Paula may be plus at everything in the batter's box and he has completed his to-do list to optimize his swing/approach/loft so his stat line (.312/.411/.551, 22 homers) now reflects the scouting reports.

11. Theo Gillen, CF, Tampa Bay Rays, Age: 20.9, Level: Double-A

Gillen was seen as the best pure hitter among prep prospects in the 2024 draft, but he lasted until the No. 18 pick because he wasn't a shortstop or maybe an infielder at all, he had a well-below average arm, and his power ceiling was debated.

It now looks like that ceiling is around 25 homers, he might be a center fielder long-term, and that hit tool is still hitting: He's crushing Double-A right now.

He slides just ahead of a recent addition to the Rays system, second overall pick Grady Emerson, but they make the best one-two position player prospect combo in the same org narrowly over duos from the Twins, Dodgers and Brewers.

12. Walker Jenkins, CF, Minnesota Twins, Age: 21.5, Level: Double-A

Jenkins' predraft report in 2023 has been quite accurate for his pro career: can really hit, draws a walk, plus raw power and feel to get to it, solid runner who can play all three outfield spots, keep an eye on his health/durability. Three years later, he's in Triple-A and performing well as usual, but he hasn't played more than 84 games in any pro season.

13. Ethan Salas, C, San Diego Padres, Age: 20.2, Level: Double-A

I know there's some prospect fatigue with Salas but that's more because of the hype train starting at age 15, so his disappointing showings in 2024 and 2025 landed more impactfully for fans than they should've for a teenage catcher already in the upper minors.

He started the year in Double-A as a 19-year-old and is still raking in Triple-A as a 20-year-old who is a standout defender. Catchers can take circuitous developmental routes to the big leagues, but Salas is arrow-up once again.

14. Ryan Sloan, RHP, Seattle Mariners, Age: 20.6, Level: Double-A

Sloan has four above-average pitches (that sometimes flash better) and starter command at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds and is well younger than the average prospect in Double-A.

He can get lost behind Anderson in his own system and Hernandez, but also could be one of the top 20 starters in baseball if he continues on this trajectory.

15. Josuar Gonzalez, SS, San Francisco Giants, Age: 18.8, Level: Single-A

Gonzalez is the same age as the 2026 high school draftees and has performed better at a higher level than any of them; he would've been in the mix for the top pick in the draft if he was eligible. He's above average at basically everything, but the hesitation is if he'll be plus at anything.

16. Alfredo Duno, C, Cincinnati Reds, Age: 20.6, Level: Double-A

Duno is a beefy 6-foot-2 catcher with a plus arm and plus-plus raw power who is continuing to make progress both defensively and in getting to that power in games (19 homers in 83 games this season while also being young for his levels). I think he'll manage his contact/strikeout rate enough for the whole thing to work.

17. Roch Cholowsky, SS, Chicago White Sox, Age: 21.4, Level: High-A

18. Grady Emerson, SS, Tampa Bay Rays, Age: 18.5, Level: Pro

19. Vahn Lackey, C, Minnesota Twins, Age: 21.1, Level: Single-A

Maybe it's a copout to put my top three prospects from the 2026 draft who also went in the top three picks all back-to-back-to-back at the end of this tier, but I also said I basically had them in a three-way coin flip in this order before the draft; going in that same order and getting bonuses in that same order reflected that I wasn't the only one to feel this way. None of them has played enough to change their predraft reports yet.

55 FV tier

20. Mike Sirota, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers, Age: 23.2, Level: Double-A

21. Rainiel Rodriguez, C, St. Louis Cardinals, Age: 19.6, Level: Double-A

22. Luis Peña, SS, Milwaukee Brewers, Age: 19.8, Level: High-A

23. Bryce Rainer, SS, Detroit Tigers, Age: 21.1, Level: High-A

24. Angel Genao, 3B, Cleveland Guardians, Age: 22.2, Level: MLB

25. Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Minnesota Twins, Age: 23.6, Level: MLB

26. Eduardo Quintero, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers, Age: 20.9, Level: High-A

27. Ethan Holliday, SS, Colorado Rockies, Age: 19.5, Level: Single-A

28. JoJo Parker, SS, Toronto Blue Jays, Age: 20, Level: High-A

29. Emil Morales, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers, Age: 19.9, Level: High-A

30. Tate Southisene, SS, Atlanta Braves, Age: 19.9, Level: Double-A

31. Arjun Nimmala, SS, Los Angeles Angels, Age: 20.8, Level: Double-A

32. Jackson Flora, RHP, San Francisco Giants, Age: 21.2, Level: Pro

33. Eric Hartman, CF, Atlanta Braves, Age: 20.2, Level: Double-A

34. Aidan Miller, SS, Philadelphia Phillies, Age: 22.2, Level: Double-A

35. Christian Zazueta, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers, Age: 21.9, Level: Double-A

Yep, the Dodgers have four players in this tier, five total in the top 35 and didn't have to trade any of them to land Tarik Skubal -- but the headliners in that deal do show up soon.

Rainer is a study in extremes.He's a left-handed-hitting shortstop with 25-30 homer potential, but massive in-zone swing-and-miss. Holliday is a less extreme version of that, but likely over at third base long-term while Parker went a few picks after Holliday and is more well-balanced at the plate, though with the least physical upside.

Southisene and Hartman are the headliners in a resurgent Braves system; both are dramatically better this season across the board, so their variability on this list over the next 12 months is still high. Miller hasn't played a game this season due to a back issue but was the 10th-best prospect in the sport entering the year and five of the guys ahead of him have graduated.

50 FV tier

36. Aiva Arquette, SS, Miami Marlins, Age: 22.8, Level: Double-A

37. Zyhir Hope, CF, Detroit Tigers, Age: 21.6, Level: Double-A

38. Luis Lara, CF, Milwaukee Brewers, Age: 21.8, Level: MLB

39. Caden Bodine, C, Tampa Bay Rays, Age: 22.7, Level: Double-A

40. Jefferson Rojas, SS, New York Mets, Age: 21.3, Level: Double-A

41. Josiah Hartshorn, RF, Chicago Cubs, Age: 19.5, Level: High-A

42. Caleb Bonemer, SS, Chicago White Sox, Age: 20.9, Level: Double-A

43. Luis Hernández, SS, San Francisco Giants, Age: 17.7, Level: Single-A

44. Gage Wood, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies, Age: 22.7, Level: Double-A

45. Cam Cannarella, CF, Miami Marlins, Age: 23, Level: Double-A

46. Braylon Doughty, RHP, Cleveland Guardians, Age: 20.7, Level: Double-A

47. Ramon Marquez, RHP, San Francisco Giants, Age: 20.9, Level: High-A

48. Tyler Bremner, RHP, Los Angeles Angels, Age: 22.3, Level: Double-A

49. Seaver King, SS, Washington Nationals, Age: 23.3, Level: Double-A

50. Thomas White, LHP, Miami Marlins, Age: 21.9, Level: Double-A

51. River Ryan, RHP, Detroit Tigers, Age: 28, Level: Double-A

52. Alexander Frias, CF, St. Louis Cardinals, Age: 18.4, Level: Single-A

53. Travis Sykora, RHP, Washington Nationals, Age: 22.3, Level: Double-A

54. Eric Booth Jr., CF, Baltimore Orioles, Age: 18.1, Level: HS

55. Angeibel Gomez, CF, Kansas City Royals, Age: 17.7, Level: DSL

56. Liam Doyle, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals, Age: 22.2, Level: Double-A

57. Felnin Celesten, SS, Seattle Mariners, Age: 20.9, Level: Double-A

58. Joshua Báez, RF, St. Louis Cardinals, Age: 23.1, Level: MLB

59. Anthony Eyanson, RHP, Baltimore Orioles, Age: 21.9, Level: Double-A

60. Josue Briceño, C, Detroit Tigers, Age: 21.9, Level: Double-A

61. Braylon Payne, CF, Milwaukee Brewers, Age: 20, Level: Double-A

62. Josh Hammond, SS, Kansas City Royals, Age: 19.9, Level: Single-A

63. Dax Kilby, SS, New York Yankees, Age: 19.8, Level: Single-A

64. Enddy Azocar, CF, Baltimore Orioles, Age: 19.5, Level: High-A

65. Justin Gonzales, RF, Boston Red Sox, Age: 19.6, Level: High-A

66. Xavier Neyens, SS, Houston Astros, Age: 19.8, Level: High-A

67. Joseph Dzierwa, LHP, Baltimore Orioles, Age: 22.3, Level: Double-A

68. Kevin Alvarez, CF, Houston Astros, Age: 18.6, Level: Single-A

69. Jhonny Level, SS, San Francisco Giants, Age: 19.4, Level: High-A

70. Cooper Flemming, SS, Tampa Bay Rays, Age: 20, Level: Single-A

71. Kendry Chourio, RHP, Kansas City Royals, Age: 18.9, Level: High-A

72. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Cleveland Guardians, Age: 21.2, Level: Double-A

73. Nathan Flewelling, C, Tampa Bay Rays, Age: 19.8, Level: High-A

74. Edward Florentino, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates, Age: 19.8, Level: High-A

75. Juneiker Caceres, RF, Cleveland Guardians, Age: 19, Level: High-A

76. Taitn Gray, C, Tampa Bay Rays, Age: 19, Level: Single-A

77. Jarlin Susana, RHP, Washington Nationals, Age: 22.4, Level: Double-A

78. Jett Williams, SS, Milwaukee Brewers, Age: 22.8, Level: Double-A

79. Jonah Tong, RHP, New York Mets, Age: 23.2, Level: Double-A

80. Conor Essenburg, RF, Atlanta Braves, Age: 19.9, Level: High-A

81. Johnny King, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays, Age: 20.1, Level: Double-A

82. Charles Davalan, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers, Age: 22.7, Level: High-A

83. Demetrio Crisantes, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks, Age: 22, Level: Double-A

84. Luke Stevenson, C, Seattle Mariners, Age: 22.1, Level: High-A

85. Marek Houston, SS, Minnesota Twins, Age: 22.3, Level: Double-A

86. Michael Forret, RHP, Baltimore Orioles, Age: 22.4, Level: Double-A

87. Brady Ebel, SS, Milwaukee Brewers, Age: 19.1, Level: Single-A

88. Karson Milbrandt, RHP, Miami Marlins, Age: 22.3, Level: Double-A

89. Cam Caminiti, LHP, Atlanta Braves, Age: 20, Level: Double-A

90. Jamie Arnold, LHP, Athletics, Age: 22.4, Level: Double-A

91. Zach Root, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers, Age: 22.5, Level: Double-A

92. Charlie Condon, 1B, Colorado Rockies, Age: 23.3, Level: Double-A

93. Dylan Jordan, RHP, Los Angeles Angels, Age: 20.8, Level: High-A

94. Murf Gray, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates, Age: 22.6, Level: Double-A

95. Tanner Franklin, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals, Age: 22.2, Level: Double-A

96. Tyson Hardin, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers, Age: 24.7, Level: Double-A

97. Robby Snelling, LHP, Miami Marlins, Age: 22.7, Level: MLB

98. Drew Burress, CF, Athletics, Age: 21.7, Level: Single-A

99. Johnny Slawinski, LHP, Los Angeles Angels, Age: 19.5, Level: Rookie

100. Emmanuel Rodriguez, CF, Minnesota Twins, Age: 23.5, Level: Double-A

Lots of names here, so I'll focus on the biggest risers -- though a lot of them rose earlier in the season. I just haven't gone to 100 names since the winter. Side note: Luis Lara will graduate soon, so everyone behind him will scoot up a spot, too.

Bodine's report from when he was at Coastal Carolina and now read quite similarly, but I don't think anyone thought he'd perform this well as high as Double-A in his first full pro season: average in-game power and almost twice as many walks as strikeouts. I was a fan of Hartshorn and thought he'd go in the second round in the 2025 draft, but he instead got second-round money in the sixth round; the hesitation was a corner outfield/first base fit but now he's raking in High-A at 19 years old.

Here are some big bat speed/raw power breakout prospects still in the lower minors: Alexander Frias (touched on in the team top 10 update), Conor Essenburg, Taitn Gray, Braylon Payne and Enddy Azocar. And some breakout prospects putting the raw tools together to be more complete/optimized hitters: Seaver King, Cam Cannarella, Justin Gonzales and Juneiker Caceres.

And finally some more well-rounded breakout prospects who have had a number of things come together better than I expected: Angeibel Gomez, Cooper Flemming, and Nathan Flewelling. On the pitching side, Marquez (headliner in the Luis Arraez trade) had a velo spike that improved his slider and deception for his knockout changeup, Dzierwa's feel/deception/angles have all held up as his velo improved a notch, Slawinski's stuff also got a bit better but his deception/command/execution was notably better than I expected, while Hardin has been a solid late bloomer for a couple of years but finally reached that critical mass of stuff and performance to make this list.