New Top 100 MLB Prospects Rankings with Biggest Risers and Fallers of 2026

As the 2026 MLB regular season enters its final weeks and the minor league campaign comes to a close, it's time for an updated version of our leaguewide top 100 prospect list.

The following factors helped determine where each player fell in our rankings:

Future Potential: Long-term upside often trumps production in prospect discussions, especially in the lower levels of the minors and with recent draft picks. Raw tools often better indicate future value than early on-field production.

Present Tools: For prospects in the upper levels of the minors who are close to reaching the big leagues, on-field production and polished tools were the deciding factors, as those players are viewed as more complete products.

Eligibility: A player must maintain rookie eligibility to be considered for inclusion. That means no more than 130 big-league at-bats for position players, 50 innings for pitchers or 45 days on the active roster.

This time around, we've also included a breakdown of the biggest risers and fallers relative to our preseason Top 100 to show how the prospect landscape has shifted over the course of 2026.

100. RHP Carlos Lagrange, NYY 99. RHP Kyson Witherspoon, BAL 98. OF Derek Curiel, PIT 97. LHP Gio Rojas, TEX 96. C Owen Ayers, CHC 95. SS Josh Hammond, KC 94. 3B Xavier Neyens, HOU 93. LHP Kash Mayfield, DET 92. RHP Caden Scarborough, TEX 91. SS Wyatt Sanford, PIT

The Cubs' decision to trade Moisés Ballesteros at the deadline was no doubt made easier by the emergence of Owen Ayers in the upper levels of the minors. The 25-year-old offers a similar bat-first profile, and he hit .295/.408/.544 with 27 doubles, 25 home runs and 81 RBI across 117 games.

The Tigers acquired Kash Mayfield as the prospect centerpiece in the deal that sent Casey Mize to the Padres at the deadline. The 21-year-old was the No. 25 overall pick in the 2024 draft and the second high school pitcher off the board. He has a 3.24 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 114 innings across two pro seasons.

Wyatt Sanford was the No. 47 overall pick in the same 2024 draft class where the Pirates selected Konnor Griffin. He has quickly developed into a high-ceiling shortstop himself. Still only 20 years old, he hit .292/.423/.551 with 17 home runs and 33 steals in 72 games at High-A Greensboro.

90. 2B/OF Michael Arroyo, SEA 89. SS Tyler Bell, COL 88. RHP Jonah Tong, NYM 87. 3B Ace Reese, SEA 86. 3B Andrew Fischer, MIL 85. OF Alexander Frias, STL 84. OF Justin Gonzales, BOS 83. C Ryder Helfrick, ARI 82. RHP Elmer Rodríguez, NYY 81. SS Marek Houston, MIN

Despite playing through a torn left labrum through his spring season at the University of Kentucky, Tyler Bell still hit .343/.510/.608 with 19 extra-base hits across 41 games. His pro debut will wait until next year, as he was placed on the 60-day injured list after signing, but he should move as quickly through the minors as anyone in the class.

With a strong 6'4", 220-pound frame and 45 home runs over his final two seasons in college, Ace Reese was one of the top power bats in the 2026 draft class. The No. 24 overall pick is hitting .440/.530/.667 with eight doubles, three home runs and 19 RBI in 21 games at Single-A.

Questions remain about his ability to stick at third base and his value beyond what he does in the batter's box, but Andrew Fischer can flat-out rake. In 122 games between High-A and Double-A, he has a 1.061 OPS with 46 home runs and 112 RBI, tying Ryan Howard for the most home runs in an MiLB season since 2000.

80. OF Bo Davidson, SF 79. 3B Jefferson Rojas, NYM 78. OF Kevin Alvarez, HOU 77. 1B Taitn Gray, TB 76. OF Francisco Renteria, PHI 75. C/1B Josue Briceño, DET 74. OF Jonny Farmelo, SEA 73. SS Cooper Flemming, TB 72. 2B Demetrio Crisantes, ARI 71. SS Steele Hall, CIN

The Mets acquired Jefferson Rojas from the Cubs in exchange for Clay Holmes at the deadline. He immediately became the No. 1 prospect in a thin system. The 21-year-old has turned potential into production this year, posting an .835 OPS with 26 doubles, 24 home runs, 86 RBI and 20 steals in 119 games at Double-A while shifting to more regular action at third base.

After raking in the DSL last season, Kevin Alvarez jumped straight to Single-A for his stateside debut. He has looked right at home as an 18-year-old in the Carolina League. He is hitting .261/.343/.429 with 40 extra-base hits in 99 games, as he is still only scratching the surface of his offensive ceiling.

Demetrio Crisantes has been lauded for his pure hitting ability throughout his time in the D-backs system. After making his Triple-A debut in July, he is knocking on the big-league door. He is a career .311/.397/.467 hitter across 237 games in the minors.

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70. OF Emmanuel Rodriguez, MIN 69. LHP Johnny King, TOR 68. SS Dax Kilby, NYY 67. OF Ike Irish, BAL 66. OF Dakota Jordan, SF 65. SS Jacob Lombard, MIA 64. OF Angeibel Gomez, KC 63. LHP Robby Snelling, MIA 62. SS Felnin Celesten, SEA 61. SS Aidan Miller, PHI

Left-hander Johnny King was a pop-up prospect in 2025 when he logged 105 strikeouts in 61.2 innings in his pro debut. He has continued to miss bats at a solid rate this year. His 3.16 ERA and 139 punchouts in 105.1 innings speak volumes for a pitcher who reached Double-A in his age-19 season, but so do his 62 walks and 13.6 percent walk rate.

Dakota Jordan was a 3-star wide receiver recruit out of high school who was committed to play baseball and football at Mississippi State. His athletic 6'0", 231-pound frame has made him a rising star offensively. Jordan is hitting .286/.347/.508 with 28 doubles, 19 home runs and 74 RBI in 100 games between High-A and Double-A.

Signed for $2.9 million as one of the top prospects in the 2026 international class, Angeibel Gomez turned in one of the best seasons of any prospect in the DSL. He hit .361/.467/.653 with 23 extra-base hits, 15 steals and more walks (28) than strikeouts (19) in 47 games. His stateside debut next year could send him flying up these rankings.

60. C Nathan Flewelling, TB 59. OF Juneiker Caceres, CLE 58. LHP Joseph Dzierwa, BAL 57. OF Roldy Brito, COL 56. OF Drew Burress, ATH 55. LHP Cam Caminiti, ATL 54. OF Eric Booth Jr., BAL 53. SS Jhonny Level, SF 52. SS Bryce Rainer, DET 51. RHP Braylon Doughty, CLE

Juneiker Caceres was signed for a modest $300,000 as part of the 2024 international class. Two years later, he is outperforming almost everyone who reeled in a bigger bonus. With a standout hit tool and above-average skills across the board, he hit .320/.418/.538 with 11 doubles, 10 home runs and 43 RBI in 52 games at Single-A before earning a midseason promotion to High-A ahead of his 19th birthday.

While he stood out more for his floor than his ceiling coming out of Michigan State, left-hander Joseph Dzierwa has put together a lights-out professional debut. With a 6'8" frame, a deceptive delivery and an excellent fastball-changeup pairing, he has a 2.27 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 149 strikeouts in 131 innings between High-A and Double-A.

A legitimate five-tool talent who has a chance to be a steal as the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 draft, Drew Burress has hit the ground running in the Athletics organization. After slugging 60 home runs across three seasons at Wake Forest, he has a 1.022 OPS with 16 extra-base hits and 14 steals in 28 games at Single-A.

50. 1B Charlie Condon, COL 49. RHP Jackson Flora, SF 48. SS Aiva Arquette, MIA 47. RHP Tyler Bremner, LAA 46. SS Seaver King, WAS 45. OF Joshua Báez, STL 44. SS Arjun Nimmala, LAA 43. SS JoJo Parker, TOR 42. LHP Jamie Arnold, ATH 41. C Caden Bodine, TB

The Marlins haven't had a true standout homegrown shortstop since Edgar Renteria was patrolling the position in the late '90s, but Aiva Arquette could change that as he continues to hit his way toward the big leagues. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 draft made his Double-A debut in May. His 50-hit, 60-power profile could make him a franchise cornerstone.

Joshua Báez debuted with an epic three-homer game against the rival Cubs at Wrigley Field. He is getting an extended look as the Cardinals' primary left fielder down the stretch. After hitting 34 home runs in 103 games at Triple-A, he has a 135 OPS+ and seven long balls over 92 plate appearances.

One of the top prospects traded at the deadline this summer, Arjun Nimmala was the centerpiece of the deal that sent José Soriano from the Angels to the Blue Jays. The 20-year-old has huge raw power and the athleticism to stick at shortstop. Nimmala has already 57 games at the Double-A level under his belt.

40. SS Luis Hernandez, SF 39. SS Emil Morales, LAD 38. SS Ethan Holliday, COL 37. LHP Liam Doyle, STL 36. OF Edward Florentino, PIT 35. RHP Christian Zazueta, LAD 34. C Alfredo Duno, CIN 33. RHP Gage Wood, PHI 32. IF Angel Genao, CLE 31. SS Kaelen Culpepper, MIN

With elite exit velocity numbers and all the defensive tools to stick behind the plate, Alfredo Duno has a chance to be a staple in Cincinnati for a long time. The 20-year-old has a .903 OPS and 19 home runs this year between High-A and Double-A. With Tyler Stephenson set to depart in free agency, the path is clearing for his arrival.

Gage Wood sent his draft stock soaring with a 19-strikeout no-hitter against Murray State at the 2025 College World Series. He has quickly established himself as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. With 139 strikeouts in 95 innings between Single-A and Double-A, Wood has frontline starter upside with a high floor as a potentially electric bullpen option.

Since making his MLB debut on Aug. 7, Kaelen Culpepper is hitting .284/.333/.422 for a 111 OPS+ in 111 plate appearances while taking over as Minnesota's everyday shortstop. He should be the front-runner to break camp with that job next spring.

30. OF Zyhir Hope, DET 29. LHP Thomas White, MIA 28. OF Josiah Hartshorn, CHC 27. OF Eric Hartman, ATL 26. 3B Caleb Bonemer, CWS 25. OF Eduardo Quintero, LAD 24. IF Luis Peña, MIL 23. RHP Anthony Eyanson, BAL 22. RHP Kendry Chourio, KC 21. OF Lazaro Montes, SEA

From a 20th-round pick in 2024 to the No. 1 prospect in the Atlanta farm system, Eric Hartman has been one of the biggest breakout prospects of the 2026 season. The 20-year-old is hitting .253/.353/.465 with 21 doubles, 26 home runs, 73 RBI and 54 steals in 125 games between High-A and Double-A.

With a .930 OPS and 36 home runs this season, there is no ignoring the tremendous offensive upside Caleb Bonemer possesses, albeit with work to do refining his hit tool. His 156 strikeouts and 27 percent strikeout rate raise a red flag, but the fact that he's 20 years old and playing at Double-A gives him ample time to adjust.

Eduardo Quintero can be overshadowed in a Dodgers system loaded with high-ceiling outfielders, but he might be the most well-rounded prospect of the bunch with bona fide five-tool talent. He has hit .309/.445/.495 with 45 extra-base hits, 44 steals and a 17.6 percent walk rate while being a terrific defensive center fielder in 111 games at the High-A level.

20. SS George Lombard Jr., NYY 19. C Vahn Lackey, MIN 18. C Rainiel Rodriguez, STL 17. 1B Ralphy Velazquez, CLE 16. SS Josuar Gonzalez, SF 15. OF Mike Sirota, LAD 14. OF Walker Jenkins, MIN 13. C Ethan Salas, SD 12. SS Grady Emerson, TB 11. SS Roch Cholowsky, CWS

With a modest .240/.299/.375 line and seven errors in 28 games, George Lombard Jr. has not found immediate success in the big leagues, but the Yankees have seemingly entrusted him with the starting shortstop job for their playoff push. At 21 years old, he still checks all the boxes to be a staple up the middle for years to come.

Ethan Salas entered the 2026 season at something of a crossroads after injuries and middling performance had taken much of the wind out of his prospect sails. He responded to the early adversity in a big way. The 20-year-old hit .296/.374/.448 with 19 doubles, 10 home runs and 61 RBI in 96 games in the upper levels of the minors, which coupled with his advanced defensive skills, earned him a September call-up.

The best high school shortstop prospect since Bobby Witt Jr. in 2019, Grady Emerson has one of the best pure-hit tools of any prospect, with plenty of room to grow into his 6'3", 185-pound frame. He is just 9-for-51 with one extra-base hit to begin his pro career, but that's done nothing to temper expectations for his future.

10. SS Sebastian Walcott, TEX 9. RHP Ryan Sloan, SEA 8. OF Theo Gillen, TB 7. LHP Kade Anderson, SEA 6. SS Eli Willits, WAS 5. RHP Seth Hernandez, PIT 4. OF Josue De Paula, LAD 3. SS Leo De Vries, ATH 2. SS Franklin Arias, BOS 1. Jesús Made, MIL

An internal brace procedure in February sidelined Sebastian Walcott until mid-July, but he has returned with a vengeance. Serving exclusively as a DH at the Double-A level, he is hitting .321/.399/.607 with 13 doubles, nine home runs and 20 RBI in 34 games. His MLB debut likely would have come this year if not for the injury. He will be one to watch closely next spring.

Eli Willits is living up to being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft in his first full professional season, hitting .260/.403/.452 with 26 doubles, eight triples, 13 home runs, 71 RBI, 99 runs scored and 60 steals in 112 games. He has climbed two levels to make his Double-A debut and still doesn't turn 19 years old until Dec. 9.

Already viewed as one of the best defensive shortstops in the minors, Franklin Arias now has an impact offensive game to match. The 20-year-old has split his season between Double-A and Triple-A, hitting .324/.403/.561 with 28 doubles, 23 home runs and 81 RBI in 109 games. He has little left to prove in the minors entering his age-21 campaign.

ARI (2): SS Demetrio Crisantes (72), C Ryder Helfrick (83)

ATH (3): SS Leo De Vries (3), LHP Jamie Arnold (42), OF Drew Burress (56)

ATL (2): OF Eric Hartman (27), LHP Cam Caminiti (55)

BAL (5): RHP Anthony Eyanson (23), OF Eric Booth Jr. (54), LHP Joseph Dzierwa (58), OF Ike Irish (67), RHP Kyson Witherspoon (99)

BOS (2): SS Franklin Arias (2), OF Justin Gonzales (84)

CHC (2): OF Josiah Hartshorn (28), C Owen Ayers (96)

CWS (2): SS Roch Cholowsky (11), 3B Caleb Bonemer (26)

CIN (2): C Alfredo Duno (34), SS Steele Hall (71)

CLE (4): 1B Ralphy Velazquez (17), SS Angel Genao (32), RHP Braylon Doughty (51), OF Juneiker Caceres (59)

COL (4): SS Ethan Holliday (38), 1B Charlie Condon (50), OF Roldy Brito (57), SS Tyler Bell (89)

DET (4): OF Zyhir Hope (30), SS Bryce Rainer (52), C/1B Josue Briceño (75), LHP Kash Mayfield (93)

HOU (2): OF Kevin Alvarez (78), 3B Xavier Neyens (94)

KC (3): RHP Kendry Chourio (22), OF Angeibel Gomez (64), SS Josh Hammond (95)

LAA (2): SS Arjun Nimmala (44), RHP Tyler Bremner (47)

LAD (5): OF Josue De Paula (4), OF Mike Sirota (15), OF Eduardo Quintero (25), RHP Christian Zazueta (35), SS Emil Morales (39)

MIA (4): LHP Thomas White (29), SS Aiva Arquette (48), LHP Robby Snelling (63), SS Jacob Lombard (65)

MIL (3): SS Jesús Made (1), SS Luis Peña (24), 3B Andrew Fischer (86)

MIN (5): OF Walker Jenkins (14), C Vahn Lackey (19), SS Kaelen Culpepper (31), OF Emmanuel Rodríguez (70), SS Marek Houston (81)

NYM (2): 3B Jefferson Rojas (79), RHP Jonah Tong (88)

NYY (4): SS George Lombard Jr. (20), SS Dax Kilby (68), RHP Elmer Rodríguez (82), RHP Carlos Lagrange (100)

PHI (3): RHP Gage Wood (33), SS Aidan Miller (61), OF Francisco Renteria (76)

PIT (4): RHP Seth Hernandez (5), OF Edward Florentino (36), SS Wyatt Sanford (91), OF Derek Curiel (98)

SF (6): SS Josuar Gonzalez (16), SS Luis Hernandez (40), RHP Jackson Flora (49), SS Jhonny Level (53), OF Dakota Jordan (66), OF Bo Davidson (80)

SEA (7): LHP Kade Anderson (7), RHP Ryan Sloan (9), OF Lazaro Montes (21), SS Felnin Celesten (62), OF Jonny Farmelo (74), 3B Ace Reese (87), 2B Michael Arroyo (90)

STL (4): C Rainiel Rodriguez (18), LHP Liam Doyle (37), OF Joshua Báez (45), RHP Alexander Frias (85)

TB (6): OF Theo Gillen (8), SS Grady Emerson (12), C Caden Bodine (41), C Nathan Flewelling (60), SS Cooper Flemming (73), 1B Taitn Gray (77)

TEX (3): SS Sebastian Walcott (10), RHP Caden Scarborough (92), LHP Gio Rojas (97)

TOR (2): SS JoJo Parker (43), LHP Johnny King (69)

WAS (2): SS Eli Willits (6), SS Seaver King (46)

The following players gained at least 30 spots relative to their placement in our preseason rankings:

C Ethan Salas, SD (+78 spots) RHP Ryan Sloan, SEA (+63 spots) SS Emil Morales, LAD (+56 spots) OF Theo Gillen, TB (+54 spots) OF Joshua Báez, STL (+41 spots) RHP Tyler Bremner, LAA (+41 spots) SS Kaelen Culpepper, MIN (+40 spots) OF Edward Florentino, PIT (+38 spots) 1B Ralphy Velazquez, CLE (+36 spots) IF Angel Genao, CLE (+36 spots) OF Mike Sirota, LAD (+34 spots) SS Franklin Arias, BOS (+30 spots)

The following players were unranked on our preseason list but have since climbed into the top 50, excluding 2026 draft picks and 2026 international signings:

22. RHP Kendry Chourio, KC 23. RHP Anthony Eyanson, BAL 27. OF Eric Hartman, ATL 28. OF Josiah Hartshorn, CHC 33. RHP Gage Wood, PHI 35. RHP Christian Zazueta, LAD 41. C Caden Bodine, TB 46. SS Seaver King, WAS

The following players dropped at least 20 spots relative to their placement in our preseason rankings:

RHP Jonah Tong, NYM (-55 spots) SS Aidan Miller, PHI (-42 spots) 2B/OF Michael Arroyo, SEA (-27 spots) SS Bryce Rainer, DET (-23 spots) LHP Robby Snelling, MIA (-21 spots) RHP Kyson Witherspoon, BAL (-20 spots)

The following players were ranked on our preseason list and remain prospect-eligible, but are no longer part of our Top 100:

66. RHP Jarlin Susana, WAS 73. SS Billy Carlson, CWS 75. RHP Brody Hopkins, TB 79. C Eduardo Tait, MIN 82. RHP Jaxon Wiggins, CHC 85. RHP Travis Sykora, WAS 90. RHP Trey Gibson, BAL 93. SS Kayson Cunningham, ARI 98. RHP Jurrangelo Cijntje, STL 99. SS Tyson Lewis, CIN