The 2026 MLB Draft is fast approaching, and with it, the excitement for the future of baseball is palpable. As we gear up for the event, it's time to take a closer look at the top prospects who could shape the league in the coming years. The MLB Pipeline Top 100 list has been updated, revealing some surprising shifts and new faces who are making their mark. Let's dive into the details and explore the stories behind these rising stars.
The Top 16
Jesús Made, SS, Brewers: Made, a 19-year-old at Double-A, is a force to be reckoned with. His .281/.355/.441 batting line with 23 steals and a 111 wRC+ in 304 plate appearances is impressive, to say the least. Made's physical development and approach at the plate make him a top prospect with high upside.
Leo De Vries, SS, Athletics: De Vries, also 19, is a talented shortstop with a .281/.374/.423 batting line and 28 steals in 296 plate appearances. His performance at Double-A puts him ahead of the development curve, and his potential as a five-tool talent is undeniable.
Eli Willits, SS, Nationals: Willits, last year's No. 1 overall pick, has not skipped a beat since his promotion to High-A. His in-game power and potential as a five-tool talent make him a prospect to watch.
Josue De Paula, OF, Dodgers: De Paula, a corner outfielder, has a strong case as the most well-rounded hitter in the Top 100. His defensive limitations are offset by his impressive batting skills.
Kade Anderson, LHP, Mariners: Anderson, last year's third overall selection, has been a machine at Double-A. His four pitches (four-seam fastball, slider, curveball, changeup) have generated whiff after whiff, and he's pumped a ton of strikes. Anderson is a factor for Seattle's MLB club in the second half.
Colt Emerson, SS/3B, Mariners: Emerson, a rookie for the Mariners, is scheduled to graduate off the list this week. His performance has been solid, and he's showing potential as a five-tool talent.
Seth Hernandez, RHP, Pirates: Hernandez, a 6-foot-4 right-hander with three potential plus pitches, has a high ceiling. However, control inconsistencies have him sliding behind Anderson for the top arm in the T100.
Franklin Arias, SS, Red Sox: Arias, a shortstop, has shown enough in-game power to look like a possible five-tool talent.
Ryan Sloan, RHP, Mariners: Sloan, a 20-year-old with stellar stuff, has eased nicely into the Texas League. His four-seamer, sinker, cutter, sweeper, and change coming from his 6-foot-5 frame make him a prospect to watch.
Highest Risers
Theo Gillen, OF, Rays: Gillen, a 2024 18th overall pick, has earned a promotion to Double-A after hitting 12 homers and slugging .589 in 57 games for High-A Bowling Green. His plus speed and solid defense make him a Top 10 talent.
Mike Sirota, OF, Dodgers: Sirota, a high-contact hitter, has mashed and reached base like few in recent Minor League history. His plus run tool and above-average defense helped him secure a big jump.
Luis Lara, OF, Brewers: Lara, a high-contact switch-hitter, has seen his power surge quiet down but remains a speed-and-defense type at the Minors' top level. The Brewers' belief in him is evident in their seven-year, $31 million contract.
Felnin Celesten, SS, Mariners: Celesten, an age-20 player at High-A, has continued to build momentum. His splits are solid, and his homer numbers are more of a real breakout than a mirage.
Karson Milbrandt, RHP, Marlins: Milbrandt, who posted a 1.34 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 47 innings at Double-A, has the makings of above-average pitches. While he's experienced control issues at Triple-A, his potential is promising.
New Faces
Christian Zazueta, RHP, Dodgers: Zazueta, a mid-90s fastball with above-average extension, has impressed with eight strikeouts and only one walk over five scoreless innings for Double-A Tulsa.
Francisco Renteria, OF, Phillies: Renteria, a 17-year-old with a power-speed combo, has already played nicely in the Dominican Summer League. He gives the Phils a much-needed breakout bat.
Josh Adamczewski, OF, Brewers: Adamczewski, a selective hitter, has proven more selective in his age-21 season and is stinging more line drives. Despite a transition from second base to left field, he looks like he'll have enough bat to cover the move.
James Tibbs III, 1B/OF, Dodgers: Tibbs, now in his third organization, has set a career high with 21 homers in 77 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City. His exit velocities and damage rates back up the power numbers.
Caden Bodine, C, Rays: Bodine, a switch-hitting catcher, just doesn't swing and miss. His 5.3 percent K rate at Single-A and High-A is the lowest among MiLB full-season qualifiers, and it comes with better-than-expected power.
Braylon Doughty, RHP, Guardians: Doughty, with two plus breaking balls, has fanned 74 and walked 11 in 59 ⅔ innings at High-A. His 24.9 percent K-BB ratio leads qualifiers at the level.
Biggest Droppers
Jonah Tong, RHP, Mets: Tong, who has turned to a cutter this season, hasn't found consistent results. His impressive runs of Minor League success have earned him a longer stay on the Top 100, but he needs to find that third pitch.
Jett Williams, 3B/SS/OF, Brewers: Williams' exit velocity is down, and his defensive work at third base hurts his value. His Triple-A 90th-percentile exit velocity is down from 104.4 mph in 2025 to 102.1 this summer.
Elmer Rodríguez, RHP, Yankees: Rodríguez's six-pitch arsenal hasn't caught on in the Majors. He looks closer to a No. 4 starter than a midrotation type.
Aidan Miller, SS, Phillies: Miller, who hasn't played a game due to a recurring back issue, underwent a procedure in June. The longer he's out, the tougher it is to rank him among the game's very best prospects.
Carlos Lagrange, RHP, Yankees: Lagrange has brought his triple-digit fastball to the bullpen at Triple-A. Even if it's a temporary move, it hints at a long-term future in relief.
Robby Snelling, LHP, Marlins: Snelling underwent left elbow UCL repair surgery and will miss the rest of his age-22 season.
Moving Out
Blake Mitchell, C, Royals: Mitchell's power, patience, and ability to lift the ball remain tantalizing, but his overall contact rate has taken a step back. It's an untenable trend for this T100 list.
Brody Hopkins, RHP, Rays: Hopkins, who would stay on the list for stuff alone, has averaged almost one walk per inning with Triple-A Durham. The Rays have moved him around roles with varied effect.
Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Red Sox: Witherspoon has shown more promising results of late at High-A, but his mid-90s fastball isn't missing bats as hoped on the season as a whole.
Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP, Cardinals: Cijntje's lack of consistent strikes and flyball tendencies have been tested in the Texas League. His results tell the story, but his mid-90s fastball, mid-80s slider, and mid-80s changeup all have promise.
Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Padres: Schoolcraft still comes with promise in his 6-foot-8 frame and the plus changeup. However, walks have been a large obstacle at Single-A in his first full season.
Wei-En Lin, LHP, Athletics: Lin's Tommy John surgery and the expected time it'll take him to recover and rehab dropped him from his initial spot toward the back end of the list.
In conclusion, the 2026 MLB Draft is shaping up to be an exciting event, with these top prospects ready to make their mark on the league. As we eagerly await the draft, let's reflect on the stories and potential of these rising stars. From the highest risers to the biggest droppers, each prospect brings something unique to the table. The future of baseball is bright, and these players will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping it.
