Each MLB Team's Most MLB-Ready Prospect Entering 2026
Every new MLB season brings a fresh wave of young contributors making the leap from prospect to rookie, and the 2025 crop was headlined by Nick Kurtz, Roman Anthony, Drake Baldwin, Cade Horton and Jacob Wilson.
So who's next?
Ahead, we've highlighted the most MLB-ready prospect in every MLB organization, and while some of these players have already seen big league action, they all maintain prospect status entering the 2026 season having tallied fewer than 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched and 45 days on the active roster.
Players were chosen based on their performance in the upper levels of the minors and potential to make an impact in the majors in 2026.
In case you missed it: The Most Likely Breakout MLB Prospect for Every Organization in 2026
AL East
1 of 6
Baltimore Orioles: C/DH Samuel Basallo
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 8
The O's signed Basallo to an eight-year, $67 million extension on Aug. 22, with just four big league games under his belt, so he is part of the team's present and future heading into 2026. The 21-year-old hit .165/.229/.330 with six doubles, four home runs and 15 RBI in 118 plate appearances, and should serve as the backup catcher and see regular DH action. Outfielder Dylan Beavers (No. 88 on B/R Top 100) could join him on the Opening Day roster.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 100 percent
Boston Red Sox: LHP Payton Tolle
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 32
With Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo and a healthy Patrick Sandoval added to the rotation mix alongside Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford and fellow prospect Connelly Early, it is far from a given that Tolle will break camp with the big league club. The 23-year-old dominated minor league hitters in 2025, but had a 6.06 ERA over 16.1 innings in the majors, with Early outperforming him.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 50 percent
New York Yankees: OF Spencer Jones
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 95
After a disappointing 2024 season, Jones hit .274/.362/.571 with 35 home runs in 116 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season. He still struck out 179 times at a 35.4 percent clip, and that is always going to be a major part of his game, but the power is real. His path to the Opening Day roster depends on what happens with Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 10 percent
Tampa Bay Rays: SS Carson Williams
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 52
Williams made his MLB debut on Aug. 22 and got an extended look as Tampa Bay's everyday shortstop the rest of the way. He hit .172/.219/.354 with five home runs and 12 RBI in 32 games, striking out 44 times in 106 plate appearances, but he did provide solid defense. The 22-year-old will have every opportunity to play his way onto the roster, though a slow spring will likely mean a ticket back to Triple-A in favor of Taylor Walls.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 55 percent
Toronto Blue Jays: RHP Trey Yesavage
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 10
Yesavage made three starts down the stretch last season, logging a 3.21 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 14 innings, and that was enough for him to win a spot in Toronto's playoff rotation. He struck out 11 batters over 5.1 no-hit innings against the Yankees in his postseason debut, and threw another gem against the Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series (W, 7.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 12 K). All told, he finished 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 27.2 innings in the playoffs, likely cementing his place in the 2026 rotation.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 95 percent
AL Central
2 of 6
Chicago White Sox: RHP Tanner McDougal
B/R Top 100 Rank: NR, No. 6 CWS prospect
Left-hander Noah Schultz (No. 28 on B/R Top 100) remains the White Sox's top pitching prospect, but McDougal may have overtaken him in terms of big league readiness. The 22-year-old has an electric fastball that touches 100 mph and a swing-and-miss curveball as part of a four-pitch repertoire, and he posted a 3.26 ERA with 136 strikeouts in 113.1 innings between High-A and Double-A last year while showing improved command.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 10 percent
Cleveland Guardians: OF Chase DeLauter
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 65
The oft-injured DeLauter made his MLB debut during the 2025 postseason, and after posting an .859 OPS with 14 extra-base hits in 34 games at Triple-A last year, he has little left to prove in the minors and enters camp as the club's best option in center field. Second baseman Travis Bazzana (No. 25 on B/R Top 100) will also be given every opportunity to win a starting job over light-hitting Brayan Rocchio.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 80 percent
Detroit Tigers: SS Kevin McGonigle
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 1
After hitting .305/.408/.583 with 31 doubles, 19 home runs, 80 RBI and more walks (59) than strikeouts (46) across three minor league levels, McGonigle slapped a bow on a fantastic 2025 season by winning Arizona Fall League MVP honors. The 21-year-old hit .362/.500/.710 with 12 extra-base hits in 19 games in the AFL while splitting his time between shortstop and third base, and no one on the left side of Detroit's infield will stand in his way if he is deemed big league-ready.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 55 percent
Kansas City Royals: C Carter Jensen
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 64
Jensen was one of baseball's most impressive September call-ups, hitting .300/.391/.550 with six doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI in 69 plate appearances. With Freddy Fermin traded to San Diego at the deadline and Luke Maile gone in free agency, he is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster right now aside from Salvador Perez.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 90 percent
Minnesota Twins: OF Emmanuel Rodríguez
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 43
The Twins have Byron Buxton and Matt Wallner locked into two spots in the outfield, but the third is up for grabs this spring, with Austin Martin, James Outman and Kody Clemens the leading candidates among established big leaguers. That could mean both Rodríguez and Walker Jenkins get a long look this spring, and the former might have the upper hand since he is already on the 40-man roster.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 25 percent
AL West
3 of 6
Athletics: RHP Braden Nett
B/R Top 100 Rank: NR, No. 5 ATH prospect
Nett was part of the return package in the deadline blockbuster deal that sent Mason Miller and JP Sears to San Diego, and in a full season at the Double-A level in 2025, he logged a 3.75 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 105.2 innings. The 23-year-old has some effort in his delivery and has dealt with some spotty command, but his five-pitch repertoire still gives him starter upside. Otherwise, he could be a weapon as a multi-inning reliever.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 15 percent
Houston Astros: 2B Brice Matthews
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 96
Matthews saw two different stints with the big league club in 2025, hitting .167/.222/.452 with four home runs and 20 strikeouts in 47 plate appearances. Back at Triple-A, he posted a more promising .260/.371/.458 line with 18 doubles, 17 home runs, 64 RBI and 41 steals in 112 games. There's simply no path to the big leagues for him right now, with Jose Altuve and Isaac Paredes both potentially seeing time at second base.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 10 percent
Los Angeles Angels: RHP George Klassen
B/R Top 100 Rank: NR, No. 8 LAA prospect
Despite a 5.22 ERA in 108.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, Klassen is knocking on the big league door following a strong finish to his 2025 campaign. Over his final five starts, which included his Triple-A debut, he logged a 1.55 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 29 innings. The 23-year-old was acquired in the deal that sent Carlos Estévez to the Phillies at the 2024 deadline.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 40 percent
Seattle Mariners: SS Colt Emerson
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 12
Emerson has one of the best hit tools of any prospect, and he closed out the 2025 season by going 8-for-22 with two doubles, two home runs and nine RBI in six games at Triple-A. He played primarily shortstop last year, but also has experience at second base and third base, and he could push Cole Young or Ben Williamson at either position this spring.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 50 percent
Texas Rangers: RHP Jose Corniell
B/R Top 100 Rank: NR, No. 5 TEX prospect
Corniell was sidelined for all of 2024 and the first half of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he returned with a bang in July, posting a 1.89 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 38 innings before making his MLB debut on Sept. 28. He has pitched just 244.1 total innings across five professional seasons and might end up fitting best as a bullpen piece, but he has the stuff to get big league hitters out right now.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 33 percent
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NL East
4 of 6
Atlanta Braves: RHP Didier Fuentes
B/R Top 100 Rank: NR, No. 3 ATL prospect
Fuentes was the youngest player to appear in the majors in 2025 by nearly eight months, and while he was knocked around to the tune of a 13.85 ERA in 13 innings over four spot starts, he gained some valuable experience in the process. The 20-year-old is not projected to break camp in the rotation, but could be one of the first starters called on when reinforcements are needed.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 15 percent
Miami Marlins: C Joe Mack
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 59
One of baseball's best offensive catching prospects, Mack posted an .813 OPS with 22 doubles, 21 home runs and 58 RBI over 112 games in the upper levels of the minors, and he also threw out 33 percent of base stealers. If the Marlins decide Agustín Ramírez should be used in a DH-only capacity, he could break camp in a platoon with Liam Hicks behind the plate.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 45 percent
New York Mets: RHP Nolan McLean
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 9
McLean pitched well enough in eight starts last season to earn a couple third-place votes for NL Rookie of the Year, despite the fact that he has not yet exhausted his prospect status. The 24-year-old had a 2.06 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 57 strikeouts in 48 innings, and it's not out of the question to think he could be the Mets' Opening Day starter if no other outside additions are made to the starting rotation.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 100 percent
Philadelphia Phillies: OF Justin Crawford
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 40
It sounds like the Phillies are going to turn Crawford loose as their starting center fielder to begin the 2026 season. The son of former MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, he hit .334/.411/.452 with 34 extra-base hits and 46 steals in 112 games at Triple-A last season. There are some concerns about his high groundball rate and whether he can stick in center field, but the time has come to give him a chance to prove himself.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 95 percent
Washington Nationals: C Harry Ford
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 62
The Nationals acquired Ford from the Mariners in December in exchange for controllable lefty reliever Jose A. Ferrer, and now he is no longer blocked by Cal Raleigh. He still has Keibert Ruiz, Riley Adams and Drew Millas to contend with on the 40-man roster, but it's not unreasonable to think he could beat out Adams for the backup role this spring and push Ruiz for the starting job by midseason.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 55 percent
NL Central
5 of 6
Chicago Cubs: C Moisés Ballesteros
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 30
With Kyle Tucker departing in free agency and no significant addition expected to replace him, the Cubs will likely let top prospects Ballesteros and Owen Caissie battle it out for a starting job this spring. After hitting .298/.394/.474 with two home runs and 11 RBI in 66 plate appearances, Ballesteros might have the upper hand, which would mean Seiya Suzuki shifts back to right field and he serves as the primary DH.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 60 percent
Cincinnati Reds: IF Sal Stewart
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 31
With a .390 on-base percentage and 13.4 percent walk rate over four minor league seasons, Stewart has one of the best hit tools in the minors and an advanced all-around approach. He posted a 121 OPS+ with five home runs in 58 plate appearances as a September call-up, but he still does not have a clear offensive home. With the JJ Bleday addition likely meaning that Spencer Steer is the everyday first baseman, Stewart no longer has a clear path to playing time.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 50 percent
Milwaukee Brewers: RHP Logan Henderson
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 83
Henderson shined in limited MLB action last season, going 3-0 with a 1.78 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 25.1 innings over five spot starts. The 23-year-old will compete with Chad Patrick and Quinn Priester for the final two spots in the starting rotation behind Freddy Peralta, Brandon Woodruff and Jacob Misiorowski. Jeferson Quero (No. 68 on B/R Top 100) is also a strong candidate to win the backup catcher job as the only other backstop on the 40-man roster.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 40 percent
Pittsburgh Pirates: RHP Bubba Chandler
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 4
Chandler has turned his elite athleticism and sky-high potential into ace-caliber upside on the mound, and after getting his feet wet with 31.1 innings in August and September, he will be given every chance to slot alongside Paul Skenes at the top of the 2026 rotation. Outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia (No. 85 on B/R Top 100) is also a strong candidate for a roster spot after he was acquired from the Red Sox in December.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 90 percent
St. Louis Cardinals: 2B JJ Wetherholt
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 7
Wetherholt was a candidate to go No. 1 overall in the 2024 draft heading into the spring before a nagging hamstring injury hurt his stock and he slipped to the Cardinals with the seventh pick. After batting .306/.421/.510 with 28 doubles, 17 home runs, 59 RBI and 23 steals in 109 games between Double-A and Triple-A in his first full professional season, he is on track to enter 2026 as one of the NL Rookie of the Year favorites. Trading or releasing Nolan Arenado would clear a path for him on the infield.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 70 percent
NL West
6 of 6
Arizona Diamondbacks: LHP Kohl Drake
B/R Top 100 Rank: NR, No. 7 ARI prospect
One of a trio of pitching prospects the D-backs acquired in exchange for Merrill Kelly at the 2025 trade deadline, Drake had a 4.23 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 106 strikeouts in 89.1 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last year. The 6'5", 220-pound lefty has a high floor and is a solid bet to be a back-end starter in the big leagues.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 33 percent
Colorado Rockies: 1B Charlie Condon
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 67
After hitting .433/.556/1.009 with 37 home runs in 60 games during his final season at the University of Georgia, Condon has been quiet by comparison to begin his pro career. The 22-year-old seemed to turn a corner during the Arizona Fall League where he hit .337/.439/.434 in 22 games, and while the Rockies are a logical landing spot for one of the market's veteran first basemen, he could be the guy if no outside addition is made.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 45 percent
Los Angeles Dodgers: IF Alex Freeland
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 58
Freeland has an .809 OPS with 37 doubles, 21 home runs, 100 RBI and 20 steals in 145 games at Triple-A over the past two seasons. With longtime utility players Enrique Hernández and Chris Taylor now gone, he could fill a spot on the bench to begin the 2026 season, though Miguel Rojas is back for another year to serve as the primary backup at the middle infield spots.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 66 percent
San Diego Padres: RHP Bradgley Rodríguez
B/R Top 100 Rank: NR, No. 8 SD prospect
The Padres have gutted their farm system over the last two years, and much of their remaining top prospect talent is in the lower levels of the minors. With a fastball that has touched 101 mph and an elite changeup, Rodríguez has a 3.52 ERA and 10.3 K/9 in 88 appearances in the minors, and he allowed just four hits and one earned run with nine strikeouts in 7.2 innings in the majors last year.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 80 percent
San Francisco Giants: 1B Bryce Eldridge
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 11
One of the youngest players to appear in the majors in 2025, Eldridge does not turn 22 years old until Oct. 20, so it was not surprising to see him take some lumps in his first MLB action. He had an .836 OPS with 18 home runs and 63 RBI in 66 games at Triple-A last season, and all the pieces are there for him to develop into a middle-of-the-order force. However, with Rafael Devers expected to settle in at first base, he could be limited to DH duties, and that has led to some trade rumblings this winter.
Opening Day Roster Chances: 80 percent
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