7 MLB Prospects Making An Early Case to Join Top 100 Lists

The top prospect landscape is in a constant state of change with players rising and falling based on the development of raw tools and on-field performance while climbing the organizational ladder.

At the start of the 2025 season, Nolan McLean (NYM), Sal Stewart (CIN), Payton Tolle (BOS), Trey Yesavage (TOR), Luis Peña (MIL), Gage Jump (ATH) and Carson Benge (NYM) were not part of B/R's preseason top 100 list, and now they are all top-tier prospects or rookies making an impact in the majors.

Which prospects could make a similar leap in 2026?

Ahead we've highlighted seven up-and-comers with the tools and the performance to get serious Top 100 prospect consideration when lists get their first update of the year.

Included is a look at where each player ranked on their organization's top 10 prospect list and their prospect tier, based on B/R's first farm system rankings of the year.

SS Edwin Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds

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B/R Prospect Rank: No. 8 CIN prospect
B/R Tier Ranking: Tier 4
Stats (AAA): 21 G, 102 PA, .275/.365/.438, 6 XBH (3 HR), 4 SB

Edwin Arroyo has been on Top 100 prospect lists in the past, but his stock was down entering the 2026 season after he posted a .716 OPS in 121 games at Double-A last year, raising questions about his offensive ceiling.

The 22-year-old has long been viewed as one of the best defensive shortstops in the minors. He doesn't need to be a superstar at the plate to be an everyday option, and he has seen a nice uptick in his production this year at Triple-A.

There is little question he is a better defensive shortstop than Elly De La Cruz, and if he continues to hit, he could force the Reds to shake things up defensively. The value he provides with elite defense at a premium position already gives him top-tier prospect upside, and now that he's hitting again the case is clear.

RHP Kendry Chourio, Kansas City Royals

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B/R Prospect Rank: No. 3 KC prospect
B/R Tier Ranking: Tier 4
Stats (A): 3 GS, 1.42 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 2 BB, 15 K, 12.2 IP

The Royals signed Kendry Chourio for $247,500 as part of the 2025 international class, and he finished his pro debut at the Single-A level after starting in the Dominican Summer League.

With a fastball that touches the upper 90s, two quality offspeed pitches and rare command for a pitcher his age, he logged a 63-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 51.1 innings in his pro debut.

He will be 18 years old for the entire 2026 season, and he is already making a case for an early promotion to High-A. His combination of stuff and pitchability is rare for a teenager, and he has quickly emerged as the top arm in the Kansas City system and a potential ace on the rise.

SS Jhonny Level, San Francisco Giants

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B/R Prospect Rank: No. 3 SF prospect
B/R Tier Ranking: Tier 4
Stats (A): 11 G, 55 PA, .412/.455/.804, 12 XBH (4 HR), 4 SB

Signed for $997,500 out of Venezuela in 2024, Jhonny Level logged a .909 OPS in the Dominican Summer League in his pro debut, showcasing the well-rounded toolbox that made him one of San Francisco's top signings of that international cycle.

He followed that up by hitting .269/.360/.436 with 29 extra-base hits and 21 steals in 89 games between rookie ball and Single-A in 2025, and while that was somewhat overshadowed by breakout teenager Josuar Gonzalez, he still kept an up arrow next to his name.

Despite an undersized 5'8" frame, he has a 55-hit, 50-power offensive profile, and plus bat speed from both sides of the plate. That gives him an impact offensive ceiling that he is continuing to build toward with a red-hot start at Single-A.

LHP Wei-En Lin, Athletics

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B/R Prospect Rank: No. 5 ATH prospect
B/R Tier Ranking: Tier 4
Stats (AA): 4 GS, 2.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 7 BB, 22 K, 16.0 IP

The Athletics signed Wei-En Lin for $1.35 million as one of the top arms in the 2024 international class, and they sent him straight to Single-A for his pro debut in 2025.

He ended up climbing all the way to Double-A before his first season came to an end, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a 117-to-22 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 87 innings.

After pitching for Chinese Taipei in the World Baseball Classic, he is dealing at the Double-A level. With four quality pitches, plus command and projection remaining in his 6'2", 179-pound frame, he checks a lot of top prospect boxes.

SS Elian Peña, New York Mets

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B/R Prospect Rank: No. 6 NYM prospect
B/R Tier Ranking: Tier 4
Stats (A): 14 G, 68 PA, .333/.426/.474, 6 XBH (1 HR), 6 SB

The $5 million bonus the Mets gave Elian Peña was the second-largest handed out during the 2025 international period, trailing only hyped Japanese League standout Roki Sasaki ($6.5 million).

He hit .292/.421/.528 with 23 extra-base hits and 21 steals over 55 games in the Dominican Summer League last year, including a pair of three-homer games that gave a glimpse of his future power potential.

He has the tools to stick at shortstop, but even if he needs to shift off the position, he has the offensive ceiling to profile anywhere. His smooth transition stateside this year is reinforcing his prospect profile, and he has the potential to be this year's Jesús Made.

C Luke Stevenson, Seattle Mariners

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B/R Prospect Rank: No. 8 SEA prospect
B/R Tier Ranking: Tier 5
Stats (A+): 10 G, 45 PA, .353/.489/.559, 5 XBH (1 HR), 0 SB

One of the top catching prospects in the 2025 draft class, Luke Stevenson posted a .965 OPS with 19 home runs and 58 RBI in 61 games as a draft-eligible sophomore at the University of North Carolina.

With solid receiving skills and a 60-grade throwing arm, there is no question he can stick behind the plate defensively, and his power potential alone is enough to give him the look of a future everyday catcher.

His hit tool was the question mark after he batted .251 with a strikeout rate near 25 percent last spring, but he has made consistent contact this spring while jumping straight to the High-A level. Catching prospects can make a significant leap with an offensive breakthrough, and that's what he's doing right now.

RHP Gage Wood, Philadelphia Phillies

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B/R Prospect Rank: No. 5 PHI prospect
B/R Tier Ranking: Tier 4
Stats (A): 3 GS, 0.79 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 5 BB, 19 K, 11.1 IP

Gage Wood sent his draft stock soaring last spring when he struck out 19 batters in a no-hitter against Murray State at the College World Series, flashing his full potential after an injury-plagued junior campaign.

With a 70-grade fastball that touches 98 mph with electric late life and a power curveball, he has power stuff and a top-of-the-rotation ceiling if he can prove his durability and develop a reliable third pitch.

The 22-year-old has been virtually unhittable to open the year, and the Phillies have never been shy about putting their top young arms on the fast track. If he continues to overpower hitters while climbing the ladder, he will quickly enter the elite pitching prospect conversation.