AL West Top Prospect Updates
As we continue into the final few months of the season, let’s take a look at some of the top prospects in the AL West. There have been several new prospects emerging throughout the division, while recent draft picks and trades have also shaken up the rankings compared to July. Let’s start with the Houston Astros.
Houston Astros
Nothing has changed at the top for the Astros, as outfielder Kevin Alvarez continues to lead the system. Alvarez continues to showcase his offensive skills, hitting .270/.347/.447 with a .794 OPS in A-ball. July was his best month of the season to date, as he hit .338/.456/.554 with a 1.010 OPS. Hopefully, Alvarez can carry that momentum into August and continue to solidify himself as one of the top prospects in the game.
A few newcomers have also made their way onto the list. The Astros’ 2026 first-round pick, Logan Hughes, comes in at No. 3. Selected 17th overall, Hughes put together an impressive college season, slashing .375/.510/.735 with 18 home runs and 16 doubles. Hughes also posted a 12.1% career strikeout rate, showcasing his ability to make consistent contact and develop into a well-rounded hitter.
Hughes has already made his professional debut in A-ball, going 1-for-4 with two RBI in his first game. While it is obviously far too early to draw any conclusions from one game, dynasty managers should keep a close eye on Hughes as he begins his professional career. If he continues to progress through the Astros’ system, he could potentially make an impact at the major league level by 2028.
Another newcomer who deserves to be highlighted is Astros prospect Jason Schiavone, who comes in at No. 9 on this list. An 11th-round pick by Houston in 2024, Schiavone has put together a strong season while moving through both High-A and Double-A.
Schiavone is currently hitting .263/.411/.532 with a .943 OPS, 23 home runs, and 24 stolen bases. The combination of power and speed gives him one of the more intriguing offensive profiles in the Astros’ system. His ability to contribute in multiple areas is a big reason why his stock has continued to rise throughout the season.
With the Astros continuing to develop young talent throughout the organization, Schiavone is a prospect dynasty managers should keep on their radar. If he continues to produce while adjusting to the upper levels of the minors, his stock could continue to climb heading into next season.
Seattle Mariners
Continuing to hold the No. 1 spot since the start of the season is starting pitcher Kade Anderson. Anderson has been one of the best pitching prospects in baseball this season and continues to dominate at the Double-A level. In 17 starts, he has posted a 10-1 record with a 1.13 ERA, striking out 128 batters over 87.2 innings while allowing just 45 hits and 12 walks.
Anderson has been one of the most statistically dominant pitchers in the minor leagues this season, and his performance has put him firmly on the radar for a potential major league debut. With Luis Castillo traded to the White Sox, the Mariners could have an opening in their rotation down the stretch. Seattle has also made it clear that if Anderson is called up this season, the plan would be to use him as a starter.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, Anderson features four above-average pitches and pairs them with well-above-average command. His combination of stuff, control, and production has made him one of the most valuable pitching prospects in dynasty baseball. He should be stashed in all dynasty formats.
At No. 2 on this list is Ryan Sloan, another one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. Sloan is coming off a phenomenal July in which he posted a 1.74 ERA and did not issue a single walk. Overall, he owns an impressive 4.1% walk rate and a 3.91 ERA this season.
Sloan’s fastball and changeup combination gives him two quality weapons to attack hitters, while his ability to limit free passes adds another layer to his profile. Seattle already has a deep pitching staff, which could make finding a rotation spot for Sloan difficult in the short term. However, dynasty managers should expect the Mariners to eventually make room for the 6-foot-5 right-hander, with a potential major league debut sometime in 2027.
One of the newest names on the list is first-round pick Ace Reese, who comes in at No. 7. The third baseman was selected 24th overall in the 2026 MLB Draft and has already made a strong first impression, hitting .600 through his first two games in A-ball.
Reese brings plenty of power to the profile. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he was a dominant offensive player at Mississippi State, finishing his college career as a .327/.419/.665 hitter with 52 home runs and 49 doubles in 167 games.
The Mariners already have one of the deeper collections of young talent in the minor leagues, and Reese could give the organization another potential middle-of-the-order bat. While his professional career is just getting started, the combination of his size and offensive production makes him a prospect dynasty managers should keep a close eye on.
Athletics
Leo De Vries continues to cement himself as one of the premier prospects in both the Athletics organization and all of baseball. The 19-year-old shortstop is slashing .292/.380/.461 with an .841 OPS at the Double-A level, showing the complete offensive profile that makes him a coveted dynasty asset.
The Athletics have no reason to rush their young star to the majors, but De Vries has already demonstrated elite all-around ability. Along with his advanced hit tool, he has also showcased his speed by swiping 33 stolen bases this season. He is a must-roster stash in every dynasty format and has the potential to become a major fantasy contributor as early as 2027.
One of the biggest risers in the system is Breyson Guedez, who checks in at No. 9 on this list. Across A-ball and High-A, the 18-year-old is hitting .308/.350/.448 with a .798 OPS, and he has been even better recently, posting a .375/.411/.636 slash line with a 1.047 OPS and three home runs.
Guedez is known more for his barrel control and pure hitting ability than his raw power. While the power projection is still developing, his advanced bat-to-ball skills at such a young age are encouraging. Dynasty managers shouldn’t expect a huge power breakout just yet, but if the strength continues to come, Guedez could see his fantasy stock rise significantly heading into 2028.
The final prospect to highlight is Drew Burress, who comes in at No. 2 in the Athletics system. Selected eighth overall in the 2026 MLB Draft out of LSU, Burress has wasted no time showing off his power, launching three home runs in his first 21 professional at-bats in A-ball.
A former teammate of Kade Anderson at LSU, Burress finished his collegiate career with a remarkable .357/.484/.720 slash line, 60 home runs, and 60 doubles. His lightning-quick bat speed, plus power, and advanced contact ability give him one of the highest offensive ceilings in the organization.
Already viewed as one of the top prospects in baseball, Burress has the tools to move through the Athletics‘ system in a hurry. Don’t be surprised if the 21-year-old outfielder puts himself in position for a major league debut as early as 2027.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have a new No. 1 prospect following the trade of Jose Soriano at the deadline, with Arjun Nimmala joining the organization from the Blue Jays. Nimmala, a 2023 first-round pick, is currently playing shortstop at the Double-A level and is hitting .268/.371/.461 with a .832 OPS.
Nimmala has showcased solid bat-to-ball skills and a decent approach at the plate throughout his professional career. He has also shown flashes of power in the minor leagues, but the big question for dynasty managers will be whether that power develops into a consistent part of his offensive game. If it does, Nimmala could have the offensive profile to make a significant fantasy impact at the major league level.
Hayden Alvarez has also moved up the list, now checking in at No. 5. The 19-year-old outfielder is currently hitting .294/.396/.473 with a .869 OPS, 11 home runs, and 46 RBI at the High-A level.
Alvarez has shown impressive contact skills and plate discipline this season while also displaying some sneaky pop and above-average running ability. That combination gives him an intriguing fantasy profile, especially if the power continues to develop as he moves into the upper levels of the minor leagues. Look for Alvarez to continue climbing through the Angels’ system with a potential major league debut around 2028.
The final prospect I wanted to highlight is Angels first-round pick Jared Grindlinger. Selected 12th overall in the 2026 MLB Draft, Grindlinger was the youngest player ever selected by the Angels, at just 17 years and 86 days old.
Grillinger hit .376 (41-for-109) with 26 runs, 10 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 22 RBI, and a 1.000 OPS during the 2026 season. He was also named Mr. Baseball in 2026, further highlighting just how highly regarded he is as a young hitter.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Grindlinger has plenty of room to add strength as he develops. His ability to make consistent, quality contact is already impressive, and the hope is that he can continue to fill out his frame over the next few years and develop more power.
Grindlinger currently sits at No. 7 on my list, but given that he spent the entire season at just 17 years old, there is plenty of room for his stock to rise. If he continues to make strides once he begins his professional career, he could easily push his way into the top five. Dynasty managers shouldn’t expect him to make a fantasy impact until around 2029 or 2030, but Grillinger is a name worth keeping a very close eye on as one of the most intriguing young bats in the Angels’ system.
Texas Rangers
Sebastian Walcott continues to hold the No. 1 spot in the Rangers’ system and remains one of the more intriguing young prospects in baseball. The 20-year-old shortstop has returned from elbow surgery and is back in Double-A, where he has already shown flashes of the offensive upside that made him one of the game’s top prospects. MLB.com currently ranks Walcott as the Rangers’ No. 1 prospect with a potential major league ETA of 2027.
Walcott brings an exciting combination of power, speed, and athleticism to the position. Baseball America gives his power a 70-grade, while his speed is also above average. At 6-foot-4, Walcott has plenty of room to continue developing physically, and if the hit tool continues to progress, he has the ceiling to become a major fantasy contributor at shortstop.
The Rangers also added an intriguing arm in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft, selecting left-hander Gio Rojas 16th overall. Rojas was the first high school pitcher selected in the draft and brings an impressive fastball that has reached 98 mph, along with a quality slider and developing changeup.
Rojas has the chance to move quickly through the Rangers’ system if the command develops as expected. His combination of size, velocity, and a promising secondary arsenal gives him significant long-term upside. At No. 5 on my list, he is one of the more interesting pitching prospects to follow in the organization, although dynasty managers will need to be patient given his age and limited professional experience.
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurt_player02 on Instagram & Threads
@kuwasemiller.bksy.social on BlueSky)
