For all the advancements baseball has made in scouting over the past 20 years, prospect evaluation remains an imperfect science. Some teams and publications boast stronger track records than others, but the mythical formula for consistently identifying future MLB stars is still just that: mythical.
This uncertainty trickles down to dynasty managers, who constantly search for their next target in the first-year player draft or evaluate which prospect is worth including in a blockbuster deal. The odds of any given prospect becoming a dynasty cornerstone are slim, stacked against both the player and the manager. And yet, the ones we miss on stick in our minds far longer than those we got right.
There will always be those trades that haunt you, the ones that make you wonder, sometimes for years, whether you made the right call. I speak from experience: this past season, I made a midseason trade for Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin, giving up then-Padres shortstop Leodalis De Vries and a third-round pick in this winter’s draft. Was it the right move? Only time, and probably several more prospect lists, will tell. But I know I’ll be thinking about that trade every time one of them makes headlines.
Now, as offseason prospect rankings begin to roll in, many of the expected names will dominate the top spots. But let’s look ahead. Who will be the players dynasty managers can’t stop talking about this time next year? Who will skyrocket into elite territory by the end of the 2026 season? Who might be the next big thing, not just in real life, but in fantasy leagues across the globe?
Here are my predictions for the Top 10 prospects in baseball following the 2026 season, players whose trajectory could define the next era of dynasty dominance.
SS Konnor Griffin, Pittsburgh Pirates
Age: 19 | 122 G, 563 PA, 21 HR, 94 RBI, 117 R, 65 SB, .333/.415/.527, 21.7% K%, 8.9% BB%
Not much could go right for the Pirates in 2025. The NL Central team has one of the game’s best rotation’s headline by Cy Young favorite Paul Skenes. But the inverse can be said about their position players and a good chunk of their bullpen. Pittsburgh was once a mighty baseball franchise, and outside of a mid-2010s renaissance, they haven’t been a competitive team for quite some time. But, if that fanbase has any hope for their team to turn things around, there is plenty of it growing on the farm. And the cream of that crop will be Griffin.
The ninth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft has rocketed up prospect rankings after the 2025 season. Baseball America’s rankings are a great example of this, having Griffin go from 74th in the September 2024 Top 100 update to the top overall prospect less than a calendar year later. What was seen as a somewhat flawed, “he can’t keep this up against professionals right” player has morphed into a guy who could help the MLB team today if needed.
The 19-year-old carved up three levels of baseball in his first professional season, ending the year with Double-A Altoona. Griffin showed little to no hiccups at each stop, posting at least a .932 OPS at each level. He is the youngest player to play for the Curve in team history, and he was not overmatched at all. The results match the production, as Griffin has put some concerns about his hit tool to rest this season. Griffin is still growing into his 6’4″ frame, believe it or not, but his glove and arm are still above average at shortstop. He can hold down center field as well, playing a handful of games at that position at each affiliate. But looking at the Pirates’ roster construction, his path to the majors seemingly lies at shortstop.
Even though the Pirates could use him now, dragging their feet with pitcher Bubba Chandler and the obvious value of holding him one more year in the minors will likely keep his prospect status intact ahead of Opening Day 2027. Managers will watch closely if his 2025 season was a fluke or legit, but all the signs point to him remaining baseball’s top prospect.
SS Kevin McGonigle, Detroit Tigers
Age: 21 | 88 G, 397 PA, 19 HR, 80 RBI, 68 R, 10 SB, .305/.408/.583, 11.6% K%, 14.9% BB%
The Detroit Tigers have one of the game’s best farm systems right now, and that bodes well for the squad after they took the Seattle Mariners to five games in the ALDS. Their average batter age of 26.8 years old was the third-lowest in baseball, showcasing how they already have plenty of contributors on team-friendly deals up and down the lineup. But they have another top-of-the-order candidate waiting in the wings in shortstop Kevin McGonigle.
The Pennsylvania native was far from the first prep infielder taken in the 2023 MLB Draft, but he was surpassed much of his peers from that draft. Even though he only has 183 games across three professional seasons, McGonigle is widely considered to be a top-five prospect ahead of 2026. The Tigers sent McGonigle down to the Arizona Fall League, and he has easily been one of the circuit’s biggest stars. He is slashing .385/.494/.754 across 17 games for Scottsdale, walking more than he strikes out, with five home runs and 19 RBI. The metrics bolster this production, and McGonigle is red hot entering the offseason.
Whether McGonigle is still a prospect or not requires a ton of context in 2026. His current trajectory says he will start 2026 in Triple-A and be ready for a big-league call later in the season. But at the expense of what other player? Colt Keith, Jace Jung, and Zach McKinstry all factor into the depth chart blocking McGonigle and that isn’t even considering who the Tigers could add this season. Adding in his injury from 2025, there is a significant chance McGonigle doesn’t debut until 2027.
The 21-year-old could end up at second base as well, only raising his dynasty value. The fantasy world is severely lacking top performers at the keystone right now, and McGonigle profiles as a high-OBP, high-run-scoring player for Detroit. That alone is reason enough for managers to hold out hope for his big-league impact.
SS Jesus Made, Milwaukee Brewers
Age: 18 | 115 G, 525 PA, 6 HR, 61 RBI, 81 R, 47 SB, .285/.379/.413, 20.6% K%, 12.8% BB%
Not many international free agents are success stories right from the jump, but infielder Jesús Made is making the Milwaukee Brewers look as shrewd as ever. Still just a teenager, he’s already turning heads with a rare blend of polish and upside. Signed by the Brewers in 2024 out of the Dominican Republic, he’s quickly risen from top international signee to their top prospect and for good reason.
Made brings advanced switch-hitting skills, sharp plate discipline, and plus speed that fuels both his offensive and defensive game. In 2025, he impressed at Low-A to earn a late promotion to High-A and later Double-A. Made’s production doesn’t hold up against Griffin’s or McGonigle’s, but his projection is strong at the plate with his switch-hitting abilities. His inside-the-park homer and Futures Game nod further signal his growing profile.
Defensively, he offers flexibility at shortstop and third, giving Milwaukee options as he matures physically. While his power is still coming together, scouts believe it’ll tick up as he fills out. His arm will make him a solid option at the hot corner, but that is something Milwaukee will have to decide on down the line.
If his current development pace holds, Made could establish himself in the upper minors by late 2026 and be knocking on the MLB door in 2027. With his tools, maturity, and momentum, it’s no stretch to call him a future top-10 prospect in all of baseball.
INF Sebastian Walcott, Texas Rangers
Age: 19 | 124 G, 552 PA, 13 HR, 59 RBI, 71 R, 32 SB, .255/.355/.386, 19.6% K%, 12.7% BB%
Texas Rangers prospect Sebastian Walcott’s 2025 season made one thing clear: he’s on a collision course with top-five prospect status by Opening Day 2027. At just 19, he held his own across advanced levels, swiping 32 bags and cracking 13 homers while posting a .355 OBP, something that has trended up each season since his first in 2023. His strikeout issues haven’t vanished, but he showed meaningful growth in swing decisions and contact rates, especially against breaking stuff, which had previously exposed him.
Physically, Walcott’s tools are undeniable. He’s 6’4″ with a plus arm, raw power that’s beginning to show up in games, and legitimate speed. Few prospects his age combine that kind of frame with that kind of athleticism. His 2025 Arizona Fall League invite showed how seriously the Rangers view his growth after he spent 2025 exclusively at Double-A.
There’s still work to do defensively, and his long-term position remains a question. But his upside at the plate, a power-speed threat with multi-position value and improving approach, stacks up with anyone in his age group. With Double-A probable in 2026 and a path toward Triple-A by year’s end, Walcott’s trajectory mirrors recent breakout stars. If the bat keeps trending up, he’ll be on every top-10 list by spring 2027.
SS Leodalis De Vries, Athletics
Age: 19 | 118 G, 536 PA, 15 HR, 74 RBI, 72 R, 11 SB, .255/.355/.451, 20.0% K%, 12.3% BB%
Athletics prospect Leodalis De Vries is tracking to be a top-10 prospect heading into the 2027 MLB season, and his 2025 breakout, especially post-trade to the Athletics, is the driving force. At just 18, De Vries posted a .255/.355/.451 line with 15 home runs and 74 RBI across 455 at-bats, flashing mature plate discipline and switch-hitting polish rarely seen at that age. Even if the in-game power hasn’t quite reached the point that scouts project it can be, De Vries is showing a solid foundation to build upon.
It seemed like De Vries found a new gear following the July 2025 trade that sent him from the San Diego Padres to the Athletics organization in the Mason Miller blockbuster. Immediately afterward, the A’s gave him a real runway in High-A Lansing, and he didn’t shrink from the spotlight. He seemed to have improved confidence, tighter pitch recognition. Oakland clearly views him as a cornerstone, and his role as the centrepiece of that trade signals how high the industry values him. He even posted a career-high 144 wRC+ in his 21-game taste of Double-A.
His offensive tools are ahead of the curve: 15 bombs in his age-18 season without sacrificing OBP is a stellar combination. While the defense still needs refining, his athleticism suggests he’ll stick at short or at least offer valuable infield versatility.
“El Mutante” isn’t just hype, considering he’s producing, adjusting, and rising. With a full season in the Athletics‘ system ahead and likely starting the 2026 season in Double-A, De Vries is on a rocket path. Come 2027, He will be in the running for the top prospect in baseball, if not knocking on the big league door.
SS JJ Wetherholt, St. Louis Cardinals
Age: 23 | 109 G, 496 PA, 17 HR, 59 RBI, 82 R, 23 SB, .306/.421/.510, 14.7% K%, 14.5% BB%
St. Louis Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt has done everything right since turning pro, but his path to the majors may still hit a temporary pause in Triple-A. Not because he isn’t ready, but because St. Louis is crowded. After slashing .300/.425/.466 in Double-A and then turning it up with a .314/.416/.562 line at Triple-A Memphis, Wetherholt has already proved he can hit advanced pitching, for both average and extra bases.
Yet despite that fast track, don’t be surprised if he lingers in Triple-A longer than his production demands. The Cardinals are loaded with infield talent at the big-league level, especially at second and shortstop, his most likely MLB positions. Unless injuries or trades clear space, there’s no obvious starting role waiting for him in early 2026.
That said, Wetherholt’s versatility and consistent offense make him hard to ignore. He’s a left-handed bat with a polished approach, near-equal walk and strikeout rates, and improving power. Scouts praise his mechanics and mental game just as much as his stats. He’s also no slouch on the basepaths, swiping 23 bags in just over 100 games.
Even if the call-up doesn’t come immediately, he’ll keep hitting and forcing the issue. His ceiling is high, but his floor is what makes him valuable: a steady, everyday contributor in a deep infield. When his chance comes, he’ll be more than ready. But for now, the depth chart may delay his debut, not his development.
Age: 20 | 111 G, 533 PA, 14 HR, 67 RBI, 85 R, 19 SB, .271/.403/.432, 16.9% K%, 17.6% BB%
Detroit Tigers outfielder Max Clark has emerged as one of the most steady outfield prospects in baseball, and his climb has paralleled Detroit’s rise to having one of the game’s strongest farm systems. Taken third overall in 2023, Clark has wasted no time climbing the ladder thanks to his all-around profile, not just the pedigree. That now has him on track to headline the Tigers’ next contender.
In 2025, Clark handled High-A with patience and maturity, posting a .285/.430/.427 line in 68 games, racking up walks and putting his 70-grade speed to work. Upon promotion to Double-A Erie, he didn’t miss a beat, showing more pop (.481 slugging) and continuing to drive the ball into gaps. His swing still has some tweaks underway, but the raw tools are undeniable: plus defense, top-end speed, a strong left-handed bat, and elite makeup.
While the home run totals aren’t gaudy yet, Clark’s growing strength and bat speed suggest more is coming. The hit tool is already real, and his defense in center, aided by a 70-grade arm, is near MLB-ready. He still has areas to grow in, especially the in-game power, but Clark is a pretty polished prospect and has a higher floor than some would expect for a prep draftee. Detroit’s outfield doesn’t desperately need Clark in 2026, so there is no need to rush him to Triple-A, unless he makes a promotion undeniable next season.
Alongside McGonigle and others, Clark is a key pillar in the Tigers’ resurgence. He may not debut until 2027 or 2028, but when he arrives, he has a well-rounded tool set to impact the game in different ways. With every tool in place, he looks ready to stay steady in the Top-10 prospect lists.
SS Aidan Miller, Philadelphia Phillies
Age: 21 | 116 G, 526 PA, 14 HR, 42 RBI, 82 R, 59 SB, .264/.392/.433, 23.4% K%, 15.6% BB%
The Philadelphia Phillies already have top prospect Andrew Painter ready to burst into the MLB rotation, but it is Aidan Miller who should be in next year’s top 10. If his 2025 surge is any indication, he’ll be knocking on the door of the Phillies’ infield plans by 2027. The 21-year-old shortstop slashed .261/.366/.446 across multiple levels this past season, capped by a steady .259/.382/.427 is showing in Double-A. That line hints at his promise, whose defensive home remains a major unknown heading into 2026.
At the plate, Miller brings loud tools. His raw power shows up in 106+ mph exit velocities, and he already racks up doubles and triples while swiping bags, with 23 steals to go with 60 RBI in his most recent full season. His strike-zone judgment and ability to produce extra-base hits give him a middle-of-the-order profile, regardless of where he lands defensively.
That’s the key question: where will he play? While he remains at shortstop for now, his footwork and error rate suggest a move to third or second base could unlock his value fully. The good news? His bat will play anywhere on the dirt. With that in mind, a 2027 debut is likely or perhaps sooner if injuries hit or his hot streaks force the issue. Miller is a top-50 prospect for a reason. He’s got real tools, rising production, and is pushing his way into one of baseball’s most competitive big-league rosters. If he locks in defensively or hits his power ceiling, the Phillies may have landed a late-first-round steal and their next everyday infielder.
OF Walker Jenkins, Minnesota Twins
Age: 20 | 84 G, 371 PA, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 56 R, 17 SB, .286/.399/.451, 20.5% K%, 13.5% BB%
Minnesota Twins prospect Walker Jenkins has all the tools to be a future star, but the path to the majors might be slower than it should be. Not because he isn’t ready, but because the Twins still seem unclear on how to manage their MLB roster and end goals for the foreseeable future. Despite a strong 2025 campaign that saw him bat .286 with 10 home runs, 17 stolen bases, and an OPS near .850 across two levels, Jenkins enters 2026 likely blocked from breaking through; not due to flaws in his game, but organizational hesitation.
The 20-year-old already reached Triple-A in August 2025 and made an immediate impact, flashing the same advanced approach and gap-to-gap power that’s made him one of baseball’s most polished young bats. He’s shown a great mix of contact skills and plate discipline, with a career minor-league average pushing .295 and a walk rate that’s outpaced his strikeouts at times. His power is still maturing, but with his bat speed and physical frame, the projection for 20–25 homers is real.
Defensively, he’s played center but may ultimately land in a corner spot, still offering above-average fielding and a strong arm. The bigger concern is the organization’s logjam and inconsistent development track record. While Jenkins should be pushing his way into the Twins’ lineup, an unclear direction at the MLB level may stall his arrival.
Bottom line: Jenkins should be ready to contribute in mid-2025. Whether Minnesota is ready to make space for him is another question entirely. If they aren’t, they risk wasting valuable time and slowing the rise of one of their brightest young prospects.
OF Josue De Paula, Los Angeles Dodgers
Age: 20 | 102 G, 445 PA, 12 HR, 44 RBI, 65 R, 32 SB, .250/.391/.400, 20.4% K%, 18.4% BB%
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Josue De Paula has officially arrived, but whether he’s wearing Dodger blue much longer remains to be seen. After a blistering 2025 that included a Futures Game MVP performance, the 20-year-old outfielder is now both a rising star and one of Los Angeles’ most valuable trade chips. With his smooth lefty swing, growing power, and advanced offensive profile, he’s positioning himself to be a top-10 prospect in 2027, regardless of which team’s system he’s in.
In 2025, De Paula showcased everything scouts have projected since the Dodgers signed him in 2022. He consistently barrels the ball, works counts, and flashes the kind of left-handed power that plays in any park. His slash line and extra-base production have surged as he’s climbed levels, and his highlight three-run bomb in the Futures Game only amplified the hype. The Dodgers have praised him as their most advanced young hitter in years, and that is a statement that carries serious weight.
Still, De Paula’s defense and speed are below the elite tier. With a likely corner-outfield future, his bat will have to carry the profile, and so far, it’s doing just that. He’s patient, powerful, and improving. A major-league debut in 2027 feels likely, though a trade could accelerate or delay that, depending on the destination. Los Angeles has a loaded farm, and De Paula may be the key to unlocking a headline addition at the next trade acquisition. But no matter where he ends up, his tools and 2025 breakout have locked him into baseball’s top-prospect conversation for 2027.
