Ranking World Series players based on prospect hype

The Toronto Blue Jays were the top seed in the American League playoffs, getting a first-round bye before dispatching the Yankees and the Mariners. The Los Angeles Dodgers, on the other hand, came in as the No. 3 seed, the lowest-ranked division winner in the National League, though it surprises no one they’re playing for a second straight title now.

Both teams have relied on a number of players who were, at one point, highly regarded prospects. This year’s World Series features 19 players who were on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list at some point in their careers. That’s down from last year’s record -- we’ve been doing this list since 2017 -- of 26.

Last year, there was just one former No. 1 overall prospect on a roster, and Shohei Ohtani once again tops this year’s list. But he’s joined by another former No. 1 in Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who we’ve put in a tie at the top based on prospect hype. Roki Sasaki gives this year’s Series three former top overall prospects.

We’ve listed all 19 former Top 100 guys projected to be on World Series rosters below, ranked by prospect hype at the point they were called up. The Top 100 rankings included are from the list closest to, but before, their callups. (Note: Shane Bieber is the exception: His No. 68 ranking listed below was on the 2018 midseason update list, a couple of months after his big league debut in May of that season.)

T1. Shohei Ohtani, DH/RHP, Dodgers -- No. 1, pre-2018
International free agent (Japan), 2017, Angels

T1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Blue Jays -- No. 1, pre-2019
International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2015, Blue Jays

3. Roki Sasaki, RHP, Dodgers -- No. 1, pre-2025
International free agent (Japan), 2025, Dodgers

4. Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Dodgers -- No. 4, pre-2008
1st-round pick (No. 7 overall, HS/Texas), 2006, Dodgers

5. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Dodgers -- No. 10, pre-2016
5th-round pick (HS/California), 2011, Pirates

6. Bo Bichette, 2B, Blue Jays -- No. 11, pre-2019
2nd-round pick (HS/Florida), 2016, Blue Jays

7. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers -- No. 11, pre-2011
2nd-round pick (HS/California), 2007, Braves

8. Mookie Betts, OF, Dodgers -- No. 14, mid-2014
5th-round pick (HS/Tennessee), 2011, Red Sox

9. Blake Snell, LHP, Dodgers -- No. 14, pre-2016
Supplemental 1st-round pick (No. 52 overall, HS/Wash.), 2011, Rays

10. George Springer, OF, Blue Jays -- No. 21, pre-2014
1st-round pick (No. 11 overall, Connecticut), 2011, Astros

11. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Blue Jays -- No. 26, mid-2025
1st-round pick (No. 20 overall, East Carolina), 2024, Blue Jays

12. Max Scherzer, RHP, Blue Jays -- No. 35, pre-2008
1st-round pick (No. 11 overall, Missouri), 2006, D-backs

13. Kevin Gausman, RHP, Blue Jays -- No. 37, pre-2013
1st-round pick (No. 4 overall, Louisiana State), 2012, Orioles

14. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, Blue Jays -- No. 46, mid-2016
1st-round pick (No. 9 overall, East Carolina), 2014, Blue Jays

15. Will Smith, C, Dodgers -- No. 57, mid-2019
1st-round pick (No. 32 overall, Louisville), 2016, Dodgers

16. Shane Bieber, RHP, Blue Jays -- No. 61, mid-2018
4th-round pick (Santa Barbara), 2016, Cleveland

17. Andy Pages, OF, Dodgers -- No. 68, pre-2022
International free agent (Cuba), 2018, Dodgers

18. Daulton Varsho, OF, Blue Jays -- No. 76, pre-2020
2nd-round pick (Wisconsin-Milwaukee), 2017, D-backs

19. Andrés Giménez, 2B, Blue Jays -- No. 84, pre-2020
International free agent (Venezuela), 2015, Mets