These are MLB’s No. 1 prospects at each position

MLB Pipeline's 2026 rankings of the Top 10 prospects at each position are official and the 2026 Top 100 Prospects list will be revealed Friday night at 8 p.m. ET, live on MLB Network and MLB.com.

Before the list drops, here's a look at the No. 1 prospect at each position.

Catcher: Samuel Basallo, Orioles
The jewel of the Orioles' revitalized international scouting program, Basallo was one of Koby Perez's first significant signings after creating the department, joining Baltimore from the Dominican Republic in 2021 for a then-club-record $1.3 million. He's developed into a bat-first backstop with 60-grade power and a 70-grade arm, flashing both tools in a brief Major League debut last season at age 21. In August, the Orioles inked Basallo to an eight-year, $67 million extension that should make his bat a fixture in the middle of their lineup for years to come. He claims the top spot on this preseason list for the second straight year. Complete list »

First base: Sal Stewart, Reds
Cincinnati's compensation pick for losing Nick Castellanos in 2022 (32nd overall), Stewart was a consistent bat-first infielder with a high floor when he entered the organization. Today, the club's top prospect is seen in precisely the same way, after raking at every level prior to his 18-game big league debut last season. Stewart never posted a strikeout rate higher than 17 percent in the Minors, can move around the infield defensively, and recorded elite-level hard-hit rates and exit velocities in the Majors last season. He looks like a future professional hitter. Heck, he may already be. Complete list »

Second base: Travis Bazzana, Guardians
One of only two players returning to this position list for the second year, Bazzana has the pure hitting ability to win batting titles, alongside solid power and plate discipline. The top overall pick from 2024 has been slowed by injuries as a pro, but should reach Cleveland soon after finishing last year at Triple-A. His high floor makes it tough to imagine Bazzana becoming worse than an average hitter capable of clocking 15 homers per season. Complete list »

Third base: Andrew Fischer, Brewers
It's a shallow time for the hot corner, as 2026 is the first year the Top 100 list doesn't feature a single third baseman. Amid that crop, Fischer, the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 Draft, stands out for his powerful left-handed swing and advanced approach at the plate. He hit 45 homers over his last two years in college, hit very well during a brief pro debut and has the highest floor in the group. Complete list »

Shortstop: Konnor Griffin, Pirates
The reigning No. 1 overall prospect understandably tops this list in a boom era for shortstop prospects. Even in this crowded field, Griffin stands out for his suite of plus or above-average tools and the numbers he put up while climbing to Double-A last year in his first full pro season. He’ll still only be 19 years old on Opening Day, and the sky seems to be the limit for the Pirates phenom. Complete list »

Outfield: Max Clark, Tigers
The 22-year-old Clark was the third overall pick in the 2023 Draft and tops this list for the second consecutive year. Clark is a dynamic outfielder with four tools that are at least plus, including 70-grade speed, and impacts the game on both sides of the ball, pairing high on-base rates with strong center-field defense. While his power is still developing, his bat speed, strength gains and advanced swing decisions point to future above-average pop, giving him the profile of a true top-of-the-order catalyst who also brings Gold Glove-caliber defensive value at a premium position. Complete list »

Right-handed pitcher: Nolan McLean, Mets
The 24-year-old McLean debuted last summer and became the Mets' de facto ace down the stretch, going 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA and 10.7 K/9 in his first eight big league starts. He's got the best slider (70-grade), one of the best curveballs (60-grade), the best cutter (55 grade) and the overall highest ceiling on this fireballing list, thanks to one of the deepest and most impressive repertoires of any prospect hurler. Complete list »

Left-handed pitcher: Thomas White, Marlins
One of two Marlins southpaws on this list, White was the No. 35 overall pick in the 2023 Draft and took a big step forward last season, pitching to a 2.31 ERA with an eye-popping 14.6 K/9 across 21 starts and reaching Triple-A. He has frontline starter-caliber stuff, led by a nasty slider/changeup combination, and is working to refine his command. He operates with a 94-97 mph fastball that touches 99 with plenty of carry and armside run, and his 38.6 strikeout rate ranked third among Minor Leaguers with at least 89 2/3 innings pitched in 2025. Complete list »