Sometimes, the easiest way a rookie position player can impact the Major League club upon his first callup is by playing high-quality defense, and there’s evidence that prospects are more defensively ready in the bigs than they’ve ever been before. To wit, there have been 19 total rookies who have won Major League Gold Gloves in the history of those awards; nine of them have come in this decade alone.
Beyond the hardware, we’ve seen young players like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ceddanne Rafaela and Masyn Winn come up and provide tons of value on the defensive side immediately upon arrival. All three players ranked among the top five in Outs Above Average last year in their age-24 seasons or younger.
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Who could flash at least plus leather next? These are the top defensive prospects in each of the 30 farm systems:
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AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays: Jake Cook, OF (No. 11)
Cook famously turned in the best 30-yard dash time (3.51 seconds) at last year’s Draft Combine despite dealing with a quad issue, sealing evaluations that he’s a true 80-grade runner. That speed played better in center field than on the basepaths at Southern Mississippi, and as a former two-way player, the 2025 third-rounder also has a plus arm to give him another defensive asset. Cook’s pro debut has been delayed by a hamstring injury, but once he gets going, he can impact the game in many ways as he flies toward Toronto.
Orioles: Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF (No. 8)
Bradfield’s combination of 80-grade speed and outstanding instincts make him one of the best defensive center fielders in all of the Minors. He covers a ton of ground with excellent reads and routes, though he could outrun mistakes easily. He’s already earned plaudits for his work up the middle, taking home a Rawlings MiLB Gold Glove in 2024 and being named the Arizona Fall League Defensive Player of the Year in 2025.
Rays: Tre’ Morgan, 1B (No. 18)
Few teams place defense on as high a pedestal as the Rays do, and their Top 30 list boasts six players with at least 60 fielding grades on the 20-80 scouting scale. There are some better overall athletes who could go here in center fielders Homer Bush Jr. and Austin Overn, but in terms of the best at his specific position, few can rival Morgan’s first-base work anywhere in baseball. The former LSU star has exceptionally soft hands and quick reactions on the dirt, and he’d be a Gold Glove candidate instantly if he could find a full-time role at first in the Majors. For now, go check out his play on a squeeze bunt in the 2023 College World Series, and dream of him doing something similar in The Show.
Red Sox: Franklin Arias, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 26)
Arias ranked among the top defensive shortstops in the 2023 international class, which earned him a $525,000 bonus out of Venezuela. He has proven better offensively than expected and reached Double-A at age 19, but he still dazzles the most with his glove. He uses fine instincts to overcome below-average speed and cover a lot of ground at shortstop, where he shows range to both sides and solid arm strength.
Yankees: George Lombard Jr., INF (No. 1/MLB No. 27)
The son of former big league outfielder and current Tigers bench coach George Lombard Sr., and the brother of a top 2026 Draft prospect Jacob Lombard, George Jr. developed a high baseball IQ while growing up around the game. The 26th overall pick in the 2023 Draft out of a Florida high school, he's a fluid defender with plenty of range, quick hands and solid arm strength.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Guardians: Jose Devers, SS/3B (unranked on Guardians Top 30)
While Top 100 Prospect Angel Genao is getting most of the reps at shortstop for Double-A Akron, Devers is a slightly better defender even if he's seeing more time at third base. Part of a baseball family that includes a pair of big leaguers -- older brother Jose and cousin Rafael -- he signed for $450,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2019. A career .230/.308/.363 hitter as a pro, he stands out most with his plus speed, range and arm strength.
Royals: Asbel Gonzalez, OF (No. 16)
No. 17 prospect Carson Roccaforte is definitely worthy of a mention here too as an efficient route runner in center, but Gonzalez gets the nod as a speedy pure athlete. His plus speed was evident by his 78 steals last season, and he combines those wheels with good instincts on the grass to track down balls from gap to gap. Gonzalez has above-average arm strength too, but he needs the bat to come around – he still hasn’t slugged above .376 in a Minor League season – to make him an everyday player at a premium position.
Tigers: Max Clark, OF (No. 2/MLB No. 8)
If all you remember about Clark’s defense is from his Spring Training battles in limited looks in left field – a position he’s still yet to play in a regular-season game – then you’ve missed out on some highlight snags from the 21-year-old at Triple-A, like this one and this one. Each highlights Clark’s ability to make quick reactions in center, his willingness to lay out for the spectacular and the overall skill to complete the play. Clark would be a natural defensive replacement for the injured Parker Meadows today, if the Tigers didn’t want him getting more hitting reps with Toledo first.
Twins: Marek Houston, SS (No. 8)
The Twins’ first-round pick (No. 16 overall) in last year’s Draft, Houston won the starting shortstop job at Wake Forest as a freshman because of his glove. His bat came along later, allowing him to become a first-rounder in 2025. He’s at least plus at the six, with outstanding actions and range to both sides to go along with more than enough arm to handle throws from all positions.
White Sox: Billy Carlson, SS (No. 5/MLB No. 65)
Corona (Calif.) HS spawned the highest-drafted pair of prep teammates ever when Seth Hernandez went No. 6 to the Pirates and Carlson went No. 10 to the White Sox last July. Several scouts have said the latter is the best defensive high school shortstop they've ever seen, noting an arm that produced fastballs up to 97 mph on the mound as well as smooth actions, marvelous range and advanced instincts.
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
Angels: Juan Flores, C (No. 20)
Because of his abilities behind the dish, and because that’s how the Angels roll, Flores has been moved aggressively up the ladder. Because his bat lags well behind his glove, he is repeating High-A currently (though he handled the bat pretty well in the Arizona Fall League last year). But there are no questions about his catch-and-throw acumen: He’s thrown out 33 percent of potential basestealers in his career (8 out of 15, or 53%, so far in 2026), while displaying plus receiving and game-calling skills.
Astros: Anthony Millan, OF (No. 19)
Signed for $472,500 out of Venezuela in 2025, Millan is more advanced than most 17-year-olds in all phases of the game. He has the instincts to make the most out of his plus speed in center field, where he chases down balls from gap to gap. His solid arm strength is better than most at his position, and he recorded six assists in 40 outfield starts in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League.
A’s: Drew Swift, SS (unranked on A’s Top 30)
Swift joined the A’s out of Arizona State as an eighth-round pick in 2021, already with the reputation as a gifted defender who could not only play a plus shortstop, but move around the diamond as needed and provide excellent glovework wherever he played. Internally, the A’s view Swift, now at Triple-A, as an 80-grade defender at short and while fielding percentage is far from a be-all statistic, his career .986 percentage (15 total errors in over 1,000 total chances) at short, third and second is worth noting.
Mariners: Colt Emerson, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 7)
This one really stands out because Emerson entered pro ball as a first-rounder in 2023 as a high school infielder with an advanced bat, but questions about where he would play defensively. Most thought third base would be his eventual home, but he’s worked tirelessly on that part of his game, to the point where the Mariners view him as a plus defender who can stay at shortstop for a very long time. And while there is no longer the need to move him because he can’t stick there, he’s shown he has the chops to move to his left or right on the dirt and be a plus defender at three spots if that’s where the first big league opening is.
Rangers: Yolfran Castillo, SS/3B (No. 8)
A late bloomer as a Venezuelan amateur, Castillo signed for $647,500 in 2024 and since has displayed one of the highest floors among Rangers position prospects thanks to his bat-to-ball skills and defense. He has the quick first step, considerable range, fast hands, solid arm and keen instincts to make all the plays at shortstop and fit almost anywhere on the diamond.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves: Jim Jarvis, SS (unranked on Braves’ Top 30)
Jarvis took over as Alabama’s shortstop as a sophomore in 2021 and held the job for three years, earning All-SEC Defensive team honors as a senior in 2023 before the Tigers drafted him in the 11th round of that summer’s Draft. He joined the Braves at last year’s Trade Deadline in return for Rafael Montero. He’s shown he can move all over the infield seamlessly, though he’s been playing short every day for Triple-A Gwinnett so far this year, showing off plus hands and a plus arm.
Marlins: Starlyn Caba, SS/2B (No. 7)
Acquired from the Marlins as part of the Jesús Luzardo trade in December 2024, Caba gets the nod from some evaluators as the best defender in the Minors. His combination of quickness and instincts allows him to get to balls other shortstops can't, and he has the arm strength and adaptability to make any throw necessary.
Mets: A.J. Ewing, OF/2B (No. 3/MLB No. 87)
Ewing was initially selected as a second baseman by the Mets with 134th overall pick in 2023, but his plus-plus speed made him a much better fit in center field. It’s been an impressive transition to the grass since 2024, and Ewing has gotten even better in center as his instincts and reactions off the bat have improved. By the time he reaches the Majors, his high-effort play could make him a true plus defender at a premium position, though the Mets continue to mix in some second to keep him fresh there.
Nationals: Eli Willits, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 10)
Washington has acquired a bevy of shortstops going back to last July, many of which have opened the 2026 season at the Single-A and High-A levels. While many of them will cycle through the six at times, Willits will be the priority shortstop with Fredericksburg because of his defensive ceiling. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick draws raves for his soft hands, proper footwork and overall range thanks to plus speed, and that combination gives him a high floor for someone who just turned 18 in December.
Phillies: Bryan Rincon, SS (No. 29)
Truth be told, Rincon is only still ranked on the Phillies’ Top 30 because of his glove. It gives him a pretty high floor, if he can get to any offensive impact at all, because he’s a plus defender with a plus arm who can play a premium position for a long time. Even though he’s just an average runner, he has plus range because of his outstanding defensive instincts to go along with elite hands and actions.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
Brewers: Luis Lara, OF (No. 12)
Standing only 5-foot-7, Lara certainly fits the external perception that Milwaukee loves its short kings, but more to the point of the actual organizational goals, he’s extremely gifted in the outfield with his ability to track down balls and make incredible catches in all directions. Lara was named a Minor League Gold Glove winner last year with Double-A Biloxi, and his glovework alone pushed him into the top dozen spots of a loaded Brewers system. He’s been popping offensively early on with Triple-A Nashville this spring, especially with his slugging ability, and could be at least a defensive factor in the bigs by the second half.
Cardinals: Jimmy Crooks, C (No. 8)
Crooks got 15 games in the Majors last year, but to open this season, he was pushed back to Triple-A Memphis, where he’s continued to be lights-out when it comes to restricting opposing runners. He’s thrown out four of 10 attempted basestealers in his eight defensive starts for the Redbirds, and he’s posted five of the six fastest pop times from St. Louis or Memphis backstops so far in ‘26, checking in with one as low as 1.8 seconds. Crooks moves well enough to be a solid blocker and framer too, and the 24-year-old should factor into the big league club’s catching depth again this summer.
Cubs: Ariel Armas, C (No. 19)
Perhaps most famous for homering in Spring Breakout games in each of the last two years, Armas may be the best defensive catcher in the Minors. A 2024 fifth-round pick out of San Diego, where he won a Rawlings NCAA Division I Gold Glove in his Draft year, he moves exceptionally well behind the plate. A quality receiver and blocker with outstanding framing metrics and a strong, accurate arm, he committed just two passed balls in 79 games and erased 34 percent of basestealers last year.
Pirates: Konnor Griffin, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 1)
We’re going to run out of times we can include Griffin on prospect lists, but as toolsy as the teenager was coming out of the 2024 Draft, there probably aren’t too many who would have thought he’d make a best defender list, at least not at shortstop. The thinking was that he had a chance to be a solid defender on the dirt, but some thought he’d be even better in center field. But he made huge strides on the infield last year and plans to have him split time between short and center were scuttled. The scary thing is he’s still learning the nuances of the position, so there’s defensive ceiling here.
Reds: Carlos Jorge, OF (No. 16)
Sometimes you try out a new position and it fits like a glove. Jorge was initially signed as a shortstop, then moved to second as the Reds thought he could stay on the dirt. He gave center field a try for the first time in 2023 and it was a match made in heaven. He put the infield glove down for good in 2024 and has now developed into the best defensive outfielder in the system.
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
D-backs: Druw Jones, OF (No. 16)
Named a Gold Glover and the Defensive Player of the Year in 2025, Jones’ talent in center field has never been in doubt since he went second overall four years ago. He has plus-plus speed to close down balls in the gap, and he can create plenty of highlight-worthy catches that might even rival some of his father’s best work in the Majors. He could make the Majors for that glove alone, but he absolutely needs to prove his bat can be worthy of a roster spot too.
Dodgers: Noah Miller, SS (No. 28)
The younger brother of Owen Miller, Noah was a supplemental first-round pick from a Wisconsin high school in 2021 and joined the Dodgers in a deal for Manuel Margot and infield prospect Rayne Doncon three years later. One of the top glovemen in the Minors, he has fluid actions, range in all directions, a strong and accurate arm as well as nice instincts. He makes highlight plays and also the routine ones, making just 11 errors in 212 games at shortstop during the previous two seasons.
Giants: Josuar Gonzalez, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 39)
The Giants are overflowing with blue-chip shortstop prospects, and Gonzalez may have both the highest ceiling and the best defensive ability among them. The top position player in the 2025 international class, he signed for $2,997,500 out of the Dominican Republic. Not only is he a switch-hitter with 25-25 upside, but he also is a twitchy athlete and smooth defender with plenty of arm strength.
Padres: Ethan Salas, C (No. 2)
Sure, Salas’ stock has slipped because of issues with the bat and a back injury last year, but when he’s been healthy, he’s drawn raves for his defensive work from all corners of the San Diego organization and prospect industry. His blocking and receiving speak to his physical gifts, and he’s long been advanced in terms of game planning and his work with pitchers. Even if the offense never comes around to its 2024 levels, Salas could have an MLB future as a defensive catcher anyways.
Rockies: Cole Carrigg, OF/SS (No. 6)
While at San Diego State, Carrigg played every position, and at the outset of his career after the Rockies drafted him in the second round of the 2023 Draft, he saw time behind the plate, at shortstop and in center field. He put the catching gear down pretty quickly, then focused only on center in 2025, though he’s been seeing time back at short in 2026. His double-plus arm plays from anywhere and his speed helps him be at least an above-average defender when he’s patrolling the grass.