With the Minor League regular seasons wrapping up this month, it’s tempting to say we’re already looking ahead to 2027. But in this case, we’re going one step beyond that.
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Back in March, we looked into our crystal balls to predict who the top prospect will be for every farm system on Opening Day 2028. Well, we’ve had a full season of baseball since then, along with plenty of transactions from trades and the Draft, so we’re taking a renewed look at the same predictions. Only 13 of our 30 picks are the same from the spring -- including one particularly sage selection involving this year’s Draft -- and 22 of the 30 come from the current MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects list.
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays: JoJo Parker, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 26)
There’s no reason to move off Parker as the pick here, and in fact, his path as Toronto’s shortstop of the future might be even clearer now that Arjun Nimmala has been traded to the Angels. The 2025 eighth overall pick has met expectations by hitting .270/.399/.460 with 13 homers and 28 steals over 108 games at Single-A Dunedin and High-A Vancouver in his first full season, and there’s likely even more power coming with more strength training under the Jays’ tutelage and improved angles off the bat.
Orioles: Eric Booth Jr., OF (No. 1/MLB No. 40)
He’s their top prospect now and there’s no reason to think the 2026 first-round pick won’t be at the start of the 2028 season. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 Draft was the second high schooler taken, after Grady Emerson, signing with the O’s for right around slot ($7.33 million). He was one of the fastest runners among the prep players in the class and will work on refining his base-stealing and reads and routes in center field. He has an unusual setup at the plate, but has 20-20 potential offensively.
Rays: Grady Emerson, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 10)
We slotted in Emerson as the Tampa Bay pick in March with the thinking that the Rays would jump on him if he was available at No. 2 overall in the Draft, and that’s exactly what happened. The left-handed-hitting shortstop still has work to do before we can say we nailed the pick for 2028, but he has a bevy of tools at his disposal now that he’s in the pros. Some amateur scouts believe he could be a potential plus-plus hitter from the left side with above-average power, and his defensive abilities (quick hands, good fundamentals, plus arm) all draw great reviews at a premium position too.
Red Sox: Justin Gonzales, OF (No. 2/MLB No. 79)
After winning the 2024 Carolina League batting title (.298) as the second-youngest qualifier (age 18) in the Single-A circuit, Gonzales has encored by boosting his home run total from from four to 19 while slashing .270/.388/.459 in 103 games between High-A and Double-A. Signed for $250,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2024, he's bigger than his listed 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds and owns some of the best bat-to-ball skills, raw power and arm strength in the system.
Yankees: Dax Kilby, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 86)
Though Kilby has been hampered by hamstring injuries in his first full pro season, he still has stood out with his advanced approach at the plate and 20-20 upside. A supplemental first-rounder from a Georgia high school in 2025, he batted .261/.448/.435 with four homers, 12 steals and more walks than strikeouts (39 versus 31) in 32 games in Single-A at age 19.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Guardians: Juneiker Caceres, OF (No. 4/MLB No. 82)
While Caceres' $300,000 bonus ranked just eighth in the Guardians' 2024 international class, he has proven to be the best prospect from that crop. The Venezuelan has a knack for barreling balls and hits them harder than most teenagers. He missed time with an oblique injury this season but hit .301/.409/.484 with 11 homers in 74 games between two Class A levels.
Royals: Angeibel Gomez, OF (No. 3/MLB No. 84)
In an ideal world for Kansas City, this is a tough call for the club by 2028 with Gomez and 18-year-old righty Kendry Chourio each having legit claims to their prospect throne. Signed for $2.9 million in January, Gomez is on a rocket ship after hitting .361/.467/.653 with nine homers and a 19/28 K/BB ratio over 47 games in the Dominican Summer League in his debut season. His power has played in games quicker than most 17-year-olds, and his bat-to-ball skills from the right side have been better than advertised. Gomez could jump several dozen places in the Top 100 by ‘28 if this level of performance carries over stateside.
Tigers: Bryce Rainer, SS (No. 3/MLB No. 48)
There’s plenty of volatility in Rainer’s profile, but the ceiling is cathedral high for the 2024 11th overall pick if he puts it together. The left-handed slugger comes with at least plus raw power, and his speed and defense at shortstop (aided by a 70-grade arm) both should be above-average at peak. That’s a potential four-tool star at a premium spot. However, he’ll need to improve his contact after striking out in 35.2 percent of his plate appearances this season for High-A West Michigan, and as his swing changes throughout 2026 indicate, that will likely be a point of focus heading into ‘28 too.
Twins: Vahn Lackey, C (No. 2/MLB No. 19)
There’s an outside chance that Lackey, the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s Draft, will graduate to the big leagues by the start of the 2028 season, but we’ll predict that the responsibilities of catching will keep him a rookie for at least the start of the year. His solid pro debut, including hitting well with High-A Cedar Rapids, does help put him on a bit of a faster track, and the super-athletic backstop has the chance to be a plus hitter with plus power while providing excellent defense behind the dish.
White Sox: Cole Prosek, 3B/C (No. 5)
One of the best high school hitters in the 2026 Draft, Prosek signed for a well over-slot $3,247,500 in the second round out of the same Magnolia Heights (Senatobia, Miss.) program that produced Cooper Pratt. With his quick left-handed stroke and impeccable sense of timing at the plate, he has the upside of a plus hitter with solid power. He'll make his pro debut in 2027.
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
Angels: Hayden Alvarez, OF (No. 3)
The guess here is that newly acquired Arjun Nimmala, and 2025 first-rounder Tyler Bremner, both in Double-A currently, will be in Los Angeles by this point. Alvarez is a dynamic outfield prospect who had an outstanding age-19 season while reaching High-A. He could eventually be a plus hitter with a solid approach (.289 average with a .391 OBP combined this year), getting on base to use his speed (53 steals). He’s starting to grow into more impact, with 49 extra-base hits.
Astros: Kevin Alvarez, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 80)
The youngest batting qualifier (age 18) in Single-A this year, Alvarez ranked fourth in the Carolina League with 40 extra-base hits while slashing .261/.343/.429 with 17 steals in 99 games. He makes better swing decisions and has more advanced skills than most players his age, and one scout compared his setup and swing path to Kyle Tucker's.
A’s: Johenssy Colome, SS (No. 5)
Leo De Vries’ torn labrum will keep him out for eight months, so there’s a chance that his express train to the big leagues will be delayed long enough to make him eligible. But we’re still so bullish on his talent that he’ll come back better than ever and graduate, leaving the top spot for Colome, the A’s top 2026 international acquisition ($4 million bonus). After the 17-year-old infielder posted a .956 OPS in the Dominican Summer League for his debut, the A’s are very excited to see what he does when he comes stateside next season.
Mariners: Felnin Celesten, SS (No. 4/MLB No. 50)
The transition to Double-A has been a little bit tough for Celesten, but he’s still posted a combined OPS of .821 with 16 homers, 25 steals and a 112 wRC+. He’ll need to keep refining his approach and continue to show he can get the ball in the air a bit more, but there’s still so much ceiling for him to reach, and he’s shown glimpses since missing his debut in 2023 and much of 2024 with injuries.
Rangers: Gio Rojas, LHP (No. 3/MLB No. 96)
The Rangers managed to grab the 2026 Draft's best left-hander -- college or high school -- with the 16th overall pick. A star on the showcase circuit and with Team USA, the Florida high school product is a projectable and athletic 6-foot-4, 195-pounder who already commands a fastball that reaches 98 mph and owns a low-80s sweeper that's a wipeout pitch at its best. He'll pitch in his first pro game in 2027.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves: Eric Hartman, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 42)
Could Hartman graduate before 2028? It’s not impossible to imagine after the way he’s burst on the scene the last two seasons since being a 20th-round pick out of the Canadian high school ranks in 2024. An aggressive jump to Double-A this year has come with expected bumps, but he’s mashed 26 homers and stolen 54 bags, making him the only 20-50 player in the Minors.
Marlins: Aiva Arquette, SS (No. 3/MLB No. 63)
The best college position player and seventh overall pick in the 2025 Draft, Arquette is more physical (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) and has much more power than most shortstops. He missed the start of this season recovering from core muscle surgery and also lost time to a left thumb injury, but has hit .267/.320/.454 with 11 homers and 20 steals in 60 games between High-A and Double-A. The former Oregon State star moves well for his size and showcases plus arm strength at short.
Mets: Elian Peña, SS (No. 3)
The Mets signed Peña for $5 million as their top international addition of 2025, and they’ve been supremely aggressive with him in his second pro season by skipping him over short-season ball with an opening assignment to Single-A St. Lucie and a promotion to High-A Brooklyn in mid-August – all before his 18th birthday. He held his own in the Florida State League with a decent mix of bat-to-ball skills across different pitch types and angles along with top-level EVs for his age, and those could even stand to improve if he uses this as more of a foundational year. An even stronger age-19 showing in 2027 could be a springboard for the Top 100 and future place atop the Mets’ rankings.
Nationals: Eli Willits, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 4)
The only thing that may knock Willits out of this spot is if he makes DC by the second half next year and graduates in ‘27 instead of ‘28. He did just get promoted to Double-A at 18 years old after all. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick has come as advertised in his first full season, marrying good swing decisions with good contact levels for his age. His current level of power will be challenged as he ascends to the upper Minors, unless he adds more pop deeper into his teens, but his hit tool, speed and high-quality defense make him a high-floor player.
Phillies: Francisco Renteria, OF (No. 3/MLB No. 81)
The Phillies have been buzzing since they signed Renteria for $4 million at the start of this year’s international signing period. And while we have to take DSL stats with the commensurate grains of salt, the toolsy outfielder did nothing but add excitement by slashing .379/.470/.682 with 11 homers and 24 steals in 53 games. His 176 wRC+ leads ALL Minor Leaguers at any level, helping lead to DSL MVP honors.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
Brewers: Luis Peña, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 21)
The 2026 season has been a tough pill to swallow for Peña, with multiple injuries and health issues limiting him to 67 games between High-A Wisconsin and Double-A Biloxi, the latest being a broken leg suffered on Saturday. The hope here is that these will be isolated issues in a rough year, and 2027 can be a healthier campaign in the upper Minors. When he’s on the field, Peña can show the makings of an electric talent with good contact skills, impressive speed and budding power. The presences of Brice Turang and Cooper Pratt and likely ascension of Jesús Made in ‘27 should allow him the time to build on that foundation.
Cardinals: Alexander Frias, OF (No. 4)
It’s looking likelier that Rainiel Rodriguez could push his way to the Majors in time to graduate as a 20-year-old next year, so we turn to another current teen in this spot in Frias. Acquired from the Brewers at this year’s Trade Deadline, Frias brought wicked bat speed from the left side to the Cardinals system, and he’s already hit plenty of screamers in the Arizona Complex League and two Single-A circuits in his age-18 season. With just average speed and at least plus arm strength, he might be ticketed for right field long-term, but the power upside is clearly good enough to work in such a corner. It could be a lot of fun to see what jump he can make after a full spring of working with Cardinals coaches and instructors, given the hitting jumps elsewhere in the system of late.
Cubs: Josiah Hartshorn, OF/1B, (No. 1/MLB No. 39)
Hartshorn signed for a sixth-round-record $2 million as a California high schooler in 2025 and has looked like a steal in his pro debut, batting .289/.411/.528 with 23 homers and 16 steals in 122 games between two Class A levels at age 19. He ranks fourth in the Minors with 110 RBIs and has demonstrated uncommon swing decisions and power for a teenager.
Pirates: Edward Florentino, OF (No. 2/MLB No. 35)
It’s been a little bit of a weird year for Florentino, starting off by being slowed out of the gate with an ankle injury. The 6-foot-4 left-handed hitter only hit .235 and struck out 25.7 percent of the time, though he offset that with a 16 percent walk rate and 27 total homers (24 with Greensboro placed him fourth in the High-A South Atlantic League at age 19), so we’re still very bullish about his offensive potential while sticking in center field.
Reds: Justin Lebron, SS (No. 3)
The Reds have options -- Alfredo Duno might not graduate and Steele Hall is very talented -- but let’s take a big swing here with Lebron, who the Reds never thought would be available at No. 18 overall. He had the best overall set of tools in the class, but really struggled during his junior year at Alabama, especially in SEC play. It’s a small sample size during his pro debut, but we’re taking his .940 OPS with High-A Dayton over 23 games as a good sign that he very well might turn out to be the steal of the first round of the 2026 Draft.
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
D-backs: Ryder Helfrick, C (No. 2)
Arizona added to a burgeoning group of catchers by taking the Arkansas backstop 15th overall in July, and with Gabriel Moreno in the bigs and fellow Top 5 prospect Carlos Virahonda already in Double-A, the D-backs won’t have to push Helfrick any more aggressively than his development allows. He already draws plus grades for his receiving, framing and arm strength, and he has good raw power from the right side. His hit tool will need the most work after struggles versus non-fastballs in school, but even if it ends up as a 45 rather than a 50, the rest of the toolset can carry him.
Dodgers: Eduardo Quintero, OF (No. 3/MLB No. 20)
Part of the Dodgers' seemingly limitless supply of outfield prospects, Quintero trained as a catcher in Venezuela but became a full-time center fielder after signing for $297,500 in 2023 because the club wanted to make the most of his athleticism and offensive upside. The MVP and prospect of the year in the Single-A California League in 2025, he slashed .309/.455/.495 with 45 extra-base hits and 44 steals in 111 games while leading the High-A Midwest League in batting and on-base percentage this season. He should have solid to plus tools across the board once he's fully developed.
Giants: Josuar Gonzalez, SS/2B (No. 1/MLB No. 17)
On this week's Pipeline Podcast, we declared Gonzalez our favorite to rank as the game's top prospect entering the 2028 season. Signed for $2,997,500 out of the Dominican Republic as the top position player in the 2025 international class, he batted .351/.447/.544 with 26 extra-base hits and 21 steals in 61 games between Rookie ball and Single-A as an 18-year-old making his U.S. debut. He comes with solid raw power and well above-average speed, not to mention switch-hitting ability and smooth defense at shortstop.
Padres: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP (No. 2)
There have surely been some bumps in Schoolcraft’s first full season, specifically in the control department with 57 walks in 79 1/3 innings with Single-A Lake Elsinore. However, patience was always going to be required with a 6-foot-8 southpaw who was a two-way player as recently as last year. Schoolcraft can still sit 93-96 mph with his heater and get ample whiffs with his slider and changeup. With another offseason of prep work, he could squeeze out more consistent velocity and tighten up the control to take up the top-prospect mantle left by Ethan Salas’ expected graduation next summer.
Rockies: Ethan Holliday, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 25)
There’s still a lot to learn for Holliday, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 Draft, starting with cutting down on the swing-and-miss (28.3 percent K rate during 2026). But the power was already showing up (.557 SLG, .952 OPS), and he’ll get a chance to start over again after playing in just 33 games before a stress fracture in his left foot ended his first full season.