MLB Pipeline gave a full refresh to its Top 100 Prospects list last week -- and each team’s Top 30 -- now that the 2026 draftees have joined their respective organizations. That makes it as good a time as any to look at the biggest breakout players in Minor Leagues.
Some of these players were high Draft picks or on the preseason Top 100 Prospects list. Others came out of relative obscurity. What they all have in common is that they've answered major questions about their profiles.
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We're not strictly looking at the highest risers in the rankings -- Padres top prospect Ethan Salas went from unranked to No. 23 but had more of a "bounceback" campaign than a "breakout" season, for example. These players are at their peak value to date and have up arrows next to their names.
Here's a look at 10 of the biggest breakouts, in alphabetical order.
Arias ranked highly to start the year because of his precocious bat-to-ball skills and glove, but his big step forward in power has enabled him to become one of the very best prospects in the game. He already has more home runs this season (23) than he hit in his first three seasons combined (18) and ranks in the 81st percentile at Triple-A with a 44.3 percent hard-hit rate. The 20-year-old rarely whiffs and has a chance to be the youngest Red Sox player to make his big league debut since Rafael Devers in 2017.
Anthony Eyanson, RHP, Orioles (BAL No. 2/MLB No. 49)
Preseason ranking: BOS No. 10
Eyanson was the third Southeastern Conference hurler the Red Sox drafted last year, but he quickly emerged as their best selection before Boston shipped him to Baltimore in the Adley Rutschman trade. The 6-foot-1 righty has seen a big uptick in stuff, including two ticks of velocity on his fastball (topping out at 100 mph) and the development of a promising splitter after barely using a changeup in college. The Louisiana State product's athleticism gives hope that he'll develop above-average command to complement his impressive feel for spin.
Theo Gillen, OF, Rays (TB No. 2/MLB No. 12)
Preseason ranking: TB No. 1/MLB No. 76
Gillen had battled injuries for years -- a torn labrum and knee injury in high school and calf and wrist maladies in pro ball -- that held him back as he emerged as potentially the top high school bat in the 2023 Draft. The Texas native is finally healthy this season, and not only is he continuing to display tremendous bat-to-ball skills and a discerning eye, but he's also emerged as a power hitter. The 20-year-old has put together a 20/40 season between High-A and Double-A -- converting nearly a third of his fly balls into homers -- while playing quality defense in center field.
Eric Hartman, OF, Braves (ATL No. 1/MLB No. 42)
Preseason ranking: ATL No. 20
The Braves went over slot in the 20th round of the 2024 Draft to sign Hartman for $340,000 as a speedy Canadian outfielder. Two years into his pro career, his raw tools are translating into big-time production. He crushed 24 homers in 93 High-A games before earning a promotion to Double-A. Sure enough, with 47 steals to boot, he became the fastest Minor Leaguer to reach the 20/30 threshold (71 games) since Charlton Jimerson in 2007 (70 games).
Josiah Hartshorn, OF/1B, Cubs (CHC No. 1/MLB No. 39)
Preseason ranking: CHC No. 8
Hartshorn got early second-round money as a 2025 sixth-rounder after showing some of the best power in his class. He's a switch-hitter, but an elbow injury limited him to essentially only hitting right-handed his first three years of high school before a back injury forced him to change to the other side of the plate. Finally able to use both swings, the California native became the first prep player in his Draft to reach High-A, and he's been fulfilling his power potential while nearly walking (70) as much as he's struck out (87).
Marek Houston, SS, Twins (MIN No. 4/MLB No. 74)
Preseason ranking: MIN No. 8
Houston went 16th overall in the 2025 Draft as a no-doubt shortstop with a contact-oriented approach. He was not overly impressive in 24 games after signing but has displayed far more offensive aptitude than expected in his first full pro season. After adding muscle and improving his swing path, the Wake Forest product is barreling the ball more consistently. He doesn't have to hit much to be an everyday player, but the added impact and impressive speed raise the ceiling on this high-floor player.
Caden Hunter, LHP, Orioles (BAL No. 4/MLB No. 98)
Preseason ranking: Not ranked
The 10th player the Orioles selected in the 2025 Draft, Hunter has taken a big leap forward thanks to an uptick in stuff. The southpaw is throwing harder than he did at Southern California, now touching 98 mph on his fastball, and his harder slider has emerged as an above-average pitch. The 22-year-old is also mixing in a curveball this season, helping him strike out batters at a 36.5 percent clip, which is third among Minor Leaguers with at least 80 innings.
Emil Morales, SS, Dodgers (LAD No. 4/MLB No. 24)
Preseason ranking: LAD No. 5/MLB No. 92
Scouts projected Morales to have above-average hit and power tools when he signed for nearly $1.9 million as one of the top prospects in the 2024 international class, but he's taken his power to a new level in 2026 and is tied for second among teenage Minor Leaguers with 23 homers. The right-handed hitter has absolutely crushed fastballs -- his slash line is .348/.466/.690 -- while still hitting for enough power against secondary pitches (.174 ISO). He's quite physical at 6-foot-3 but has a chance to stick at shortstop thanks to promising instincts and arm strength.
Nolan Perry, RHP, Blue Jays (TOR No. 2/MLB No. 96)
Preseason ranking: Not ranked
Perry was an intriguing high school arm out of the New Mexico high school ranks, but a torn UCL in 2024 paused his development. The 6-foot-2 right-hander has returned this season looking like a much-improved version of himself, adding two ticks of velocity that have made his entire arsenal more effective. Perry's walk rates have ticked up as better competition hasn't chased as much against him, but the 22-year-old's easy mechanics portend average long-term control, which should be more than enough to start, considering his impressive stuff.
Christian Zazueta, RHP, Dodgers (LAD No. 5/MLB No. 36)
Preseason ranking: LAD No. 10
The Dodgers have a habit of picking up interesting prospects in trades and watching them take off in their impressive player development program, and Zazueta is their latest success. Acquired from the Yankees in the Caleb Ferguson trade, the 6-foot-3 righty uses his athleticism well to get elite extension, which helps his upper-90s fastball with carry play up. The 22-year-old has improved his strikeout and walk rates, leading to a 31.5 percent K/BB rate that ranks second among Minor League pitchers with at least 80 innings.