The Yankees have four prospects on MLB Pipeline's 2026 Top 100 Prospects list, released last week: shortstop George Lombard Jr. (No. 32), right-handers Carlos Lagrange (No. 79) and Elmer Rodríguez (No. 82) and shortstop Dax Kilby (No. 94).
But prospect development is all about the future, so the logical question is: Who's next?
Let's take a look at who's right behind them in the Yankees system as the next prospects with a chance to crack future Top 100 lists:
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Bryce Cunningham, RHP
The Yankees probably have the most famous prospect not included on the current Top 100 in Spencer Jones, who finished last season on the back of the list after putting together one of the most impressive offensive seasons in the Minors. But Jones will be 25 in May and could factor into the big league mix early in 2026, meaning he actually isn't all that likely to rejoin the Top 100. It's at least equally likely that he sheds his prospect status by then.
That brings us to Cunningham, who is a year younger and yet to pitch above High-A. The Yankees' second-round pick in 2024, the right-hander was limited to 54 1/3 innings due to injury in his first full season, though he did get 13 additional innings in the Arizona Fall League. His best pitch is an upper-80s changeup he uses in tandem with a rising fastball, but he'll have to limit walks to have success as he pitches through the upper levels.
Ben Hess, RHP
The Yankees drafted Hess right before they took Cunningham, in the first round of the 2024 Draft, after he starred at Alabama, then watched him reach Double-A (and pitch very well there) during his first full pro season. He's a fireballer with a four-seam fastball that flirts with triple-digits and can overpower hitters, and he throws two different breaking balls to generate different looks. Hess gets good extension from his delivery and throws from an unusual arm angle, giving his strong stuff a unique look. That helps him miss bats at a high clip -- he compiled 139 strikeouts in 103 1/3 innings in 2025 and should begin this year back at Double-A.
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Henry Lalane, LHP
The Yankees have several hurlers in their pitching-rich system we could mention here, but Lalane gets the nod here in part because he's one of the youngest. It also helps that he stands 6-foot-7 and throws left-handed, helping to provide the 21-year-old a solid floor. His ceiling is enhanced by his chance to have three plus pitches, including a fastball that can reach 97 mph. He missed most of 2025 with shoulder issues, but comes with a ton of talent if he can put those in the rearview mirror.