Major League Baseball is unlike any other major sport in the country when it comes to prospects and their development. In the NFL, players primarily get drafted straight into the league, with occasional stints on the practice squad. In the NBA, players are drafted and either make the team or go to the G League. Most similar to baseball is the NHL, where players develop in one of the two league affiliates, the AHL or the lower ECHL.
In the major leagues, however, players have the potential to work through six different minor league levels (Dominican Summer League for International Teenagers, Florida Complex League/Arizona Complex League, Low A, High A, AA, AAA) before ever making it to the majors.
There are also 20 rounds in the draft, which is the most of any sport. As such, most prospects never actually make it to the big leagues. Although players can skip levels or start at higher levels based on readiness or age, it can often take three or four years or longer to work through the system.
This is why banking on prospects can feel like a fool’s game. Teams need to have a good development pipeline to have sustained success at the major league level, but many high-ranked prospects never work out, and unheralded prospects can come out of nowhere to make their mark in the league. Take Kristian Campbell last season, for example. He was a relative unknown coming into the season, but his in-season success caught the eye of scouts, and he shot up the rankings at a rapid pace.
Nevertheless, certain players have earned the respect of industry scouts. Whether success is combined with draft pedigree or earned purely through hard work, these players have the tools to have a long, successful baseball career. The teams with control of these players should be excited about what the future brings.
It is time to take a look at the Top 10 prospects in the sport right now. Keep in mind that any player who is currently on a major league roster and expected to lose prospect eligibility soon (ex. Roki Sasaki, Dylan Crews, Kristian Campbell) will not be included on this list.
Pittsburgh has been successful in developing pitchers, and Chandler should join the list soon, having already made it to AAA. Chandler’s fastball is elite, grading out at a 70. His offspeed pitches are more of a work in progress, something the Pittsburgh development staff challenged him to improve on. It worked, and he now boasts three solid pitches, with his slider and changeup pairing well with the fastball. He will throw a curveball on occasion, but appears less comfortable with it. Overall, Chandler’s biggest need is to consistently locate his pitches in the zone. If he can manage that, he could easily be a two or three-starter on a major league roster.
Marcelo Mayer is one of Boston’s top prospects, a member of the infamous “big three”. He is playing for AAA Worcester, where he is already carving out a name for himself. What makes Mayer such a tantalizing prospect is that he does everything well. He has a smooth, fundamental left-handed swing that leads to solid contact rates. His power is good and improving as he gains strength. He is a smart baserunner and plays strong defense around the infield. Mayer may not be plus-plus at any skill, but the lack of holes in his game projects him as a consistent major league presence. Mayer will likely be called up this season.
The White Sox have a history of success in developing left-handed pitchers. Chris Sale, Garrett Crochet, and now Noah Schultz. His tall, powerful frame makes him an imposing pitcher on the mound. The slider he throws is his best pitch, devastating batters and continuing to develop velocity. His fastball has also picked up velocity, generating swing and miss high in the zone. His two-seamer and changeup are good pitches for keeping the batter off balance. Schultz’s command and control are beyond his age, and he is expected to develop into a front-line starter.
Jordan Lawlar is an oft-forgotten AAA prospect from the 2021 draft class, but his fundamentals make him a top prospect even in a loaded system. Lawlar’s greatest calling card is his plus speed, which should develop into 30+ stolen bases in the majors. He has also worked hard at improving his defense, which should allow him to stick at SS. He has a good sense of plate discipline, which leads to a solid batting average. His power has not developed yet, but he should be able to produce at least average power numbers at the plate. Lawlar should make it to the big leagues this season.
Sebastian Walcott has outperformed expectations at every level he has played at thus far. The Bahamian native has been playing against older competition consistently throughout his time in the Texas farm system, performing above average and reaching AA at just 18 years old. His power is his calling card, producing plus exit velocities that should carry in the majors. His aggressive approach leads to strikeouts, but he has the potential for solid contact skills once he becomes more disciplined. His defensive home may eventually be 3B or OF, but his power should translate to middle-of-the-order talent.
Walter Jenkins is a heralded prospect in the Twins system at AA. The skilled outfielder has a fantastic approach at the plate and a smooth left-handed swing, allowing for good contact numbers and a strong K/BB ratio. He has already flashed some power, but should continue to develop there as he gains strength. With solid speed and base running ability, and a good arm in the outfield, Jenkins has no major weaknesses in his game. He could easily be a staple in the middle of the order at the major league level.
Carson Williams is a unique prospect on this list because he is bolstered by his plus-plus defense. His shortstop instincts are fantastic for his age, already reaching AAA. He has good range and plus-graded arm speed to go with solid athleticism. Offensively, Williams has a violent swing that produces good power numbers, but his hit ability is a work in progress. He struggles to identify curveballs, leading to high strikeout rates. If he can improve his pitch recognition, Williams can be a five-tool all-star in the major leagues.
As the saying goes, there is no such thing as a pitching prospect, and the Phillies learned that with Painter. Expected to make the major league roster out of spring training, injuries kept him out for two straight seasons (2023-2024). Now pitching his way back, Painter has to shake off some rust. His stuff is as lively as ever. Still just 22, Painter remains younger than his competition. He boasts four swing-and-miss pitches, with a fastball that tops out at 100 MPH, paired with a strong curveball, an above-average changeup, and a newly developed hard slider. He has a smooth, simple delivery that should age well. Once he is fully healthy, expect Painter to get a shot in the big leagues.
Samuel Basallo is a catching prospect for Baltimore. He struggled in his first stint at AAA, but overall, he has impressed throughout the minors. His bat is big league ready, with top-rated exit velocities and hard contact. His smooth left-handed swing and approach help him limit strikeouts. He is known to chase pitches, but his power in all fields combined with his contact ability helps him get away with it. While Basallo has a strong arm, his overall defense at C is an area for improvement, leading some to believe his bat will play better at 1B in the majors. Either way, he should soon be a fixture in the Orioles’ lineup.
Roman Anthony is not just Boston’s best prospect but the consensus best prospect in the entire league. Many thought Anthony was ready to break big league camp on the Red Sox roster in 2025, and his start to the season in AAA has done nothing to change those opinions. Anthony is a true potential superstar, and his offense has the potential to be elite. His raw power grades plus plus, and his swing and advanced discipline allow him to maintain high contact rates and strong K/BB ratios. Anthony is an above-average runner and plays solid defense in the OF, with no glaring holes in any part of his game. Once called up, Anthony will be an all-star fixture for Boston.
The reality is that prospects often do not pan out. Even the best prospects in the league can end up busts and often do not live up to their full potential. When scouting prospects, it is essential to not just look at stat lines but assess the tools they have in place to improve their game. It is those tools that can best translate to success at the major league level.
The ten players outlined here have a tool or multiple tools that should translate to major league success in the coming years. They are worth getting excited about, but keep in mind that prospect growth is not linear. If a player comes up and struggles, make sure they have the continued opportunity to learn and grow. Baseball requires time and patience, as few prospects can jump straight through to the MLB and be successful. Keep an eye on these players, as they may make up the foundation of the league soon.
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