Who I Expect to Crack the 2027 Top 100

Who are the next wave of 100 Prospects?

This article was previously published on TJStats.ca

With the annually release of the 2026 Top 100 MLB Prospects, there is no better time to look ahead to next year to highlight a group of prospects that can burst onto the scene to solidify themselves as the best young players in the minor leagues. This article is heavily inspired by Fangraphs Eric Longenhagen’s yearly tradition of selecting his “gut-feel guys“ that he believes have the talent to make next season’s edition of his Top 100.

Since this is my first go at this exercise, I only have one rule:

1. No player on my 2026 Top 100 Prospect List

For the 2026 season I have selected 40 prospects, all of which I discuss in this article. They are organized into subsets based on prospect archetypes to make the article more digestible.

Let’s get started!

College Arms

Gage Wood, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
AJ Russell, RHP, Texas Rangers
Marcus Phillips, RHP, Boston Red Sox
Tyler Bremner, RHP, Los Angeles Angels

Gage Wood posted an absurd 41.3 K-BB% in his final season at Arkansas, earning a first-round selection by the Phillies. Some evaluators viewed Wood as the best pure stuff arm in the class, and it’s easy to see why: his fastball sits in the mid-90s with roughly 17 inches of iVB from a 5.5-foot release, giving it elite shape, and he pairs it with two breaking balls that each flash plus traits. If he can iron out his command, Wood offers legitimate frontline starter upside.

AJ Russell saw much of his college career derailed by Tommy John surgery, but that didn’t deter the Rangers from selecting him 52nd overall in the 2025 draft. The big-bodied right-hander features a 93-94 mph fastball that plays up thanks to an extremely shallow approach angle, allowing it to stifle hitters despite modest raw shape. His secondaries remain a work in progress, but there’s plenty to dream on as he continues to distance himself from surgery.

Marcus Phillips fits the Red Sox pitching archetype to a tee, combining premium velocity with elite extension. His fastball averaged 95 mph at Tennessee while generating nearly 7.5 feet of extension, helping the pitch consistently get on hitters quicker than expected. While the shape isn’t overly intriguing, Boston has enjoyed success developing this profile, and if things click, Phillips’ floor looks like a mid-rotation starter.

The second overall pick is typically a lock for Top 100 status, but Tyler Bremner currently feels more like an incomplete arm. His fastball-changeup combination is strong, though the lack of a reliable third pitch and less-refined command relative to his peers has limited his present projection and keeps his stock somewhat muted.

College Bats

Ethan Frey, OF, Houston Astros
Luke Stevenson, C, Seattle Mariners
Marek Houston, SS, Minnesota Twins

Ethan Frey delivered arguably the most impressive pro debut of any 2025 draftee, posting a 165 wRC+ across 26 Low-A games while flashing every tool needed to profile as a future slugger. If he maintains even a portion of that production over a full season, Frey could rocket up prospect boards in 2026.

Luke Stevenson, one of my favorite targets from the 2025 draft, landed in Seattle after being selected in the CB-A round. The burly catcher posted excellent contact-quality metrics at UNC to pair with a selective offensive approach and also projects as an above-average defender behind the plate. That combination of offensive ceiling and defensive stability makes him an especially intriguing catching prospect heading into 2026.

Marek Houston could crack the Top 100 almost entirely on the strength of his glove, as he boasts a phenomenal defensive profile at shortstop. Supporting that foundation is a plus hit tool, a pull-power approach, and a projectable frame that gives him multiple paths to offensive growth.

Defense First Outfielders

Luis Lara, CF, Milwaukee Brewers
Nelson Rada, CF, Los Angeles Angels

Luis Lara could break camp with Milwaukee and immediately grade out as one of the better defensive center fielders in baseball. His speed, instincts, and arm strength allow him to impact the game defensively at a high level, though limited power output has kept him off this year’s Top 100 despite a strong hit tool.

Nelson Rada remains a favourite of statistical models, continuing to excel in the upper minors as a teenager thanks to his advanced approach and feel for contact. He looks like a natural in center field, but, similar to Lara, a near-total lack of power caps his overall prospect ceiling.

Prep Shortstops

Devin Fitz-Gerald, SS, Washington Nationals
Gavin Fien, 3B, Washington Nationals
Billy Carlson, SS, Chicago White Sox
Steele Hall, SS, Cincinnati Reds

Devin Fitz-Gerald enjoyed a strong pro debut in the ACL and carried that momentum into full-season ball at Low-A Hickory before a shoulder injury ended his season in early July. Prior to the injury, all signs pointed toward a breakout, highlighted by excellent swing decisions, plus contact rates, and emerging power from both sides of the plate.

Gavin Fien was viewed by some evaluators as the top prep bat in the 2025 draft, and the underlying traits support that reputation. While his pro debut was uneven, he has already flashed standout power metrics backed by strong pitch recognition and contact rates, positioning him as a potential fast riser among high school draftees in 2026.

Billy Carlson looks every bit the part of an MLB-caliber shortstop out of high school. He’s a smooth, instinctive defender and posted some of the strongest power metrics among his prep peers. If the White Sox can tighten his swing and make it more compact, concerns about his hit tool could quickly fade.

Steele Hall is an ultra-athletic shortstop with top-end speed and strong defensive instincts. One of the youngest players selected in the 2025 draft, Hall held his own against older competition, and his quick hands and launch profile offer a favorable power outlook, though an inconsistent hit tool remains his primary flaw.

Splendid Southpaws

Mitch Bratt, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Christian Oppor, LHP, Chicago White Sox
Jacob Bresnahan, LHP, San Francisco Giants

Mitch Bratt relies on a deep pitch mix and surgical command to neutralize hitters. He doesn’t overpower opponents with velocity, but his ability to live in the zone while sustaining strong whiff rates gives him a unique profile built on precision rather than raw stuff.

High-90s velocity from the left side propelled Christian Oppor to a breakout 2025 season, highlighted by major improvements in command metrics. He posted a notable jump in Strike% and improved his Zone% to above average, while his changeup emerged as a deadly weapon against right-handed hitters. Poor feel for spin remains the primary limiter.

Jacob Bresnahan enjoyed a breakout 2025, posting a 2.61 ERA and 3.00 FIP across 93 innings in Low-A. His fastball plays as a plus offering thanks to impressive life, which also enhances the effectiveness of his late-fading changeup. With improved strike throwing, Bresnahan could force his way into future Top 100 discussions if the production holds against stronger competition.

Stuff Savants

Anderson Brito, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays
Luke Sinnard, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Christian Zazueta, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Ben Hess, RHP, New York Yankees
Owen Murphy, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Antwone Kelly, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Anderson Brito impressed in an abbreviated High-A season before shining in the Arizona Fall League, where his fastball sat 98 mph and his trio of secondaries all graded well above average. Now in the Rays system, Brito will look to carry that momentum forward and solidify himself as a Top 100-caliber arm.

Luke Sinnard posted a 2.86 ERA and 2.83 FIP across 72.1 innings in 2025 before continuing to impress in the AFL. The towering right-hander uses a seven-foot release to create uncomfortable angles which pairs well with his sharp fastball command. His arsenal also features a low-spin splitter that could become devastating once he refines his feel for the pitch. Atlanta’s pitching development track record only adds optimism.

Christian Zazueta may be the top pitching prospect in the Dodgers system, combining strong strike throwing with electric stuff. His fastball sits 93-94 mph with 14 inches of iVB, a shallow -4.3° VAA, and excellent whiff rates, while his slider and changeup round out a prototypical three-pitch starter mix.

Ben Hess, the Yankees’ 2024 first-round pick, delivered a strong pro debut, posting a 3.22 ERA and 2.50 FIP across 103.1 innings en route to Double-A. His lively 92-94 mph fastball anchors an arsenal that includes two bat-missing breaking balls and a tumbling changeup, with improved command representing the next step.

Before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024, Owen Murphy was on a meteoric rise, backed by dominant High-A results and a strong pitch mix. Since returning late in 2025, his fastball velocity has dipped slightly but remains highly effective due to elite ride and shallow approach, while changes to his breaking ball mix and a newly added changeup give him additional weapons. All signs point toward a full return to form as he moves further from surgery.

Antwone Kelly wields elite velocity, averaging 97 mph and touching 101, while pounding the zone effectively. Though the fastball lacks elite shape, his ability to command it sets up his slider and changeup, giving him a floor as a potential high-leverage reliever.

Teenage Arms

Kevin Defrank, RHP, Miami Marlins
Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, San Diego Padres
David Shields, LHP, Kansas City Royals
Kendry Chourio, RHP, Kansas City Royals

Kevin Defrank has evaluators buzzing thanks to a massive 6-foot-5, 235-pound frame paired with surprising athleticism. Already flashing a 97 mph fastball and two promising secondaries at just 17 years old, Defrank’s ceiling is enormous.

Kruz Schoolcraft, the Padres’ top pick in 2025, made a strong first impression in his lone Low-A outing. The lanky left-hander averaged 95 MPH on his fastball and flashed a plus changeup. Given raving reviews about his command in high school, Schoolcraft could be a quick riser.

David Shields emerged as one of the biggest risers from the 2024 draft, dominating Low-A with a 2.01 ERA and 2.57 FIP across 71.2 innings. The prep lefty shows advanced command and feel, with the next step being unlocking more velocity for his low-90s fastball.

Kendry Chourio made the jump from the DSL to Low-A at just 17 years old, underscoring Kansas City’s confidence in his profile. His mid-90s fastball and fading changeup headline a well-rounded arsenal that already looks advanced for his age.

Teenage Bats

Jorge Quintana, SS, San Diego Padres
Elian Pena, SS, New York Mets
Juan Sanchez, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
Nathan Flewelling, C, Tampa Bay Rays
Emil Morales, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers

Jorge Quintana has looked like a natural at shortstop, making highlight-reel plays while posting near-MLB-average contact quality as an 18-year-old. His approach is sound, though questions about the hit tool and modest production limit his current ceiling despite strong underlying data.

Elian Pena silenced early concerns following an 0-for-26 start by finishing his DSL season with a 146 wRC+. His steep, compact swing supports a pull-heavy fly ball approach that should translate to power, and solid pitch recognition gives him a path to stateside ball in 2026.

Already viewed as one of Toronto’s top IFA signings since Vlad Guerrero Jr., Juan Sanchez has checked every box in the DSL. He pairs a projectable frame and eye-catching EVs with budding contact skills and sound swing decisions.

Nathan Flewelling posted a 125 wRC+ across 107 games in 2025 and earned a late-season promotion to High-A. His patient approach, plus blocking, and throwing stand out, while a steep uppercut swing buoys his power despite a below-average hit tool.

Emil Morales transitioned smoothly stateside, finishing with a 141 wRC+ and showcasing plus power with 14 home runs. Defensive questions remain, but the bat stands out as one of the more intriguing in the lower minors.

Upper Minors Arms

David Hagaman, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Ryan Gallagher, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Winston Santos, RHP, Texas Rangers
Tanner McDougal, RHP, Chicago White Sox

David Hagaman features dominant breaking balls, with both his slider and curveball posting whiff rates north of 48% during 2025. Improvements to his fastball shape in the AFL give him the look of a backend starter, with further upside if the changeup develops.

Ryan Gallagher posted strong underlying metrics in 2025, though his fastball remains a double-edged sword due to its steep plane. His slider and changeup consistently missed bats, and his extreme over-the-top delivery gives him a unique look.

Winston Santos returned late in 2025 from a back injury showing his prior velocity and improved changeup feel. His athleticism, strike throwing, and well-rounded mix give him a chance to stick as a back-end starter with room for more.

Tanner McDougal put himself on the map last season, finishing 2025 with a 3.26 ERA and 3.15 FIP across 113.1 innings split nearly evenly between High-A and Double-A. His breakout was driven by eye-opening velocity as he touched triple digits on multiple occasions which he paired with meaningful gains in strike throwing. His ability to spin the baseball pushes both breakers into plus territory and cements them as reliable swing-and-miss offerings. With improved fastball command and a pair of intriguing secondaries, McDougal has established a stable foundation to build upon following his breakout season.

Upper Minors Bats

Parks Harber, 3B, San Francisco Giants
Ryan Clifford, 1B, New York Mets
Luke Adams, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers
Aron Estrada, 2B, Baltimore Orioles
Kemp Alderman, OF, Miami Marlins

Parks Harber continues to mash in the lower minors, separating himself with consistent power and lightning-quick hands. Strong AFL performance and adequate defense at third base hint at a meaningful stock rise if the production holds at higher levels.

Ryan Clifford took a massive step forward, pairing elite power with improved contact rates to post a 136 wRC+ en route to Triple-A. The gains paint him as more than a three-true-outcomes bat and give him a clear MLB path.

Luke Adams broke out in 2025 after improving his bat speed and optimizing his swing for pull-side power, shedding the “passive hitter” label. With limited defensive value, his bat will need to carry the profile -- but it looks capable of doing so.

Aron Estrada held his own at Double-A as a young switch-hitting second baseman, blending contact ability, bat speed, and athleticism. While he lacks a defining tool, the overall package makes him a sneaky riser heading into 2026.

Kemp Alderman is in the running for the quickest bat in baseball; his 110.7 MPH 90th% EV ranks top 10 across all levels. His 20 game AAA stint to end off 2025 displayed Alderman’s potential if he could put it all together: a 1.013 OPS and 7 home runs. Alderman’s bat-to-ball skills paired with his power stroke feel too good to fail; he just needs to keep on lifting the ball.

Relievers

Bryson Dudley, RHP, Kansas City Royals
Jhancarlos Lara, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Luinder Avila, RHP, Kansas City Royals
Craig Yoho, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers
Josh White, RHP, Miami Marlins
Zach McCambley, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
Brandan Bidois, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Bradgley Rodriguez, RHP, San Diego Padres
Emiliano Teodo, RHP, Texas Rangers
Tyson Neighbors, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
Alex Cook, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays
Andrew Walters, RHP, Cleveland Guardians
A.J. Causey, RHP, Kansas City Royals
Spencer Miles, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Gavin Collyer, RHP, Texas Rangers
Ryan Lambert, RHP, New York Mets
Zach Maxwell, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

This group of arms are some of my favourite relief prospects. They understandably were not included on my Top 100, but I still believe they can be notable bullpen pieces in MLB in the near future.

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