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2022 Top 100 Prospects

Gunnar Henderson (Photo By Kevork Djansezian Getty Images)
Gunnar Henderson (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

See Also: August Top 100 Risers And Fallers

With our update of the Top 100 Prospects list—now with 2022 draft picks included—we have a new No. 1 prospect in baseball.

Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson ascends to the top spot.

We release our offseason Top 100 Prospects list in January every year. That’s the Top 100 that we record as our “official” Top 100 that we will refer to for years to come.

But as our readers know, to better provide all the information we gather, we now update our Top 100 Prospects list monthly during the MiLB season. We are continually gathering feedback on prospects, and the monthly updates allow us to better reflect what we learn as we learn it. This is why a prospect like Jackson Chourio can go from far off of the Top 100 Prospects list in January to one of the top prospects in all of baseball at this point.

But in between those monthly updates, we also account for graduations by removing players as they reach 130 MLB at-bats, 50 MLB innings or 30 MLB appearances. When we do that, we move everyone else up while adding a prospect at No. 100 to replace the graduated player. In between those monthly re-ranks, we are not re-evaluating the rankings, but we will account for graduations.

We moved Blue Jays catcher Gabriel Moreno to No. 1 on July 27. He moved up to No.1 because our then-No. 1 prospect Riley Greene graduated by topping 130 at-bats. Now that we are doing our full assessment of the Top 100 for a re-rank,  the consensus was that Gunnar Henderson is the best choice as the No. 1 prospect in baseball.

Our more recent previous re-rank was on July 11. Now, we are doing our final re-rank of the Top 100 Prospects list of the 2022 season. When we head into the offseason, we will have many hours of additional reporting and discussions to hash out our 2023 No. 1 prospect. It will assuredly be a tough decision.



100 Matches
See Full List Expand Collapse All Updated on: 9/26/2022
  1. 1
    Last: 6
    Gunnar Henderson 2022

    Gunnar Henderson

    Orioles SS
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60
    Skinny: The former Alabama prep star has flown through the Orioles system to Triple-A and flashed enticing five-tool potential. His approach, strength and feel for the barrel make him a well-rounded force at the plate, while he continues to show he can play shortstop despite his larger frame.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  2. 2
    Last: 18
    Jackson Chourio 2022

    Jackson Chourio

    Brewers OF
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 50
    Skinny: The 18-year-old Venezuelan has been the breakout player of the minors, reaching High-A Wisconsin at an age when his peers are still in the Rookie-level complex leagues. With advanced hitting ability, explosive power, plus-plus speed and highlight-reel defense in center field, he has the tools to be a future superstar.

    CLICK HERE TO READ HIS FULL SCOUTING REPORT

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  3. 3
    Last: 1
    Gabriel Moreno 2022

    Gabriel Moreno

    D-backs C
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 70 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60
    Skinny: Moreno has the potential to be a plus-plus hitter, which has been evident in Triple-A. His natural hitting gifts and plus defense behind the plate make him a potential all-star even with questions about his power.


    CLICK HERE TO READ HIS FULL SCOUTING REPORT

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  4. 4
    Last: 3
    Grayson Rodriguez 2022

    Grayson Rodriguez

    Orioles RHP
    Notes:

    Tools: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 65 | Control: 60
    Skinny: Rodriguez’s ascent to the majors came to a screeching halt when he suffered a strained lat muscle in early June. When he was on the mound, he showed the potential to be a true ace with three plus pitches, plus command and the physicality to log innings and dominate deep into games.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  5. 5
    Last: 4
    Corbin Carroll 2022

    Corbin Carroll

    D-backs OF
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 70 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 45
    Skinny: After missing most of the 2021 season with a shoulder injury, Carroll has returned with a vengeance this season. The undersized but mighty center fielder boasts plus hitting ability, plus speed and plus defense to go with sneaky power that plays in games, making him one of the most well-rounded prospects in the minors.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  6. 6
    Last: 5
    Francisco Alvarez 2022
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 55
    Skinny: The burly catcher continues to mash at the upper levels and projects to be an offensive force whenever he arrives at Citi Field. Alvarez's defense and how his big body will age remain questions, but his ability to hit and hit with power give him the potential to be an impact hitter in the middle of a lineup.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  7. 7
    Last: 8
    Jordan Walker 2022

    Jordan Walker

    Cardinals 3B/OF
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 50 | Power: 70 | Run: 45 | Fielding: 45 | Arm: 55
    Skinny: Few prospects have higher offensive ceilings than Walker, who combines advanced hitting instincts with jaw-dropping raw power to project as a middle-of-the-order force. While he won’t stick at third base, he has added enough athleticism to play right field and avoid an immediate move to first base.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  8. 8
    Last: 9
    Eury Perez 2022

    Eury Perez

    Marlins RHP
    Notes:

    Tools: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60
    Skinny: The 6-foot-8 teenager continues to impress with his combination of stuff, poise and athleticism. With his mid-90s fastball, plus slider, effective changeup and plus control, Perez has mowed down Double-A hitters at 19 years old and entered the phylum of the best pitching prospects in baseball.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  9. 9
    Last: 10
    Diego Cartaya 2022

    Diego Cartaya

    Dodgers C
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 70
    Skinny: Cartaya’s advanced approach, explosive swing and massive power have translated to High-A and earned him plaudits as one of the best, and most dangerous, hitters in the minors. His defense behind the plate has regressed and needs substantial improvement, but he’s shown the ability to be a plus defender before and has the physical skills to get there.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  10. 10
    Last: 14
    Anthony Volpe 2022

    Anthony Volpe

    Yankees SS
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 45
    Skinny: Volpe got off to a slow start before finding his rhythm at Double-A and resuming mashing. He remains one of the best power-speed threats in the minors with the ability to hit 20 home runs or steal 20 bases, production that will play at shortstop or second base.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  11. 11
    Last: 12
    Jordan Lawlar 2022

    Jordan Lawlar

    D-backs SS
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 60 | Arm: 65
    Skinny: Lawlar tore through the Low-A California League in his full-season debut with a dazzling display of electric athleticism, better-than-expected contact skills and explosive power before a promotion to High-A Hillsboro. As long as he shows his hitting ability translates to higher levels, he has a chance to be a 20-homer, 20-stolen base threat who stays at shortstop.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  12. 12
    Last: 13
    Marcelo Mayer 2022

    Marcelo Mayer

    Red Sox SS
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 65 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60
    Skinny: Mayer shook off a midseason wrist injury to continue showing a smooth, explosive swing and graceful defense at shortstop. He remains very young with a long way to go, but he has the ingredients to contend for both batting titles and Gold Gloves at shortstop.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  13. 13
    Last: 14
    Tovar Headshot

    Ezequiel Tovar

    Rockies SS
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Fielding: 65 | Arm: 60
    Skinny: One of the year’s biggest breakout prospects, Tovar has continued playing fabulous defense at shortstop while getting stronger at the plate to hit for both average and power. He remains overly aggressive as a hitter, but he has the tools to be a game-changing talent on both sides of the ball if he can rein in his approach even just a tick.

    CLICK HERE TO READ HIS FULL SCOUTING REPORT

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  14. 14
    Last: 15
    Shane Baz 2022

    Shane Baz

    Rays RHP
    Notes:

    Tools: Fastball: 80 | Changeup: 50 | Slider: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Control: 60
    Skinny: Baz continues to demonstrate some of the best pure stuff in baseball with remarkably improved control. After offseason elbow surgery, Baz flourished upon his return to the Rays rotation, but in mid July he wnt on the 60-day injured list with an elbow sprain and received a platelet-rich plasma injection.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  15. 15
    Last: 16
    Taj Bradley 2022

    Taj Bradley

    Rays RHP
    Notes:

    Tools: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Curveball: 40 | Control: 55
    Skinny: Bradley’s rise continues unabated in the upper levels. His explosive fastball and sharp slider give him two pitches that can get outs at any time, and further development of either his curveball or changeup will elevate him from a mid-rotation future to a potential ace.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  16. 16
    Last: 17
    Daniel Espino 2022

    Daniel Espino

    Guardians RHP
    Notes:

    Tools: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50
    Skinny: The latest big arm to come out of Cleveland’s pitching factory, Espino showed some of the most explosive stuff in the minors with a triple-digit fastball and a wipeout slider before going on the injured list with a knee injury, with shoulder soreness slowing his return. Combined with improving control, he has a chance to be a frontline starter if he can stay healthy.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  17. 17
    Last: 18
    Marco Luciano 2022

    Marco Luciano

    Giants SS
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 60
    Skinny: Luciano continues to show some of the biggest power in the minors and is getting to it while cutting down his strikeout rate at High-A. He still faces positional questions about whether he will remain a shortstop, but his bat projects to make an impact at any position.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  18. 18
    Last: 19
    Kyle Harrison 2022

    Kyle Harrison

    Giants LHP
    Notes:

    Tools: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 40
    Skinny: Harrison reached Double-A at only 20 years old and continues to flash some of the best pure stuff in the minors. His fastball reaches 98 mph, his slider is a wipeout pitch and his changeup features strong fading life. Harrison's control and durability remain works in progress, but his upside is tantalizing.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  19. 19
    Last: 20
    Druw Jones

    Druw Jones

    D-backs OF
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 70 | Field: 70 | Arm: 65.
    Skinny: Jones, the son of former Braves star Andruw Jones, was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft with an electric mix of tools, skills and physical upside. He’s an outstanding athlete with the ball skills in center field to develop into one of the top defenders at the position, with a chance to develop into an exciting power/speed threat in the middle of the field.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  20. 20
    Last: 21
    Elly De La Cruz 2022

    Elly de la Cruz

    Reds SS
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 70
    Skinny: De La Cruz is one of the most exciting and explosive players in the minors with plus-plus raw power, plus-plus speed and plus-plus arm strength. He can change a game at any time on both sides of the ball, but he’s an aggressive free-swinger and still needs to hone his plate discipline.

    CLICK HERE TO READ HIS FULL SCOUTING REPORT

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  21. 21
    Last: 22
    Bobby Miller 2022

    Bobby Miller

    Dodgers RHP
    Notes:

    Tools: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 50 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50.
    Skinny: Miller's stuff continues to be mesmerizing with a fastball that sits 96-100 mph and a slider and changeup that are both plus pitches. He still needs a soft offering to disrupt hitters' timing, but few pitchers can match his pure power.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  22. 22
    Last: 23
    Robert Hassell 2022

    Robert Hassell III

    Nationals OF
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 55
    Skinny: The sweet-swinging Hassell has seamlessly made the jump to High-A. His approach and feel for the barrel make him one of the best pure hitters in the minors, even with below-average exit velocities that should improve with physical maturity.

    CLICK HERE TO READ HIS FULL SCOUTING REPORT

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  23. 23
    Last: 24
    Curtis Mead 2022

    Curtis Mead

    Rays 3B/1B
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Fielding: 45 | Arm: 40
    Skinny: The Australia native continues to hit, hit and hit some more as he climbs up the minors. He's already reached Triple-A at 21 years old and continues to show the mix of power and contact skills to be an offensive force.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  24. 24
    Last: 25
    Miguel Vargas 2022

    Miguel Vargas

    Dodgers 3B
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 65 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50
    Skinny: Vargas continues to assert himself as one of the top young pure hitters in the game and is progressively growing into more power. His ultimate position is anyone's guess, but his bat will play anywhere.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

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  25. 25
    Last: 26
    Brett Baty 2022

    Brett Baty

    Mets 3B
    Notes:

    Tools: Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 60
    Skinny: Baty continues to do everything well as a hitter with a solid blend of contact skills, power and plate discipline. He is uncertain to remain at third base, but he has the athleticism to play the outfield as needed.


    Click here to read his full scouting report

    More Less
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