15 MLB Prospects Who Could Crack The 2026 Top 100


Image credit: Short Stop Welbyn Francisca (10) of the ACL Guardians throws to first base during an Arizona Complex League game against the ACL Cubs on June 28, 2024 at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. (Freek Bouw/Four Seam Images)
We love looking ahead. Yesterday, we ranked 15 players who just missed the 2025 Top 100. Today, we’re adding another group of prospects beyond those 15 who could climb onto the 2026 Top 100.
Last year’s version of this exercise netted seven hits. Let’s dive into the players below.
Brody Hopkins, RHP, Rays
Hopkins was an outfielder who pitched a bit until very late in his college career at Winthrop. The Mariners loved his athleticism and potential on the mound, nabbing him as a sixth-rounder. Just two years later, he’s already looking like a steal. The Rays acquired him in the Randy Arozarena trade and were wowed with his low-slot, high-velocity fastball and his devastating slider. It’s hard to envision a scenario where a healthy Hopkins can’t at least be a useful reliever, but if he can keep improving his control, he could be a pretty unique and unusual lower-slot righthanded starter.
Welbyn Francisca, SS, Guardians
A switch-hitting shortstop that is the next in the seemingly endless series of smooth-swinging Guardians middle infielders, Francisca is a career .323 hitter in his brief MiLB career. He showed surprising pop for his size and age and he has above-average speed. He may not end as the Guardians’ best option to stick at short in a system loaded with shortstops, but he could climb onto this list in 2025 with a strong season in Class A.
Cooper Ingle, C, Guardians
Ingle was one of the breakout prospects of 2024. His combination of improved defense and a potent bat helped him climb into the Guardians’ Top 10 Prospects. That wasn’t enough to push him onto the Top 100 just yet, but if Ingle really just does more of the same while continuing to improve defensively, he’ll slide on the Top 100 before the 2026 season begins.
Seaver King, SS, Nationals
King is one of the best college draftees from the 2024 draft who isn’t on the 2025 Top 100. He didn’t miss by much. There’s a small chance that he could graduate before the 2026 Top 100 rolls out, but the Nationals could be patient with King. His plus-plus speed, average or better shortstop defense and barrel control give him a well-rounded prospect profile.
Elian Peña, SS, Mets
The Mets landed arguably the best prospect of the 2025 international class other than Sasaki. He’s a lefty hitter with prodigious power potential, excellent bat speed and a swing that could let him hit for average and power. If his first pro looks match his pre-signing scouting reports, he’ll be in Top 100 consideration.
Yairo Padilla, SS, Cardinals
Jesus Made leapt into the top tier of the 2025 Top 100 Prospects rankings even though he hasn’t made it to the U.S. for an official game yet. Padilla could follow in his footsteps. The Cardinals shortstop is a speedster with plus defense and a plus arm. He also has a rapidly improving bat that could make him a true five-tool star.
Brailer Guerrero, OF, Rays
Guerrero’s 2024 season ended very quickly because of a shoulder injury. When he’s been on the field, he’s impressed evaluators with his significant offensive upside. He has the ability to hit for average and power. There’s a lot of risk for a player with less than 200 pro plate appearances and he’s yet to face quality lefthanders, but there’s Top 100 Prospect upside.
Aidan Smith, OF, Rays
Yes, there are a lot of Rays on this list. Because after their trade deadline deals, the Rays brought in a wide variety of high-ceiling prospects. Smith has been hovering around the edge of the Top 100 for a little while. Smith has present pull-side power with the potential to develop all-field power. He’s a plus defender in center and he’s a capable basestealer.
Robert Calaz, OF, Rockies
Calaz was one of the top players in the 2023 international class and has only raised his stock since signing. He has standout power that led him to Arizona Complex League MVP honors in 2024. He got a brief 13-game cameo in the California League to end last season. There’s little doubt about his power potential. If he can show the same approach and improved plate discipline in full season ball, he’ll hit his way into the Top 100.
Brandon Winokur, SS, Twins
Winokur is one of the most physically gifted players in the minors. There aren’t many 6-foot-6 players with the athleticism to even semi-plausibly play shortstop, but Winokur can pull that off. He’s likely a third baseman or center fielder long-term, but his athleticism and massive power potential gives him star upside.
Walker Janek, C, Astros
If Janek’s defense is as good as advertised, he doesn’t have to do a lot at the plate to be a big league backup. But he should be a good enough hitter to try to carve out a regular role in the majors. If he can get to fringe-average power with consistent contact, he’s a Top 100 prospect as graduations thin out the current crop.
Connor Prielipp, LHP, Twins
If not for injuries, it’s possible that Prilelipp would have already graduated from prospect status. But he never made it back from his first Tommy John surgery, and had to return for a second procedure, meaning he missed much of three straight seasons. He’s healthy now, and he still has plus stuff. He could pitch his way to Minnesota in 2025, but his lack of pro innings makes it likely he will still be prospect eligible for 2026.
Cam Caminiti, LHP, Braves
Caminiti could pop in 2025. He’s a skinny, athletic lefty with a monster fastball and an above-average changeup. If he dominates Low-A Augusta as expected, he’ll put himself in Top 100 contention quickly.
Winston Santos, RHP, Rangers
There’s a chance Santos graduates before next year’s Top 100, but he still needs to add some more polish, so it’s very likely he’ll start 2025 in Double-A and spend the rest of the season in Triple-A. If he can keep improving his slider and make fewer middle-middle mistakes, he has starter potential.
Josuar Gonzalez, SS, Giants
The Giants’ top signing in the 2025 international class rivals Elian Peña for his potential to emerge as a well-rounded middle infielder who can provide plus defense and above-average offense. He’s a twitchy athlete with plus-plus speed and fast hands. Much like Peña, he could push into Top 100 consideration with a solid pro debut.