The brand new Top 100 Prospects list has arrived! The list, which features a new No. 1 overall prospect in Bobby Witt Jr., has representatives from 28 clubs and is loaded with elite talent.
Once again, hitters dominate the list as there are 71 position players listed. After the 29 pitchers named, shortstops (24) are well represented and there are an all-time high 12 catchers on the list, including three in the Top 10. A bulk of the prospects (74) were drafted and 26 players were inked as international free agents.
There are plenty of other ways to break down the lists and there will be no shortage of coverage on MLB Pipeline. For now, let's not waste any more time and dig into each team's Top 100 prospects.
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays (3)
7. Gabriel Moreno, C (ETA: 2022)
38. Orelvis Martinez, SS/3B (ETA: 2024)
80. Jordan Groshans, SS/3B (ETA: 2023)
Few players made as big an impact in so little time as Moreno did in 2021. The 22-year-old could become Toronto¡¯s backstop with just a few more Triple-A reps, and his plus bat and above-average defensive work could keep him in that position long term. Martinez and Groshans have their arrows pointed in separate directions after last season. Martinez was the Minors¡¯ teenage home run leader and profiles to show plus power. Groshans can be a talented hitter but needs to squeeze more pop into his game; luckily he¡¯ll still only be entering his age-22 season this summer. Like so many Jays prospects, both infielders have already seen multiple positions, and that should help their eventual MLB cases.
Orioles (5)
2. Adley Rutschman, C (ETA: 2022)
6. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP (ETA: 2022)
64. Gunnar Henderson, SS/3B (ETA: 2023)
66. Colton Cowser, OF (ETA: 2024)
90. DL Hall, LHP (ETA: 2022)
The O¡¯s have the same number of Top 100 prospects as a year ago, swapping out one first-round college outfielder (Heston Kjerstad) for another (Colton Cowser) and a Rookie of the Year candidate (Ryan Mountcastle) for an athletic shortstop (Gunnar Henderson). The group is once again led by Rutschman, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 Draft. Seeing him and Rodriguez reach Baltimore should give fans hope the future is on the way.
Rays (5)
12. Shane Baz, RHP (ETA: 2022)
50. Josh Lowe, OF (ETA: 2022)
74. Taj Bradley, RHP (ETA: 2023)
77. Vidal Bruj¨¢n, OF/2B/SS (ETA: 2022)
91. Greg Jones, SS (ETA: 2022)
Few, if any, organizations could weather graduating four 2021 preseason Top 100 prospects (Wander Franco, Luis Pati?o, Randy Arozarena, Shane McClanahan) and still look strong a year later. But that¡¯s what the Rays do. Baz¡¯s ascension to become one of the best pitching prospects in the game gives Tampa Bay its next potential star, while Lowe and Bruj¨¢n stand by ready to help after making their own 2021 debuts. Bradley wis just the type of breakout prospect Tampa Bay is known for after the 2018 fifth-rounder led Minor League qualifiers with a 1.83 ERA at Low-A and High-A last season.
Red Sox (4)
14. Marcelo Mayer, SS (ETA: 2024)
16. Triston Casas, 1B (ETA: 2022)
55. Nick Yorke, 2B (ETA: 2024)
85. Jarren Duran, OF (ETA: 2022)
The Red Sox cashed in the talent from baseball's top-ranked farm system in mid-2015 into a World Series championship three years later, and they've been rebuilding their Minor League talent ever since. Headlined by three potential impact infielders, their four Top 100 Prospects are their most since 2016 and their system is the deepest it has been in the last five years as well.
Yankees (4)
8. Anthony Volpe, SS (ETA: 2023)
60. Oswald Peraza, SS (ETA: 2023)
61. Jasson Dominguez, OF (ETA: 2024)
96. Austin Wells, C (ETA: 2023)
The Yankees are loaded with shortstops, starting with Volpe (MLB Pipeline's 2021 Hitting Prospect of the Year) and Peraza (who has better all-around tools), and Trey Sweeney (their 2021 first-rounder) and Roderick Arias (our top-rated prospect in the 2021-22 international class) are poised to join the Top 100 in the near future. Perhaps the most hyped international prospect ever, Dominguez showed off impressive physical ability while making his pro debut at age 18 last summer.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Guardians (5)
47. George Valera, OF (ETA: 2023)
53. Daniel Espino, RHP (ETA: 2023)
73. Gabriel Arias, INF (ETA: 2022)
84. Brayan Rocchio, INF (ETA: 2023)
88. Tyler Freeman, INF (ETA: 2022)
The Guardians are a system on the rise, as evidenced by their five Top 100 Prospects -- their most since we expanded our list from 50 to 100 a decade ago. Valera and Rocchio are part of a potentially special 2017 international class that could yield a half-dozen big league bats, while Espino features some of the nastiest stuff in the Minors.
Royals (4)
1. Bobby Witt Jr., SS (ETA: 2022)
51. MJ Melendez, C (ETA: 2022)
62. Nick Pratto, 1B (ETA: 2022)
72. Asa Lacy, LHP (ETA: 2023)
Witt¡¯s five-tool talent moved him into the No. 1 overall prospect spot for the first time, and his power and speed, in particular, could make him a star from the outset. Melendez and Pratto faced real questions about their offensive games entering 2021, but both took to organizational changes in the way they approached hitting, namely focusing on pitches in the zone. Pratto has the easier road to a spot in KC at first base, where he¡¯s an excellent defender, while Melendez (the 2021 Minor League home run leader) has to deal with Salvador Perez (the 2021 Major League home run co-leader) behind the plate. The 2020 first-rounder Lacy still shows special stuff but needs to rebound from shoulder and control issues.
Tigers (3)
4. Spencer Torkelson, 1B/3B (ETA: 2022)
5. Riley Greene, OF (ETA: 2022)
40. Jackson Jobe, RHP (ETA: 2025)
Excluding Torkelson¡¯s early High-A assignment in 2021, he and Greene have been tied at the hip in the Detroit system for nearly two years. Both have the hit and power tools to feature in the middle of the Tigers lineup for much of the next decade, and it¡¯s no mistake that their Major League proximity coincides with Detroit¡¯s signing both Javier B¨¢ez and Eduardo Rodriguez. Jobe represents the next wave of Tigers talent. The 2021 third overall pick already shows four above-average pitches, including a special high-spin slider, and will take his time honing that arsenal as he enters the Minors.
Twins (4)
46. Royce Lewis, SS (ETA: 2022)
52. Austin Martin, OF/SS (ETA: 2022)
95. Jose Miranda, 3B/2B/1B (ETA: 2022)
97. Joe Ryan, RHP (ETA: 2021)
This extends the Twins¡¯ streak of having at least three Top 100 prospects to nine straight years, dating back to 2013. Lewis has now been at the top of that list for five of those years, and this is a big year for the 2017 No. 1 pick as he comes back from a torn ACL. All four of these guys have the chance to make contributions in Minnesota this year.
White Sox (0)
The White Sox ranked fourth among the 30 organizations with 27 Top 100 Prospects on our previous five preseason lists, then got shut out this year after turning that talent into the first back-to-back postseason appearances in franchise history. Their best prospects are shortstop Colson Montgomery (2021 first-rounder) and outfielder Oscar Colas (signed in January).
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
A's (2)
56. Tyler Soderstrom, C (ETA: 2024)
59. Shea Langeliers, C (ETA: 2022)
The A¡¯s got shut out of the Top 100 a year ago, but have representation this year in the form of a pair of catchers. Soderstrom, the team¡¯s top pick in the 2020 Draft, was limited to just 57 games in his first full season because of injuries, but his .957 OPS helped him land on the Top 10 catchers list. He¡¯s followed on that list by the newly acquired Langeliers, one of the best defensive catchers at any level who also hit 22 homers in Double-A last year.
Astros (0)
Right-hander Forrest Whitley was the Astros' lone Top 100 Prospect in 2020 and 2021 but dropped off the list after having Tommy John surgery last March. Nevertheless, Houston keeps plugging holes with unheralded farmhands and has won a World Series and three pennants while playing in the last five American League Championship Series. Shortstop Jeremy Pena, catcher Korey Lee and right-hander Hunter Brown all drew Top 100 consideration this winter.
Angels (1)
21. Reid Detmers, LHP (ETA: 2022)
With Brandon Marsh graduating off prospects lists last year, that just leaves Detmers, the club¡¯s first-round pick in 2020. He¡¯s lived up to billing as an advanced college lefty by getting to the big leagues in a year and should leave the land of prospects at some point this year. For now, though, he can enjoy his status as the top left-handed pitching prospect in baseball.
Mariners (6)
3. Julio Rodr¨ªguez, OF (ETA: 2022)
11. Noelvi Marte, SS (ETA: 2023)
32. George Kirby, RHP (ETA: 2022)
82. Emerson Hancock, RHP (ETA: 2023)
93. Harry Ford, C (ETA: 2025)
98. Matt Brash, RHP (ETA: 2022)
This is the second straight season the Mariners system can boast a half-dozen Top 100 prospects. It¡¯s an exciting group, with two international signees at the top (Rodr¨ªguez and Marte), three draftees, with Ford, Kirby and Hancock representing the organization¡¯s last three first-round picks, and one trade acquisition in Brash, who was a Padres¡¯ fourth-rounder in 2019.
Rangers (5)
17. Jack Leiter, RHP (ETA: 2023)
29. Josh Jung, 3B (ETA: 2022)
48. Cole Winn, RHP (ETA: 2022)
83. Ezequiel Duran, INF (ETA: 2023)
89. Justin Foscue, 2B (ETA: 2023)
Though the Rangers invested $500 million in Corey Seager and Marcus Semien this offseason, they also have plenty of infield help on the way in Jung, Duran, Foscue and others. Their pitching outlook is trending up with the addition of Leiter (the No. 2 overall pick last July) and the development of Winn (No. 15 in 2018).
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves (1)
65. Michael Harris II, OF (ETA: 2023)
And then there was one. Back in 2018 and 2019, the Braves had eight top 100 prospects. Some were in Atlanta helping the team win the 2021 World Series. After the Matt Olson trade that sent Shea Langeliers, Cristian Pache and two other prospects to Oakland, exciting outfielder Michael Harris is the only Top 100 guy left standing. But there is a big up-arrow next to his name.
Marlins (6)
25. Kahlil Watson, SS (ETA: 2024)
34. Edward Cabrera, RHP (ETA: 2022)
35. Max Meyer, RHP (ETA: 2022)
41. Eury Perez, RHP (ETA: 2023)
58. Sixto S¨¢nchez, RHP (ETA: 2022)
69. J.J. Bleday, OF (ETA: 2022)
The Marlins are tied with the Mariners and Pirates for the most Top 100 Prospects with six, matching Miami's franchise high from 2013, when Jose Fernandez and Christian Yelich highlighted their contingent. Their system got two big boosts last year when Watson unexpectedly slid to No. 16 in the Draft and Perez served notice that he might rank as baseball's best pitching prospect in the near future.
Mets (3)
10. Francisco ?lvarez, C (ETA: 2023)
27. Brett Baty, 3B/OF (ETA: 2022)
78. Ronny Mauricio, SS (ETA: 2023)
High-A Brooklyn¡¯s Big Three outlasted that other big three of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. ?lvarez, Baty and Mauricio formed a killer core of the Cyclones lineup and have the offensive potential to impact Citi Field within the next two years. ?lvarez, in particular, looks like a franchise cornerstone. His power already plays at just 20 years old, and he has enough defensive promise to stick behind the plate. Baty, with his own 60 grades for both hit and power tools, could be the future of the hot corner in Queens. Mauricio remains more about projection than production entering his age-21 season.
Phillies (2)
45. Bryson Stott, SS (ETA: 2022)
81. Mick Abel, RHP (ETA: 2024)
Spencer Howard is no longer a prospect and was traded to the Rangers last year. Abel, the 2020 first-round pick, is back for a second straight year, and he¡¯s joined by the Phillies¡¯ top pick in 2019 in Stott, who is coming off a big year and should knock hard on the big league door this year.
Nationals (2)
39. Cade Cavalli, RHP (ETA: 2022)
49. Brady House, SS (ETA: 2024)
Washington famously made moves at the Trade Deadline to beef up its farm system. Two of the Top 100 prospects acquired in that period (Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray) have since graduated, leaving Cavalli and House -- the club¡¯s two most recent first-round picks -- leading the charge. Cavalli has front-of-the-rotation potential with a special four-pitch mix, and he used that to lead the Minors with 175 strikeouts last season. House¡¯s power bat will fuel his push through the Nats ranks, and even if his 6-foot-4 size necessitates a move to third, he should create enough offense to provide more than enough value.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
Brewers (2)
70. Sal Frelick, OF (ETA: 2024)
100. Joey Wiemer, OF (ETA: 2023)
Milwaukee could well have a logjam on its hands in the outfield at some point soon, not that you¡¯ll hear any complaints. One year after taking Garrett Mitchell in the first round, the Brewers went back to the grass to select Frelick with its first 2021 Draft pick, and the Boston College product now sits atop the club¡¯s rankings thanks to his plus hitting ability and 70-grade speed. Meanwhile, Wiemer was the club¡¯s breakout talent of 2021 and showed the potential to be the system¡¯s most exciting talent when all is clicking. The 2020 fourth-rounder shows incredible raw power, above-average wheels and a plus-plus arm from either center or right. If he can find a way to keep making consistent contact, he¡¯ll fit much more comfortably within the Top 100 by the midseason update.
Cardinals (3)
30. Jordan Walker, 3B (ETA: 2024)
33. Nolan Gorman, 2B/3B (ETA: 2022)
43. Matthew Liberatore, LHP (ETA: 2022)
Expect to hear many stories about Arizona friends Gorman and Liberatore making the Majors around the same time this summer. They¡¯ll represent different stories, however. Gorman has a sizable ceiling as an infielder with significant pop, though he is still getting acquainted with second base. Liberatore is more of a high-floor prospect as a left-handed pitcher with four above-average (though none of them plus) pitches and good control. Even so, the bigger headline might be Walker¡¯s ascension to top-prospect status. The 2020 first-rounder might have even more power potential than Gorman and has put up exciting exit velocities at High-A. The 19-year-old slugger may only get more comfortable at the plate in his second full season.
Cubs (2)
15. Brennen Davis, OF (ETA: 2022)
92. Cristian Hernandez, SS (ETA: 2025)
The Cubs are trying to replicate what worked a decade ago, when one of the best collections of position prospects in recent memory eventually coalesced into a 2016 World Series championship. Davis should arrive at Wrigley Field this season, but most of the rest of their best prospects are a couple of years away and Chicago still needs to develop some pitching.
Pirates (6)
20. Nick Gonzales, 2B (ETA: 2022)
24. Henry Davis, C (ETA: 2024)
26. Oneil Cruz, SS (ETA: 2022)
54. Quinn Priester, RHP (ETA: 2023)
71. Roansy Contreras, RHP (ETA: 2022)
79. Liover Peguero, SS (ETA: 2023)
The Pirates¡¯ system continues to swell with talent thanks especially to trades and the Draft and these half-dozen Top 100 guys reflect that. Davis, Gonzales and Priester were the team¡¯s top picks in the last three Drafts, with Davis getting selected No. 1 overall last year. Cruz came via trade with the last regime, but Ben Cherington and company can take credit for acquiring Contreras and Peguero.
Reds (4)
22. Hunter Greene, RHP (ETA: 2022)
42. Nick Lodolo, LHP (ETA: 2022)
76. Elly De La Cruz, 3B/SS (ETA: 2024)
87. Matt McLain, SS (ETA: 2023)
The Reds have had four or more Top 100 prospects in five of the last six years, including this one, even though Tyler Stephenson graduated (and got Rookie of the Year votes to boot) and 2020 first-rounder Austin Hendrick dropped off after a tough season. They¡¯ve been replaced by De La Cruz, who burst on the radar in 2021, and the club¡¯s first-rounder last year (McLain).
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
D-backs (4)
18. Alek Thomas, OF (ETA: 2022)
19. Corbin Carroll, OF (ETA: 2023)
23. Jordan Lawlar, SS (ETA: 2024)
99. Blake Walston, LHP (ETA: 2023)
There is hope in the desert. The D-backs, joint owners of MLB¡¯s worst record last season, claim three of MLB Pipeline¡¯s Top 25 prospects. Thomas and Carroll are toolsy outfielders capable of hitting for high averages and covering acres of grass on defense. Lawlar was a high-ceiling pick at No. 6 overall last July and already profiles as the club¡¯s shortstop of the future with five solid tools. Despite that trio grabbing the top spots, Arizona is deep in pitching as well. Walston leads the charge for now as a 20-year-old left-hander with a promising fastball, curveball and control. Notably, all four Top 100 representatives were first- or second-round picks taken in 2018 or later.
Dodgers (5)
28. Diego Cartaya, C (ETA: 2023)
57. Bobby Miller, RHP (ETA: 2022)
67. Michael Busch, 2B/1B (ETA: 2022)
68. Andy Pages, OF (ETA: 2023)
94. Miguel Vargas, 3B/2B/1B (ETA: 2022)
The paragon of winning in the Majors while developing talent in the Minors, the Dodgers are coming off a 106-victory season and placed five players on the Top 100 list who weren't on it a year ago at this time. Miller and fellow right-hander Ryan Pepiot (who just missed the Top 100) could contribute to the big league pitching staff this year, while Busch and Vargas could bolster the lineup.
Giants (4)
13. Marco Luciano, SS (ETA: 2023)
31. Joey Bart, C (ETA: 2022)
63. Luis Matos, OF (ETA: 2023)
75. Kyle Harrison, LHP (ETA: 2023)
Not only did the Giants win a franchise-record 107 games last year, but their farm system is also stronger than it has been in years, so they're not going anywhere. Their system's turnaround began in 2018, when San Francisco drafted Bart No. 2 overall and signed Luciano, Matos and outfielder Jairo Pomares (a Top 100 contender) on the international market.
Padres (4)
9. CJ Abrams, SS (ETA: 2023)
37. Robert Hassell III, OF (ETA: 2023)
44. Luis Campusano, C (ETA: 2022)
86. MacKenzie Gore, LHP (ETA: 2022)
In possession of one of the best systems in baseball a few years back, the Padres are more middling these days due to trades and graduations. There is still some clear talent at the top. Abrams leads the charge with a promising bat and 80-grade wheels at a premium position. Hassell would be the best prospect in many other systems coming off a promising first full season in all facets, and Campusano remains a potential starting catcher of the future with his power and arm. Gore remains an enigma. Following two years of tinkering and re-working his delivery, can he return to 2019 form, or are his days as a potential frontline starter done for good? Answers should come, one way or another, in 2022.
Rockies (1)
36. Zac Veen, OF (ETA: 2024)
They say one is the loneliest number, yet this is the third straight season the Rockies have had just one Top 100 rep, and the second straight year for Veen being that player. The 2020 first-rounder certainly lived up to expectations in his first full season, hitting .301/.399/.501 in Low-A last season.