Analysis

Top 100 Prospects: 32 Newcomers Join the List

Just Baseball's latest Top 100 Prospects update saw 32 new names join the fold. Get to know this latest crop of potential future stars.

By Landon Baylon | September 3, 2026 | | 0

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 12: Roch Cholowsky throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game between the Athletics and the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Sunday, July 12, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kyle Sheridan/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

A few times a year, Just Baseball’s Aram Leighton pours hours upon hours into our Top 100 Prospects list. Representing the best the minor leagues have to offer, these 100 names have a chance to be the future faces of baseball.

This time of year always represents an exciting time. With draft season behind us and a handful of graduations, our late-summer update offers a loaded class of newcomers. Highly-touted draft picks, breakout young talent, and familiar faces make up the crop of fresh names added since the beginning of June.

This piece features quick hitters on the new names, but for in-depth breakdowns, make sure to check out the full list. So without further ado, let’s dive into the 32 newcomers featured on our newly minted Top 100.

Stats as of minor league games on August 27.

Roch Cholowsky, Chicago White Sox – No. 16

The favorite to go first overall for well over a calendar year, Cholowsky stood the test of time, hearing his name called to join the White Sox this July.

Arguably the best player in the nation as a sophomore, Cholowsky slashed .353/.480/.710 while providing plus-plus shortstop defense. This spring, he eclipsed 20 home runs once again, leading UCLA, which sustained a number one overall ranking through the entire season.

Cholowsky has the makings of a perennial Gold Glover with above-average offensive tools to go along with it.

Grady Emerson, Tampa Bay Rays – No. 17

Emerson was the consensus top prep prospect in this year’s draft class, and that sentiment held through the entire cycle. He even gained steam at one to the White Sox and garnered “top prospect in the class” status for some publications.

While it’s a hit-over-power profile presently, Emerson has the bat speed and frame to project a 25+ home run bat at the major league level. He boasts above-average tools across the board, having the look of a legitimate five-tool shortstop when all’s said and done.

Vahn Lackey, Minnesota Twins – No. 32

While evaluators saw the upside in an athletic backstop with bat-to-ball skills and raw juice, nobody expected the gargantuan leap Lackey took in his junior season. His power took a significant leap, as he tripled his career home run total with 20 long balls, slashing .397/.519/.772.

Lackey also made a legitimate run at Cholowsky’s throne, with him and the previous two names making up the top three spots on practically every board.

The rare five-tool catcher, Lackey has the tools to stick behind the dish with the added bonus of being able to play on the dirt and grass, famously playing eight positions in one game this spring.

Jackson Flora, San Francisco Giants – No. 36

The consensus top arm in this year’s draft, Flora threw to a 1.02 ERA in 102 innings, punching out 133 batters while walking just 32.

Armed with a cut-ride fastball that touches triple digits, Flora offers a vicious high-spin sweeper, fluctuating in shape and velocity. Typically it’s low-80s with north of 15 inches of sweep and positive vert, though he can shorten it up with a few more ticks of velocity. He offers a shorter upper-80s cutter and a kick-change that has intriguing shape.

Flora can pound the zone and holds his stuff deep into games, paired with a pro-ready 6-foot-5 frame.

Angeibel Gomez, Kansas City Royals – No. 39

Spelling the run of newly-drafted prospects, Gomez has made an exorbitant leap into the top 40, tearing through the DSL to the tune of a .361/.467/.653 slash line.

The lone prospect in the Top 100 in the DSL, Gomez has already peaked as high as 112 mph at just 17 years old. With a swing quite polished for someone his age, there aren’t any present hit tool concerns. Gomez is also a plus runner and already carries a physical frame.

Christian Zazueta, Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 41

Infamously dealt for Caleb Ferguson as an unknown DSL arm, Zazueta has thrived with the Dodgers, mixing an elite four-seam with advanced command.

Zazueta has climbed up to Double-A in his age-21 season, where he’s posted an insane 39.2% strikeout rate and just a 3.8% walk rate in nine starts. Consistently holding mid-90s from a 5.3 ft release height with carry, creating a flat-approach monster. He’ll play a plus cambio and a pair of slider shapes off it.

Caden Bodine, Tampa Bay Rays – No. 48

Bodine was one of the more polished prospects in last summer’s draft, and he’s shown why this season. Making a steady climb from Low-A to Triple-A, Bodine has made contact at an 89% clip through four levels this season, rocking a .343 season batting average. The switch-hitting catcher garners the lone 70-grade hit tool on the list. Aiding his quick-rising endeavors, Bodine is a plus receiver and blocker.

Enddy Azocar, Baltimore Orioles – No. 49

One of the bigger fish moved at the deadline, Azocar has completely broken through following a poor stint in Low-A last season. A successful 39-game stint repeating Low-A led to a promotion to High-A, where he’s only gotten better, slashing .297/.352/.563 over 65 games.

Still 19 years old through the rest of the season, Azocar mixes plus raw power with solid contact rates, along with the ability to stick in center field long term.

Cam Cannarella, Miami Marlins – No. 52

A potential top-10 selection early in the 2025 draft cycle, Cannarella didn’t take the leap that evaluators expected of him, due in part to a labrum surgery.

While Cannarella hasn’t managed to tap into much more raw power, his game power took a significant leap this year; he’s mashed 13 home runs thus far, paired with a .340 batting average and a 14% walk rate. Already climbing to Triple-A, Cannarella is one of the higher-floor bats in the minor leagues.

Eric Booth Jr., Baltimore Orioles – No. 53

Another unique profile in a class filled with anomalies, Booth is one of the more explosive athletes from the 2026 draft class.

Despite the look of a prolific power threat with the bat speed to boot, Booth profiles as a table setter with double-plus wheels and a polished offensive game. An unconventional stroke has stunted some of his power output, but the returns could be monumental should he be able to tap into more game power.

Franklin Primera, Boston Red Sox – No. 57

Following a 202 wRC+ outburst at the complex, Primera has taken his success into full season ball, slashing .336/.480/.511 over a 39-game sample. There aren’t many holes to pick in his swing, as he puts the bat on the ball at a high clip on every offering. He boasts solid contact quality with more strength gains on the horizon.

Extremely advanced for a 19-year-old catcher, Primera does just about everything at an above-average level behind the dish.

Kane Kepley, Chicago Cubs – No. 58

The prototypical table setter profile, Kepley makes contact at a high clip, walks at a high clip, and posts elite run times. He has walked at a 21% rate across High-A and Double-A, and has eclipsed double-digit home runs despite a 5-foot-8 frame.

Kepley pairs a polished bat with a plus defensive outlook, able to play center field for the long run.

Roldy Brito, Colorado Rockies – No. 59

Brito saw a nice breakout season in 2025, making himself a name to know going into 2026, and he hasn’t disappointed. While he doesn’t yet have a standout tool with the bat, he holds an advanced feel for the barrel from both sides of the plate with 70-grade wheels.

Brito projects as above-average at second base, though his legs would be put to good use on the grass.

Caden Hunter, Baltimore Orioles – No. 66

A sixth-round pick out of USC last summer, Hunter has climbed from Low-A to Double-A to the tune of a 2.01 ERA, striking out 36.5% of batters in the process.

Hunter managed to tack on a few ticks to his already high-carry four-seam, now sitting in the mid-90s from the left side. His changeup has always been his best secondary, falling off the table to his arm side, playing a pair of slider shapes off it, aided by his cross-fire delivery.

Johnny King, Toronto Blue Jays – No. 73

Electric, yet wild, King had to force his way onto our Top 100 eventually. Armed with a vertical mid-90s four-seam from a low lefty slot, King already boasts one of the best four-seams in the minor leagues. Off it, he plays a hard hammer curveball and a fading upper-80s changeup. Command is still an issue, but he’s already climbed to Double-A at just 19 years old.

Kevin Alvarez, Houston Astros – No. 74

A big-ticket IFA signing in 2025, Alvarez’s polish and size stood out above the rest. He’s been great in Low-A as an 18-year-old, posting a 115 wRC+ with 11 home runs and 17 stolen bases. It’s an advanced swing with a direct path and feel to lift, running above-average contact rates with more power on the horizon.

An above-average runner at the moment, Alvarez projects to play a solid corner outfield with an outside chance of sticking in center.

Drew Burress, Athletics – No. 76

A data-darling and projected top-10 pick since the day he stepped on campus, Burress mashed a nation-leading 60 home runs over his three-year stint at Georgia Tech. Despite an unassuming 5-foot-9 frame, the power is legit, and he’s shown it early in his pro debut, already slugging six home runs in 92 plate appearances.

The swing is quite crude, but Burress made contact at an above-average clip in college, paired with a patient approach. He can also stick in center field with above-average speed and arm strength.

Ramon Marquez, San Francisco Giants – No. 77

Marquez has struck out a ludicrous 40.2% of batters, dominating the lower minors with a double-plus changeup and advanced command.

It’s easy to dominate inexperienced batters with even an average changeup with enough conviction, but the data supports an elite cambio, high-spin à la Devin Williams, with dirty diving action. Marquez pairs it with a mid-90s run-ride fastball and a gyro cutter.

Tate Southisene, Atlanta Braves – No. 81

Southisene carried late helium all the way into the first round last summer, and he’s proved why, forcing his way to Double-A as a 19-year-old.

Southisene is as twitchy as they come, boasting plus bat speed with strength behind his barrel despite an undersized frame. He’s made contact at a solid clip, spelling some hit tool concerns he displayed last season. He is a plus runner with a good chance at playing a premium position.

Derek Curiel, Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 82

Curiel could’ve been a top-50 pick out of high school in 2024, but he bet on himself, which turned into a fifth overall selection this summer.

An ultra-polished bat, Curiel had the most potent hit tool within the first round. There’s some strength behind his frame, giving him respectable batted ball quality, though he’ll need to add more bat speed to impact with wood. A driving point in his profile was proving he can play center field, which he did at an above-average level in his sophomore season.

Chase Harlan, Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 83

Yet another developmental success for the Dodgers, Harlan was one of the most powerful prep bats in the 2024 class, though lacking in feel to hit.

Harland didn’t let an inconsistent first pro season with loud whiff numbers bleed into 2026, where he’s managed to boost his contact rate by 4% despite climbing to High-A. The power speaks for itself, boasting a 109 mph 90th percentile exit velocity and 14 long balls on the year.

Brady Ebel, Milwaukee Brewers – No. 84

Milwaukee seemingly reached for Ebel at pick 32 last summer, but he’s proved his worth as a sure-fire first-round talent. While Ebel isn’t a major offensive threat, there’s solid feel to hit with an ability to tap into his average raw power. His keen eye provides a high floor, as does his actions on the dirt.

Not a flashy name by any means, but it’s easy to envision at least an average big league regular, with potential to add more strength to his lanky frame.

Owen Ayers, Chicago Cubs – No. 90

Just one of two players 25 years or older on the list, the 19th-round senior signee out of Marshall saw an offensive explosion this season, running a 224 and 166 wRC+ in High-A and Double-A, respectively.

A power-over-hit profile, some of Ayers’s power has been zapped in Triple-A, though the consistent impact and feel to lift should allow him to get to 20-25 home runs annually. An athletic, switch-hitting backstop with above-average defense, there’s a clear path to a big-league starter.

Michael Arroyo, Mariners – No. 91

Arroyo has been one of, if not the most consistent minor league performers since 2022, never sinking below a 120 wRC+ prior to his arrival at Triple-A. He’s maintained solid numbers and peripherals at the highest level of the minors, on the doorstep of the major leagues.

Arroyo displays an aggressive approach with a stellar feel to hit, paired with consistent air contact that could allow him to push for 25 home runs annually. He’s a poor defender, likely pigeonholed to a below-average second base or left field.

Jamie Arnold, Athletics – No. 93

Arnold was superb over his last two seasons at Florida State, arguably the top arm in the 2025 draft class, though his fastball quality and command dipped some in his junior year. But when it’s on, Arnold dominates, mixing a heavy sinker and flat approach fastball from a funky low lefty release. His go-to is a mid-80s slider with horizontal bite from his sidearm slot. He’ll mix in an inconsistent splitter and fringy cutter as well.

Jacob Lombard, Miami Marlins – No. 94

A divisive name in draft circles, Lombard slipped to pick 14 despite significant buzz within the top five. He whiffed a ton over the summer, though it was hard to ignore the loud raw power and wheels, paired with slick shortstop defense.

The hit tool concerns may have been overblown, but of course, it was enough for him to fall outside of the top 10, even taking a slight underslot deal. Still, Lombard had some of the most upside in his draft class, and that point still holds.

Jefferson Rojas, New York Mets – No. 95

A former inhabitant of our Top 100, Rojas continues to be promoted aggressively to consistently great results. After a poor Double-A stint as a 20-year-old, he’s slashing .271/.337/.482, tapping into more power this time around.

Rojas is just fine on the dirt, but he’s a malleable defender who can play shortstop, second base, and third base, equipped with a plus arm. His value was evident, dealt alone for Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor at this year’s deadline.

Hayden Alvarez, Los Angeles Angels – No. 96

Alvarez has been stellar over the past two seasons, though he’s blossomed into a potential five-tool talent this year. The 6-foot-3 19-year-old saw a leap in athleticism and physicality that’s allowed him to increase his home run total sixfold and boost his stolen base total to 48. Alvarez is an above-average runner with range in center field.

Demetrio Crisantes, Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 97

Another re-entry to the Top 100 due to a handful of injuries over the past two seasons, Crisantes has climbed quickly with the track record to back up his ranking.

Crisantes has an advanced feel to hit, needing fewer than 200 games to reach Triple-A. It hasn’t been steady play through his promotion, but he could reach the majors as soon as early next season.

Luis De Leon, Baltimore Orioles – No. 98

A 6-foot-3 lefty with impressively easy velocity, De Leon sits 95 mph over longer outings. It’s a steep approach four-seam and sinker. He’s a short extender from a higher slot, providing a unique angle, allowing his middling shapes to play up significantly.

De Leon goes to a sharp upper-80s gyro slider, as well as two offspeed pitches in a mid-80s changeup and a tumbling low-80s splitter. If De Leon sees a leap in command, there’s a mid-rotation starter here, with a fallback of a high-leverage reliever.

Tyler Bell, Colorado Rockies – No. 99

Bell was selected 66th overall in 2024 by the Rays but elected to go to Kentucky, where he would become a prospective top-10 pick following his freshman season. A shoulder injury halted his steam, but he was still able to land with the Rockies at 10.

A switch-hitting shortstop with an extremely patient approach, Bell flashes pull-side impact with an ability to mash fastballs and hangers. He has the tools to stick at shortstop long term.

Murf Gray, Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 100

A premier mid-major talent out of Fresno State a summer ago, Gray has really taken off, slashing .301/.404/.568 from Low-A to Double-A, with no signs of struggle through his promotions.

Gray really maximizes his plus raw power, running a pretty launch profile, on the verge of 30 home runs in his first full pro season. He’s also run solid contact rates in the process. He’s not a stellar athlete, though there’s a chance he can stick at third base.