MLB Pipeline has unveiled its annual Top 100 Prospects list for 2026, highlighting a deep pool of talent across Major League Baseball. Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin tops the rankings as the No. 1 overall prospect, praised for his elite tools and performance. The Central divisions lead in quantity and quality of top prospects.
The 2026 Top 100 Prospects list, released by MLB Pipeline, underscores the strength of MLB's farm systems, with the National League Central and American League Central each boasting 21 prospects. This ties for the highest total among the six divisions, followed by the NL East with 18 and AL East with 17. The AL West and NL West trail with 12 and 11, respectively.
Konnor Griffin, the Pirates' 19-year-old shortstop, earns the No. 1 spot with all five tools graded as plus (60) or better on the 20-80 scale. In his first professional season, he posted a .333/.415/.527 slash line, including 21 home runs, 94 RBIs, and 65 stolen bases across three levels. Scouts compare him to legends like Alex Rodriguez and Mike Trout, noting his power, speed, and defensive prowess at shortstop. "He would be on a very short list of all-time prospects I have scouted," said a National League scouting executive. Griffin's overall grade of 70 places him among an elite group, with his tools summing to 325, behind only Byron Buxton's 355 since 2016.
Using Prospect Points—where No. 1 is worth 100 points—the NL Central leads with 1,087 points, driven by Griffin. The AL Central follows at 1,030, anchored by Detroit's Kevin McGonigle at No. 2. The leagues are balanced, with 50 prospects each, though the NL edges out in points (2,628 to 2,422). The NL Central's 14 hitters contribute 794 points, highlighting a hitter-heavy division.
Five Milwaukee Brewers made the list: shortstop Made (high ranking, superstar potential), infielder Luis Peña (No. higher than Baseball America), Cooper Pratt (No. 64), Jett Williams (No. 51, versatile and speedy), and pitcher Brandon Sproat (No. 100, strong stuff but underwhelming 2025). The list reflects recent trades, such as the Marlins acquiring outfielder Owen Caissie (No. 42).
This rankings release signals promising futures for contenders, with Central divisions positioned for potential World Series breakthroughs after a decade without a Central winner.
