Baseball America has released an initial ranking of the 45 MLB prospects traded since the end of the 2025 season, as of January 2, 2026. The list highlights a surge in activity in the AL East, with no surefire top-100 prospects but several in contention. Updates will continue until spring training.
The 2025-26 MLB offseason began quietly but gained momentum in December, particularly among AL East teams. The Tampa Bay Rays executed two significant deals: one sending pitcher Shane Baz to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for four prospects, and another three-team trade involving infielder Brandon Lowe, outfielder Mason Montgomery, and outfielder Jake Mangum. The Boston Red Sox participated in three transactions, including acquiring catcher Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals, a prospect swap with the Washington Nationals, and a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitcher Johan Oviedo plus two prospects.
Of the top 13 prospects traded, only catcher Harry Ford, now with the Nationals from the Mariners, went outside the AL East. Baseball America's ranking divides the prospects into tiers based on potential and grades from the 2026 Prospect Handbook. In the potential top-100 category, outfielder Jacob Melton (Rays, from Astros, BA Grade: 50/Mild) stands out for his strong Triple-A underlying data despite injury-limited play in 2025. Pitcher Anderson Brito (Rays, from Astros, 60/High) impressed in High-A and the Arizona Fall League with a mid-to-upper-90s fastball.
Ford (Nationals, from Mariners, 55/Average) faces questions about his catching future but could vie for a starting role. Pitcher Luis Perales (Nationals, from Red Sox, 60/High) returned from Tommy John surgery and showed a 101 mph fastball in the Fall League. Lower tiers include outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia (Pirates, from Red Sox, 45/Mild), projected as a platoon player, and pitcher Brandon Clarke (Cardinals, from Red Sox, 60/Extreme), whose command issues persist.
The list extends to role players and depth options, such as high-upside international signee Jesus Travieso (Pirates) and Rule 5 pick Daniel Susac (Giants). No prospects traded this winter are locks for Baseball America's top 100, unlike previous offseasons that moved talents like Cam Smith and Kyle Teel. This ranking provides an early snapshot of how teams are reshaping farm systems ahead of 2026.
