MLB Pipeline will unveil its 2026 Top 100 Prospects list on January 23 at 8 p.m. ET during a one-hour show on MLB Network and MLB.com. The rankings highlight young talents expected to shape Major League Baseball, with outfielders featuring prominently among the elite. Baseball America has already released its version, placing two Chicago Cubs prospects in the top 100.
The anticipation builds for MLB Pipeline's 22nd annual Top 100 Prospects list, which serves as a key indicator of future stars. Hosted by Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo alongside Greg Amsinger and Steve Phillips, the reveal will air live, with additional digital coverage following. These rankings draw from scout evaluations, considering skills, upside, major league proximity, and team impact. Only players with 2026 rookie eligibility qualify, excluding those who exceeded service time thresholds in 2025 or older international signees from professional leagues.
Past top prospects have included Hall of Famers like Joe Mauer and current stars such as Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bobby Witt Jr., and Gunnar Henderson. Five of the six 2025 Rookie of the Year finalists appeared on the prior year's list, underscoring its predictive power.
In a preview, MLB Pipeline spotlighted the top 10 outfield prospects, a group rich in tools with 24 plus grades across hit, power, run, arm, and field categories. Leading the list is Max Clark of the Detroit Tigers (2026 ETA), praised for his 70 run tool and potential superstar ceiling with four plus tools. Walker Jenkins (Minnesota Twins, 2026) and Josue De Paula (Los Angeles Dodgers, 2027) stand out for their 60 hit and power combinations at age 20. Other notables include Carson Benge (New York Mets, 2026), Braden Montgomery (Chicago White Sox, 2026), and Owen Caissie (Miami Marlins, 2026), the latter acquired in a trade from the Cubs.
Baseball America, which announced its 2026 Top 100 on January 22, ranked Cubs catcher Moisés Ballesteros at No. 36 for his special hitting ability despite defensive concerns, and pitcher Jaxon Wiggins at No. 78 for his hard-throwing potential amid durability questions. Caissie landed at No. 43 with the Marlins. The Cubs' system has thinned due to graduations like Cade Horton and Matt Shaw, and trades, but newcomers Ethan Conrad, Kane Kepley, and Jefferson Rojas earned 'just missed' mentions.
Outfielders trail only shortstops in Top 100 representation, with six of the top 10 slated for 2026 debuts, potentially contending for Rookie of the Year honors like past candidates Jackson Chourio and Colton Cowser.
