At long last, we are ready to unveil MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list. And with a full Minor League season in 2021, there are sure to be plenty of changes in this year’s list compared to a year ago.
With graduations, performances and an influx of new talent via the Draft and international signings, there was a lot to consider when constructing this year’s Top 100. For the first time in a very long time, the list is not topped by Rays phenom Wander Franco. And for the first time ever, the top eight players are all from the same league.
Franco was our No. 1 prospect for four straight lists, from the 2019 midseason to the ’21 preseason rankings, before graduating off the list during the ’21 season. He’s handed off to another shortstop, Royals future star Bobby Witt Jr., who leads a Top 10 that features eight American Leaguers, including a pair of Orioles and Tigers. After that run at the top, the National League catches up, with the AL finishing with an ever-so-slight 51-49 edge.
Those on the list must have rookie eligibility. To qualify for rookie status, a player must not have exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues, or have accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club(s), excluding time on the injured list or in military service (not counting September time in 2019 or earlier seasons). The rankings continue to follow the guidelines laid out by the Collective Bargaining Agreement in terms of who falls under the international pool money rules. Players who are at least 25 years old and have played in leagues deemed to be professional (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Cuba) are not eligible.
The Top 100 is put together by myself, Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra and Will Boor with input from industry sources, including scouts and front-office executives. It is based on analysis of players’ upsides, tools and potential Major League impact.
The Top 10
1. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Royals
2. Adley Rutschman, C, Orioles
3. Julio Rodriguez, OF, Mariners
4. Spencer Torkelson, 1B/3B, Tigers
5. Riley Greene, OF, Tigers
6. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Orioles
7. Gabriel Moreno, C, Blue Jays
8. Anthony Volpe, SS, Yankees
9. CJ Abrams, SS, Padres
10. Francisco Alvarez, C, Mets
Complete Top 100 »
The Newcomers
Players on this year’s list from the 2021 Draft or from the international signing period that began in January 2021 aren’t included because they weren’t officially professional prospects when we did the preseason list a year ago. There are a ton of new names this year, 40 in total, after a full year of information and data on the heels of the lost 2020 season.
It starts pretty close to the top. Three of our top 11 were not on the Top 100 to start the 2021 season, led by Blue Jays catcher Gabriel Moreno. Moreno was added during the year and was No. 34 on our midseason re-rank in 2021, but now he’s climbed all the way to No. 7. Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe is up to No. 8 and Mariners shortstop Noelvi Marte comes in at No. 11. They are three of 10 newcomers to land in our Top 50 overall.
Highest risers
Moreno, Volpe et al aren’t the only ones to make huge leaps forward. There are a number of players who were on the 2021 preseason list who have moved way up the charts thanks to a big season last year. None have moved up more than Rays right-hander Shane Baz, who was No. 90 on last year’s list and now lands at No. 12, a jump of 78 spots. He is one of six prospects to move up 50 or more slots: Mets third baseman Brett Baty (+67), D-backs outfielder Alek Thomas (+63), Mariners right-hander George Kirby (+60), Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli (+60) and Angels lefty Reid Detmers (+53).
Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez has jumped into the top 10, up from No. 48 in 2021, while Cubs outfielder Brennan Davis (from No. 61 to No. 15) and Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (from No. 71 to No. 22) have landed in the top 25.
Farthest falls
Of the prospects who were on the Top 100 a year ago who still have…
Read More: Top 100 Prospects list MLB Pipeline 2022