2 The Bigs

By Sal Corso: February 25th, 2026:

Let’s kick start our time machine and fast forward a year from today. Here’s my prediction for the top-15 prospects in baseball at that time, and why.

No fluff, let’s dive right in…

OLI (Outside-Looking-In)

Eli Willits (WAS), Franklin Arias (BOS), Zyhir Hope (LAD), Luis Pena (MIL)

15. Dax Kilby, SS (NYY)

Dax was my #1 chase in the new Bowman Draft set. Here’s why:

Dax Kilby was 18 when he was drafted by the Yankees. But he hits like a four-year collegiate graduate. Not too many prep kids jump right into A-level ball in their shortened first season. Kilby did, and in 18 games, all he did was hit. 24 hits, 19 runs, 9 RBI and only 11 strikeouts in 68 at-bats. He should be able to add some weight and pop to his game with ease. I am a Yankees fan who not ONCE in the last 25 years, has given credit to a Yankees hitting prospect. They may have finally found one. Kilby can move through the very shallow Yankees farm system quickly. The hit tool and swing were what scouts loved, and what could lead him to become a centerpiece on the next phase in New York.

A nice year in A+/AA will shoot him up ranks similar to some recent shortstops in the past few years.

14. Alfredo Duno, C (CIN)

If you’ve been following 2TB, you already know I’m a big fan of Duno. Big Al doesn’t have much more to prove. He had a stellar 2025 campaign that forced analysts and prospectors to shoot him up ranks. His .948 OPS and 18 HR, 81 RBI stint in Daytona (A-ball) was no fluke, and he showed that by adding a very successful AFL stint to his resume, one which included a three-homer game to close out the season. He’ll spend most of next year in AA while only turning 20 before the start of this year. Another kid who will become a much more popular name in the hobby. This season in Double-A should show that he is a more mature hitter than his age depicts (only 20 years old).

13. Ryan Sloan, RHP (SEA)

Kade Anderson will be up and starting by early-mid 2026. Sloan, who may be just as talented starting pitcher in the org, is a bit more raw. He’ll need a bit more time in the minors with only 21 starts under his belt. But he’ll make the most of that time, and be the lone-pitching prospect in next year’s top 15.

12. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B (CLE)

Ralphy falls 6th on my 2026 Corner Infield Prospect Rankings:

The youngest prospect on this list, Ralphy put up his best numbers at his highest level reached (AA). I love young prospects that are in this exact position. A kid who already hit the hardest level in the minors early on, and knows he’ll likely have an entire year there to get comfortable and drill down on his approach. He’s got a swing-and-miss issue, but it weirdly doesn’t reflect in his K-rate, more so in his on-base rate. He became way more aggressive in 2025, which isn’t a bad thing. But in 2026 he will work on getting more bat-to-balls with those additional swings.

11. Josue Briceno, C/1B (DET)

Briceno slots in at #3 on that same list:

Briceno is a monster. 6’4”, 200 pounds, and just turned 21 last month. Josue was one of those guys who started appearing on top-100 lists mid-last year. He showed up in my analysis during the offseason, in my 2025 Bowman Baseball checklist report. He hit his way through the A-levels with ease, so much so that the Tigers GM added him to the “Untouchable” list of prospects during last years’ trade deadline, alongside McGonigle and Clark. He had a much tougher time in AA (.232/.335/.381, 23% K-rate), but he’ll have plenty of time in 2026 to make up for that. Look for him to have a full year in the minors before the possibility of a 2027 opening day promotion.

Don’t worry about that quick stint in AA. He’ll show a ton of progression at that same level in 2026.

10. Roch Cholowsky, SS (TBD)

Recency bias is generally one of MLB Pipeline’s greatest flaws. They will rank a recent 1st-rounder over a kid who’s successfully hit through the lower levels. Not this time. Cholowsky will finish a historic campaign at UCLA, and be the consensus #1 overall draft prospect. He’ll almost certainly be a White Sock, which will add to the plethera of young hitting talent in that organization. Which leads me to my next name…

9. Caleb Bonemer, SS/3B (CHW)

A 2TB favorite here. I called him out in our 2024 Draft Report, as a 2nd-round sleeper to keep an eye on. And he’s done nothing but impress since. Bonemer also made my 10 bold prospect predictions for 2026. My guess? Caleb Bonemer goes for a .900 OPS in AA and becomes a consensus top-10 prospect.

8. Bryce Rainer, SS (DET)

Bryce would’ve been a top-15 prospect right now if it wasn’t for his early season injury that held him out all summer. He’ll waste no time getting back on track now that he’s healthy, and build on that .288/.383/.448 slash in his pro-debut at A level last season.

7. Walker Jenkins, OF (MIN)

Jenkins MAY get the call earlier on in the season, but there’s really no rush to do so for the rebuilding Twins. I’m thinking more of an August/September call up (my prospect debut timelines write-up attached), which keeps him as prospect eligible. I want to see his power-upside in play much more in 2026, but regardless, he should be a consensus top-10 prospect in baseball come late season.

6. Eduardo Quintero, OF (LAD)

Quintero was a “Prospect That Sold Me in 2025” that I posted on Instagram. Why? He absolutely smacks the ball, without tampering with his K-rate. A 25% line-drive rate, 15% HR/FB rate, and his MED-HARD contact rate is above 80%. He’ll spend most of his time in AA next season, and the Dodgers have some decisions to make with their future outfield depth. Somebody is getting traded at the deadline, let’s see who.

5. Jesus Made, SS (MIL)

Jesus could have been just another failed, over-hyped international toolsy prospect. His talent lied in his approach and plate discipline. And he did what most don’t do, he exceeded those lofty expectations put on the young teen in the preseason. .285/.379/.413 with 130 hits between A and AA is no easy task as an 18-year-old. As the youngest player on this list, he’ll look at a full season in Double-A, possibly a late season AAA call, where he’ll continue to develop and build into his body.

4. Leo De Vries, SS (ATH)

De Vries hasn’t had that huge year just yet. But he does keep that K-rate under 20%, walks a lot, and gets loft on the ball. He was traded (weirdly) for Mason Miller at the deadline, and 2026 will be his first full season with the Athletics. This will be that year. His ceiling is incredibly high, a true shortstop with 30+ HR upside. But, and maybe more importantly, the floor isn’t as low as other international prospects with similar hype (Walcott, Made, Pena). He’s a tall, strong switch hitter who plays great defense and will stick at the position.

3. Rainiel Rodriguez, C (STL)

I made a huge mistake and forgot to include Rainiel on my instagram “Top Catchers” post. He liked said post. I am still sick to my stomach til this day. Mainly because he’s one of my top catching (and overall) prospects in all of baseball. So if you know him, send him all my write-ups as to why I am so high on him. Including this one. He WILL be a top-3 prospect in 2027. Why? Because he had a fantastic 2025 season that isn’t really far-off from my 2026 Bold Prospect Prediction for him.: Rainiel Rodriguez hits 30 HR and ends the season in AAA, all before his 20^th birthday.

2. Josue De Paula, OF (LAD)

I’ve covered Josue for awhile. If you’ve followed us, you know we call him a “Mini-Yordan Alvarez With Speed“. Not just because of his stature, plate discipline and hard-contact; but because of his injury history as well. This year he’ll stay healthy and push for a 30 HR / 50 SB season in AA/AAA. The Dodgers system is stacked with outfield talent and they have Teoscar and Tucker on multi-year contracts. Somebody is getting traded. I think (and hope) it’s De Paula, so he can get into a system where he can debut in late-26.

1. Max Clark, OF (DET)

Max Clark had a fantastic major league spring training last season at the young age of 20. He followed that up with a very good season split between A+ and AA. Across 111 games he had a .835 OPS 14 HR 67 RBI and a higher BB rate (18%) than K rate (16%). He’s gotten a bit pull-heavy as he’s moved through the system. At the same time, he’s become a much more patient hitter, lowering his swing and swinging strike rates while increasing his contact rates from the mid-70s to 83-85% range. All of this while being a true centerfield glove with an absolute cannon of an arm. He’s young for his development progression, and a massive star potential five-tool player. He should have a monster 2026 with the possibility of a late ’26 call up if things go well.