MLB Pipeline will reveal its list of the Top 100 Prospects for 2026 at 8 pm ET on Friday, Jan. 23, in a one-hour broadcast on MLB Network and MLB.com. Heading into the Top 100 release, we’ll examine the top 10 baseball prospects at each position.
After a record 8 under-second players made our 2025 preseason Top 100 Prospects list, the position has returned to its usual distinction as one of the most underrepresented in this year’s rankings.
In the past 12 months, Kristian Campbell, Luke Keaschall and Christian Moore have made it to the majors, Sal Stewart has moved to the inside corners, and Termarr Johnson and James Triantos have moved back. The only returnees in the Top 100 are Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 Draft by the Guardians, and Michael Arroyo, whose 40 hits over the past two seasons are tied for second-most in the minors.
Top 10 prospects by position:
• RHP | LHP | C| 1b| 2B
• 3B (Tuesday) | SS (Wednesday) | KWA (Thursday) | Top 100 (Friday)
While there may not be many top 100 prospects, there are plenty of promising bats in the keystone. Brice Matthews has a top 30/30. Max Anderson and Sam Antonacci were two of the best players in the Arizona Fall League this offseason. The Diamondbacks have three top catalysts in Tommy Troy, Demetrio Crisantes and JD Dix.
1. Travis Bazzana, Guardians (2026)
2. Michael Arroyo, Mariners (2026)
3. Brice Matthews, Astros (2026)
4. Tommy Troy, D-backs (2026)
5. Max Anderson, Tigers (2026)
6. Demetrio Crisantes, D-backs (2027)
7. Aroon Escobar, Phillies (2027)
8. JD Dix, D-backs (2028)
9. Roc Riggio, Rockies (2026)
10. Sam Antonacci, White Sox (2027)
Complete list »
Hit: Bazzana, Crisantes (60)
As a freshman, Bazzana hit .360 in three seasons at Oregon State and won the 2023 Cape Cod League batting title (.375). He has a .243 average in two professional seasons, partly due to nagging injuries and an aggressive streak of promotions. Crisantes hit .323 in three years as a pro, though his 2025 season ended early due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder that required surgery.
Strength: Anderson, Arroyo, Bazzana, Matthews (55)
All four of these guys are capable of bringing in 25 players in a big league season. Anderson led the Arizona Fall League in hitting (.447) and OPS (1.418) after going 19 times in the Upper Minors. Arroyo drives the ball in the air on his pull side better than anyone on this team. Bazzana’s power is overshadowed by his hitting ability, but it’s true. Matthews already has two homers in the majors to his credit, as he homered against the D-backs in his fifth major league game last July.
Runners: Bazzana, Dix, Troy, Matthews (60)
Of the four athletes included on this list, Matthews is the most powerful athlete and uses his speed very well. A former Texas high school quarterback who had 54 touchdowns as a senior, he finished third in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League with 41 steals in 112 games.
Arm: Antonacci, Arroyo, Escobar, Matthews, Troy (50)
Second basemen aren’t known for their arms, and only half of our top 10 are leading even average grades with their throws. Matthews and Troy have the strongest arms on this team and are best suited to play the left side of the infield if needed.
Midfield: Antonacci, Arroyo, Bazzana, Dix, Escobar, Matthews, Troy (50)
Seven guys share the top defensive grade on this list, none of them better than average. Antonacci stands out here for his reliable glovework (three errors in 76 games at second base as a pro) and high baseball IQ.
Highest ceiling: Bazzana
Bazzana went No. 1 overall in the draft because he has the ability to hit to win batting titles, as well as the strength and patience to draw multiple feet. He can post production along the lines of what Ketel Marte did for the D-backs.
Upper floor: Bazzana
It’s hard to imagine Bazzana getting worse than an average hitter with a solid on-base percentage and 15 homers per season. Even if he doesn’t stick at second base, he should produce enough offense to hold down a regular job as an outfielder.
Rookie of the Year Candidate: Matthews
Matthews is the only one of these second basemen with major league experience and has the best chance to make the Opening Day roster. The Astros plan to use him in the field and make sure they give him playing time to make an impact with his power and speed.
Top riser: Antonacci
Antonacci has raised his profile significantly since he was not ranked in our White Sox Top 30 last year. Since then, he has earned All-Star recognition in the High-A South Atlantic League, won a championship in the Double-A Southern League, ranked fourth in the Minors in on-base percentage (.429) and starred in the AFL.
Humble beginnings: Crisantes
Because he underwent Tommy John surgery early in his high school career at Arizona and continued elbow problems afterward, Crisantes sat out until the seventh round and 198th overall pick in the 2022 Draft. He signed for an over-slot $425,000, but that was still the lowest bonus on the team.
Most to prove: Escobar
Escobar had a solid .270/.361/.413 line last season with 15 homers and 24 steals in 120 games while reaching Double-A as a 20-year-old. But he slashed .360/.461/.627 in April and just .252/.341/.371 is still good after that, so some of his questions are still good after that.
Look: Aron Estrada, Orioles
A $175,000 sleeper signing in Baltimore’s international class of 2022, Estrada is a switch hitter with a history of connecting against pitching with more experience. He hit .288/.366/.447 with 10 homers and 34 steals in 108 games last season, and his OPS rose from .798 in High-A to .855 after moving up to Double-A as a 20-year-old.
