15 MLB Prospects Who Could Break Into the Top 100 Soon

Other Prospects Who Received Consideration

Carson Whisenhunt – LHP – Giants

Tink Hence – RHP – Cardinals

Enrique Bradfield Jr. – OF – Orioles

Khal Stephen – RHP – Blue Jays

Justin Crawford – OF – Phillies

Tre Morgan – 1B/LF – Rays

Aidan Smith – OF – Rays

The post MLB Prospects Who Just Missed Our Top 100 Update appeared first on Just Baseball.

Hunter Barco – LHP – Pirates

Affiliate: Indianapolis Indians – Triple-A

Had it not been for Tommy John surgery during his junior year, Hunter Barco likely would’ve been a first-round pick in 2022. Instead, the Pirates landed him at No. 44, betting on his polish and pitchability. After returning late in 2023, Barco’s velocity hovered around 91 MPH, but he still carved up Low-A hitters with his deceptive mechanics and quality secondaries. In 2024, his fastball ticked up to 93.5 MPH, and he impressed at High-A before a lower-body injury cut short his Double-A debut. Fully healthy to begin 2025, Barco has been dominant across Double-A and now Triple-A, riding a fastball that plays well above its velocity thanks to its unique movement and release, drawing some comparisons to Nick Lodolo. He narrowly missed making the top 100 list due to a minor shoulder strain that raised brief concerns. But with his velocity intact, Barco remains a strong candidate for an update very soon.

Cam Collier – 3B/1B – Reds

Affiliate: Dayton Dragons – High-A

Cam Collier is another prospect who likely would have cracked the top 100 without injury. He returned from thumb surgery on June 4 after a challenging first half of 2024. However, a swing adjustment sparked a surge in his production during the latter part of the season. While his build raises concerns about long-term speed and athleticism, and he relies heavily on his plus arm at third base, Collier offers tantalizing power potential that became more consistent last year. If he can quickly regain form and shake off the rust from his time on the sidelines, he has a strong chance to re-enter the top 100 conversation. Given his overall profile, though, he’ll need to deliver big at the plate to solidify his standing among the game’s best prospects.

Grant Taylor – RHP – White Sox

Affiliate: Birmingham Barons – Double-A

Grant Taylor barely made the preseason top 100 before news broke that the White Sox plan to shift him to the bullpen. While the move makes sense given his history of arm injuries and a high-effort delivery, it’s a tough break for a pitcher with a dynamic four-pitch arsenal that could thrive with more innings as a starter.

Even in relief, Taylor remains a borderline top 100 prospect, with the potential to become one of the game’s top high-leverage arms. His fastball can touch triple digits in short bursts and occasionally stretch out for multiple innings, giving him a rare versatility. However, to secure a firm spot among elite relief prospects, Taylor must deliver consistently high strikeout rates over a full season. Until then, his ceiling as a dominant late-inning weapon keeps him on the cusp rather than comfortably inside the top 100.

Jackson Ferris – LHP – Dodgers

Affiliate: Tulsa Drillers

Jackson Ferris is a challenging prospect to evaluate. While his upside is clear, his development has plateaued somewhat, especially with his pitch mix. His fastball and slider are solid weapons, and improved command helped him finish strong in the latter half of 2024. However, his command remains inconsistent, and those two pitches alone aren’t enough to eliminate the need for a reliable third offering.

His mid-70s curveball currently serves more as a strike-getter than an actual weapon, and his limited changeups often lack effectiveness. At 6-foot-4 and just 21 years old, Ferris could see his fastball velocity tick up from its current 94 MPH average, which might ease the pressure to develop a dominant third pitch.

Given the regression of his curve and changeup in 2025, an increase in fastball effectiveness seems more likely than a breakout secondary pitch. While the talent is evident, so is the risk of him becoming a reliever.

Brady House – 3B – Nationals

Affiliate: Rochester Red Wings – Triple-A

Once a staple on top 100 prospect lists, Brady House fell off after a challenging 2024 season split between Double-A and Triple-A. Although he was just 21, his struggles with plate discipline were glaring—his walk rate plummeted to a mere 3% in Triple-A, highlighting ongoing issues with swing decisions.

House’s raw power remains undeniable, but his flatter swing path has limited his game power. In his second stint at Triple-A, he’s shown improvement, boasting a 124 wRC+ over 56 games and maintaining impressive exit velocities.

Despite this progress, many concerns linger. His chase rate remains high, over 30%, and an elevated ground ball rate, along with difficulty handling secondary pitches, continue to pose challenges. While House is consistently leaning into his strengths, these persistent weaknesses could prove problematic as he faces the toughest competition at the major league level.

Kaelen Culpepper – SS – Twins

Affiliate: Cedar Rapids Kernels – High-A

Selected late in the first round by the Twins in 2024, Kaelen Culpepper entered pro ball and was seen as a high-floor hitter with some uncertainty about his long-term fit at shortstop. Early in his career, he backed up the offensive expectations while showing promise that he might stay short.

At High-A, Culpepper is hitting .297 and surprising with more power than anticipated, blasting eight homers in 40 games. Although his ground ball rate was concerningly high—over 60% in his first 30 games—he has made noticeable improvements recently.

The bigger concern is his pitch recognition, especially against breaking balls. While he chases fastballs 20% of the time, that number spikes to 41% against off-speed pitches, which could hurt his production at Double-A. If Culpepper can cut down on chasing secondary pitches and continue reducing grounders, he’ll be a strong candidate for the next top prospect update.

AJ Ewing – UTIL – Mets

Affiliate: Brooklyn Cyclones – High-A

Selected in the fourth round of 2023, AJ Ewing had a respectable debut season but struggled with a high strikeout rate for a speedy utility player. This year, he’s transformed at the plate, boosting his contact rate from 68% in Low-A to an impressive 83% in High-A while driving the ball harder.

Ewing’s speed is a weapon, as he’s stolen 39 bases in 43 attempts across 47 games, helped by an outstanding .450 on-base percentage. His quickness isn’t limited to the basepaths—he’s also shown marked improvement in the outfield.

The Mets have been using Ewing across all three outfield positions and second base, with center field as his primary role in 2025. If he continues to sharpen his defensive instincts and sustain his offensive progress, Ewing’s prospect stock looks poised for significant growth.

Other Prospects Who Received Consideration

Carson Whisenhunt – LHP – Giants

Tink Hence – RHP – Cardinals

Enrique Bradfield Jr. – OF – Orioles

Khal Stephen – RHP – Blue Jays

Justin Crawford – OF – Phillies

Tre Morgan – 1B/LF – Rays

Aidan Smith – OF – Rays

The post MLB Prospects Who Just Missed Our Top 100 Update appeared first on Just Baseball.