Here are the new 2021 Top 30 Prospects lists
Dust off your highest hopes because a new Major League season is fast approaching. And with that comes the unveiling of each team's preseason Top 30 Prospects list.
The annual launch is especially interesting this year as most of the players on these lists did not see game action in 2020 because the Minor League season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. But with that came new opportunities for prospects to show off their skills at the alternate training sites and instructional leagues, with many getting a taste of The Show.
Here's a snapshot of each farm system, with links to their Top 30 lists and breakdowns of those lists.
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
Angels
It starts at the top of the list with outfielder Brandon Marsh, who should be ready to join Jo Adell in the big league outfield soon. And after Marsh, the top of this list is chock full of up-the-middle players, both of the infield and outfield variety. Middle infielders are a definite strength, with eight shortstops in the Top 30. More »
1. Brandon Marsh, OF (MLB No. 53)
2. Reid Detmers, LHP (MLB No. 74)
3. Jordyn Adams, OF
Complete Top 30 list »
Astros
Houston built one of the game's best farm systems in the middle of last decade and rode it to success via homegrown stars and deals of prospects for veterans. In 2020, it used 15 different rookie pitchers (most notably Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy) and came within a victory of its third pennant in four seasons. But years of picking toward the bottom of the Draft and trading youngsters have taken a toll on the organization's Minor League talent. More »
1. Forrest Whitley, RHP (MLB No. 41)
2. Pedro Leon, OF
3. Hunter Brown, RHP
Complete Top 30 list »
Athletics
The replenishment process begins with No. 1 prospect Tyler Soderstrom, who was already in the Top 100 conversation despite not having played in a Minor League game yet. Soderstrom is one of a few teenage prospects who could soon rocket up the A’s system, along with No. 6 prospect Robert Puason and No. 14 prospect Pedro Pineda. There is also talent ready to contribute now, including A.J. Puk, Nick Allen and Daulton Jefferies. More »
1. Tyler Soderstrom, C
2. A.J. Puk, LHP
3. Nick Allen, SS/2B
Complete Top 30 list »
Mariners
The Mariners’ multiyear rebuild is entering a critical stage ahead of the 2021 season, with many of the bluechip prospect -- like Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez, and Logan Gilber -- that general manager Jerry Dipoto has acquired over the past two years on the cusp of reaching the Majors. George Kirby and Emerson Hancock are further behind, but they spent a ton of time with the big league coaches at last year’s Summer Camp, the alternate training site and in this year’s Spring Training. More »
Here's a look at the Mariners' top prospects:
1. Jarred Kelenic, OF (MLB No. 4)
2. Julio Rodríguez, OF (No. 5)
3. Emerson Hancock, RHP (No. 31)
Complete Top 30 list »
Rangers
Three of Texas' best prospects -- catcher Sam Huff, outfielder Leody Taveras and shortstop Anderson Tejeda -- made encouraging if brief big league debuts in 2020. Right-hander Dane Dunning might be the big league team's best starter this year and third baseman Josh Jung could crack the lineup by midseason. But the farm system is unlikely to spark a swift turnaround because many of its top talents are at least a couple of years away from being ready to contribute at Globe Life Field. More »
1. Josh Jung, 3B (MLB No. 63)
2. Sam Huff, C (No. 78)
3. Dane Dunning, RHP (No. 91)
Complete Top 30 list »
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays
The Blue Jays still rank as MLB Pipeline’s No. 7 farm system after graduating the likes of former No. 1 overall prospect, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio in recent seasons. There’s another wave of infield talent coming right around the corner, too, in No. 2 prospect Austin Martin and No. 3 prospect Jordan Groshans. More »
1. Nate Pearson, RHP (MLB No. 10)
2. Austin Martin, SS/OF (No. 22)
3. Jordan Groshans, SS (No. 46)
Complete Top 30 list »
Orioles
Several years into their organizational rebuild, the Orioles have reshaped their farm system from one of baseball's weakest into one of its best. The headliners are No. 1 prospect Adley Rutschman and No. 3 Heston Kjerstad, the top and second overall picks in the past two Drafts. The system, ranked as the fifth-best in baseball, is heavy on pitching depth and highlighted by No. 2 prospect Grayson Rodriguez and No. 4 lefty DL Hall, who might have arrived this year had it not been for the pandemic. More »
1. Adley Rutschman, C (MLB No. 2)
2. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP (No. 27)
3. Heston Kjerstad, OF (No. 69)
Complete Top 30 list »
Rays
Once again the top farm system in baseball, Tampa Bay is loaded with a high quantity of quality young players who could and likely will play big roles in the Majors this year. Of theirMajor League-leading eight Top 100 Prospects, six are projected to be in the big leagues this season -- including consensus top prospect Wander Franco -- and the other two should arrive next year. More »
1. Wander Franco, SS (MLB No. 1) 2. Luis Patiño, RHP (MLB No. 19) 3. Randy Arozarena, OF (MLB No. 34) Complete Top 30 prospects list >>
Red Sox
Although corner infielder Bobby Dalbec and right-hander Tanner Houck impressed in late-season callups, most of their best prospects are another year or two away from making an impact in the big leagues. Seven of their Top 30 Prospects have been acquired in the trades since the start of last year, including middle infielder Jeter Downs and catcher Connor Wong in the Mookie Betts deal. More »
1. Triston Casas, 1B (MLB No. 44)
2. Jeter Downs, SS/2B (No. 49)
3. Bobby Dalbec, 3B/1B (No. 93)
Complete Top 30 list »
Yankees
The system features a heavy international flavor, led by Dominican outfielder Jasson Dominguez, who has the potential for well-above-average tools across the board but also has yet to make his pro debut. New York signed 11 of its 17 best prospects internationally, including Dominican right-handers Deivi García, Luis Medina and Alexander Vizcaino, Venezuelan shortstop Oswald Peraza and Venezuelan righty Yoendrys Gomez. More »
1. Jasson Dominguez, OF (MLB No. 32)
2. Clarke Schmidt, RHP (MLB No. 88)
3. Deivi García, RHP
Complete Top 30 list »
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Indians
Cleveland's system may be on the verge of gaining recognition as one of the best around. That might have happened already had the coronavirus pandemic not wiped out the 2020 Minor League schedule and denied many of the Indians' best prospects the opportunity to make their full-season debuts. More »
1. Nolan Jones, 3B (MLB No. 36)
2. Triston McKenzie, RHP (No. 51)
3. Tyler Freeman, SS (No. 98)
Complete Top 30 list »
Royals
For the second straight year, shortstop phenom Bobby Witt Jr. headlines the Royals’ Top 30 Prospects list. Kansas City has some young studs ranked among its best prospects, but they also have a number on the verge of the Majors. This will give Kansas City a steady stream of talent for years to come as it hopes to get back on top of the American League Central. More »
1. Bobby Witt Jr., SS (MLB No. 7)
2. Daniel Lynch, LHP (MLB No. 29)
3. Asa Lacy, LHP (MLB No. 30)
Complete Top 30 list »
Tigers
The Tigers' top pitching prospects began to graduate to the big leagues last summer. At the same time, its buildup of hitting prospects accelerated with the selection of Spencer Torkelson with the top overall pick in what proved for Detroit to be a hitter-heavy Draft. The combination of pitching and hitting talent resulted in five Tigers among the top 25 in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list. It also resulted in the farm system ranking as the second-best in baseball. More »
1. Spencer Torkelson, 3B/1B (MLB No. 3)
2. Casey Mize, RHP (No. 11)
3. Riley Greene, OF (No. 21)
Complete Top 30 Prospects list »
Twins
The Twins are coming off back-to-back American League Central titles, playing over .600 ball in 2019 and 2020 combined. And they did it with a very large foundation of homegrown talent. While the Twins don’t currently have a top 10 farm system, it’s still a solid and fairly deep one that will keep sending talented players up to the big leagues to help them continue competing. More »
1. Royce Lewis, SS (MLB No. 17)
2. Alex Kirilloff, OF/1B (MLB No. 26)
3. Trevor Larnach, OF (MLB No. 80)
Complete Top 30 list »
White Sox
Chicago has four American League Rookie of the Year candidates in first baseman Andrew Vaughn, right-hander Michael Kopech, second baseman Nick Madrigal and left-hander Garrett Crochet. Once that group graduates to the Majors, the White Sox will need to refortify their system, which currently is one of the game's top-heaviest. More »
1. Andrew Vaughn, 1B (MLB No. 14)
2. Michael Kopech, RHP (No. 39)
3. Nick Madrigal, 2B (No. 40)
Complete Top 30 list »
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
D-backs
A disappointing finish last summer doesn't mean the organization didn't take some significant steps forward as it continued to build one of the top farm systems in the game, ranking No. 9 this year according to MLB Pipeline. General manager Mike Hazen is hopeful to see homegrown players begin to make an impact in the Majors in the next year. More »
Dodgers While the Dodgers have dropped out of the top 10 for the first time since MLB Pipeline started ranking farm systems in 2015, they still have more impact talent on the way. Even while its focus was on ending a 32-year World Series championship drought a year ago, Los Angeles managed to hoard more quality prospects, with big additions at the Draft and in the offseason. More »
1. Keibert Ruiz, C (MLB No. 57)
2. Josiah Gray, RHP (No. 58)
3. Michael Busch, 2B
Complete Top 30 list »
Giants
The Giants' farm system hasn't been this strong since Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt were advancing to San Francisco to help spark three World Series championships at the beginning of the last decade. In the last four years, the Giants have assembled a formidable collection of position prospects via first-round picks and the international market. More »
1. Marco Luciano, SS (MLB No. 16)
2. Joey Bart, C (No. 23)
3. Heliot Ramos, OF (No. 82)
Complete Top 30 list »
Padres
The Padres entered 2020 intent on finally making the most out of their elite farm system. Did they ever. En route to their first postseason appearance in 14 seasons, San Diego called up 10 players from its 2020 preseason Top 30 prospects list. As the Padres reshaped their roster into a bona fide 2021 World Series contender, they traded 15 players from that list. That's right -- San Diego literally dealt half of its 2020 Top 30 prospects over a few months from ‘20 into ‘21. And despite that remarkable turnover, it remains one of the sport's strongest farm systems -- ranked sixth in baseball. More »
1. MacKenzie Gore, LHP (MLB No. 6)
2. CJ Abrams, SS (No. 8)
3. Luis Campusano, C (No. 45)
Complete Top 30 list »
Rockies
Beyond Zac Veen taking the top spot, which was held by Brendan Rodgers for the last five years, the Rockies still have some work to do. Always active on the international market, there is a good amount of intriguing talent pooling at the bottom, players who didn’t get the chance to get reps and development in last year’s cancelled season. If they can take steps forward with a return to play, we could see the Rockies on the rise in the future. More »
1. Zac Veen, OF (MLB No. 54)
2. Ryan Rolison, LHP
3. Michael Toglia, 1B
Complete Top 30 list »
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves
The Braves farm system isn’t quite the juggernaut it used to be, but it’s still pretty good. And the reason for the thinning out of talent is a pretty good one: three National League East titles in a row and advancement to the NL Championship Series last year. Yes, there’ve been graduations, but there is still some elite-level talent at the top of the new Top 30. More »
1. Cristian Pache, OF (MLB No. 12)
2. Ian Anderson, RHP (MLB No. 18)
3. Drew Waters, OF (MLB No. 35)
Complete Top 30 list »
Marlins
The Marlins have come a long way in three years. In 2018, they finished with the worst record in the National League at 63-98 and possessed a mediocre farm system. They got worse in 2019, dropping to 105 losses, but they rallied last year for their first winning record in a decade and first playoff appearance in 16 seasons. Miami not only has the youngest team in the National League East, but it also has easily the best crop of prospects, and the farm system ranks as the fourth-best in baseball. More »
1. Sixto Sánchez, RHP (MLB No. 15)
2. JJ Bleday, OF (No. 20)
3. Max Meyer, RHP (No. 28)
Complete Top 30 list »
Mets
Of the 30 players ranked among the Mets’ top prospects prior to the 2020 season, six have been dealt elsewhere as the organization tries to stake a claim as the best team in a crowded National League East. But there are more than a fair share of familiar faces, particularly at the top. More »
1. Francisco Alvarez, C (MLB No. 48)
2. Ronny Mauricio, SS (No. 67)
3. Matthew Allan, RHP (No. 75)
Complete Top 30 list »
Nationals
The one theme that captures the essence of the full Nationals Top 30 is its homegrown nature. All 30 were drafted by the club or signed through the international market. Considering Cade Cavalli, Jackson Rutledge and Cole Henry were first- or second-rounders in the last two Drafts, it's easy to see what the Nats valued when looking to add high-level talent to their system through that process. More »
1. Cade Cavalli, RHP (MLB No. 99)
2. Jackson Rutledge, RHP
3. Cole Henry, RHP
Complete Top 30 list »
Phillies
Beyond the Major League-ready Spencer Howard, there’s some exciting talent pooling at the lower levels. The Phillies have been very active on the international market, with a large amount, 12 to be exact, of international signees on the new Top 30. That bodes well for the new Philadelphia braintrust as they try to climb back to the top of the NL East. More »
1. Spencer Howard, RHP (MLB No. 42)
2. Mick Abel, RHP (MLB No. 76)
3. Bryson Stott, SS
Complete Top 30 list »
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
Brewers
The top eight players on the new Brewers Top 30 participated either in big league camp or in a concurrent Minor League-mini-camp, and six of those eight logged at-bats or innings in the Cactus League. Mitchell was easily the standout hitter, and Aaron Ashby, one of the trio of left-handed pitching prospects in Milwaukee’s Top 10, has been the standout pitcher, earning extra time as an active member of Major League camp. More »
1. Garrett Mitchell, OF (MLB No. 65)
2. Brice Turang, SS/2B (No. 96)
3. Hedbert Perez, OF
Complete Top 30 list »
Cardinals
Dylan Carlson, the organization’s No. 1 prospect, made his debut in mid-August, and although he struggled initially, he hit .278 over the final 12 games of the regular season and went 3-for-9 in three playoff games. Carlson figures to be a key contributor to the Cardinals in 2021. St. Louis has also shown a strong ability to Draft and scout international talent as 24 of their Top 30 prospects, including eight of the top 10, are homegrown. More »
1. Dylan Carlson, OF (MLB No. 13)
2. Matthew Liberatore, LHP (MLB No. 37)
3. Nolan Gorman, 3B (MLB No. 38)
Complete Top 30 list »
Cubs
The strength of the farm system is up-the-middle position players such as center fielder Brennen Davis, catcher Miguel Amaya and shortstops Cristian Hernandez and Ed Howard, though there's hope that lefty Brailyn Marquez and righty Adbert Alzolay can contribute in the big leagues in 2021. More »
1. Brailyn Marquez, LHP (MLB No. 60)
2. Brennen Davis, OF (No. 61)
3. Miguel Amaya, C (No. 89)
Complete Top 30 list »
Pirates
There are 11 players on the Pirates' Top 30 who were acquired via trade, more than any other organization this year. All of the moves have helped build out the system to the point they are in the Top 10, landing at No. 8, for the first time since before the start of the 2017 season, with a chance to move up the ranks if the lower-level talent acquired takes steps forward as Minor League play resumes in 2021. More »
1. Ke’Bryan Hayes (MLB No. 9)
2. Nick Gonzales, 2B (MLB No. 43)
3. Quinn Priester, RHP (MLB No. 52)
Complete Top 30 list »
Reds
The top five of this year’s Top 30 list consist of first-rounders, from the most recent (Austin Hendrick in 2020) to a bit further back (Tyler Stephenson in 2015), all taken in the top dozen picks. Getting Hunter Greene (No. 2, 2017) back healthy following Tommy John surgery and Jonathan India (No. 5, 2018) swinging the bat like he did during his junior season at the University of Florida would go a long way toward giving the Reds a strong group at the top. More »
1. Nick Lodolo, LHP (MLB No. 59)
2. Hunter Greene, RHP (MLB No. 71)
3. Austin Hendrick, OF (MLB No. 86)
Complete Top 30 list »