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60 Things We Learned From 2026 Prospect Lists
Plus: Every 80 in the Prospect Handbook, breakout pitchers for every team & more
60 Things We Learned From 2026 Prospect Lists
Baseball America’s preseason 2026 Top 30 MLB Prospects lists are here, culminating several months of research and conversations with scouts, player development personnel and executives around the game for our annual Prospect Handbook.
To dig even deeper into our new prospect rankings, Mark Chiarelli has compiled a comprehensive rundown of standout players, interesting trends and other useful prospect nuggets gleaned from our preseason ranking process for 2026.
Check out the complete analysis for two headlines for each team, plus scouting report quotes and extra quick-hitting takeaways.
For even more interesting intel from the 2026 Prospect Handbook, check out our collection of sleeper prospects for all 30 clubs.
TOP-OF-THE-SCALE TOOLS
Every Player With An 80-Grade Tool In The Prospect Handbook
Speaking of the Prospect Handbook, finding truly elite tools among ranked prospects has gotten more difficult in recent years. But there are still a handful to be found in the 2026 edition.
To that end, Josh Norris presents a full list of top-of-the-scale grades in this year’s PHB. Highlights include:
The only player with two 80s
A Dodgers OF who stole triple-digit bases
The game’s top-pure hitting prospect
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2026 BREAKOUTS
One Breakout Pitching Prospect For Every Team Hiding Behind Ordinary Stat Lines
Back in December, Ian Cundall took a look at one position player prospect from each team whose surface stats masked impressive underlying data. Now, he’s turned his attention to the mound.
Below, you can find one pitching prospect from every team whose pitch data doesn’t line up with their surface stats, suggesting they could be bounce-back candidates or take a step forward in 2026.
BA PODCASTS
Get Caught Up On The Latest BA Podcasts
Looking for something to listen to this weekend? Baseball America has you covered with a handful of new podcast episodes:
Future Projection: Why The 2026 HS Pitching Class Is Strong
Prospect Podcast: Cubs 2026 Farm System Deep Dive
Draft Podcast: Draft Sleepers Who Could Rise In 2026
Fantasy Podcast: Top 200 Pitchers For 2026 Dynasty
Want even more BA podcasts? sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Player FM to make sure you never miss an episode.
TRENDING NOW AT BASEBALL AMERICA
👀 We updated our ranking of every prospect traded this offseason following the Edward Cabrera deal.
⚾️ Jacob Rudner reported on NCAA umpire changes coming for 2026.
🃏Nick Kurtz’s MLB Debut Patch card has gone to auction.
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