How Did Our Helium Picks Do? 👀

Plus: 60 college standouts who could shape 2026, top international classes & AL sleepers

How Did Our Hot Sheet Helium Picks Do?

At the end of each Hot Sheet during the minor league season, we also include a “helium” prospect—a player on the rise who might make future Hot Sheets, jump into Top 30s or even crack the Top 100 Prospects list down the line.

After identifying early up-and-comers like JesĂșs Made, Jonah Tong and Zyhir Hope last season, this year’s list of helium names includes a lefty who vaulted into the middle of the Top 100, a precocious righthander who signed in January and finished in Low-A, a handful of intriguing DSL prospects and a Rangers righty who has strung together two solid seasons in a row.

So, how did our helium picks fare in 2025?

This newsletter is powered by


Finlete lets fans invest in an athlete’s future earning potential, giving athletes upfront funding for their training, support and living costs. You can support those athletes here.

2026 COLLEGE STANDOUTS

60 College Players Who Could Shape 2026

Today, BA college writer Jacob Rudner presented the fourth and final installment of his series spotlighting 15 standout players from every class heading into next year.

From talented incoming freshmen and sophomores already carving out star roles to juniors with big-time draft aspirations and seniors who will lead postseason runs, here are the 60 players could shape the 2026 college baseball season:

SUBSCRIBE TO BA ON YOUTUBE

TOP INTERNATIONAL CLASSES

9 Teams With Strong International Signing Classes

Projecting players who mostly played this year at 17 or even 16 and are several years from reaching the big leagues isn’t a precise exercise. But with a season of official games behind us, we now have a better picture of how teams fared with their 2025 international signings.

To that end, BA international expert Ben Badler has highlighted nine clubs whose 2025 classes look particularly robust. Highlights include:

  • The Royals’ strong crop of DSL performers

  • Another wave of standout Red Sox prospects

  • Why the Mets’ class hinges on one key player

AL SLEEPERS TO KNOW

10 Sleeper Hitting Prospects From The AL

Earlier this week, we examined some of the top sleeper names among National League hitting prospects.

Now, Geoff Pontes is back with his list of 10 hitters from the American League who showed strong enough underlying traits and in-game production to be considered potential breakout candidates heading into 2026. Highlights include:

  • A bounce-back season for a rising A’s shortstop

  • A powerful Guardians slugger who echoes Spencer Jones

  • A Mariners catcher outperforming his draft profile

DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH

10 Underrated College Draft Prospects

With fall ball starting up across the country, we’re taking a look at some underrated college players in the 2026 MLB Draft class who rank outside our college top 100.

Though they’ve yet to ascend yet, all 10 players received strong consideration during our latest rankings update. As such, it’s not unreasonable to expect a handful to make their way onto the next iteration of the college top 100.

Baseball America Prospect ReportOur daily free prospect report provides updated stats and analysis every Monday through Friday during the season.
Orgullo Latino en el DiamanteBeisbol America celebra el futuro del béisbol latino destacando a las estrellas del mañana.

TRENDING NOW AT BASEBALL AMERICA

👀 Jacob Rudner offered some fall ball storylines and 2026 predictions.

⚟ J.J. Cooper reported that MLB is instituting a draft scouting “dead period.”

🐝 The Dodgers’ Low-A team is now the Ontario Tower Buzzers.

đŸŽ™ïž Future Projection is back with a look at 2025 draftee debuts and lots more.

FOLLOW BA ON SOCIAL

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? BECOME A BA SUBSCRIBER TODAY

Join the thousands of fans, players, coaches and front office personnel who are the backbone of the Baseball America community by subscribing today.