Top Prospects to Monitor Heading into the Offseason

With the MLB regular season wrapping up and the MiLB schedule nearly complete, it's a good time to start looking ahead to next year. Here are 10 prospects to keep on your radar this winter who could crack Opening Day rosters, from top names like Konnor Griffin to sleepers like Mitch Bratt.

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Stats updated through the morning of Sept. 23. For more prospect coverage, check out our Top 400 MLB Prospects as well as our Top 20 prospects for each team.

Konnor Griffin, SS, Pirates (#1, #1 SS, #1 PIT)

The consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball, Griffin has lived up to the billing. He rocketed through the minors this year, starting at Single-A Bradenton with a .932 OPS in 50 games, then excelling at High-A Greensboro with a .942 OPS in 51 games, before continuing the climb to Double-A Altoona, where he posted a .960 OPS. Across all three levels, the shortstop slashed .333/.415/.527 with a .942 OPS, 23 doubles, 21 home runs, 94 RBI and 65 stolen bases in 122 games. A 2024 first-round pick, Griffin brings the full toolkit with an advanced hit tool and emerging power as well as elite speed and defense, and he won't turn 20 until next spring, which makes his ascent all the more impressive.

At the big-league level, the Pirates' position-player depth is weak, especially in the infield. Spencer Horwitz has held his own at first base, but elsewhere the mix of Nick Gonzales, Nick Yorke and Jared Triolo hasn't offered much in the way of production or security. Breaking camp with Pittsburgh in 2026 might be a stretch for Griffin given that he'd be bypassing Triple-A, and the Pirates have typically moved prospects conservatively. Still, it's impossible to ignore his franchise cornerstone profile. Whether or not he's on the Opening Day roster, Griffin looks like a special talent destined to make an impact in Pittsburgh sooner rather than later.

Kevin McGonigle, SS, Tigers (#2, #2 SS, #1 DET)

McGonigle broke out in 2025 with one of the biggest seasons in the minors. After missing the early weeks with a right ankle sprain, he came back in May and raked at High-A West Michigan, slashing .372/.462/.648 with a 1.110 OPS, 19 doubles, seven homers and 39 RBI in 36 games. Promoted to Double-A Erie in July, he kept producing with a .254/.369/.550 line, a .919 OPS, 10 doubles, 12 homers, 41 RBI and seven stolen bases across 46 contests. The dip in average was more a reflection of bad batted-ball luck (.230 BABIP) than a step back in skills. His bat-to-ball ability is elite, consistently squaring up the ball while limiting strikeouts, and the power gains he showed in 2025 point to massive upside.

Detroit's infield picture heading into 2026 is complex. Zach McKinstry and Javier Baez split time at shortstop but both can slide to other spots, while Colt Keith is likely set for regular duty at third base and Spencer Torkelson remains locked in at first. The biggest variable is second baseman Gleyber Torres, who's hitting free agency this offseason. If Torres moves on, McGonigle is a natural candidate at the keystone. A shortstop by trade, the 21-year-old has the skill set to shift around the infield as needed. The Tigers' offseason decisions will help determine how quickly he arrives, but with his advanced profile, McGonigle has the chance to force his way onto the roster as soon as early 2026.

JJ Wetherholt, SS, Cardinals (#7, #6 SS, #1 STL)

The call never came for Wetherholt in 2025, though his production made a strong case. The West Virginia product excelled at every stop, opening the year in Double-A Springfield where he slashed .300/.425/.466 with an .891 OPS, 14 doubles, seven homers, 34 RBI and 14 steals in 62 games before earning a promotion to Triple-A Memphis. There, he raised his game further, batting .314/.416/.562 with a .978 OPS, 14 doubles, 10 homers, 25 RBI and nine steals in 47 contests. Even a so-called "quiet" September has still meant a .768 OPS. With elite bat-to-ball skills, legitimate power, speed on the bases and strong defense, Wetherholt profiles as one of the most complete prospects in the game.

Willson Contreras looks set to remain the primary first baseman and Masyn Winn seemingly has shortstop locked down, but questions linger at the hot corner and keystone. Nolan Arenado remains under contract, but after a .655 OPS this year and endless trade rumors over the past year, his future is uncertain. Brendan Donovan has been a regular at second base, though his versatility and trade value make him a moving piece. One way or another, Wetherholt is ready for the challenge, and St. Louis will be hard-pressed not to clear a path. Anything short of giving him a chance to establish himself early, ideally as soon as Opening Day 2026, would be organizational malpractice.

Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians (#15, #3 2B, #1 CLE)

Bazzana's 2025 season was interrupted by injuries and ultimately ended early due to an oblique strain on Sept. 11, but there are still plenty of positives to highlight. The 2024 No. 1 overall pick spent most of the year at Double-A Akron, where he slashed .256/.364/.426 with a .790 OPS, 12 doubles, three triples, five homers, 23 RBI and nine steals in 51 games. That earned him a promotion to Triple-A Columbus, where he posted a .225/.420/.438 line with an .858 OPS, three doubles, two triples, four homers and 14 RBI across 26 games. Although his batting average has dipped, which was surprising for a prospect with such a polished hit tool, the 23-year-old showed outstanding plate discipline by walking at an eye-popping 24.6 percent rate in Triple-A.

Cleveland's production at second base has been poor, leaving the door wide open for a player like Bazzana. Brayan Rocchio has provided steady defense but owns just a .626 OPS this year, his best offensive mark to date. Depth options like Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martinez aren't known for their bats either and often move around the diamond. Even if Bazzana doesn't immediately emerge as a star at the plate, his upside dwarfs the Guardians' current options, making him a strong candidate to push for an Opening Day roster spot in 2026.

Robby Snelling, SP, Marlins (#48, #8 P, #2 MIA)

Snelling's 2025 campaign has been outstanding. He began the year in Double-A Pensacola, where he logged a 3.61 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 10.6 K/9 over 14 starts and 72.1 innings. After a midseason promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville, the 21-year-old's performance reached another level, as he's posted a 1.27 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 11 starts and 63.2 innings. The southpaw is striking out hitters at a career-best clip (11.5 K/9), thanks in part to a sharp arsenal highlighted by an improved curveball generating a whiff rate north of 40 percent.

The Marlins chose to keep him in the minors (perhaps to bolster a playoff push in Jacksonville?), but there's little reason to expect him to remain down once 2026 begins. Eury Perez stands as Miami's most well-regarded young arm, while Edward Cabrera, Ryan Weathers and Max Meyer are former top prospects trying to maintain health and establish consistency, with Braxton Garrett also in the mix. Meanwhile, Sandy Alcantara, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, struggled badly in 2025 and could surface in trade rumors this winter. Given the lack of established rotation anchors, Snelling looks poised to claim a rotation spot and make an impact as early as Opening Day.

Jaxon Wiggins, SP, Cubs (#90, #27 P, #2 CHC)

Wiggins entered 2025 with fewer than 60 professional innings on his resume and quickly broke out. He opened the year at High-A South Bend, where he delivered a 1.71 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across six outings and 26.1 innings, earning a mid-May promotion to Double-A Knoxville. There, he was equally impressive, logging a 1.93 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 10 starts and 42 innings. A late-season look at Triple-A Iowa hasn't been quite as sharp, but his overall 2.19 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 19 appearances is a huge success. Standing 6-foot-6 with a high-90s fastball and an equalizer changeup, Wiggins has the tools to overwhelm hitters, though walks remain the key variable in his development.

The Cubs' 2026 rotation projects to return Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon, but there's still opportunity. Colin Rea has been steady but could see his six-million dollar club option declined, Javier Assad is in the mix but not locked in, and Justin Steele is expected to miss the early part of the season following UCL surgery. That leaves the door cracked for Wiggins, who, after his breakout 2025 and with a strong spring, could be in the conversation to break camp with the big-league club. Even if he opens the season in the minors, he's a name to watch as a potential contributor at some point in 2026.

Spencer Jones, OF, Yankees (#92, #20 OF, #2 NYY)

Jones was often mentioned as a potential 2025 call-up, but a crowded Yankees outfield kept him in the minors. The 2022 first-round pick started the year at Double-A Somerset and thrived, slashing .274/.389/.594 with a .983 OPS, eight doubles, 16 homers, 32 RBI and 10 steals in 49 games before moving up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. At the higher level, he's been more streaky but still productive, hitting .274/.342/.555 with an .897 OPS, 15 doubles, 19 homers, 48 RBI and 19 steals in 67 games. Few prospects can match Jones' raw power, as he ranks in the 96th percentile in exit velocity and barrel rate per ProspectSavant. The concern lies in his strikeout rate, which has ballooned to 36.6 percent at Triple-A, underscoring a big swing-and-miss issue. When the big lefty does connect, though, the damage is undeniable.

While New York's outfield has been stacked in 2025, the picture could look very different in 2026. Aaron Judge is entrenched, and Jasson Dominguez should return as a regular after an up-and-down first full season, but Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger may not be back. Grisham, enjoying a career-best season with an OPS over .800, will be a free agent, while Bellinger also sits above .800 and is likely to decline his player option. The Yankees may explore bringing one or both back, but long-term, big-money deals might not be their preference with Jones waiting in the wings. There are plenty of moving parts to sort out this offseason, but Jones' massive power and high ceiling make him a legitimate candidate to earn an everyday role in New York's outfield in 2026.

Joe Mack, C, Marlins (#139, #9 C, #5 MIA)

Mack isn't always mentioned among the elite catching prospects, but he's quickly becoming a name to know. The 22-year-old tore up Double-A Pensacola with a 1.078 OPS in 13 games before earning a quick promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville. After a slow start there, he settled in and has posted a .920 OPS across 31 games since the beginning of August. Overall, Mack is slashing .250/.320/.459 with a .779 OPS, 18 doubles, 18 homers and 53 RBI in 99 games at the level. A left-handed hitter, he consistently makes hard contact and excels at pulling the ball in the air, a key for translating power to the majors. He also pairs his offensive profile with standout athleticism and strong defensive skills behind the plate.

The Marlins have capable catching options, but none are entrenched enough to prevent Mack from pushing for playing time. Agustin Ramirez has shown flashes as a rookie in Miami, though his streaky, bat-first profile makes him a better fit at designated hitter than catcher. Liam Hicks has been serviceable but lacks the upside or pedigree that Mack brings. While the Marlins can be conservative with promotions, Mack's production and a solid path to playing time make him a logical candidate to see MLB action early in 2026.

Mitch Bratt, SP, Diamondbacks (#168, #56 P, #7 ARI)

Bratt may not be a household name, but he is a sleeper worth tracking. The 22-year-old left-hander posted a 3.18 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 90.2 innings with Double-A Frisco before being traded from the Rangers to the Diamondbacks at the deadline in the Merrill Kelly deal. Since joining Double-A Amarillo, his ERA has climbed to 3.98 across six starts, but a 1.15 WHIP and 2.97 FIP suggest he has pitched better than the ERA indicates. Despite a fastball that sits in the low 90s, he has missed plenty of bats, striking out 12.1 batters per nine innings while limiting walks to 1.4 per nine.

Arizona's rotation heading into 2026 is unsettled. Corbin Burnes is expected to miss the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and Zac Gallen will be a free agent after a disappointing year. Ryne Nelson broke out in 2025, but Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt have not provided much, leaving the group thin. Bratt will need a strong spring to separate himself, particularly from fellow trade pickup Kohl Drake, but the opportunity for innings with the Diamondbacks is real. He might not bring the same prospect buzz as others on this list, but his command, strikeout ability and the state of Arizona's rotation give Bratt a path to make an impact next season.

Nelson Rada, OF, Angels (#184, #44 OF, #5 LAA)

We wrap up with one of my favorite under-the-radar prospects, a name you'll recognize if you've been following recent stash pieces. At just 5-foot-9, Rada doesn't jump out physically, but his rise has been steady. He opened 2025 with Double-A Rocket City, hitting .280/.383/.335 with a .718 OPS, 13 doubles, a homer, 22 RBI and 34 steals in 93 games. A promotion to Triple-A Salt Lake sparked another gear, where he's slashed .323/.433/.416 with an .849 OPS, six doubles, three triples, a homer, 17 RBI and 20 steals in 42 games. Having just turned 20 in August, he's held his own against older competition with an advanced plate approach, excellent bat-to-ball skills, and elite speed and athleticism. While power remains limited and numbers in the Pacific Coast League can be inflated, his increasing pull rate suggests pop could come in flashes.

The Angels' outfield picture could be complicated. Taylor Ward and Jo Adell, both 30-homer hitters in 2025, figure to return as regulars unless traded, while Mike Trout spent almost the entire season at designated hitter and may remain there to preserve his health. Beyond them, options like Bryce Teodosio don't represent long-term roadblocks, though the front office could add a big-ticket free agent such as Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger. Even with moving parts ahead, Rada's strong Triple-A production positions him for a real opportunity in 2026, and it wouldn't be surprising if he gets that chance early.