
The Trade Deadline arrives at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 3 this year, and before all the commotion that comes with a flurry of moves across the Major and Minor Leagues, we figured it was time to update the MLB Pipeline team Top 30 prospects lists.
Truth be told, we’re always keeping the Top 30s in some sort of upkeep, whether it be to add new names as replacements for prospect graduates, to reflect our occasional Top 100 market corrections or to coincide with trades that have already gone down. But they still needed some new fresh coats of paint over our preseason editions.
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Think of this as similar to those aforementioned market corrections. We’re not deconstructing the Top 30s completely. Instead, we’re reranking the top 10s and then adjusting worthy players up or down 10 spots beyond that. We’re also adding prospects to the top 20s who deserve such rankings but haven’t joined a list yet. With the Draft signing deadline coming up next Monday, we’ll fold in 2026 picks when we do our full in-season rerank in August.
The belief here is that when trades go down in the coming days -- and they will go down -- fans will have a better and updated understanding of the quality of prospects changing organizations during one of the busiest times of the baseball calendar.
Below is a recap of the biggest Top 30 changes and most notable movers from each farm system, along with links to the updated lists:
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AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays
The big four of JoJo Parker, Arjun Nimmala, Nolan Perry and Johnny King remain untouched, but some of the most notable jumpers are corner infielders with MLB time in Sean Keys (up to No. 5) and Charles McAdoo (No. 12). Danny Thompson Jr., who signed for only $5,000 as an eighth-rounder last year, and Daniel Guerra leap into the top 16 for the first time, while fellow arms Ricky Tiedemann and Jake Bloss slide back to Nos. 10 and 11 as their injuries and missed time continue to pile up. Top 30 list »
Orioles
No pitcher being added to a list during this process is debuting higher on a Top 30 than Caden Hunter, coming in at No. 11, as the 2025 draftee has utilized an uptick in velocity and overall stuff to dominate two levels of A ball. He’s joined by two other newcomers: Jaiden Lo Re and DJ Layton, who were both overslot high school hitter signs from the past two Drafts (2024 and 2025). Top 30 list »
Rays
Tampa Bay always seems good to get a breakout out of a young talent, and this season has two in shortstop Cooper Flemming (up to No. 4) and first baseman Taitn Gray (No. 7), their second- and third-round picks from the 2026 Draft respectively. Austin Overn (No. 9) has also made a strong impression with his speed and defense after being acquired in the offseason Shane Baz deal, and after he's found some offensive success despite an oblique issue this summer, the Rays believe he might be a slight swing adjustment away from uncorking major potential. Top 30 list »
Red Sox
The Red Sox have graduated Payton Tolle, Connelly Early and Jake Bennett to Boston since the start of the season while Juan Valera had Tommy John surgery, shaking up the pitching prospects who had been atop our rankings. Shortstop Franklin Arias, right-hander Anthony Eyanson and catcher Franklin Primera have countered by significantly boosting their stock. Top 30 list »
Yankees
The Yankees opened the year with four Top 100 prospects, and shortstops George Lombard Jr. and Dax Kilby and right-handers Elmer Rodriguez and Carlos Lagrange have retained that status. New York seems to create an endless supply of pitching prospects, and left-handers Henry Lalane and Allen Facundo and righty Jack Cebert all have shown significant improvement. Top 30 list »
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Guardians
It has been a good year for the Guardians' system with Travis Bazzana, Chase DeLauter and Parker Messick all making impacts in Cleveland and Top 100 prospects Angel Genao, Ralphy Velazquez and Cooper Ingle holding serve. Right-hander Justin Campbell, a 2022 supplemental first-rounder, is finally making his pro debut after years of elbow issues and quickly has risen to Triple-A. Top 30 list »
Royals
Angeibel Gomez signed for $2.9 million in January, and the 17-year-old outfielder is already up to No. 4 in the K.C. system with his five-tool potential backed up by strong Dominican Summer League performance in 2026. Fellow 2026 signee Jaider Suárez (No. 16) also jumps into the top 20 for the first time with his above-average power and speed potential. On the pitching side, 2025 71st overall pick Justin Lamkin (No. 7) was showing major helium from the spring onward until a shoulder injury put him on the Double-A IL in late May. Top 30 list »
Tigers
The trio of Max Clark, Bryce Rainer and Josue Briceño still get plenty of the oxygen up top, but pay attention to upper-level bats Eduardo Valencia (who had a hot introduction to the Majors) and Brett Callahan who slid up to Nos. 11 and 14 respectively. Third-rounder Ben Jacobs becomes the organization’s top pitching prospect, having struck out 89 in 61 1/3 innings between Single-A and High-A in his first full season. Top 30 list »
Twins
During Spring Training, Khadim Diaw was picked as the Twins’ breakout prospect candidate. The 2024 third-rounder had been productive in his first full year, but injuries limited him to just 42 games. Now healthy, he’s doing what the Twins thought he might, hitting his way from High-A Cedar Rapids (.895 OPS) to Double-A Wichita with a combined 120 wRC+, a big reason why he’s jumped to just outside of the top 10. Yasser Mercedes and Ben Ross join Diaw in making 10-spot jumps forward. Top 30 list »
White Sox
Promoting Braden Montgomery, Noah Schultz and Sam Antonacci to Chicago has helped fuel a surprising run toward a possible AL Central title. Other than graduations, it's been fairly status quo for the White Sox system -- though it will get a huge influx of talent from No. 1 overall pick Roch Cholowsky and the rest of the club's 2026 Draft. Top 30 list »
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
Angels
The big move here is by Hayden Alvarez, who ascends to the No. 2 spot on the list. Just 19 years old, he’s been doing some impressive things with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. He hits the ball very hard and draws a lot of walks en route to an OPS of .877 and a 122 wRC+ to go along with 40+ steals. This jump from No. 10 puts him on the Top 100 watch list for sure. Top 30 list »
Astros
No prospect is cracking these updates with a higher organizational Top 30 ranking than catcher Jason Schiavone, who checks in at No. 3 while batting .266/.416/.556 with 23 homers and 21 steals in 80 games between High-A and Double-A. The two players ahead of him, outfielder Kevin Alvarez and third baseman Xavier Neyens, have joined the overall Top 100 since the season began. Top 30 list »
A’s
Three A’s prospects made 10-spot jumps, headlined by young outfielder Breyson Guedez, who has catapulted into the top 10 after skipping over the Arizona Complex League and hitting .305/.352/.443 with Single-A Stockton at age 18. Davis Diaz, who has hit his way to Double-A, and Yunior Tur, who just recently made his big league debut, join Guedez with some upward mobility. Top 30 list »
Mariners
The Mariners welcome two newcomers to their top 20. Colton Shaw may have been a money-saving senior sign out of Yale in the seventh round of the 2025 Draft, but he really knows how to pitch, which is why he’s debuting at No. 17. He’s joined by 2026 international signee Gregory Pio, whose .885 OPS in the Dominican Summer League has been a nice early return on the M’s $3 million investment in January. Top 30 list »
Rangers
Several Rangers position prospects have taken steps forward this season, with catcher Malcolm Moore rebounding from a disastrous 2025 season and shortstop Daniel Rodriguez, outfielder Hector Osorio and third baseman Rafe Perich asserting themselves. On the other hand, several of their better pitching prospects have backslid, with right-hander Jacob Johnson a notable exception. Top 30 list »
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves
There was some talk about flipping Eric Hartman and Cam Caminiti at the top of the list, but we decided to stand pat for the time being. Jim Jarvis is one of those “good ballplayers” who might not jump out at you if seen once, but over time it's obvious just how much he helps a team win. He’s been productive both at Triple-A and when given a chance in Atlanta, which is why we moved him up this list. Top 30 list »
Marlins
The Marlins have had a lot of Top 100 comings and goings this year: Owen Caissie and Joe Mack rose to Miami to help an unforeseen NL wild-card contender, left-hander Robby Snelling had Tommy John surgery, right-hander Kevin Defrank came off the list following a biceps injury and righty Karson Milbrandt pitched his way on. Shortstop Starlyn Caba and outfielder Cam Cannarella could play their way onto the Top 100 soon. Top 30 list »
Mets
The graduations of Nolan McLean, Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing have taken a bite out of the talent pipeline toward the Big Apple, and this is a list that reflects that. With multiple swing-and-miss pitches, Jonathan Santucci moves behind Jonah Tong as the new No. 2 prospect in the system, and fellow lefty Zac Thornton slides into the top 10 for the first time after finding success in his first tastes of the bigs. Top 30 list »
Nationals
Eli Willits, Seaver King, Ronny Cruz and Devin Fitz-Gerald have taken up a lot of the oxygen when discussing the Nationals’ system in 2026. But if you thought Washington’s pitching group was limited to rehabbers Travis Sykora and Jarlin Susana, check out Jackson Kent and Miguel Sime Jr.’s moves into the top 10. Kent looks like a lefty who could help out the Nationals’ MLB rotation by season’s end, and Sime has some of the most impressive (albeit raw) stuff in the whole system. Top 30 list »
Phillies
Sure, the Phillies traded catching prospect Eduardo Tait to the Twins last Trade Deadline, but that doesn’t mean there still isn’t a young backstop to be excited about. Alirio Ferrebus is making a big jump from No. 21 into the top 10 (No. 7, to be precise), and is currently leading the Single-A Florida State League in hitting (.328), slugging (.530) and OPS (.909). The 20-year old is third on the circuit with 134 wRC+. Top 30 list »
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
Brewers
Milwaukee continues to flash some of the best prospect depth in all of baseball. Yes, you know Jesús Made, Luis Peña and Luis Lara up top, but breakouts from outfielders Alexander Frias (No. 12) and Josiah Ragsdale (No. 14) help keep the wheel of talent turning so nicely for the Crew. Among pitchers, Josh Knoth (No. 11) is garnering attention in his return from Tommy John surgery and sits alongside Tyson Hardin and Bishop Letson as one of the best arms in the system. Top 30 list »
Cardinals
You can never have too much pitching, and that’s something St. Louis knows all too well with eight of its top 11 prospects making their living on top of the mound. Now ranked No. 11, Jacob Odle was sitting outside the Top 30 at the beginning of the season but has shown the most growth with three above-average pitches in his fastball, curveball and slider. Among bats, 18-year-old middle infielder Sebastian Dos Santos waited in vain for a Top 30 slot to open and now finds himself making his list debut at No. 12 thanks to above-average power potential on the dirt. Top 30 list »
Cubs
While the top of our Cubs Top 30 looks a lot different than it did four months ago -- Moisés Ballesteros and Kevin Alcántara have graduated, right-hander Jaxon Wiggins and outfielder Ethan Conrad have missed significant time with injuries -- it has been a positive summer for the system. Pedro Ramirez made the Top 100 before rushing to Chicago, outfielder Josiah Hartshorn and catcher Owen Ayers are surpassing expectations and Brooks Caple and Mason McGwire have added some much-needed pitching depth. Top 30 list »
Pirates
If the Pirates are looking for an area of depth to trade from to bolster a playoff run, they might want to look behind the plate. They have three catchers in their top 10, starting with Axiel Plaz (.308/.385/.488, age 20, High-A Greensboro) skyrocketing to No. 6, 2025 draftee Easton Carmichael (.311/.355/.528, age 21, High-A) elevated to No. 7 and 20-year-old Edgleen Perez, who came over in last year’s David Bednar trade, hitting .288 with a .377 OBP and providing outstanding defense for Single-A Bradenton, now at No. 8. Top 30 list »
Reds
A couple of teenagers are on the move here, starting with catcher Jirvin Morillo. After spending two summers in the Dominican Summer League, Morillo is excelling in his stateside debut, leading the Arizona Complex League with 13 homers while sitting second in slugging (.652) and third in OPS (1.101) to vault him to No. 8 on this list. Angel Nuñez, the Reds’ top acquisition on the international market in January, isn’t far behind him at No. 11, thanks to a strong DSL debut (.938 OPS). Top 30 list »
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
D-backs
There’s a new king atop the Arizona hill in second baseman Demetrio Crisantes. A lifetime .321 hitter in the Minor Leagues, the only thing stopping the right-handed slugger’s ascent in recent years has been injuries, and after overcoming an early hamstring strain this season, he’s already pushed his way to Triple-A at 21 years old. The biggest jumper is catcher Alberto Barriga (No. 14), who has a lightning arm behind the plate and is showing better power in his age-21 season on his way to Double-A. Top 30 list »
Dodgers
It's business as usual for the Dodgers, who are challenging for MLB's best record while pursuing their third consecutive World Series championship and boasting a baseball-best nine Top 100 prospects. Almost all of their best farmhands are having strong seasons, with right-hander Brady Smith making the biggest jump in the system now that he's healthy. Top 30 list »
Giants
No system is on the rise more than this one. Shortstops Josuar Gonzalez and Luis Hernández look like future superstars at ages 18 and 17 respectively, and there's quality and depth of talent behind them. Outfielder Jonah Cox and catcher Drew Cavanaugh have been pleasant development surprises who have reached San Francisco this season. Top 30 list »
Padres
Ethan Salas’ return to health and form at Double-A San Antonio has been the easy story of the San Diego system in 2026, and his place at the top of the list was secure heading into this process. Lefties Kash Mayfield and Kruz Schoolcraft are still in the conversation for top arm in the system, and don’t overlook righty Bryan Balzer, who climbs up to No. 7 in this update with a fastball in the upper 90s, a plus slider and a good splitter. There’s still enough talent here to make the Trade Deadline interesting should the Padres opt to buy again on or before Aug. 3. Top 30 list »
Rockies
While Andy Perez rejoined the list in the teens with a fine season at Double-A, the bigger news might be the pair of prospects who have jumped into the top 10. Cristian Arguelles, hit .422 in his second summer of play in the DSL in 2025 en route to winning the league’s MVP and batting title. He might be in line to repeat the feat during his U.S. debut in the Arizona Complex League, which he currently tops in average (.402) and OPS (1.149). That's why he’s all the way up at No. 6 now. He’s joined by right-hander Jackson Cox, who clearly has put 2024 Tommy John surgery behind him and currently leads all Minor Leaguers in strikeouts (122). Top 30 list »



