NEW Top 100 and Top 30 Prospects lists
There's a new Top 100 Prospects list at MLB Pipeline . . . but not a new No. 1 overall prospect. Orioles middle infielder Jackson Holliday remains atop our biannual rankings. Not only is he No. 1 for the third straight list, but Baltimore has claimed the top spot for
There's a new Top 100 Prospects list at MLB Pipeline . . . but not a new No. 1 overall prospect.
Orioles middle infielder Jackson Holliday remains atop our biannual rankings. Not only is he No. 1 for the third straight list, but Baltimore has claimed the top spot for the fifth time in last seven Top 100s. Adley Rutschman (midseason 2021) and Gunnar Henderson (preseason 2023) are Holliday's Orioles predecessors at No. 1, sandwiching Bobby Witt Jr. (pre-2022) and Francisco Alvarez (mid-2022).
Team Top 30 Prospects lists:
ALE: BAL | BOS | NYY | TB | TOR
ALC: CLE | CWS | DET | KC | MIN
ALW: HOU | LAA | OAK | SEA | TEX
NLE: ATL | MIA | NYM | PHI | WSH
NLC: CHC | CIN | MIL | PIT | STL
NLW: AZ | COL | LAD | SD | SF
Let's take a look at the new list:
The Top 10
The Orioles, Rays and Tigers each have a pair of the Top 10 prospects, the first time since mid-2012 that three teams could claim that distinction at the same time. Tampa Bay boasts two of the six best prospects, matching a feat that only four other organizations have achieved in our past 15 rankings, most recently when the Rangers had Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford at Nos. 5 and 6 on this year's preseason Top 100.
1. Jackson Holliday, 2B/SS, Orioles
2. Junior Caminero, 3B/2B, Rays
3. Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals
4. Walker Jenkins, OF, Twins
5. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox
6. Carson Williams, SS, Rays
7. Max Clark, OF, Tigers
8. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers
9. Jordan Lawlar, SS, Diamondbacks
10. Coby Mayo, 3B/1B, Orioles
Complete Top 100 »
Newcomers
Not including 2024 Draftees -- more on them in a moment -- 31 players crashed the midseason Top 100 party after missing the preseason list. Tigers middle infielder Kevin McGonigle has the loftiest ranking among them at No. 33, after batting .309/.401/.452 as a 19-year-old at two Class A stops in his first full pro season before breaking the hamate in his right hand.
The 10 highest-ranked non-Draft newcomers:
33. Kevin McGonigle, SS/2B, Tigers
40. Brandon Sproat, RHP, Mets
44. Moises Ballesteros, C/1B, Cubs
46. Thomas White, LHP, Marlins
47. Leodalis De Vries, SS, Padres
48. Lazaro Montes, OF, Mariners
49. Josue De Paula, OF, Dodgers
50. Brayden Taylor, SS/3B, Rays
62. Cooper Pratt, SS, Brewers
63. Edgar Quero, C, White Sox
Draft debuts
The 2024 Draft was more top-heavy than deep in terms of talent, and 12 first-round picks immediately joined the Top 100, up from 11 each in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The consensus top two prospects in the Class of '24, Rockies outfielder/third baseman and Guardians second baseman Travis Bazzana, headline that contingent:
12. Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Rockies (No. 3 overall pick)
13. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians (No. 1)
18. Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Royals (No. 6)
19. JJ Wetherholt, SS/2B, Cardinals (No. 7)
24. Chase Burns, RHP, Reds (No. 2)
32. Hagen Smith, LHP, White Sox (No. 5)
45. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics (No. 4)
55. Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Pirates (No. 9)
59. Braden Montgomery, OF, Red Sox (No. 12)
61. Bryce Rainer, SS, Tigers (No. 11)
81. Christian Moore, 2B, Angels (No. 8)
99. James Tibbs III, OF, Giants (No. 13)
Biggest risers
Only 57 of our preseason Top 100 prospects remain on our current list. Of the other 43, 22 graduated to the big leagues while 21 didn't make the cut this time.
Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson made the biggest jump of anyone on the preseason list, moving from No. 87 to No. 30 after hitting his way to High-A at age 18 before breaking his left foot in mid-May. Here are the 10 highest risers:
+57: Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners (No. 87 to No. 30)
+52: Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates (No. 93 to No. 41)
+42: Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics (No. 68 to No. 26)
+42: Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants (No. 96 to No. 54)
+38: Blake Mitchell, C, Royals (No. 94 to No. 56)
+37: Xavier Isaac, 1B, Rays (No. 58 to No. 21)
+36: Dalton Rushing, C/OF, Dodgers (No. 75 to No. 39)
+35: Noah Schultz, LHP, White Sox (No. 50 to No. 15)
+33: Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B, Rangers (No. 71 to No. 38)
+32: Aidan Miller, SS, Phillies (No. 61 to No. 39)
Demographics
This is our hitter-heaviest Top 100 yet, with a record-low 24 pitchers. Breaking it down by primary position, there are 23 shortstops, 22 outfielders, 19 right-handed pitchers, nine catchers and second basemen, eight first basemen and five third basemen and left-handed pitchers.
Eighty-one of the Top 100 prospects entered pro ball through the Draft, including 50 first-round picks and two of the last three No. 1 overall choices, Holliday (2022) and Bazzana (2024). Twins righty David Festa was the lowest selection, a 13th-rounder out of Seton Hall in 2021. Nineteen players signed out of the international market, with Ethan Salas (No. 20) landing the largest bonus at $5.6 million in 2023.
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Ten members of the Top 100 have been traded, highlighted by Caminero, whom the Rays grabbed from the Guardians in exchange for Tobias Myers while looking to clear space on their 40-man roster in November 2021.
The Top 100 prospects hail from eight different countries or territories, including 80 born in the United States. The others come from the Dominican Republic (10), Cuba (three), Venezuela (three), Australia (one), Canada (one), Italy (one) and Puerto Rico (one).
Farm reports
We'll unveil our updated farm system rankings this week. As a preview of coming attractions, we can tell you that five different organizations tied for the most Top 100 prospects with six each: the Cubs, Guardians, Mariners, Rockies and Twins. Twenty-seven different clubs were represented, with only the Astros, Blue Jays and Braves getting shut out.
One quick if imprecise way to measure the strength of star talent in an organization is to calculate what we call Prospect Points (100 for the No. 1 prospect, 99 for No. 2 and so on). The Cubs have the most Prospect Points with 336, narrowly edging the Tigers (332), Rays (325), Twins (321) and Red Sox (320).
The top 10 organizations in terms of prospect points, with their best prospect in parentheses:
1. Cubs, 336 (Matt Shaw, INF, No. 25)
2. Tigers, 332 (Max Clark, OF, No. 7)
3. Rays, 325 (Junior Caminero, 3B/2B, No. 2)
4. Twins, 321 (Walker Jenkins, OF, No. 4)
5. Red Sox, 320 (Marcelo Mayer, SS, No. 5)
6. Orioles, 281 (Jackson Holliday, 2B/SS, No. 1)
7. Mariners, 271 (Colt Emerson, SS, No. 30)
8. White Sox, 266 (Noah Schultz, LHP, No. 15)
9. Guardians, 257 (Travis Bazzana, 2B, No. 13)
10. Rockies, 205 (Charlie Condon, OF/3B, No. 12)
Aces Take Series Opener with 5-4 Walk-Off Victory Over Express
RENO, Nev. – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Round Rock 1B Blaine Crim kicked off the first inning with a home run into the Aces bullpen. Crim’s third homer of the year gave the Express a 1-0 lead. The Aces doubled down in the bottom half of the frame as
Express Close Homestand with 6-3 Win
ROUND ROCK, Texas – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Round Rock 2B Justin Foscue led off the bottom of the first with a walk then RF Trevor Hauver scorched his second home run of the year into the Express bullpen as the team jumped out to a 2-0 lead. E-Train
Express Blanked by Comets 15-0
ROUND ROCK, Texas – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Oklahoma City struck first with a first-inning home run from DH Ryan Ward and never looked back. In the second, Comets 2B Austin Gauthier grounded out to 2B Justin Foscue, allowing 1B Michael Chavis to score from third. SS Hyeseong Kim
Express Walk It Off Against Comets in 11 Innings
ROUND ROCK, Texas – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Oklahoma City CF Hyeseong Kim wasted no time getting the Comets on the board in the top of the first. The leadoff batter belted his first home run of the season on the second pitch of the game, giving Oklahoma City
Comets Launch Three Home Runs, Defeat Express 9-8
ROUND ROCK, Texas – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Oklahoma City RHP Justin Jarvis struck out Round Rock’s first two batters but 1B Justin Foscue and RF Trevor Hauver got aboard via two singles. 3B Cody Freeman then cleared the bases with a double to right, opening with a 2-0
Comets Soar to 7-5 Win Over Express
ROUND ROCK, Texas - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Oklahoma City got on the board early when DH Eddie Rosario singled in SS Alex Freeland in the top of the first but a throwing error by CF Evan Carter on the play allowed the Dodgers to take a 1–0 lead.
Oklahoma City Takes Series Opener in Round Rock
ROUND ROCK, Texas – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Oklahoma City LF Eddie Rosario led off the top of the second inning with a double off the wall. Rosario then stole third base and scored on a DH Michael Chavis single in the right-center gap, giving the Comets with a
Express 1B Blaine Crim Named PCL Player of the Week
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Round Rock Express 1B Blaine Crim was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for March 31-April 6, as announced by Minor League Baseball on Monday afternoon. Crim is the first member of the E-Train to earn a league honor this season. The right-hander
Round Rock Defeats Toledo 10-7 in Series Finale
ROUND ROCK, Texas – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: The E-Train opened the bottom half of the first inning with a pair of walks, setting up 2B Justin Foscue’s second RBI single of the year. 3B Cody Freeman then grounded into a fielder’s choice and 1B Blaine Crim scored from
E-Train Clinches Series With Walkoff in 10th Inning
ROUND ROCK, Texas – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Toledo CF Brewer Hicklen notched a two-out single in the top of the second inning, setting up RF Bligh Madris’ first home run of the year and granting the Mud Hens an early 2-0 edge. DH Ben Gamel and Hicklen opened
Round Rock Offense Explodes in 7-1 Victory
ROUND ROCK, Texas – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: The Express opened the bottom half of the first with four consecutive base hits. A CF Dustin Harris single and 1B Blaine Crim double set up 3B Cody Freeman’s RBI single. LF Trevor Hauver then singled to left, scoring Crim. C
Toledo Outlasts Round Rock in Extras
ROUND ROCK, Texas – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: 3B Alex De Goti doubled to left field in his first at-bat to lead off the third inning and flip the order for Round Rock. RF Sam Haggerty launched a single to right, scoring De Goti. Haggerty stole second then scored
Crim Delivers Walk-Off Win Over Toledo
ROUND ROCK, Texas - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Both clubs held each other scoreless through the first four innings. In his first start for Round Rock, RHP Nolan Hoffman threw 2.2 innings, striking out four and allowing two hits. The E-Train opened the fifth inning by loading the bases
Express Earn First Win Behind Four Homers
WP: RHP Matt Festa (1-0, 0.00) – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO FIRST PITCH: 7:24 P.M. ATTENDANCE: 8,053 LP: RHP Carlos Pena (0-1, 20.25) – 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO GAME TIME: 2:43 SV: -- TEMPERATURE:
Rainiers Sweep Express with Walk-Off Home Run
TACOMA, Wash. – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: The Express took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Round Rock worked two walks to begin the frame and DH Sam Haggerty singled allowing RF Kellen Strahm to score. LF Samad Taylor put the Rainiers on the board with a solo
Rainiers Secure Series With 3-1 Win Over Express
TACOMA, Wash. – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: The Express struck first in the top of the third inning. LF Kellen Strahm doubled in his first at-bat of 2025 and advanced to third on an error from LF Spencer Packard. Three pitches later, 3B Cody Freeman sent Strahm home on
Tacoma Takes Opening Day, Defeats Round Rock 6-1
TACOMA, Wash. – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Tacoma took an early lead in the bottom of the second behind 1B Tyler Locklear’s two-run home run. Round Rock SS Jonathan Ornelas answered in the top of the fourth with his second single of the game, sending C Tucker Barnhart home
Round Rock Express 25th Season Team Announced
ROUND ROCK, Texas – In anticipation of the 25th season of baseball at Dell Diamond and following an offseason fan vote, the Round Rock Express have announced the Top 25 Express Team. The first 2,000 Express fans through the gates on Saturday, May 31 will receive a card set of
Manager Bobby Jones to be Inducted into Round Rock Express Hall of Fame
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Former Manager Bobby Jones has been selected for induction into the Round Rock Express Hall of Fame, the team announced on Wednesday morning. After deliberation by front office staff and stakeholders, Jones becomes the 11th member and just the second Manager to be selected for the
Round Rock Express Fan Fest Returns on Saturday, March 22
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Round Rock Express Fan Fest, presented by Intel, is set to return to Dell Diamond on Saturday, March 22! Fans of all ages are invited to the ballpark from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. to help celebrate the start of the 25th season of baseball in
Round Rock Express to Host Job Fair on Saturday, March 1
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Have you dreamed of working in professional baseball? The Round Rock Express and RS3 Strategic Hospitality are hosting a job fair on Saturday, March 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. inside the United Heritage Center at Dell Diamond. The organizations are seeking gameday and event
Round Rock Express Reveal 2025 Promotional Schedule
ROUND ROCK, Texas – With the baseball season only 43 days away, the Round Rock Express is thrilled to unveil the team’s initial promotional schedule. The 2025 home schedule gets started with Opening Day presented by Dell Technologies at Dell Diamond on Tuesday, April 1 against the Toledo Mud Hens
Peak Events Announces Midweek Matchup at Dell Diamond
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Peak Events, LLC, in partnership with the Round Rock Express, is excited to announce a midweek matchup between Oregon State University and the University of Houston. The game will be held at Dell Diamond on February 19 at 6:00 p.m. This event will take place just
Round Rock Express National Anthem Auditions Return on February 4
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Who’s ready to sing?! The Round Rock Express are looking for the best talent in the area to perform the National Anthem at a 2025 Express game at Dell Diamond. Central Texas’ best groups under 10 performers and individual singers are invited to open auditions on