Baseball's prospect landscape can change in a hurry, and the latest Sportsvival Top 50 is a perfect example.
The rule remains simple. If a player has appeared in a Major League Baseball game, he is no longer eligible for the Sportsvival MLB Top 50 Prospects. We are ranking players who are still waiting to make their MLB debut.
That rule creates quite a bit of movement this month. Max Clark, Kade Anderson, Josue De Paula, George Lombard Jr., Joshua Báez, Hagen Smith, Luis Lara, Michael Arroyo and Lazaro Montes have all reached the majors and are removed from consideration.
The August board also had a few players listed who had already debuted, so this September update cleans that up and gets Sportsvival's list completely back in line with our own eligibility rule.
There are also plenty of legitimate risers. Franklin Arias has been pounding on Boston's door at Triple-A. Eli Willits finished a tremendous first full professional season. Theo Gillen put together one of the best all-around seasons in the minors. Eric Hartman continued his remarkable power-speed breakout, while Ralphy Velazquez exploded offensively late in the season.
The 2026 Draft class also has to be included now. Grady Emerson, Roch Cholowsky, Vahn Lackey, Jackson Flora, Eric Booth Jr. and Drew Burress immediately bring significant talent to the board.
Movement key:
⬆ Up
⬇ Down
➖ No change
🆕 New
↩ Re-entry
1. Jesús Made, SS, Milwaukee Brewers
Previous: #1 | ➖
Made stays at No. 1. Sportsvival still loves the combination of age, switch-hitting ability, athleticism, position value and long-term offensive ceiling. Nobody remaining in the minor leagues has done enough to clearly knock him from the top spot.
2. Franklin Arias, SS, Boston Red Sox
Previous: #6 | ⬆ 4
Arias makes one of the biggest jumps near the top of the board. At just 20 years old, he has handled Triple-A pitching extremely well and has been one of the International League's hottest hitters since his promotion. His combination of contact ability, developing power and shortstop value now puts him right behind Made.
3. Eli Willits, SS, Washington Nationals
Previous: #4 | ⬆ 1
What a season for Willits. The 18-year-old finished at Double-A after producing a .265 average, .406 on-base percentage, 14 home runs and 62 stolen bases across the minors. The power development makes his ceiling even more exciting.
4. Theo Gillen, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
Previous: #8 | ⬆ 4
Gillen is one of Sportsvival's biggest believers-in-production risers. He finished with a .315 average, 22 home runs, 90 RBI and 44 stolen bases, while continuing his transition into center field. Tampa Bay named him a co-Minor League Player of the Year.
5. Ryan Sloan, RHP, Seattle Mariners
Previous: #10 | ⬆ 5
With Kade Anderson graduating from our list, Sloan becomes the top Seattle pitching prospect on the Sportsvival board. He continued missing bats at Double-A and finished the season looking like a future top-of-the-rotation starter.
6. Leo De Vries, SS, Athletics
Previous: #2 | ⬇ 4
This is an injury drop, not a talent drop. De Vries required shoulder surgery and is expected to be sidelined into approximately May 2027. He remains one of the most talented young players in baseball, but Sportsvival cannot ignore a major surgery and lengthy recovery.
7. Seth Hernandez, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Previous: #3 | ⬇ 4
Hernandez's season was essentially ended by the oblique injury, but his prospect ceiling has not changed. Before getting hurt, he struck out 118 hitters in 74 innings and showed triple-digit velocity. When healthy, Sportsvival still sees potential No. 1 starter stuff.
8. Grady Emerson, SS, Tampa Bay Rays
Previous: Not ranked | 🆕
The No. 2 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft immediately enters Sportsvival's Top 10. Emerson combines premium shortstop ability with advanced hitting skills and significant projection.
9. Roch Cholowsky, SS, Chicago White Sox
Previous: Not ranked | 🆕
The No. 1 overall pick joins the board immediately. Cholowsky was one of the most accomplished players in college baseball and has the combination of hitting, power and defense to move quickly.
10. Ethan Salas, C, San Diego Padres
Previous: #9 | ⬇ 1
Salas remains inside the Top 10. The positional value is enormous and the offensive rebound keeps him among baseball's best prospects.
11. Eric Hartman, OF, Atlanta Braves
Previous: #16 | ⬆ 5
Hartman keeps climbing. He became the first minor leaguer since Andruw Jones in 1995 to reach 25 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. That is no longer just an interesting breakout. That is elite production.
12. Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B, Texas Rangers
Previous: #18 | ⬆ 6
Walcott still brings one of the biggest ceilings in the minors. There is swing-and-miss risk, but the physical tools, power and defensive arm remain special.
13. Mike Sirota, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Previous: #12 | ⬇ 1
Sirota stays firmly in the upper portion of the rankings. Athleticism, center-field ability, speed and developing power make him one of the better all-around outfield prospects remaining in the minors.
14. Walker Jenkins, OF, Minnesota Twins
Previous: #15 | ⬆ 1
Jenkins remains one of the best pure hitting prospects in baseball. Health has slowed his rise at times, but Sportsvival still believes strongly in the left-handed bat.
15. Eduardo Quintero, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Previous: #17 | ⬆ 2
Quintero continues moving upward. He can hit, run and defend, and the offensive ceiling continues to grow.
16. Vahn Lackey, C, Minnesota Twins
Previous: Not ranked | 🆕
The No. 3 pick in the 2026 Draft enters high because of his combination of hitting potential, power and premium positional value. MLB Pipeline immediately placed him among the Top 20 prospects in baseball after the Draft.
17. Caleb Bonemer, SS/3B, Chicago White Sox
Previous: #13 | ⬇ 4
Bonemer still has significant offensive upside. The drop is more about the influx of high-end talent than Sportsvival changing its opinion of him.
18. Rainiel Rodriguez, C, St. Louis Cardinals
Previous: #14 | ⬇ 4
Rodriguez remains one of the more intriguing offensive catching prospects in baseball, but several players have simply forced their way ahead of him.
19. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Cleveland Guardians
Previous: #27 | ⬆ 8
One of the biggest risers. Velazquez absolutely crushed Triple-A pitching in August, including 15 home runs and a 1.300 OPS during the month. The bat has become impossible to ignore.
20. Josiah Hartshorn, OF, Chicago Cubs
Previous: #23 | ⬆ 3
Hartshorn continues his climb. Athleticism, contact ability and emerging power give Chicago another potentially dangerous young position player.
21. Jackson Flora, RHP, San Francisco Giants
Previous: Not ranked | 🆕
The No. 4 pick in the 2026 Draft brings a power fastball, size and starter traits. He has already advanced to Double-A for postseason work.
22. Edward Florentino, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Previous: #24 | ⬆ 2
Florentino remains one of Sportsvival's favorite young Pirates bats. The combination of power, speed and offensive projection keeps him moving upward.
23. Anthony Eyanson, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
Previous: #32 | ⬆ 9
First, a team correction from the August list. Eyanson was traded from Boston to Baltimore in the Adley Rutschman deal. He has been outstanding since the move and carried a 1.51 season ERA into late August. He is one of the biggest pitching risers on this board.
24. Luis Peña, SS, Milwaukee Brewers
Previous: #25 | ⬆ 1
Peña remains a premium athlete with bat speed, defensive ability and significant offensive upside.
25. Aidan Miller, SS/3B, Philadelphia Phillies
Previous: #20 | ⬇ 5
Miller loses ground because a back problem cost him most of the season. He finally returned to game action late in the year and remains a major talent, but the lost development time matters.
26. Caden Bodine, C, Tampa Bay Rays
Previous: Not ranked | 🆕
Sportsvival is buying the breakout. Bodine has raced through four minor league levels and is hitting .341 with a .409 on-base percentage, 16 home runs and 98 RBI. A switch-hitting catcher with elite contact ability deserves a major jump onto the board.
27. Alfredo Duno, C, Cincinnati Reds
Previous: #22 | ⬇ 5
Duno still offers tremendous offensive upside at catcher. The strikeout risk remains the main thing keeping him from the upper levels.
28. Gage Wood, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
Previous: #42 | ⬆ 14
Wood takes a major leap. The strikeout ability and starter traits have pushed his national prospect stock considerably higher, and Sportsvival is following that development.
29. Christian Zazueta, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Previous: Not ranked | 🆕
Another Dodgers prospect enters the Sportsvival board. Zazueta has continued pitching well at Double-A and combines stuff, youth and starter upside.
30. Bryce Rainer, SS, Detroit Tigers
Previous: #26 | ⬇ 4
Rainer remains a high-ceiling player with left-handed power and a strong arm. There is still enough swing-and-miss risk to keep him closer to the middle of the Top 50.
31. JoJo Parker, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
Previous: #33 | ⬆ 2
Parker continues to look like one of Toronto's better long-term position prospects, with a smooth swing, athleticism and legitimate shortstop ability.
32. Jhonny Level, SS, San Francisco Giants
Previous: Outside Top 50 | ↩ Re-entry
Sportsvival is putting Level back on the board. At age 19, he finished the minor league season hitting .311 with an .887 OPS, 18 home runs and 26 stolen bases. That production deserves another look.
33. Eric Booth Jr., OF, Baltimore Orioles
Previous: Not ranked | 🆕
The No. 7 selection in the 2026 Draft enters the Sportsvival Top 50 because of his athleticism, offensive ceiling and center-field potential.
34. Drew Burress, OF, Athletics
Previous: Not ranked | 🆕
Another member of the 2026 Draft class arrives quickly. Burress was selected eighth overall and brings an advanced offensive résumé and the ability to impact games in several ways.
35. Arjun Nimmala, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
Previous: #28 | ⬇ 7
The power and shortstop upside remain impressive. The drop reflects some swing-and-miss concerns and the number of new players pushing into the Top 50.
36. Josue Briceño, C/1B, Detroit Tigers
Previous: #30 | ⬇ 6
Briceño's left-handed power remains his carrying tool. Defensive position and consistency keep him from climbing higher.
37. Murf Gray, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates
Previous: #50 | ⬆ 13
Gray makes a big move. He was selected to MLB Pipeline's 2026 All-Breakout Prospect Team and has done enough offensively to move well beyond the final spot on Sportsvival's board.
38. Aiva Arquette, SS, Miami Marlins
Previous: #34 | ⬇ 4
Arquette still has the size, power and athleticism to develop into an impact infielder.
39. Felnin Celesten, SS, Seattle Mariners
Previous: Not ranked | 🆕
Celesten enters after producing a .273 average, .363 on-base percentage, 16 home runs and 25 stolen bases overall. His Double-A transition was difficult, but he remains one of Seattle's highest-ceiling position prospects.
40. Juneiker Caceres, OF, Cleveland Guardians
Previous: #35 | ⬇ 5
Caceres remains young with excellent bat speed and plenty of physical projection. This is more of a numbers squeeze than a major downgrade.
41. Carlos Lagrange, RHP, New York Yankees
Previous: #36 | ⬇ 5
The huge fastball keeps Lagrange inside the Top 50. Command and future role remain the biggest questions.
42. Zyhir Hope, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Previous: #44 | ⬆ 2
Sportsvival still believes in the tools. Power, speed and athleticism give Hope a much higher ceiling than the ranking may suggest.
43. Johnny King, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Previous: #40 | ⬇ 3
King remains an intriguing young left-handed starter with enough fastball and secondary-pitch upside to remain on the board.
44. Dasan Hill, LHP, Minnesota Twins
Previous: #41 | ⬇ 3
Hill stays inside the Top 50 because of his projectable frame and starter arsenal.
45. Braylon Payne, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Previous: Not ranked | 🆕
Payne has earned his way onto the list. His combination of elite speed and rapidly developing power made him one of MLB Pipeline's breakout prospects of 2026.
46. Caden Scarborough, RHP, Texas Rangers
Previous: #37 | ⬇ 9
Scarborough's long-term upside remains strong, but the competition for the final 15 spots on this list has become much tougher.
47. Tyler Bremner, RHP, Los Angeles Angels
Previous: #47 | ➖
Bremner holds his spot, but his arrow is really pointing upward. He was dominant after reaching Double-A, including consecutive starts in which he struck out eight while showing the fastball-changeup combination that made him the No. 2 pick in 2025.
48. Liam Doyle, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals
Previous: #43 | ⬇ 5
Doyle's fastball and strikeout ability remain attractive. Improved efficiency and command will determine whether he moves back upward.
49. Dax Kilby, SS, New York Yankees
Previous: #38 | ⬇ 11
Kilby drops because of the strength of the incoming class, not because Sportsvival has lost interest. He posted an impressive on-base percentage in Single-A and remains only 19 years old.
50. Andrew Fischer, 3B/1B, Milwaukee Brewers
Previous: Not ranked | 🆕
Sportsvival is rewarding production here. Fischer has hit 48 home runs, setting a new 21st-century Minor League Baseball record. There are legitimate questions about the hit tool and defensive profile, which is why he is not higher, but 48 home runs cannot simply be ignored.
Biggest Risers
Franklin Arias: #6 to #2
His performance against Triple-A pitching at age 20 has changed the conversation. He is now a legitimate threat to take over the No. 1 spot in a future Sportsvival update.
Theo Gillen: #8 to #4
A .315 average, 22 home runs, 90 RBI and 44 stolen bases is an incredible all-around season.
Gage Wood: #42 to #28
Wood's strikeout ability and starter profile push him up 14 spots.
Murf Gray: #50 to #37
Gray has gone from a Pirates breakout story to a legitimate national prospect.
Anthony Eyanson: #32 to #23
The move to Baltimore has not slowed him at all. His performance and starter traits earn a nine-spot jump.
Ralphy Velazquez: #27 to #19
Few prospects finished the summer hotter. His August power explosion completely changed his position on the board.
Biggest Fallers
Leo De Vries: #2 to #6
This is strictly health-related. Shoulder surgery and a lengthy recovery timetable have to matter.
Seth Hernandez: #3 to #7
Again, this is injury-related. The stuff remains elite.
Dax Kilby: #38 to #49
Kilby is still a legitimate prospect, but the influx of the 2026 Draft class pushed several younger players downward.
Caden Scarborough: #37 to #46
Still plenty of upside, but several players passed him this month.
New to the Sportsvival Top 50
Grady Emerson, SS, Tampa Bay Rays
Roch Cholowsky, SS, Chicago White Sox
Vahn Lackey, C, Minnesota Twins
Jackson Flora, RHP, San Francisco Giants
Caden Bodine, C, Tampa Bay Rays
Christian Zazueta, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Eric Booth Jr., OF, Baltimore Orioles
Drew Burress, OF, Athletics
Felnin Celesten, SS, Seattle Mariners
Braylon Payne, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Andrew Fischer, 3B/1B, Milwaukee Brewers
Re-entry: Jhonny Level, SS, San Francisco Giants
Removed After Playing in MLB
Max Clark, OF, Detroit Tigers
MLB debut: July 31.
Luis Lara, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
MLB debut: July 8.
George Lombard Jr., SS, New York Yankees
MLB debut: August 4.
Hagen Smith, LHP, Chicago White Sox
MLB debut: August 9.
Joshua Báez, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
MLB debut: August 15.
Kade Anderson, LHP, Seattle Mariners
MLB debut: August 23.
Lazaro Montes, OF, Seattle Mariners
MLB debut: September 2.
Michael Arroyo, INF, Seattle Mariners
MLB debut: September 7.
Josue De Paula, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB debut: September 11.
Dropped From the Top 50
Jaxon Wiggins, RHP, Chicago Cubs
The stuff remains exciting, but injuries and limited innings allowed healthier prospects to pass him.
Jett Williams, INF/OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Williams remains interesting because of his speed, plate discipline and versatility, but the overall offensive season was not strong enough to survive this month's influx of talent.
Josh Adamczewski, OF/INF, Milwaukee Brewers
Adamczewski did not have a bad season, but several prospects simply made stronger cases. He remains very close to the Top 50.
Sportsvival's Final Thoughts
The most important development in this update may be the changing top of the board.
Jesús Made remains No. 1, but Franklin Arias and Eli Willits are closing quickly. Arias is already producing against Triple-A pitching at age 20, while Willits just completed one of the more impressive age-18 seasons in recent memory.
Theo Gillen has forced his way into the elite group with production that combines average, power and speed. Ryan Sloan is now Sportsvival's highest-ranked healthy pitching prospect after Kade Anderson reached the majors, while injuries have temporarily pushed Leo De Vries and Seth Hernandez down the board.
The 2026 Draft class also changes everything. Grady Emerson and Roch Cholowsky immediately enter the Top 10, Vahn Lackey lands inside the Top 20, and Jackson Flora gives the class another potential impact player near the top of the pitching group.
And then there are the pure breakout stories. Eric Hartman, Ralphy Velazquez, Caden Bodine, Murf Gray and Andrew Fischer have all produced seasons that forced Sportsvival to reconsider where they belong.
That is what these rankings are supposed to do. They are not supposed to stay the same because a player entered the year with a certain reputation. Production matters. Development matters. Injuries matter. Level of competition matters. Tools matter. And once a player reaches Major League Baseball, his time on this particular Sportsvival list is finished.
For September, Jesús Made remains Sportsvival's No. 1 MLB prospect, but the race at the top is much tighter than it was a month ago.