There’s still more to come.
We also evaluate the Top 10 prospects for each position on the diamond, even differentiating pitchers by handedness for added interest. These rankings were updated last week to include 2024 Draft selections and emerging players, providing an accurate reflection of several Minor Leaguers’ current standing within the game.
Here’s a brief overview of the Top 10 positional groups, complete with links to the full lists:
Catchers
Samuel Basallo of the Orioles has moved ahead of the Padres’ Ethan Salas for the top position, primarily due to Basallo successfully managing Double-A in his age-19 season. In contrast, Salas has faced challenges adjusting to High-A at just 18. Many players in this list could make it to the Majors soon, as six of the ten have gained some experience in Triple-A, including recently promoted Kyle Teel (No. 3) and Dalton Rushing (No. 4).
First basemen
Jac Caglianone, the sixth overall pick who may also pitch for the Royals, takes the top spot after belting 68 home runs in the past two seasons while at Florida. Xavier Isaac from the Rays adds his excellent power to the top of this group, with fellow 2024 top 10 pick Nick Kurtz (Athletics) completing the top three. The leading 2024 performers, C.J. Kayfus (.935 OPS) and Deyvison De Los Santos (34 homers), are the only players outside the Top 100 in a typically less populated group.
Second basemen
How does the No. 1 overall pick end up ranked No. 2? In the keystone position, it appears. Guardians’ top choice, Travis Bazzana, is just behind overall prospect Jackson Holliday on the second-base list, both being left-handed batters with exceptional hitting skills. Breakout performers from the 2023 Draft, Luke Keaschall and Kristian Campbell, have earned spots in the top five, while College World Series star Christian Moore appears at No. 6 in his positional debut.
Third basemen
This ranking is likely to change significantly in a year. Junior Caminero, Coby Mayo, and Jace Jung—three of the top five in this list—have already made appearances in the Majors this season. Matt Shaw and Brady House, the other two, are poised to debut at Triple-A early in 2025. The latter half of the Top 10 features only one player with upper-level experience (Brock Wilken), although 2024 Draft picks Cam Smith and Tommy White could advance quickly next spring.
Shortstops
With twenty-one Top 100 prospects primarily playing shortstop, this is the deepest position group. Leading the Top 10 is Marcelo Mayer, the No. 5 overall prospect, while Kevin McGonigle rounds it out at No. 33. This diverse assembly of talent includes players like Brooks Lee and Jacob Wilson, known for their potentially exceptional hitting abilities, alongside power hitters such as Carson Williams and Colson Montgomery. The variety underscores that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to developing a premium shortstop prospect.
Outfielders
The top four outfield prospects—Dylan Crews, Walker Jenkins, Max Clark, and Charlie Condon—were all top-five picks from the last two Drafts, with notable international signings Jasson Domínguez, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Lazaro Montes adding to the potential. Remarkably, 2022’s 79th overall pick Roman Anthony and second-rounder Owen Caissie from 2020 appear to have relatively modest beginnings on such a prestigious list.
Left-handed pitchers
Quality left-handed pitching is always in demand, so White Sox fans might find hope here. Chicago boasts the top two LHP prospects: Noah Schultz at No. 15 overall and 2024’s fifth overall pick, Hagen Smith. Meanwhile, the Marlins (Thomas White, Robby Snelling) and the Dodgers (Jackson Ferris, Justin Wrobleski) also showcase two Top 10 southpaws each within their farm systems.
Right-handed pitchers
The group of right-handed pitchers presents a wider array of club representation. Only the Reds (Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder) have more than one RHP prospect in the Top 10, and fortuitously, both are first-round selections from Wake Forest. Tigers pitcher Jackson Jobe retains his leading position with a diverse array of pitches at Double-A at age 22, while No. 2 Chase Dollander (Rockies) has recently climbed to the Minors’ second-highest tier after racking up 111 strikeouts in 70 innings for High-A Spokane. Unlike their left-handed counterparts, all ten pitchers in this category are ranked within the Top 100, with none falling below No. 65.
# Top 10 Prospects at Every Position: An Updated Ranking for 2024
As we delve into the exciting world of sports, particularly in the context of the upcoming 2024 season, it’s essential to stay informed about the top prospects across various positions. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the top 10 prospects at every position, giving fans, analysts, and teams the insight they need for the upcoming drafts and player evaluations.
## Quarterbacks
When it comes to the quarterback position, the future of the NFL looks bright with these ten standout prospects:
| Rank | Player Name | College | Key Strengths |
|——|————-|——————|———————————–|
| 1 | Caleb Williams | USC | Strong arm, mobility, field vision |
| 2 | Drake Maye | North Carolina | Size, accuracy, decision-making |
| 3 | J.J. McCarthy | Michigan | Poise under pressure, deep ball accuracy |
| 4 | Michael Penix Jr. | Washington | Experience, playmaking ability |
| 5 | Bo Nix | Oregon | Athleticism, leadership |
| 6 | Sam Hartman | Notre Dame | Veteran savvy, quick release |
| 7 | Quinn Ewers | Texas | Arm talent, pocket presence |
| 8 | Tyson Bagent | Shepherd University | Competitive spirit, upside |
| 9 | Hudson Card | Purdue | Consistency, touch on throws |
| 10 | Malachi Moore | Alabama | Dual-threat ability, athleticism |
## Running Backs
The running back position is evolving, and these prospects exhibit the talent and versatility necessary to succeed at the next level:
| Rank | Player Name | College | Key Strengths |
|——|—————-|——————|———————————–|
| 1 | Travon Henderson | Ohio State | Speed, elusiveness |
| 2 | Raheim Sanders | Arkansas | Power, vision |
| 3 | Blake Corum | Michigan | Balance, quickness |
| 4 | Zach Evans | Ole Miss | Breakaway speed, receiving ability |
| 5 | Donovan Edwards | Michigan | Versatility, football IQ |
| 6 | Justice Haynes | Alabama | Agility, pass-catching skills |
| 7 | DeWayne McBride | UAB | Physical running style |
| 8 | Tyjae Spears | Tulane | Quick cuts, speed |
| 9 | Jaren Mangham | Colorado State | Vision, strength |
| 10 | Tank Bigsby | Auburn | Strong frame, tackling ability |
## Wide Receivers
The wide receiver position is crucial in today’s high-octane offenses. Here are the top prospects to watch:
| Rank | Player Name | College | Key Strengths |
|——|—————|——————|———————————–|
| 1 | Malik Nabers | LSU | Route running, contested catches |
| 2 | Marvin Harrison Jr. | Ohio State | Size, route precision |
| 3 | Rome Odunze | Washington | Catch radius, athleticism |
| 4 | Emeka Egbuka | Ohio State | Quickness, yards after catch |
| 5 | Xavier Worthy | Texas | Deep threat ability, speed |
| 6 | Jayden Reed | Michigan State | Versatility, strong hands |
| 7 | Kayshon Boutte | LSU | High-point catches, playmaking |
| 8 | J.J. Jones | Georgia | Physicality, route tree |
| 9 | Andrel Anthony | Michigan | Quick cuts, separation skills |
| 10 | Dante Cephas | Kent State | Quickness, release off the line |
## Tight Ends
Tight ends play a vital role in both the passing and blocking game. Here are the top prospects:
| Rank | Player Name | College | Key Strengths |
|——|—————|——————|———————————–|
| 1 | Brock Bowers | Georgia | Athleticism, route running |
| 2 | Michael Mayer | Notre Dame | Blocking skills, hands |
| 3 | Jaheim Bell | South Carolina | Versatility, speed |
| 4 | Sam LaPorta | Iowa | Catching ability, reliable hands |
| 5 | Luke Musgrave | Oregon State | Downfield ability, speed |
| 6 | Dalton Kincaid | Utah | Route running, ball skills |
| 7 | Payne Durham | Purdue | Strong blocking, reliable target |
| 8 | Josh Whyle | Cincinnati | Size, receiving skills |
| 9 | Cameron Latu | Alabama | Versatility, solid hands |
| 10 | Will Mallory | Miami | Athleticism, route precision |
## Offensive Linemen
The bedrock of any strong offense lies in the offensive line. Here’s our ranking of the top offensive linemen:
| Rank | Player Name | College | Key Strengths |
|——|—————-|——————|———————————–|
| 1 | Olumuyiwa Fashanu | Penn State | Athleticism, footwork |
| 2 | Joe Alt | Notre Dame | Technique, versatility |
| 3 | J.C. Latham | Alabama | Power, anchor |
| 4 | Samson Siani | USC | Quickness, intelligence |
| 5 | O’Cyrus Torrence | Florida | Strength, run-blocking ability |
| 6 | Andrew Vorhees | USC | Experience, technique |
| 7 | Tyler Steen | Alabama | Balance, agility |
| 8 | Blake Fisher | Notre Dame | Physicality, quick feet |
| 9 | Kiyaunta Goodwin | Kentucky | Size, potential |
| 10 | Darion Kinnard | Kentucky | Versatility, solid fundamentals |
## Defensive Linemen
Defensive linemen are key to stopping opposing offenses. The following prospects have made a mark:
| Rank | Player Name | College | Key Strengths |
|——|—————-|——————|———————————–|
| 1 | Dallas Turner | Alabama | Quickness, pass-rush skills |
| 2 | J.T. Tuimoloau | Ohio State | Strength, versatility |
| 3 | Maason Smith | LSU | Size, power |
| 4 | Jared Verse | Florida State | Explosiveness, technique |
| 5 | Byron Murphy II | Texas | Quickness, run-stopping ability |
| 6 | Kalyan Shakir | Miami | Pass-rush technique, athleticism |
| 7 | Collin Oliver | Oklahoma State | Intelligence, motor |
| 8 | Derek Hall | Auburn | Power, technique |
| 9 | Tyler Davis | Clemson | Strong frame, versatility |
| 10 | Isaac Rochell | Notre Dame | Hand usage, flexibility |
## Linebackers
Linebackers are the heart of the defense. Here are the top prospects at this critical position:
| Rank | Player Name | College | Key Strengths |
|——|—————-|——————|———————————–|
| 1 | Dallas Turner | Alabama | Instincts, tackling ability |
| 2 | Jamon Dumas-Johnson | Georgia | Speed, coverage skills |
| 3 | Cedric Gray | North Carolina | Athleticism, run-stopping |
| 4 | Jack Nelson | Oregon | Intelligence, playmaking |
| 5 | Nick Herbig | Wisconsin | Versatility, pass-rush skills |
| 6 | Owen Pappoe | Auburn | Speed, coverage abilities |
| 7 | Henry To’oTo’o | Alabama | Leadership, tackling prowess |
| 8 | Shaka Heyward | Duke | Adaptability, instincts |
| 9 | Drew Sanders | Arkansas | Range, versatility |
| 10 | Kaden Elliss | Idaho | Hustle, tackling ability |
## Defensive Backs
Defensive backs are crucial in the passing game. Here are the top prospects worth watching:
| Rank | Player Name | College | Key Strengths |
|——|—————-|——————|———————————–|
| 1 | Kool-Aid McKinstry | Alabama | Speed, ball skills |
| 2 | Kalen King | Penn State | Coverage ability, instincts |
| 3 | Malachi Moore | Alabama | Tackling, versatility |
| 4 | Jaylen Jones | Oregon | Quickness, playmaking ability |
| 5 | J.T. Sanders | Florida State | Size, ball skills |
| 6 | Tyree Johnson | Michigan | Coverage skills, physicality |
| 7 | Myles Jones | Kentucky |
