by Chris Donnelly and Vin Messana
Logan O’Hoppe (Los Angeles Angels, MLB)
O’Hoppe has emerged as an everyday catcher for the Los Angels Angels after being traded for Brandon Marsh in 2022. After starting off hot in March/April, slashing .270/.301/.551, he wasn’t able to get back to form, ending the season slashing .213/.258/.371. O’Hoppe still has the tools to be an All-Star catcher, as he ranks in the 72nd percentile in hard-hit rate and the 83rd percentile in barrel rate. O’Hoppe is a strong bounce-back candidate.
Ramon Laureano (San Diego Padres, MLB)
Laureano was able to put together his strongest season since 2019 as he posted a .854 OPS in 132 games. Starting the season with the Orioles Laureano was one of the biggest bats on the market at the deadline as he ended the season on the Padres and had his club option picked up for the 2026 season. Since 2022 Laureano has been on 6 different teams, but it looks like Laureano has found his footing and will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Greg Weissert (Boston Red Sox, MLB)
After being traded in December 2023 from the Yankees to the Red Sox, Weissert was able to get comfortable quickly, especially in 2025. He pitched 67 innings, posting a 2.82 ERA, which ranked 34th among relievers who appeared in 60 or more games. Weissert has become a staple in the Red Sox bullpen and will look to build on his success next season.
Anthony Kay (Chicago White Sox, MLB)
Not many players are able to return to MLB after leaving for the NPB, but Kay defied those odds. He pitched exceptionally well in Japan (1.74 ERA in 155 innings), earning another MLB opportunity by signing a two-year, $12 million deal with the White Sox this offseason. It will be exciting to watch Kay in his return.
Steven Matz (Tampa Bay Rays, MLB)
Matz has had a productive MLB career to this point. While he isn’t an overpowering arm, he has been effective, surpassing 10 years of service time and pitching to a 4.19 career ERA. Matz recently signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Rays and will once again compete in the AL East.
Marcus Stroman (New York Yankees, MLB)
Stroman has had a tremendous career for himself. As an extreme outlier (5’8 RHP) he has compiled 11 years service time, won 90 games and compiled a 3.79 ERA. With that said, 2025 was a poor season as he compiled a 6.23 ERA over 39 innings. Now a free agent and almost 35-years-old, it’s unclear what the market is for Stroman. If this is the end, what a career it’s been.
Ben Brown (Chicago Cubs, MLB)
Brown was drafted in the 33rd round by Phillies (a round that no longer exists) and has worked his way through nearly every level of professional baseball. He was traded to the Cubs in 2022, presenting another challenge, yet he still reached the big leagues and has flashed his tremendous upside at times. He pitched 106 innings in 2025, registering a 5.92 ERA. At just 26 years old, Brown still has an opportunity to blossom.
Matt Seelinger (Pittsburgh Pirates, Triple-A)
Not sure what else he needs to do to get a shot in the big leagues. Seelinger already has defied the odds. He was a 28th round draft pick out of Division-III Farmingdale State College. His fastball was in the low 90s and he was drafted because of his outlier knuckle drop. Here we are 8 seasons later and he’s done nothing but produce. He went 8-2 with a 2.74 ERA over 65 innings in 2025. He held the opposition to a .198 AVG and posted a strong 1.10 WHIP. Hopefully, 2026 is the year he gets the call.
Cameron Leary (Oakland A’s, High-A)
It was a terrific season for the St. Anthony’s product. The sweet-swinging lefty compiled a .383 OBP with a .798 OPS and a remarkable 56 stolen bases and 80 runs scored. He is known for his prodigious power, having crushed 43 homers in his collegiate career at Boston College.
Travis Honeyman (St. Louis Cardinals, High-A)
The Massapequa-native has done nothing but hit since he got to Boston College. In his two seasons of pro ball, he’s played a combined 102 games with a .298 AVG, .411 OBP and .803 OPS. Last season he played 82 games and batted .287. If he can stay healthy, he has a chance to rise up the ranks now that the Cardinals are in a full reset.
Sean Boyle (San Diego Padres, AAA)
Signed to a minor league contract this offseason by the Padres, Boyle is looking to continue working toward his MLB debut. Drafted in 2018 by the Yankees, he will spend his first season in a new organization. Boyle mainly started in 2025 with a handful of games out of the pen, earning a 4.61 ERA in AAA. He should be competing for a rotation spot in 2026.
Brian Fitzpatrick (Milwaukee Brewers, AAA)
Selected in the 10th round of the 2022 draft by the Brewers, Fitzpatrick arrived as a starter but did not find consistent results. In 2024 he moved into a long-relief role, which led to strong performance. In those 70.1 innings, he posted a 2.69 ERA with 79 strikeouts. In 2025, Fitzpatrick progressed through three levels, finishing in AAA with a 3.59 ERA. He seems close to reaching Milwaukee.
Harrison Cohen (New York Yankees, AAA)
Since Cohen entered the Yankees organization, he has consistently produced great results. Cohen started 2025 in AA and earned a promotion to AAA after 22.1 innings of a 2.01 ERA. He continued his dominance, collecting 29 strikeouts, five holds, and three saves for a 1.57 ERA. Many thought he might be selected in the Rule 5 Draft, but he was not, keeping him in the Yankees organization.
Nick Roselli (New York Mets, High-A)
One of the hardest workers you’ll come across, Roselli made himself into a pro player through sheer hard work. He was drafted in the 11th round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Binghamton. It was an underwhelming season, though, having batting .193 with a .613 OPS with Brooklyn. The previous season, he performed exceptionally well – batting .309 with a .433 OBP in the FSL. 2026 will be a critical year for him as the Mets system is ranked in the top-5 in baseball, with much of the talent in the infield.
Nick Schwartz (Oakland Athletics, AAA)
Signed in 2023, Schwartz started off hot, slashing .478/.571/.652 in the eight games he played. In 2024 and 2025 he struggled and spent time on the development list. The Massapequa native spent three games in Triple-A Las Vegas.
Matt Hogan (Chicago White Sox, AA)
Signed in 2024, Hogan had a solid first professional season, especially in Low-A, where he hit six home runs in 38 games and posted a .357 OBP. In 2025 he struggled while seeing four different levels and receiving many different looks. The 2026 season will give Hogan a clean slate and another chance to establish why he deserves to compete at the highest level.
Jimmy Joyce (Seattle Mariners, AA)
A 16th-round pick by the Mariners in 2021, Joyce has bounced from Rookie Ball up to Double-A. Over the past two seasons, Joyce has dealt with an elbow injury, limiting him to just 70.1 innings. However, there have been flashes of impact potential, including a 0.00 ERA in nine innings in 2025. The 2026 season will be pivotal for Joyce.
E.J. Exposito (Atlanta Braves, AA)
Exposito has consistently been an above-average hitter throughout his career. During his stint in High-A this past season, he slashed .269/.365/.485, earning a promotion to Double-A. While he experienced some struggles there, he should be viewed as a valuable player entering 2026, which will be a key year for his development.
Sean Keys (Toronto Blue Jays, High-A)
Keys is an intriguing prospect who offers a rare combination of patience and power, making him a constant threat at the plate. Drafted by the Blue Jays in the fourth round, Keys was sent to Low-A, where he made an immediate impact with a .829 OPS. In 2025, he spent the entire season in High-A, posting a .773 OPS across 119 games. A big 2026 could put Keys on Top 100 prospect lists.
Cody Miller (Atlanta Braves, High-A)
Miller has hit everywhere he’s played and hasn’t slowed down since entering the Braves’ system. After being drafted in the third round of the most recent draft, Miller was sent to Low-A, where he posted a .905 OPS. This earned him a short stint in High-A, where he continued his success with a .779 OPS. Like Keys, Miller could soon find himself on Top 100 prospect lists.
Nick Trabacchi (Minnesota Twins, High-A)
After spending several years pitching in independent ball, Trabacchi earned a mid-season signing with the Twins. He rewarded that opportunity by appearing in 20 games and pitching to a solid 3.81 ERA in High-A. Trabacchi is expected to start 2026 in High-A or Double-A and will look to continue climbing the ladder.
Rafe Schlesinger (Cleveland Guardians, High-A)
Drafted in the fourth round by the Guardians in 2024, Schlesinger has pitched well since entering the organization. In 2025, between Low-A and High-A, he posted a 3.56 ERA across 103.2 innings with 112 strikeouts. Schlesinger is expected to open the 2026 season in High-A or Double-A.
Jacob Steinmetz (Arizona Diamondbacks, High-A)
A third rounder back in 2021, Steinmetz burst onto the scene back in 2023 in the WBC when he had a great moment as he struck out Manny Machado at age 19. Since then, Steinmetz hasn’t been able to get in a grove and missed all of 2025 due to injuries. Still only 22, Steinmetz has all the tools to be able to get back to the great pitcher everyone knows him as.
Cole Zaffiro (New York Yankees, Low-A)
Zaffiro had his first recorded professional season in 2025 for the Yankees Low-A affiliate the Tampa Tarpons and showed consistency. Zaffiro was tasked with coming out of the pen but recorded outings ranging from 0.1 innings to 3.2 innings. He showed his ability to throw multiple innings out of the pen while showing he can get outs in any situation. Expect Zaffiro to start 2026 in either Low-A or High-A.
Josh Knoth (Milwaukee Brewers, Low-A)
In terms of raw talent, few pitchers in the minors compare to Knoth. Selected in the first round by the Brewers in 2023, Knoth pitched just 84.1 innings before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He is expected to return in 2026. After striking out 96 batters in those 84.1 innings there is a lot to be excited about. Knoth should be firmly back on everyone’s radars next season.
Michael Oliveto (Detroit Tigers, FCL)
Another first-round pick on this list, Oliveto, was selected by the Tigers in the 2025 draft. He has yet to make his professional debut besides his time in the FCL but will be closely watched in 2026 as he begins his pro career. Oliveto projects as a potential plus hitter at catcher with serviceable defense and is expected to start in Rookie Ball or Low-A.
Joe Ariola (Arizona Diamondbacks, ACL)
Taken in the 7th round this past season by the Diamondbacks, Ariola has not made his professional debut beyond some work in the ACL, but there is a lot to look forward to. His stuff from the left side gives Ariola the potential to be a starter or become a reliever. Ariola will be 22 in the upcoming season and will most likely start in Low-A.
Danny Macchiarola (Seattle Mariners, ACL)
Macchiarola was taken in the most recent draft and has yet to make his professional debut, but he was assigned to the ACL. He is expected to be a starter in the organization and will most likely begin in Low-A. With his pitch mix, he could progress fast through the levels.
Randy Ramnarace (Kansas City Royals, ACL)
A 16th rounder this past season by the Royals, Ramnarace has yet to make his professional debut after being sent to the ACL following the draft. He has a live fastball that he used to close games while at New Haven and will look to adapt as he continues to adjust to professional baseball. Ramnarace has a chance to move through the levels quickly as a reliever and should get the opportunity to do so, as he will most likely start in Low-A.
