With there being so many different prospects getting called up early in the season this year and about a dozen prospects graduating from the ranks of being called a prospect, now seems like a good time to update my Top-250 prospect rankings from the preseason list that was in the Draft Guide. Below the rankings, we’ll look at the biggest risers since the preseason rankings with analysis as to why they’re rising up through the ranks.

Overall Rankings

RankPlayerTeamPosRankPlayerTeamPos
1Wander FrancoTBSS126Sherten ApostelTEX3B
2Jarred KelenicSEAOF127Alexander CanarioSFOF
3Julio RodriguezSEAOF128Nick BitskoTBP
4Spencer TorkelsonDET3B129Tyler StephensonCINC
5MacKenzie GoreSDP130Maximo AcostaTEXSS
6Bobby Witt Jr.KCSS131Daniel JohnsonCLEOF
7Andrew VaughnCHW1B132Travis SwaggertyPITOF
8Adley RutschmanBALC133Isaac ParedesDETSS
9Marco LucianoSFSS134Josh LoweTBOF
10Nate PearsonTORP135Kevin AlcantaraNYYOF
11Noelvi MarteSEASS136Kameron MisnerMIAOF
12Austin MartinTORSS137Jordan WalkerSTL3B
13CJ AbramsSDSS138Khalil LeeNYMOF
14Sixto SanchezMIAP139Kyle IsbelKCOF
15Alex KirilloffMINOF140J.B. BukauskasARIP
16Kristian RobinsonARIOF141Jose GarciaCINSS
17Riley GreeneDETOF142Aaron SabatoMIN1B
18Nick GonzalesPITSS143Alexfri PlanezCLEOF
19Jasson DominguezNYYOF144Miguel AmayaCHCC
20Matt ManningDETP145Luis RodriguezLADOF
21Corbin CarrollARIOF146Dean KremerBALP
22Logan GilbertSEAP147Luis MedinaNYYP
23Luis PatinoTBP148Heriberto HernandezTEXC
24Max MeyerMIAP149Michael BuschLAD2B
25Jordan GroshansTOR3B150Brice TurangMILSS
26Spencer HowardPHIP151Jared KelleyCHWP
27Trevor LarnachMINOF152Patrick BaileySFC
28Alek ThomasARIOF153Jeremiah JacksonLAASS
29Asa LacyKCP154Braden ShewmakeATLSS
30Royce LewisMINSS155Gabriel AriasCLESS
31Joey BartSFC156Gunnar HendersonBALSS
32Grayson RodriguezBALP157Diego CartayaLADC
33Nolan GormanSTL3B158Yusniel DiazBALOF
34Vidal BrujanTB2B159Daniel CabreraDETOF
35Drew WatersATLOF160Isaiah GreeneCLEOF
36JJ BledayMIAOF161Alejandro KirkTORC
37Ronny MauricioNYMSS162Bryce JarvisARIP
38Brandon MarshLAAOF163Gilberto JimenezBOSOF
39Nolan JonesCLE3B164Ezequiel DuranNYY2B
40Emerson HancockSEAP165Joe RyanTBP
41Cristian PacheATLOF166Brent RookerMINOF
42Ke'Bryan HayesPIT3B167Chris RodriguezLAAP
43Austin HendrickCINOF168Bayron LoraTEXOF
44Orelvis MartinezTORSS169Andy PagesLADOF
45Zac VeenCOLOF170William ContrerasATLC
46Oneil CruzPITSS171Jhoan DuranMINP
47Triston CasasBOS1B172Reginald PreciadoCHCSS
48Michael KopechCHWP173Bobby MillerLADP
49Heliot RamosSFOF174Braxton GarrettMIAP
50Jeter DownsBOS2B175Jordan WestburgBALSS
51Edward CabreraMIAP176Justin FoscueTEXOF
52Hunter BishopSFOF177Dillon DinglerDETC
53Shane McClanahanTBP178Luis GilNYYP
54George KirbySEAP179Brennan MalonePITP
55George ValeraCLEOF180Ronaldo HernandezBOSC
56Pete Crow-ArmstrongNYMOF181Cal RaleighSEAC
57Geraldo PerdomoARISS182Slade CecconiARIP
58Robert Hassell IIISDOF183Blake WalstonARIP
59Brailyn MarquezCHCP184Jay GroomeBOSP
60Erick PenaKCOF185Mason MartinPIT1B
61Nick LodoloCINP186Daulton JefferiesOAKP
62Heston KjerstadBALOF187Pavin SmithARI1B
63Garrett CrochetCHWP188Zach McKinstryLAD2B
64Garrett MitchellMILOF189Forrest WhitleyHOUP
65Xavier EdwardsTBSS190Luis ToribioSF3B
66Shane BazTBP191Tucker DavidsonATLP
67DL HallBALP192Alexander VargasNYYSS
68Daniel LynchKCP193Lewin DiazMIA1B
69Taylor TrammellSEAOF194Jeferson EspinalARIOF
70Matthew LiberatoreSTLP195Michael BaumannBALP
71Quinn PriesterPITP196Zack ThompsonSTLP
72Brennen DavisCHCOF197Seth BeerARI1B
73Clarke SchmidtNYYP198Elehuris MonteroCOL3B
74Kody HoeseLAD3B199Ivan HerreraSTLC
75Tyler FreemanCLESS200Bryan AbreuHOUP
76Brendan McKayTBP201Jonathan StieverCHWP
77Jonathan IndiaCIN2B202Keoni CavacoMINSS
78Mick AbelPHIP203Jack KochanowiczLAAP
79Francisco AlvarezNYMC204Adam KloffensteinTORP
80Deivi GarciaNYYP205Jake FraleySEAOF
81Jordan BalazovicMINP206Seth CorrySFP
82Josh JungTEX3B207Jairo PomaresSFOF
83Hunter GreeneCINP208Arol VeraLAASS
84Simeon Woods-RichardsonTORP209Estevan FlorialNYYOF
85Jesus SanchezMIAOF210Tanner BurnsCLEP
86Robert PuasonOAKSS211J.T. GinnNYMP
87Jarren DuranBOSOF212Miguel HiraldoTOR3B
88Jordyn AdamsLAAOF213Bo NaylorCLEC
89Josiah GrayLADP214Jerar EncarnacionMIAOF
90Luis CampusanoSDC215Kyle MullerATLP
91Cade CavalliWSHP216Mark VientosNYM3B
92Austin WellsNYYC217Alex De JesusLAD2B
93Jared OlivaPITOF218Gabriel MorenoTORC
94Tanner HouckBOSP219Ethan SmallMILP
95Brayan RocchioCLESS220Ji-Hwan BaePIT2B
96Hedbert PerezMILOF221Logan DavidsonOAKSS
97Jackson KowarKCP222Tyler CallihanCIN2B
98Luis MatosSFOF223Jack HermanPITOF
99Aaron BrachoCLE2B224Parker MeadowsDETOF
100Tyler SoderstromOAKC225Cole RoedererCHCOF
101Ed HowardCHCSS226Colton WelkerCOL3B
102Reid DetmersLAAP227Wilderd PatinoARIOF
103Luisangel AcunaTEXSS228Ryan ViladeCOLSS
104Michael TogliaCOL1B229Cole WinnTEXP
105Jackson RutledgeWSHP230Kyren ParisLAASS
106Greg JonesTBSS231Zach DeLoachSEAOF
107Matthew AllanNYMP232Corbin MartinARIP
108Brent Honeywell Jr.TBP233Jared JonesPITP
109Liover PegueroPITSS234Luis FriasARIP
110Alek ManoahTORP235Thad WardBOSP
111Brett BatyNYM3B236Bryce BallATL1B
112Bryson StottPHISS237Jhon TorresSTLOF
113A.J. PukOAKP238Miguel VargasLAD3B
114Hudson HeadPITOF239Jeremy PenaHOUSS
115Ryan WeathersSDP240Nick LoftinKCSS
116Peyton BurdickMIAOF241Will WilsonSFSS
117Keibert RuizLADC242Bryan MataBOSP
118Ethan HankinsCLEP243Sheldon NeuseOAK2B
119Misael UrbinaMINOF244Benyamin BaileyCHWOF
120Shea LangeliersATLC245Owen MillerCLESS
121Tahnaj ThomasPITP246Gabriel RodriguezCLESS
122Sam HuffTEXC247Bubba ThompsonTEXOF
123Daniel EspinoCLEP248Joey CantilloCLEP
124Cole WilcoxTBP249Hudson PottsBOSSS
125Monte HarrisonMIAOF250Daz CameronDETOF

Rankings By Position

The number in brackets is the player's overall rank in the top-250.

Catcher

RankC
1Adley Rutschman [8]
2Joey Bart [31]
3Francisco Alvarez [79]
4Luis Campusano [90]
5Austin Wells [92]
6Tyler Soderstrom [100]
7Keibert Ruiz [117]
8Shea Langeliers [120]
9Sam Huff [122]
10Tyler Stephenson [129]

First Base

Rank1B
1Andrew Vaughn [7]
2Triston Casas [47]
3Michael Toglia [104]
4Aaron Sabato [142]
5Mason Martin [185]
6Pavin Smith [187]
7Lewin Diaz [193]
8Seth Beer [197]
9Bryce Ball [236]

Second Base

Rank2B
1Vidal Brujan [34]
2Jeter Downs [50]
3Jonathan India [77]
4Aaron Bracho [99]
5Michael Busch [149]
6Ezequiel Duran [164]
7Zach McKinstry [188]
8Alex De Jesus [217]
9Ji-Hwan Bae [220]
10Tyler Callihan [222]

Third Base

Rank3B
1Spencer Torkelson [4]
2Jordan Groshans [25]
3Nolan Gorman [33]
4Nolan Jones [39]
5Ke'Bryan Hayes [42]
6Kody Hoese [74]
7Josh Jung [82]
8Brett Baty [111]
9Sherten Apostel [126]
10Jordan Walker [137]

Shortstop

RankSS
1Wander Franco [1]
2Bobby Witt Jr. [6]
3Marco Luciano [9]
4Noelvi Marte [11]
5Austin Martin [12]
6CJ Abrams [13]
7Nick Gonzales [18]
8Royce Lewis [30]
9Ronny Mauricio [37]
10Orelvis Martinez [44]

Outfield

RankOF
1Jarred Kelenic [2]
2Julio Rodriguez [3]
3Alex Kirilloff [15]
4Kristian Robinson [16]
5Riley Greene [17]
6Jasson Dominguez [19]
7Corbin Carroll [21]
8Trevor Larnach [27]
9Alek Thomas [28]
10Drew Waters [35]
11JJ Bleday [36]
12Brandon Marsh [38]
13Cristian Pache [41]
14Austin Hendrick [43]
15Zac Veen [45]
16Heliot Ramos [49]
17Hunter Bishop [52]
18George Valera [55]
19Pete Crow-Armstrong [56]
20Robert Hassell III [58]
21Erick Pena [60]
22Heston Kjerstad [62]
23Garrett Mitchell [64]
24Taylor Trammell [69]
25Brennen Davis [72]

Pitcher

RankP
1MacKenzie Gore [5]
2Nate Pearson [10]
3Sixto Sanchez [14]
4Matt Manning [20]
5Logan Gilbert [22]
6Luis Patino [23]
7Max Meyer [24]
8Spencer Howard [26]
9Asa Lacy [29]
10Grayson Rodriguez [32]
11Emerson Hancock [40]
12Michael Kopech [48]
13Edward Cabrera [51]
14Shane McClanahan [53]
15George Kirby [54]
16Brailyn Marquez [59]
17Nick Lodolo [61]
18Garrett Crochet [63]
19Shane Baz [66]
20DL Hall [67]
21Daniel Lynch [68]
22Matthew Liberatore [70]
23Quinn Priester [71]
24Clarke Schmidt [73]
25Brendan McKay [76]
26Mick Abel [78]
27Deivi Garcia [80]
28Jordan Balazovic [81]
29Hunter Greene [83]
30Simeon Woods-Richardson [84]
31Josiah Gray [89]
32Cade Cavalli [91]
33Tanner Houck [94]
34Jackson Kowar [97]
35Reid Detmers [102]
36Jackson Rutledge [105]
37Matthew Allan [107]
38Brent Honeywell Jr. [108]
39Alek Manoah [110]
40A.J. Puk [113]
41Ryan Weathers [115]
42Ethan Hankins [118]
43Tahnaj Thomas [121]
44Daniel Espino [123]
45Cole Wilcox [124]
46Nick Bitsko [128]
47J.B. Bukauskas [140]
48Dean Kremer [146]
49Luis Medina [147]
50Jared Kelley [151]

Biggest Risers

Quinn Priester, RHP PIT - Current rank: 71, previous rank: 150

Priester was the top pick of the Pirates in the 2019 draft as a high-upside, prep right-hander which perfectly fits the Pirates’ modus operandi in the draft the last few years. The 6’3”, 210-pound righty used his first offseason, and the 2020 season at instructionals, to add weight to his frame but also velocity and movement to his pitches. The fastball averages a tick over 97 mph while touching 99 occasionally with a very good spin rate over 2,200 rpm. The two-seamer is a sinking pitch that he uses to induce ground balls at a good clip and the remaining three pitches are two distinct breaking pitches in a curveball and slider and then a seldom-used changeup. All five pitches are at least average with the fastballs and curveball being plus-pitches. His repeatable delivery and still improving stuff has Priester possessing as much upside as any pitching prospect in baseball. 

Shea Langeliers, C ATL - Current rank: 120, previous rank: NR

Langeliers also came out of the 2019 draft in the first round after a solid college career at Baylor. He was known as a glove-first catcher coming into the draft but he’s worked hard to improve the bat and get it closer to his defense and that work is paying off. While getting time at the alternate site last year, the right-handed hitting catcher worked on taking balls the other way and his average exit velocity on those balls in play was 95.4 mph. He did hit .255 in a brief stint in the minors in 2019 as well. The arm is perhaps the best of any catcher in the minors as he threw out 41-percent of would-be base stealers in 2019 and the framing and blocking grade out as plus skills. If the bat continues to improve on the work he put in at the alternate site, there’s no doubt he’ll be just a tick behind the likes of Adley Rutschman and Joey Bart in the catching prospect ranks.

Pavin Smith, 1B/OF ARI - Current rank: 187, previous rank: NR

Smith was drafted with the thinking that he might be the replacement for Paul Goldschmidt at first base, and though his development has taken longer than expected, he’s finally starting to make an impact on the major league roster. He’s a patient hitter with a good eye and approach as he walked (148) nearly as many times as striking out (158) in his four seasons in the minors. In his brief time in the majors to this point, the bat speed and hit tool have been quite good though the power has still been lacking, like it’s always been since being drafted, which hurts his upside a bit. Arizona is using him in both the outfield and at first base to keep his bat in the lineup and while his speed isn’t off the charts, his athleticism helps him be close to an average runner. His overall profile is a hitter who will hit for a high average and a great OBP while hitting 10-15 HR a year and qualifying at 1B and OF in fantasy leagues.

Ryan Weathers, LHP SD - Current rank: 115, previous rank: 197

Weathers has been the talk of the industry over the last week and change given his first two starts in the majors, including shutting down the Dodgers’ potent offense in one of those starts. The southpaw was a first-round pick of San Diego in the 2018 draft and since then has put on a show at each level he’s been at including opening a ton of eyes at the alternate site in 2020. The fastball is a plus pitch with plus command and sits in the high-90s with great late life. The mid-80s slider and nice fading changeup round out the arsenal and are both out pitches to either handedness of hitter. Weathers has the MLB pedigree to go along with his stuff and he should be a number-three starter at best or a high-leverage bullpen arm in a worst-case scenario.

Shane McClanahan, LHP TB - Current rank: 53, previous rank: 103

McClanahan has managed to hang out as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, let alone in the Rays’ system, without a whole lot of hubbub. That will change soon though as he is being called up to start on the 28th of April as the Tampa rotation continues to need depth. The lefty brings a 70-grade fastball as the lead pitch in his arsenal that tops out at 101 but sits 95-98 mph when he’s starting. He pairs that double-plus heater with an upper-80s slider that produced a 40-percent whiff rate to this point in the pros between minors and a brief debut for Tampa last year in the playoffs. The upper-80s changeup that looks like a splitter is a developing third pitch that gives him a ceiling of a number-two starter but likely number-three arm for the Rays or he could wind up like a Josh Hader type and ride that electric stuff to a high-leverage role in the bullpen.

Chris Rodriguez, RHP LAA - Current rank: 167, previous rank: NR

Rodriguez has always had the stuff to be in the discussion as a mid-rotation piece for the Halos but the injury history here has kept him from showing off that stuff. He pitched all of 9.1 innings in 2018 and 2019 combined due to a back injury, but now he’s fully healthy and pitched more than 50 innings between the alternate site and Fall league last year. This spring, the mid-to-upper-90s fastball was showing up consistently in games, and the control, which had been an issue before, is now more refined as well. The fastball is a sinking two-seamer, while the slider is more of the hard and tight variety to differentiate it from his slower, more looping curveball, and don’t sleep on the plus-changeup either. If he can remain healthy, there’s no doubt that he and Andrew Heaney and Reid Detmers could form a very good top-three in the rotation.

Matthew Allan, RHP NYM - Current rank: 107, previous rank: 186

Allan was a liability to draft due to the high signing bonus demanded and his commitment to the University of Florida, however, the Mets were able to get him to sign for less than he had asked for ($2.5 million compared to $4 million) after taking him in the third round of the 2019 draft. The prep school righty then impressed everyone at the alternate site in 2020 where he showed off his mid-to-upper-90s fastball that he works well both down in the zone and as a high strike. The mid-80s changeup is perhaps his best secondary pitch as it’s flashed plus consistently while showing good fade and deception along with his downer-curveball that sits in the low-80s. At 6’3”, 225-pounds and with three plus-pitches in tow, the 20-year-old seems poised to be on a fast track to being the Mets’ rotation as a future frontline starter to sit behind deGrom in the starting five.