The Next Wave: One Breakout MLB Prospect from Every Club Poised to Explode in 2026

The Next Wave: One Breakout MLB Prospect from Every Club Poised to Explode in 2026

By Julian Rossi | Senior Baseball Correspondent

Every front office has a name whispered in the war room—the kid whose exit-velocity numbers just leapt off the Rapsodo screen, the pitcher who added three extra inches of horizontal break over the winter, the shortstop who finally filled out his 6-foot-3 frame. Opening Day 2026 is still months away, but scouts are already betting their per-diem checks on who will be this year’s Juan Soto moment. Below is one prospect from each organization whose arrow is pointing straight up, based on conversations with more than two dozen executives, coaches and analysts.

How We Define “Breakout”

• Still rookie-eligible (fewer than 130 at-bats or 50 innings)
• Projected to open 2026 in Double-A or higher
• At least one 55-or-better tool that could play in the majors this summer

We’re not talking perennial top-10 prospects here; we’re hunting the next wave before it crests.

American League East

Baltimore Orioles – C Samuel Basallo

The 20-year-old switch-hitter already has 70-grade raw power and trimmed his pop-time from 2.05 to 1.88 this winter. One AL scout compared the bat speed to a young Salvador Perez with plate discipline. “He’s going to force his way to Camden Yards by June,” the scout said.

New York Yankees – RHP Brock Selvidge

Selvidge’s new gyro-heavy slider spins at 2,950 rpm and pairs with a 96-mph riding fastball. After 112 strikeouts in 92 innings at Double-A Somerset, he’s the bullpen weapon the Yankees hope can replace the departed Clay Holmes.

Tampa Bay Rays – INF Carson Williams

Williams added 15 pounds of muscle and now averages a 109-mph exit velocity on balls hit 95-plus mph. The Rays believe he can stick at shortstop while posting 25-homer pop.

Toronto Blue Jays – OF Alan Roden

Roden’s 1.026 OPS at Double-A New Hampshire came with more walks (68) than strikeouts (61). “He’s the best pure hitter in our system since Vlad Jr.,” one Jays official bragged.

Boston Red Sox – LHP Luis Perales

Perales, 21, throws a 97-mph fastball with 19 inches of induced vertical break. His changeup has swing-and-miss rates north of 50 percent against right-handed hitters.

American League Central

Cleveland Guardians – RHP Alex Clemmey

Clemmey’s 6-foot-6 frame and 7-foot wingspan give him a release extension that hitters swear adds “invisible” velocity. Expect him to anchor a young rotation by August.

Detroit Tigers – OF Roberto Campos

Campos cut his strikeout rate by eight percentage points last season while slugging .512. He’s the center-field replacement the Tigers have sought since trading Riley Greene.

Kansas City Royals – INF Cayden Wallace

Wallace’s 90th-percentile sprint speed (29.4 ft/sec) and 70-grade arm make him a lock to stay on the left side of the infield.

Minnesota Twins – RHP Zebby Matthews

Matthews’ fastball averaged 98.2 mph in the Arizona Fall League and touched 101. His splitter dives like a Kevin Gausman special, generating whiffs 46 percent of the time.

Chicago White Sox – OF Jacob Gonzalez

Gonzalez slugged .588 with 28 home runs between High-A and Double-A. On the South Side, that’s called hope.

American League West

Houston Astros – RHP Luis Contreras

Contreras hides the ball so well that hitters swear it’s 100 even when it’s 95. He struck out 137 in 104 innings last year.

Texas Rangers – OF Cam Collier

Collier’s 119-mph max exit velocity is already elite; the Rangers just need to unlock the hit tool. New hitting coach Donnie Ecker believes he has another gear.

Seattle Mariners – RHP Tai Peete

Peete’s slider-cutter hybrid is unhittable when he lands it. He fanned 156 in 112 innings across three levels.

Oakland Athletics – SS Jacob Wilson

Wilson’s contact rate (92 percent) is Luis Arraez-level, but he also has the arm to stick at short. The A’s will move him quickly once the Las Vegas stadium talks settle.

Los Angeles Angels – RHP Caden Dana

Dana’s 6-foot-7 frame and 250-pound build evoke a young Tyler Glasnow. His curveball drops 68 inches, making hitters look like they’re swinging at Wiffle balls.

National League East

Atlanta Braves – C Drake Baldwin

Baldwin’s 1.012 OPS at Double-A Mississippi and plus arm strength could push Sean Murphy to first base by 2027.

New York Mets – INF Jett Williams

Williams walked 105 times last year and stole 57 bases. “He’s Brett Gardner with power,” one NL scout said.

Philadelphia Phillies – RHP Andrew Painter

Painter is finally healthy after Tommy John surgery. The 6-foot-7 righty touched 99 in the Fall League with a plus curve and change.

Miami Marlins – INF Yiddi Cappe

Cappe’s 92-mph infield velocity is the best in the system since J.T. Realmuto was catching. He’s moving to third base to expedite the bat.

Washington Nationals – OF James Wood

Wood’s 119-mph exit velocity and 6-foot-7 frame draw Aaron Judge comps. He trimmed his strikeout rate below 20 percent last year.

National League Central

Milwaukee Brewers – LHP Robert Gasser

Gasser’s fastball sits 95 with 20 inches of vertical ride. He struck out 166 in 139 innings across three levels.

Chicago Cubs – RHP Cade Horton

Horton’s slider is already a 70-grade weapon; the Cubs believe he can be a No. 1 starter by 2027.

St. Louis Cardinals – RHP Tink Hence

Hence’s fastball spins at 2,600 rpm and pairs with a plus changeup. He’s the most electric arm the Cardinals have developed since Jack Flaherty.

Cincinnati Reds – INF Edwin Arroyo

Arroyo’s 30-homer, 30-steal potential is real. He’s the reason the Reds felt comfortable shopping Jonathan India.

Pittsburgh Pirates – RHP Bubba Chandler

Chandler’s fastball touched 101 in the Fall League. His curveball is a Spencer Strider-style hammer.

National League West

Los Angeles Dodgers – INF Joendry Vargas

Vargas hit .312 with 24 homers at High-A. With Gavin Lux’s injury history, Vargas could debut by July.

San Diego Padres – C Ethan Salas

Salas is 18 and already shows 70-grade raw power. “He’s Salvador Perez with athleticism,” one NL West scout said.

San Francisco Giants – RHP Carson Whisenhunt

Whisenhunt’s changeup is the best in the minors; hitters whiff 58 percent of the time against it.

Colorado Rockies – INF Adael Amador

Amador’s 91-percent contact rate plays at Coors Field, where the thin air turns doubles into triples.

Arizona Diamondbacks – SS Jordan Lawlar

Lawlar’s 70-grade speed and plus arm make him the heir to Corbin Carroll in the desert.

“The next superstar won’t come from the top of the rankings; he’ll come from the kid who added two ticks and learned to lay off the slider in the dirt.” — AL West cross-checker

Circle these names now. By September, they’ll be household ones.