CHANGING OF THE GUARD
With this midseason update to our Top 100 Prospects, Baseball America effectively turns the page to 2023.
Adley Rutschman, Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr. and other top prospects from this spring have graduated to major league stardom. Now, it’s time to get to know next year’s Top 100 Prospects.
All prospect-eligible players—no more than 130 at-bats or 50 innings in the big leagues—were considered for this Top 100 update, though prospects on MLB rosters as of July 13 were excluded.
This update represents the first time 2022 draft picks are ranked, though the majority were unsigned at press time.
1. GRAYSON RODRIGUEZ ORIOLES, RHP
Rodriguez’s ascent to the majors came to a screeching halt when he suffered a strained lat muscle in early June. When he was on the mound, he showed the potential to be a true ace with three plus pitches, plus command and the physicality to log innings and dominate deep into games. Rodriguez retains his status as the top pitching prospect in baseball.
2. CORBIN CARROLL D-BACKS, OF
After missing most of last season with a shoulder injury, Carroll has returned with a vengeance this season. The undersized but mighty center fielder boasts plus hitting ability, plus speed and plus defense to go with sneaky power that plays in games, making him one of the most well-rounded prospects in the minors. He cruised at Double-A Amarillo, earning a July bump to Triple-A Reno.
3. FRANCISCO ALVAREZ METS, C
The burly catcher mashed at Double-A to earn a ticket to Triple-A in July. Alvarez projects to be an offensive force whenever he arrives at Citi Field, the rare middle-of-the-order backstop. Alvarez’s defense and how his big body will age remain questions, though he projects to hit enough even if he has to become a DH later down the line.
4. GUNNAR HENDERSON ORIOLES, SS/3B
Even with the graduation of preseason No. 1 prospect Adley Rutschman, the Orioles’ farm system remains flush with talent.
Righthander Grayson Rodriguez was carving in Triple-A before a lat injury cut short his season. And then there’s Henderson, Baltimore’s second-round pick in 2019 out of high school in Alabama, who has absolutely raked at Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk.
Henderson is large, athletic and can hit the living daylights out of the ball. His speed belies his size and he might be able to stick at shortstop. Even if he’s not a standout at the position, he has an incredibly strong arm.
If Henderson does move to third base, his bat will be strong enough to profile at the corner. Through 79 games this season he had hit .294/.428/.540 with 13 home runs, 15 stolen bases, 63 walks and 74 strikeouts.
Henderson is not only one of the best prospects in Baltimore’s system, he is a candidate for the No. 1 overall spot heading into the 2023 season.
—Josh Norris
5. JORDAN WALKER CARDINALS, 3B
Few prospects have higher offensive ceilings than Walker, who combines advanced hitting instincts with jaw-dropping raw power at Double-A to project as a middle-of-the-order force. While he probably won’t stick at third base, he has added enough athleticism to play right field
6. EURY PEREZ MARLINS, RHP
The 6-foot-8 teenager continues to impress with his combination of stuff, poise and athleticism. With his mid-90s fastball, plus slider, excellent changeup and plus control, Perez has mowed down Double-A hitters at age 19 to become one of the very best pitching prospects in baseball.
7. DIEGO CARTAYA DODGERS, C
Cartaya’s advanced approach, explosive swing and massive power have translated to High-A and earned him plaudits as one of the best—and most dangerous—hitters in the minors. His defense behind the plate has regressed, but he’s shown the ability to be a plus defender in the past.
8. JORDAN LAWLAR D-BACKS, SS
Lawlar tore through the Low-A California League in his full-season debut with a dazzling display of electric athleticism, better-than-expected contact skills and explosive power. As long as he shows his hitting ability
