ESPN updates 2026 MLB prospect rankings as Jesús Made takes top spot
Leo De Vries and Colt Emerson round out the top three as trade speculation intensifies and eligibility rules reshape the list.
ESPN has published an update to its top 50 Major League Baseball prospect rankings for the 2026 season, marking the first significant revision since the preseason list. The update coincides with the early stages of the 2026 MLB season and the onset of trade speculation, with several players now on active big league rosters.
Jesús Made, a shortstop for the Milwaukee Brewers, has risen to the No. 1 spot, displacing Konnor Griffin, who has graduated from eligibility. Leo De Vries of the Oakland Athletics and Colt Emerson of the Seattle Mariners have moved up to No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
The revision reflects player eligibility changes, with several preseason top 100 players no longer qualifying for the list. ESPN noted that players in the big leagues remain eligible under rookie eligibility rules, which apply after 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched, or 45 days on the active roster. However, players projected to lose eligibility in the immediate future are excluded from this update.
A significant number of names have dropped out of the rankings, including Kevin McGonigle, Samuel Basallo, JJ Wetherholt, Bubba Chandler, and Nolan McLean. ESPN highlighted that seven of the players currently in the top 50 are on active big league rosters and could fall off the list in the coming month as they continue to meet eligibility thresholds.
The update comes just ahead of what ESPN described as the perfect opportunity to assess minor league talent before potential trades materialise over the coming months. The publication also noted that it has recently updated its rankings of the top 10 prospects within all 30 MLB systems, providing a broader context for the top 50 list.
