Ranking the Top 10 Prospects for Every AL Central Team

by Athlon Sports
Ranking the Top 10 Prospects for Every AL Central Team

Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle prepares to throw to first base during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game in Mesa, Arizona, on Nov. 9, 2025.

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The future is bright in the American League Central.

The Chicago White Sox eagerly await the debut of 6-foot-10 left-hander Noah Schultz. The Cleveland Guardians might have a decision to make on whether to play their top prospect, Travis Bazzana, at second base or in the outfield. Meantime, the Detroit Tigers are giddy about two of the top prospects in MLB, Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark.

The Kansas City Royals have a pair of talented backstops in the pipeline in Carter Jensen and Blake Mitchell. Finally, the Minnesota Twins are eyeing the development of promising young outfielders Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez.

Athlon Sports identified each team's top 10 prospects heading into this season for our 2026 MLB Preview magazine. The results are below.

More MLB top prospects lists:
American League East
AL West: Feb. 28
NL East: March 3
NL Central: March 5
NL West: March 7

Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox left-hander Noah Schultz pitches in a spring training game against the San Diego Padres in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 26, 2025.

Allan Henry-Imagn Images

  1. Noah Schultz, LHP (22) Injuries have slowed his development, but stuff remains intriguing.
  2. Caleb Bonemer, SS (20) Carolina League MVP also produced in 11 games in High-A.
  3. Braden Montgomery, OF (22) Talented switch-hitter delivered 50 extra-base hits while earning two promotions.
  4. Hagen Smith, LHP (22) Sox first-round pick in 2024 has elite stuff, but control needs work.
  5. Billy Carlson, SS (19) Considered the best defensive prep shortstop in the 2025 draft.
  6. Tanner McDougal, RHP (22) Nasty righthander struck out 136 in 113.1 innings while advancing to Double-A.
  7. Sam Antonacci, 2B (23) On-base machine punctuated solid season by becoming an Arizona Fall League All-Star.
  8. Christian Oppor, LHP (21) Struck out 116 in 87.2 innings while flashing an elite changeup.
  9. Jaden Fauske, OF, (19) Sox’s 2025 second-round pick earned praise from Jim Thome for solid left-handed stroke.
  10. Jedixson Paez, RHP (22) Righthander with elite control could make team as Rule 5 pick from the Red Sox.

Cleveland Guardians

  1. Travis Bazzana, 2B (23) Second baseman of the future but could be tested in the outfield.
  2. Chase DeLauter, OF (24) Should be on the Guardians’ Opening Day roster if he can avoid injury.
  3. Parker Messick, LHP (25) Will compete for rotation spot after impressive big-league debut in 2025.
  4. Cooper Ingle, C (24) Have the Guardians finally found a catcher who can hit?
  5. Angel Genao, SS (21) Slowed by shoulder injury last season but hit .325 in winter ball.
  6. Jaison Chourio, OF (20) Last season shortened by shoulder injury.
  7. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B/OF (20) He had 22 home runs with 85 RBIs last year at High-A and Double-A.
  8. Juan Brito, 2B (24) A switch-hitter with power whose 2025 season was derailed by injuries.
  9. Kahlil Watson, OF (22) Guardians moved him to the outfield full time and are excited about his power.
  10. Khal Stephen, RHP (23) Guardians acquired Toronto’s second-round pick from 2024 for Shane Bieber.

Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers outfielder Max Clark catches a fly ball during a spring training game against the New York Yankees in Tampa, Florida, on Feb. 21, 2026.

Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

  1. Kevin McGonigle, SS (21) He’s hit .300 in each minor league season and earned MVP honors in the 2025 AFL.
  2. Max Clark, CF (21) He’s a true center fielder with plus speed and elite plate discipline and strike-zone recognition.
  3. Bryce Rainer, SS (20) He was drafted as a potential two-way player, but his elite bat speed will keep him a hitter.
  4. Josue Briceño, C (21) He was the AFL’s first Triple Crown winner in 2024. May eventually land as a 1B if not DH.
  5. Hao-Yu Lee, 2B/3B (23) Holds surprising power in a 5-foot-9 frame. Could make the majors this season.
  6. Jordan Yost, SS (19) His left-handed bat and elite contact skills suggest he’ll move fast.
  7. Cris Rodriguez, OF (18) He’s big (6-foot-3, 203) and powerful, with the arm to stick in RF.
  8. Max Anderson, 2B/3B (24) A second-rounder out of Nebraska in the 2023 draft, he has a better bat than Lee but a lesser glove.
  9. Franyerber Montilla, SS (20) Had a resurgent 2025 at the plate and still has the best arm of any infielder in the system.
  10. Owen Hall, RHP (20) His 6-foot-3 frame and a fastball that tops out at 98 make him intriguing.

Kansas City Royals

  1. Carter Jensen, C (22) The Kansas City, Missouri, native slashed .300/.391/.550 in a 20-game September cameo.
  2. Blake Mitchell, C (21) Defense remains ahead of his offense, so he’s a few years from the big leagues.
  3. Sean Gamble, OF/2B (19) A terrific athlete with a smooth left-handed swing who could move swiftly.
  4. Kendry Chourio, RHP (18) Showed advanced command with 63 strikeouts and only five walks in his debut minor-league season.
  5. David Shields, LHP (19) Struck out 81 with 15 walks in 71.2 innings across 18 starts at Single-A.
  6. Josh Hammond, 3B (19) Bat speed and athleticism give the 2025 first-round pick projectable pop from the right side.
  7. Yandel Ricardo, SS (19) The Cuban teenager tore up the Arizona Complex League (.342/.438/.533).
  8. Ramon Ramirez, C (20) Ramirez’s power is advanced, and his tools are intriguing.
  9. Ben Kudrna, RHP (23) The most likely top-10 prospect besides Jensen to make an impact for the Royals in 2026.
  10. Drew Beam, RHP (23) Projects as a solid back-end rotation option in two or three years.

Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins prospect Walker Jenkins is seen during a minor league game between the Tampa Tarpons and Fort Myers Mighty Mussels in Fort Myers, Florida, on June 28, 2024.

Jonah Hinebaugh / Naples Daily News / USA TODAY NETWORK

  1. Walker Jenkins, OF (21) One of the top prospects in the entire sport, a plus hitter with fluid athleticism.
  2. Kaelen Culpepper, SS (23) Enters 2026 with a real chance to vault toward the majors.
  3. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF (23) Extremely patient approach. Injuries have limited him.
  4. Eduardo Tait, C (19) Big deadline acquisition from Phillies is advanced hitter and receiver for his age.
  5. Connor Prielipp, LHP (25) Injury history means relief role is likely, but he should be dominant there.
  6. Charlee Soto, RHP (20) Second pro season was mostly lost to injury, but he’ll be ready for spring training.
  7. Dasan Hill, LHP (20) Made it to High-A as a teenager; has makings of three plus pitches.
  8. Marek Houston, SS (21) The 2025 first-round pick is a polished defense-first shortstop prospect.
  9. Gabriel Gonzalez, OF (22) Enjoyed a breakout season; tapping into raw power will be key.
  10. Andrew Morris, RHP (24) Worked in more cutters and sinkers in 2025; ready to step into back-end rotation role in MLB.

Top MLB Salaries in 2026

Published:
by Athlon Sports
Read All