The future is now in the National League Central.
Several of the top prospects in all of baseball reside in the division, including consensus No. 1 Konnor Griffin. The Pittsburgh Pirates boast Griffin and promising right-hander Bubba Chandler. The St. Louis Cardinals are excited about infielder JJ Wetherholt, a refined hitter who could contend for Rookie of the Year.
The Milwaukee Brewers possess an elite talent in middle infielder Jesús Made, while the Chicago Cubs could call on fireballing right-hander Jaxon Wiggins in 2026. Finally, the Cincinnati Reds will look to up-and-coming corner infielder Sal Stewart to contribute this season.
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
American League Central
American League West
National League East
NL West: March 7
Chicago Cubs
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- Jaxon Wiggins, RHP (24) Triple-digit fastball highlights the arsenal; could debut in 2026.
- Moisés Ballesteros, C/DH (22) Excellent bet to hit well in the majors but not to stay behind the plate.
- Jefferson Rojas, SS (20) Elevation to Double-A went poorly, but looks like a dynamic two-way contributor.
- Ethan Conrad, OF (21) Cubs believe they got a first-round steal in this lefty-hitting outfielder.
- Kevin Alcántara, OF (23) Tall, lanky athlete with both power and speed, but feel to hit has been shaky.
- Jonathon Long, 1B (24) Good athlete for a first baseman but needs better power to fit there.
- Pedro Ramirez, INF (22) Won’t stick at shortstop as a regular but can be a strong bench piece.
- Josiah Hartshorn, OF (19) Cubs paid an overslot bonus to land him in 2025 draft. Big upside, but far away.
- Nazier Mulé, RHP (21) Hoping to break out in third year after Tommy John surgery as a teenager.
- Juan Cabada, INF (17) Will move quickly with his polished approach and smooth left-handed swing.
Cincinnati Reds
- Sal Stewart, 1B/3B (22) Impressed in 18 September games for Cincinnati, belting five homers and slugging .545.
- Rhett Lowder, RHP (24) Injury-filled 2025 but had 1.17 ERA in six MLB starts in 2024.
- Alfredo Duno, C (20) Posted .430 OBP and 18 homers in Single-A as a teenager in 2025.
- Chase Petty, RHP (22) Has plus stuff that he simply needs to control.
- Héctor Rodríguez, OF (22) Showed a bit of power with 19 homers in 135 games at Double- and Triple-A in 2025.
- Steele Hall, SS (18) Top 2025 pick has great speed, good hands and a strong arm.
- Cam Collier, 1B/3B (21) Enticing power potential; limited by a thumb injury in 2025.
- Tyson Lewis, SS (20) Had a .311/.376/.486 line with 27 SB in first pro season.
- Zach Maxwell, RHP (25) Relief specialist with a blazing fastball struck out 27% of batters he faced at Triple-A.
- Edwin Arroyo, SS (22) Contact hitter and athletic fielder who could play multiple positions.
Milwaukee Brewers
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- Jesús Made, SS/2B (18) The switch-hitter is considered to be one of the top three prospects in all of baseball.
- Luis Peña, SS/2B (19) Peña is faster than Made but with more development needed at the plate.
- Cooper Pratt, SS (21) The 2023 draftee is probably a year away from competing for the shortstop job.
- Jeferson Quero, C (23) Quero is expected to debut as Milwaukee’s backup catcher in 2026.
- Logan Henderson, RHP (24) After breaking into the majors in 2025, Henderson is seeking to stick.
- Bishop Letson, RHP (21) Features some freaky physical attributes that are reminiscent of Jacob Misiorowski.
- Andrew Fischer, 3B/1B (21) Milwaukee’s 2025 first-round pick could be on the fast track to the majors as a hitter.
- Marco Dinges, C (22) His bat is his calling card — he already produces major-league-level bat speed.
- Luis Lara, OF (21) Diminutive, pesky hitter who was honored as the best defensive center fielder in the minor leagues in 2025.
- Josh Adamczewski, OF (20) Switched from middle infield to left field in 2025 with his offense pushing him through the system.
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Konnor Griffin, SS/CF (19) Consensus Minor League Player of the Year in 2025 and top prospect in baseball.
- Bubba Chandler, RHP (23) Had 31 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings in his first taste of MLB last season.
- Seth Hernandez, RHP (19) Might have been the best raw talent in last year’s draft.
- Edward Florentino, OF/1B (19) Emerging power threat in lower minors.
- Hunter Barco, LHP (25) Has a big fan in Cy Young winner Paul Skenes.
- Jhostynxon Garcia, OF (23) Pirates happy to acquire “The Password” from the Red Sox.
- Termarr Johnson, 2B (21) The shine is starting to fade on the 2021 first-round pick.
- Rafael Flores Jr., C (25) Has big-time power, but defense is questionable.
- Antwone Kelly, RHP (22) Aruban was a breakout prospect in 2025.
- Wilber Dotel, RHP (23) Another in Pirates’ strong stable of pitching prospects.
- RELATED:Konnor Griffin is ready to make his mark on MLB
St. Louis Cardinals
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- JJ Wetherholt, INF (23) Polished hitter with power is ready for a swing at Rookie of the Year honors.
- Liam Doyle, LHP (21) Drafted fifth overall out of Tennessee last year; lefty’s heat touches 100 mph, and his fiery personality burns.
- Rainiel Rodriguez, C (19) Impressed big-leaguers with the authority of his bat. Improving as a catcher.
- Quinn Mathews, LHP (25) Found his footing in an inconsistent 2025. A beguiling talent with strikeout stuff.
- Joshua Baez, OF (22) 2021 second-rounder has significant middle-order impact potential.
- Leonardo Bernal, C (22) Most well-rounded in Cards’ catching cluster. On the brink of the majors with advanced instincts.
- Brandon Clarke, LHP (22) Lithe lefty touches 101 mph with fastball, buckles knees with breaking ball.
- Jimmy Crooks, C (24) Trusted presence behind the plate hints at upside offensively.
- Yairo Padilla, SS (18) Poise beyond his years and a frame that projects for the highest ceiling.
- Tekoah Roby, RHP (24) Likely to miss the season recovering from elbow surgery. Sizzling fastball is worth the wait.