Ranking the Top 10 Prospects for Every NL East Team

The National League East is teeming with talented young prospects.

The New York Mets check in with two of the top prospects in all of baseball with right-hander Nolan McLean and outfielder Carson Benge. The Washington Nationals boast shortstop Eli Willits, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2025. The Atlanta Braves are excited about left-hander Cam Caminiti, and the Marlins are looking forward to the arrival of left-hander Thomas White.

Finally, the Phillies have a trio of rising stars in right-hander Andrew Painter, shortstop Aidan Miller and outfielder Justin Crawford.

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
NL Central: March 5
NL West: March 7

Atlanta Braves

1. Cam Caminiti, LHP (19) The Braves’ first-round pick in 2024 had 17 starts with a 3.09 ERA in rookie ball and Single-A.
2. JR Ritchie, RHP (22) Moved from High-A to Double-A to Triple-A with 26 starts and a 2.64 ERA for the year.
3. Tate Southisine, SS/OF (19) The 2025 first-rounder’s athleticism makes up for his smallish frame.
4. Alex Lodise, SS (22) Lodise hit .252 in 25 games at High-A Rome.
5. Briggs McKenzie, LHP (19) Has a plus curveball but must add strength to maintain velocity on his fastball.
6. Garrett Baumann, RHP (21) Six-foot-eight righty had 108 strikeouts in 113.2 innings at Rome.
7. Didier Fuentes, RHP (20) Made four starts in Atlanta in 2025 but was not ready (13.85 ERA).
8. Owen Murphy, RHP (22) Missed most of 2025 after Tommy John surgery but made a promising return late in the season in Rome.
9. Conor Essenburg, OF (19) Will get a look in the outfield but has pitching potential as well.
10. Drue Hackenburg, RHP (23) Struggled in 2025 (6.81 ERA, .279 BAA) and must rebound.

Miami Marlins

1. Thomas White, LHP (21) Towering southpaw had 145 Ks in 89.2 innings at three levels in 2025.
2. Owen Caissie, OF (23) Slugger arrives as centerpiece of Cabrera trade with shot at Opening Day roster.
3. Robby Snelling, LHP (22) Organization’s reigning Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
4. Joe Mack, C (23) Miami’s catcher in waiting could force the issue and make the club out of spring.
5. Aiva Arquette, SS (22) Seventh overall pick debuted at High-A and is considered an advanced bat.
6. Starlyn Caba, SS (20) Gold Glove talent missed time with injury but flashed in Arizona Fall League.
7. Cam Cannarella, OF (22) Debuted at High-A and has elite bat-to-ball and defensive skills.
8. Kemp Alderman, OF (23) Combined for an .819 OPS in Double-A and Triple-A.
9. Kevin Defrank, RHP (17) Thrived in Dominican Summer League (3.19 ERA).
10. Noble Meyer, RHP (21) Fell behind White in his development and remained at High-A (4.41 ERA).

New York Mets

1. Nolan McLean, RHP (24) Curveball averaged a league-best 3,248 RPM after August call-up.
2. Carson Benge, OF (23) Five-tool force will have a real chance to win a starting outfield job this spring.
3. Jett Williams, SS/2B/CF (22) After strong recovery from 2024 wrist surgery, the versatile Williams will soon be a core piece for Mets.
4. Brandon Sproat, RHP (25) With a harder four-seamer making his changeup more effective, he’s next in line for a rotation spot.
5. Jonah Tong, RHP (22) Remarkable extension helps him generate whiffs, but must control walks.
6. Jacob Reimer, 3B/1B (22) Made great strides as a power hitter at High-A and Double-A.
7. A.J. Ewing, CF/2B (21) Fleet lefty hitter who excelled at three levels last season.
8. Ryan Clifford, 1B/OF (22) He’s been a big three-true-outcomes guy, but the homers and walks make him an intriguing option.
9. Mitch Voit, 2B (21) Former two-way player at Michigan who concentrated on hitting in ’25 (1.140 OPS) and became the Mets’ top pick.
10. Elian Peña, SS (18) Disciplined, all-fields hitter with speed who signed for $5 million last year.

Philadelphia Phillies

1. Andrew Painter, RHP (22) Much-hyped prospect, a Justin Verlander type, finally arrives in ’26.
2. Aidan Miller, SS (21) Total package set for Triple-A; could be in ‘27 infield.
3. Justin Crawford, CF (22) Speedy .300 hitter is ready for big-league debut.
4. Aroon Escobar, 2B (21) Strong-bodied cousin of Ronald Acuña Jr. is known for his bat.
5. Gage Wood, RHP (22) Team’s top pick in ’25 has big strikeout stuff; could rise quickly if used as reliever.
6. Matthew Fisher, RHP (20) Team spent $1.25 million to sign two-sport Indiana prep star last summer.
7. Dante Nori, CF (21) Stole 52 bases and had a .361 OBP in the minors in ’25.
8. Gabriel Rincones Jr., RF (25) Lefty hitter has power, mashes right-handed pitching; could be part of platoon in ’26.
9. Moisés Chace, RHP (22) Showed strikeout stuff before Tommy John surgery in ’25.
10. Alex McFarlane, RHP (24) Plus slider could put him in the bullpen mix after wintertime addition to 40-man roster.

Washington Nationals

1. Eli Willits, SS (18) Played 15 games at Single-A Fredericksburg as a 17-year-old and more than held his own (.300/.397/.360).
2. Jarlin Susanna, RHP (22) This 6-foot-6 flamethrower regularly hits 100+ mph with his fastball.
3. Harry Ford, C (23) Has exceptional strike-zone awareness and surprising speed for a catcher.
4. Travis Sykora, RHP (21) Despite elbow surgery that will keep him sidelined for most or all of 2026, he has massive upside.
5. Luis Perales, RHP (22) Generates exceptional velocity and huge strikeout totals from a slight frame.
6. Alex Clemmey, LHP (20) He’s a 6-foot-6 specimen with a mid-90s fastball but has struggled with walks.
7. Seaver King, SS (22) Strong showing in AFL has him trending upward; only question is whether he stays at SS.
8. Luke Dickerson, SS (20) Figures to see a lot of time at 2B, given his weaker arm and Nats’ depth at SS.
9. Landon Harmon, RHP (19) Has a fastball that touches 99 mph and a projectible 6-foot-5 frame.
10. Ethan Petry, OF/1B (21) Elite power but shaky glove work makes him a candidate for DH duty down the line.

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