Major League Baseball Pipeline has released projections for the top prospects of each MLB club heading into Opening Day 2027. The list highlights changes in player development, recent draft picks, and notable trades since a similar projection was made earlier this year.
Eighteen of the thirty projected top prospects are new compared to seven months ago, with nine having been selected in the July 2025 Draft. Among those highlighted are shortstops Leo De Vries (No. 3 overall) and Jesús Made (No. 5), as well as outfielders and pitchers who have advanced rapidly through their organizations’ farm systems.
For the Philadelphia Phillies, Aroon Escobar is projected to be the team’s leading prospect by 2027. “Currently No. 8 on the Top 10 2B prospects list, Escobar has flirted with our Top 100 list and has moved firmly into the Phillies’ Top 10. He’s had a very solid first go-round in full-season ball, earning a promotion to High-A at age 20, showing off a solid approach at the plate and posting 14 homers and 22 steals. The top three on the current list should all graduate and we’ll give the every-day player the edge over Gage Wood, the right-hander taken in the first round of this most recent Draft.”
Across Major League Baseball, several organizations have seen major shifts in their minor league rankings due to graduations to higher levels or departures via trade. Many teams now have recently drafted players or international signings atop their lists.
The report notes that shortstops occupy half of all No.1 spots across clubs’ systems for this projection period.
